The threat of antimicrobial resistance continues to grow worldwide, exacerbated by poor antibiotic stewardship practices, limited development of new antimicrobial agents, and increasing globalization.
Methods:
This review covers previously published studies examining how human movement contributes to the global spread of antimicrobial resistance, including between low- and middle-income and high-income countries.
Results:
The emergence of resistance in one country or part of the world can become a worldwide event quickly. Human movement, including travel, medical tourism, military service, and migration, results in the globalization of resistant bacterial strains.
Conclusions:
Increased surveillance, whole-genome sequencing, focused infection control, and effective stewardship practices are needed to maintain the efficacy of antibiotics.
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