CDC Releases Antimicrobial Resistant Threats Data From During 2021-2022

COVID-19 blue and green vector typography banner with virus symbol

(Adobe Stock 331001452 by Web Buttons Inc)

Published on July 16, 2024, the CDC has analyzed new data to assess to assess the burden of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens typically found in health care settings in the US. The CDC's previous reports indicated a rise in these pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article highlights the trends observed in 2021 and 2022, compared to 2019 data, focusing on key pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter, multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida auris (C auris).

“Multiple studies have depicted the rise of MDROs postpandemic,” Isis Lamphier, infection prevention manager for Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, and Infection Control Today^®’s (ICT^®’s) Editorial Advisory Board member, told ICT. “This can be due to several reasons such as the widespread use of antibiotics during the pandemic, which accelerated antibiotic-resistant development, improper antibiotic prescribing [and] usage primarily due to disruptions in supply chains, and strains in the health care workforce.”

Hospital-onset infections caused by these pathogens increased by a combined 20% during the pandemic compared to the prepandemic period, peaking in 2021. While rates for most pathogens remained above prepandemic levels in 2022, MRSA was the exception. Notably, the number of reported clinical cases of C auris increased nearly 5-fold from 2019 to 2022. These clinical cases are identified when specimens collected from patients during routine care test positive for C auris.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on antimicrobial resistance (AR). The pandemic challenged health care facilities, health departments, and communities, leading to more extended hospital stays for patients, including those with COVID-19. This strain made it challenging to implement infection prevention and control practices and resulted in increased inappropriate use of antibiotics. These factors contributed to the observed increase in AR during 2020 and 2021.

As the pandemic continued, health care providers and public health professionals took aggressive actions to prevent infections and protect lives, reducing the burden of AR from its 2021 peak. The CDC supported these efforts through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to various programs, including Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Programs, Antibiotic Stewardship Programs, and the CDC's Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (AR Lab Network) across all US states, large cities, and territories.

Infection Control Today's Topic of the Month: Long-Term Care

Key efforts included conducting over 9,000 prevention-based infection control assessments in healthcare facilities, responding to more than 50,000 outbreaks involving novel multidrug-resistant germs, and training over 90,000 health care workers in infection prevention and control.

In 2021 and 2022, the CDC's AR Lab Network received over 230,000 patient samples to detect and characterize resistant organisms. This testing played a crucial role in informing efforts to stop the spread and protect patients.

While significant progress has been made, more action is critical to combat AR. Continued investment in prevention-focused public health actions is necessary to reduce the burden of AR. The CDC's previous AR Threats Reports, published in 2013 and 2019, have guided U.S. policy and investments in this area. In 2025, the CDC will release new estimates for at least 19 AR threats and update the US burden of antimicrobial resistance by pathogens in a new electronic format. In the future, the CDC will release new estimates for the burden of these threats at least every 2 years.

The fight against antimicrobial resistance remains a top priority for public health. The CDC's ongoing efforts to provide high-quality data and support prevention initiatives are crucial in guiding policy and protecting public health. Continued vigilance and investment in proven strategies are essential to curb the threat of antimicrobial resistance in the US.