More than 50% of patients with pneumonia in some countries are infected with penicillin resistant bacteria, according to the first global survey of its kind published today.
In some countries, resistance to commonly used antibiotics has reached 82% and affects patients with bloodstream infections, according to the World Health Organisation.
WHO revealed the findings of its new surveillance system, tracking infections in 500,000 patients in 22 countries.
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae are most likely to be drug-resistant, the report shows.
In one country 65% of E.coli responsible for UTIs are drug-resistant, the report shows.
The report does not include drug-resistance to TB.
Dr Marc Sprenger, from WHO, said: “The report confirms the serious situation of antibiotic resistance worldwide.
“Some of the world’s most common – and potentially most dangerous – infections are proving drug-resistant.
“And most worrying of all, pathogens don’t respect national borders. That’s why WHO is encouraging all countries to set up good surveillance systems for detecting drug resistance that can provide data to this global system.”
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