Disease burden of bloodstream infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria: a population-level study—Japan, 2015-2018

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health problem. However, quantitative evaluation of its disease burden is challenging. This study aimed to estimate the disease burden of bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by major antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in Japan between 2015 and 2018 in terms of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs).

Our results revealed for the first time the disease burden of BSIs caused by nine major antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in Japan. The estimated disease burden associated with AMR in Japan is substantial and has not begun to decrease. Notably, the burden from FQREC and 3GREC has increased steadily and that from MRSA is larger in Japan than in the EU/EEA area, whereas the burden from other bacteria was comparatively small. Our results are expected to provide useful information for healthcare policymakers for prioritising interventions for AMR