Swedres-Svarm report 2018

The situation in Sweden regarding antibiotic resistance in bacteria in humans and animals is still favourable from an international perspective. This confirms that our strategies to promote the rational use of antibiotics and to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance are effective. Despite our comparatively good situation, there are problems with cross infection and increasing antibiotic resistance, which motivates continued efforts in preventive work. An important example is the recurrent outbreaks of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in hospitals. This is described in more detail in an In Focus section of this Swedres-Swarm report. Over the last decades the consumption of antibiotics in Sweden has decreased in both humans and in animals. In addition, the sales of broad-spectrum antibiotics have decreased while the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics has increased. Despite this, many of the monitored types of antibiotic resistance have continued to increase over the years, even if exceptions to these negative trends occur.