Abstract

PEREZ-LAZO, Giancarlo et al. Rational use of antimicrobials during COVID-19 times in Peru: role of antimicrobial stewardship programs and interventions in terms of infection control. Horiz. Med. [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.2, e1254. ISSN 1727-558X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.24265/horizmed.2021.v21n2.12.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an additional slow-evolving pandemic that precedes the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue when it ends. However, in countries like Peru, where high consumption and inadequate prescription of antimicrobials occur, AMR may go unnoticed and a more challenging future scenario can be expected. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) consist of multidisciplinary teams of professionals that aim to slow down the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms through strategies such as prescription auditing or creation of antimicrobial treatment guidelines based on local AMR rates. The difficulty in the timely diagnosis of co-infections or superinfections in the clinical course and progression of COVID-19 leads to inappropriate use of antimicrobials, forcing ASPs to adapt their strategies in this changing scenario. In Latin America, ASPs not only have to promote behavior change in antimicrobial prescribers but also fight the epidemic of false information (infodemic) and disinformation campaigns on COVID-19. Furthermore, poor-quality infection prevention and control principles require evaluating strategies to mitigate the subsequent impact on AMR.

Keywords : Coronavirus infections; Antimicrobial stewardship; Superinfection; Coinfection; Infection control.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )