CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019 (2019 AR Threats Report) includes updated national death and infection estimates that underscore the continued threat of antibiotic resistance in the United States. New CDC data show that while the burden of antibiotic-resistance threats in the United States was greater than initially understood, deaths are decreasing since the 2013 report. This suggests that U.S. efforts—preventing infections, stopping spread of bacteria and fungi, and improving use of antibiotics in humans, animals,
and the environment—are working, especially in hospitals. Vaccination, where possible, has also shown to be an effective tool of preventing infections, including those that can be resistant, in the community.
Yet the number of people facing antibiotic resistance in the United States is still too high. More than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. In addition, nearly 223,900 people in the United States required hospital care for C. difficile and at least 12,800 people died in 2017.
Germs continue to spread and develop new types of resistance, and progress may be undermined by some community-associated infections that are on the rise. More action is needed to address antibiotic resistance. While the development of new treatments is one of these key actions, such investments must be coupled with dedicated efforts toward preventing infections in the first place, slowing the development of resistance through better antibiotic use, and stopping the spread of resistance when it does develop to protect American lives now and in the future.
Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019 (2019 AR Threats Report) is a publication of the Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit within the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Suggested citation: CDC. Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2019.
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2019-ar-threats-report-508.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
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11/4/19
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CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
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Type: BacteriaAlso known as: TB, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB), or extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR TB), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis)About: TB is caused by the bacteria M. tuberculosis, and is among the most common infectious dise...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
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CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
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Type: BacteriaAlso known as: Resistant staph (short for Staphylococcus)About: S. aureus are common bacteria that spread in healthcare facilities and the community. MRSA can cause difficult-to-treat staph infections because of resistance to some antib...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
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Type: BacteriaAbout: Nontyphoidal Salmonella can spread from animals to people through food, and usually causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Some infections spread to the blood and can have life-threatening complications.Estimated drug-resi...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAlso known as: Typhoid feverAbout: Salmonella Typhi causes a serious disease called typhoid fever, which can be life-threatening. Most people in the U.S. become infected while traveling to countries where the disease is common.Estimated...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAlso known as: PneumococcusAbout: S. pneumoniae causes pneumococcal disease, which can range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections.Estimated infections in 2014: 900,000Estimated deaths in 2014: 3,600This ...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAlso known as: Resistant group A strep, GASAbout: GAS can cause many different infections that range from minor illnesses to serious and deadly diseases, including strep throat, pneumonia, flesh-eating infections, and sepsis.Estimated d...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAbout: Shigella spreads in feces through direct contact or through contaminated surfaces, food, or water. Most people with Shigella infections develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.Estimated drug-resistant infections per year: 77,...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAbout: P. aeruginosa infections usually occur in people with weakened immune systems, and can be particularly dangerous for patients with chronic lung diseases.Estimated cases in hospitalized patients in 2017: 32,600Estimated deaths in ...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
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Type: BacteriaAbout: Enterococci can cause serious infections for patients in healthcare settings, including bloodstream, surgical site, and urinary tract infections.Estimated cases in hospitalized patients in 2017: 54,500Estimated deaths in 2017: 5,...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAlso known as: Extended-spectrum β-lactamaseAbout: ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are a concern in healthcare settings and the community. They can spread rapidly and cause or complicate infections in healthy people.ESBL stands for e...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAlso known as: CampyAbout: Campylobacter usually causes diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and abdominal cramps, and can spread from animals to people through contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked chicken.Drug-resistance infecti...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAlso known as: Nightmare bacteriaAbout: CRE are a major concern for patients in healthcare facilities. Some Enterobacteriaceae (a family of germs) are resistant to nearly all antibiotics, leaving more toxic or less effective treatment o...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit ..
Published Date:
11/4/19
Series:
CDC’s 2019 Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report
Description:
Type: BacteriaAlso known as: Drug-resistant gonorrheaAbout: N. gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea that can result in life-threatening ectopic pregnancy and infertility, and can increase the risk of getting and giving HIV.Es...