Gram-negative resistance, antimicrobial resistance and superbugs.

A number of articles in a recent issue of the Medical Journal of Australia discuss a worrying and now worldwide concern, the gram-negative resistance as a looming public health crisis. A major positive step has been taken by the Australian Government with the recent formation of the Antimicrobial Resistance Standing Committee, which reports to the Australian Health Protection Committee.

Gram-negative resistance: can we combat the coming of a new “Red Plague”? David F M Looke, Thomas Gottlieb, Cheryl A Jones and David L Paterson;  Med J Aust 2013; 198 (5): 243-244.

Other timely articles in the same MJA issue include, Antimicrobial resistance: global problems need global solutions by Susan Maddocks; and Call for global action to halt the superbug by Abdul Ghafur which discusses initiatives such as ReAct — Action on Antibiotic Resistance, World Alliance against Antibiotic Resistance, (WAAR), Antibiotic Action and the Chennai Declaration.