The BSAC Resistance Surveillance Project monitors resistance to antibiotics (antimicrobials, antibacterials) in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Isolates (bacteria) are collected by a network of laboratories in these countries of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland (Eire) (Great Britain, British Isles). The project studies the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance. It documents the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and gives resistance rates for each species/antibiotic (bug/drug) combination tested. As the study continues, we can look for trends in time for resistance levels.
One survey covers bloodstream infection (bacteraemia, bacteremia, invasive infection, systemic infection). It includes both hospital-acquired infection (nosocomial, healthcare-associated infection, HAI) and community-acquired infections (CAI). The other surveillance project covers community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (community-acquired pneumonia, CAP, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, AECB, etc)
There is a central laboratory for each survey. Testing for the Bacteraemia Resistance Surveillance Programme is done by the Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring and Reference Laboratory (ARMRL) of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in Colindale, London. Testing for the Respiratory Resistance Surveillance Programme is done by GR Micro Ltd., London.
Results and other information from the BSAC Resistance Surveillance Programmes are available from:
www.bsacsurv.org
