Emerging antibiotic resistance and plasmid dna in escherichia coli isolated from respiratory tract infections in Bangladesh

Worldwide antibiotic resistance (AR) is a public health threat, places everyone at great risk.1 By 2050, it is anticipated that AR will cause 10 million deaths and US $60–100 trillion global economic loss if AR developing rate is constant as now.2 The rising bacterial resistance among Respiratory Tract Infections (RTI) has become a commonplace event. The resistance among RTIs causative pathogens of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli contributes a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality as well.3–5 Additionally, inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics in RTIs has become a remarkable malpractice by prescribers.6,7 This practice further magnifies the emergence of antibiotic–resistant bacterial strains in addition to increased adverse effect, treatment cost, resource use and consultation with doctors.6,8 Difficulty in establishing bacterial etiology at the time of prescription in RTIs is another barrier to rational antibiotic prescribing in Bangladesh.9,10 The limited context specific surveillance data on antimicrobial sensitivity in Bangladesh further complicates antibiotic prescribing decisions by prescribers.10 The AR surveillance information has even paramount importance to develop local and national antibiotic guidelines.