For years, health organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have warned that antibiotic resistance is a major global threat. The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance  estimates that at least 700,000 people die annually from infections caused by drug resistant strains.

As global concern grows, international leaders are coming together to take action. Antimicrobial resistance was a topic of discussion during the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York City this week. World leaders spent one day discussing how to increase awareness and respond to challenges posed by this global problem.

We have gathered a list of articles and resources that can help you learn about the history and current state of antibiotic resistance.  This is an issue that affects everyone, so spread the word by sharing the articles and videos with your colleagues, friends and family.

1. Origins and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

An in depth article about the causes and history of antibiotic resistance.

2. See How a Superbug is Created

3. International Activities to Combat AR

Learn what steps we can take to slow drug resistance. Follow the conversation by using #CombatingAMR.

4. 10 Facts on Antimicrobial Resistance

Get the facts from WHO on antimicrobial resistance including the main causes and what actions are being taken. For more detailed information from WHO, see their antimicrobial resistance fact sheet.

5. CDDEP ResistanceMap

These interactive maps created by the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP) summarize global data on antimicrobial use and resistance.

6. A Visual Guide to Antibiotic Resistance

This infographic shows the microscopic mechanisms involved in antibiotic resistance.

7. Watch List: Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria

Learn about fifteen of the most notorious antibiotic resistant microorganisms.

8. What Do We Do When Antibiotics Don’t Work Any More?

9. UN  To Take On Antibiotic Resistance at General Assembly

Listen to or read and interview with Dr. Keiji Fukuda, WHO special representative for antimicrobial resistance at the 2016 UN General Assembly in New York City. NPR also posted a follow up article that outlines the agreement made during the meeting.

10. How To Prevent Millions of Deaths from Failing Antibiotics

This blog post overviews recommendations on how to fight drug-resistant infections from the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance.

11. Resistance Fighters

Learn how evolutionary biologists are taking part in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

12. FDA Bans Triclosan and Other Antibacterials in Consumer Hand Soap

A brief overview of the recent FDA decision to require consumer soap manufacturers to remove 19 common antibacterial agents.

13. Nasal Bacteria Pump Out a Potential new Antibiotic That Kills MRSA

This article overviews a study from German researchers who discovered an antibiotic produced by bacteria in the human nose.

14. A Cinematic Approach To Drug Resistance

15. Colistin Resistance: “The Pig is Out Of The Barn”

Interview about MCR resistance with Barry Breiswirth, a professor of medicine at Rutgers University and founding director of the Public Health Research Institute Center.

16. Dangerous New Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Reaches U.S.

This article highlights a report  describing bacteria that fought off a last resort antibiotic known as colistin.

17. Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Combatting a Multi-Drug Resistant Organism

Read about the history of multi-drug resistant N. gonorrhoeae and the antimicrobial susceptibility test methods clinical labs are employing.

18. Study Shows How Pneumonia-Causing Superbug Invades

Learn how K. pneumoniae has evolved to find new ways to get iron – an essential element the bacteria needs to replicate.

Looking for antibiotic resistant control strains? Visit our website to find the right strain and format for your lab.