Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in such a way that the medications used to cure the infections they cause become less effective.

AMR develops as a result of inappropriate use of antibiotics, for example, taking antibiotics for viral infections like cold or flu or not finishing antibiotics that are prescribed for you. 

This is an especially important public health concern because a resistant infection can be spread from one person to many others. Because of this, AMR is a concern for the entire community.

In collaboration with many partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada works to monitor trends in antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in humans, animals and food.

Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistant Organisms

Antimicrobial Resistance and Nosocomial Infections –National Microbiology Laboratory

Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS)

Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP)

Surveillance of Antimicrobial Use

Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS)

PHAC Reports on Antimicrobial Resistance

CIPARS Reports

CNISP Reports

FluWatch – H1N1 Antiviral Resistance

HIV and Drug Resistance in Canada

Tuberculosis Drug Resistance

Brief Report on Sexually Transmitted Infections in Canada: 2006
*includes data on antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrheae strains tested in Canada, 1999 – 2006

Other Reports on Antimicrobial Resistance

Reports from the Canadian Committee on Antibiotic Resistance

Key Antimicrobial Resistance Issues

Clostridium difficile

Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA)

Escherichia coli

HIV

Influenza

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

New Delhi metallo-beta-Lactamase (NDM-1)

Salmonella spp.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Tuberculosis

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) - Fact Sheet