The 2013 NARMS Annual Human Isolates Report

CDC NARMS tracks antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella and other enteric (intestinal) bacteria that may cause mild or severe diarrhea or bloodstream infection.

About NARMS

Monitors antibiotic resistance among enteric (intestinal) bacteria in:

Humans – CDC
Retail meats - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA )
Food Animals - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA )

Bacterial foodborne infections are common and can be serious. In severe cases, the right antibiotic, also called antimicrobial agent, can be life-saving. NARMS is the only source of national information on antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens likeSalmonella. Understanding trends in antibiotic resistance helps doctors to prescribe effective treatment and public health officials to investigate outbreaks faster.

The 2013 NARMS Annual Human Isolates Report

[PDF - 81 pages] provides the most recent nationwide data on antibiotic resistance among:

Salmonella
Shigella
Campylobacter
E. coli O157
Vibrio species other than Vibrio cholerae

Key Trends in 2013

To determine trends, NARMS compared the prevalence of resistance in 2013 with the average prevalence from two reference periods: 2004–2008 and the previous five years, 2008–2012. The 2004–2008 reference period begins with the second year that all 50 states participated in Salmonella andShigella surveillance and all 10 FoodNet sites participated in NARMS Campylobacter surveillance. The additional 2008–2012 reference period allows comparison with more recent years. Some overall trends moved in the right direction; others were worth concern; still others were disturbing.