A new analysis from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Imperial College London and Oxford Population Health reveals that interventions aimed at reducing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections could play a crucial role in decreasing antibiotic prescriptions, thereby combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is recognized as one of the most significant threats to global public health.
The study, which examined data from 2015 to 2018, found that RSV infections lead to approximately 640,000 antibiotic prescriptions each year in England. Researchers discovered that about 2.1% of all antibiotic prescriptions issued by general practitioners (GPs) were attributable to RSV infections, with the highest number prescribed to individuals over 75 years of age.
RSV typically presents with mild, cold-like symptoms, and most individuals recover within one to two weeks. However, it can cause severe illness in vulnerable populations, such as young infants and older adults. Although antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, they are sometimes prescribed when differentiating between bacterial and viral infections is challenging.
The research, funded by the Medical Research Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, coincides with the launch of a national RSV vaccination program in September. This initiative includes a vaccine for pregnant women beyond 28 weeks of gestation to protect their babies, a routine vaccination program for those aged over 75, and a one-off campaign targeting individuals aged 75 to 79 years.
Lucy Miller, co-author of the study and Modeller at UKHSA, emphasized the dual approach needed to tackle antibiotic resistance: "To tackle antibiotic resistance we need to ensure antibiotics are being used only when necessary. But we also need to drive down infections, to reduce the need for antibiotics in the first place."
Miller added, "This study highlights that the introduction of the new RSV vaccine programme could not only help reduce the risk of infections in vulnerable individuals, but also contribute towards a reduction in antibiotic prescribing and antibiotic resistance in the population overall."
The UK government has also launched a five-year national action plan to combat AMR, which was responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019. The plan commits the UK to reducing the use of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, to mitigate the acceleration of AMR due to inappropriate and excessive antimicrobial use.
