ABSTRACT

Since the discovery of penicillin, unbridled enthusiasm for antibiotics has led to their extensive application in medicine, animal care, and agriculture. Injudicious antimicrobial use has also contributed to the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria, creating a situation in which there are few or no treatment options for infections due to these organisms.  There is increasing awareness that antimicrobial resistance adversely impacts patient safety and public health.  In essence, effective antimicrobial stewardship entails the optimal selection, dose, and duration of an antibiotic, resulting in the cure of an infection with minimal toxicity to the patient and minimal impact on selective pressure. A detailed discussion on this important issue is presented in this chapter.