Guest editorial: Surveillance of antimicrobial utilisation

Antibiotic selective pressure in the community and in hospitals remains the primary (initiating) factor in the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistant organisms; the importance of minimising unnecessary exposure to antibiotics amongst humans and animals has been rightly emphasised by many authors. There is increasing evidence that directly associates antibiotic use with the emergence of resistant bacteria such as Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resistant Gram-negative bacilli and Clostridium difficile.