[Multiresistant bacteria in a Scandinavian perspective].

Abstract

The global increase in multiresistant bacteria may herald the end of the antibiotic era. Recently, the most ominous sign has been the increasing resistance in pneumococci, enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus, as this has not been met with new effective antimicrobials. Resistant Haemophilus influenzae and meningococci are potential future problems. Except for the occurrence of multiresistant pneumococci in Iceland, hitherto the Nordic countries have largely escaped these problems, though multiresistant enterococci are being isolated with increasing frequency and penicillin-resistant pneumococci have become endemic in southern Sweden. Concerted action is needed in an attempt to halt the increasing resistance among important bacterial pathogens.