This 210-page book (in Spanish) provides data on antimicrobial resistance in the countries of the Americas for 2008. The document compiles the results of the annual meeting of the surveillance network for resistance to antibiotics that was held in San Salvador, El Salvador, from 20-22 August 2008, with participants from 14 countries of the Region, partners, allies, and observers. The objectives of the meeting were as follows:

• Present and discuss national data on antimicrobial resistance;
• Become familiar with the results of the Surveillance Network SIREVA II and others; and
• Share the achievements of the SAIDI infectious disease initiative.

Full text (In Spanish only)

Executive Summary

The Annual Meeting of the Surveillance Network for Resistance to Antibiotics was carried out in San Salvador, El Salvador, from 20 to 22 August 2008, with the involvement of representatives from 14 countries of the Region, partners, allies, and observers. 

In the opening ceremony, the following people gave welcoming and supporting remarks:   Dr. Ramón Granados, PWR a.i. in El Salvador; Dr. Raúl Toledo, Representative of the Mission USAID in El Salvador; Dr. José Ernesto Navarro Marin, Health Vice Minister Public and Social Welfare; and Dr. Ximena Aguilera, Coordinator of the Communicable Disease Project of the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, DC, USA. 

The objectives of the meeting were as follows: 

·         Present and discuss national data on antimicrobial resistances;

·        Become familiar with the results of the Surveillance Network SIREVA II and others; and 

·         Share the achievements of the SAIDI infectious disease initiative. 

The president and rapporteurs were selected from the meeting participants. As president Soledad Prat of Chile was selected; and as rapporteurs, Damarys Sánchez of Venezuela and Jorge Matheu of Guatemala. 

The working sessions began with one that briefly presented the achievements and challenges of monitoring resistance to the antimicrobial drugs in the Region. The session presented the historical trajectory of the network, its progress and achievements, countries and sentinel centers that participate, and challenges for the future: Implications  of monitoring resistance inherent within the International Health Regulations, the role of laboratories in timely detection or confirming pathogens responsible for public health events of possible international concern. 

Information was also provided on the meetings held every two years by the Technical Advisory Group of the antimicrobial resistance program and the recommendations made by the group. The following three recommendations were of special interest to microbiology laboratories monitoring resistance:

·         Consider identifying a measure or an indicator of progress at the national and regional levels to allow for better monitoring of the problem of resistance to antibiotics. 

·         PAHO should prepare an integrated general strategy in the form of a plan, with short- and medium-term objectives. 

·         Work linchpins: 

•  Improve the dissemination and effective application of information. 

•  Promote and support the development and dissemination of standardized products to provide support on the correct use of antibiotics.