GLASS manual for antimicrobial resistance surveillance in common bacteria causing human infection

Overview

The WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) was launched in 2015 to foster AMR surveillance and inform strategies to contain AMR nationally, regionally and globally. The system started with surveillance of AMR in bacteria causing common human infections and has expanded its scope to include surveillance of antimicrobial consumption (AMC), invasive fungal infections, and a One Health surveillance model relevant to human health.  

The manual is part of a package of documents and tools designed to inform GLASS implementation. It describes the objectives and methodology of GLASS-AMR, the GLASS component dealing with the global surveillance of AMR in selected bacteria causing common human infections. This manual supersedes the “GLASS Manual for Early Implementation” (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549400). It marks the second phase of GLASS implementation, adopting complementary surveillance and reporting approaches to accelerate empowering countries with representative quality and strategic information for policymaking.  This version also proposes monitoring additional sites of infection and pathogens wherever appropriate.  

The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance for countries on the methods and metrics for the surveillance of AMR. The intended readership of the manual includes national GLASS focal points, national public health professionals and health authorities responsible for AMR surveillance in humans, and those contributing to national surveillance data collection.