Antibiotic Surveillance and Rational Use in Special Populations: Enhancing Stewardship for Vulnerable Groups

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Antibiotics Use and Antimicrobial Stewardship".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 560

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
Interests: antibiotic stewardship; surveillance systems; special populations; rational use of antibiotics; infectious disease management

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Corso AM Dogliotti, 10126 Turin, Italy
2. Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation U, AOU City of Health and Science, CTO Hospital, Via G. Zuretti 29, 10126 Turin, Italy
Interests: acute kidney injury; continuous renal replacement therapy; citrate anticoagulation; burns; polytrauma; septic shock
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents one of the most pressing challenges to public health, necessitating urgent action across all levels of healthcare and society. Among the most vulnerable to the impacts of AMR are special population groups, including children, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions. In these populations, the rational use of antibiotics becomes even more critical to ensure effective treatment outcomes while minimizing the risk of AMR.

This Special Issue aims to explore the intersection of antibiotic surveillance and rational use of antibiotics within these special populations, shedding light on both the unique challenges and the promising strategies for improving antimicrobial stewardship. Surveillance plays an important role in tracking antibiotic use patterns, identifying misuse or overuse, and informing targeted interventions.

However, effective antibiotic stewardship in these populations requires a tailored approach that considers factors such as pharmacokinetics, comorbidities, and sensitivity to infections. It is important to examine current surveillance systems in place, discuss their effectiveness, and propose ways to refine and expand these systems to ensure they meet the specific needs of these populations.

The importance of rational antibiotic use cannot be overstated. Not only does it directly affect patient outcomes, but it also plays a critical role in decreasing the growing threat of AMR globally. By focusing on the nuanced and diverse needs of special populations, this Special Issue contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance patient safety, protect public health, and promote the responsible use of antibiotics.

Dr. Phumzile P Skosana
Dr. Filippo Mariano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antibiotic stewardship
  • surveillance systems
  • special populations
  • rational use of antibiotics
  • infectious disease management

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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27 pages, 654 KB  
Perspective
Neonatology: First Exposure to Antibiotics from the Ethical Perspective of Parents, Physicians, and Regulators
by Iliya Mangarov, Simeon Iliev, Yulian Voynikov, Valentina Petkova, Iva Parvova, Antoaneta Tsvetkova and Irina Nikolova
Antibiotics 2025, 14(9), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14090936 - 16 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Premature infants are an especially vulnerable group that often needs extended intensive care. Prematurity naturally hampers the development of the immune system, significantly increasing the risk of infections. In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), antibiotic treatment is often a crucial, life-saving measure. [...] Read more.
Premature infants are an especially vulnerable group that often needs extended intensive care. Prematurity naturally hampers the development of the immune system, significantly increasing the risk of infections. In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), antibiotic treatment is often a crucial, life-saving measure. For parents, the birth of a very preterm infant (before 32 weeks of gestation) turns what should be a happy event into a period filled with deep uncertainty and distress. Maintaining hope amid these difficulties relies heavily on maintaining regular communication with and trusting the medical team. Clinical realities in the NICU include a high risk of infection that requires multiple medications, including antibiotics. There is an inverse relationship between gestational age and pharmaceutical exposure. Parents worry about the amount of medication their child receives and the potential long-term effects on development. Over the past thirty years, initiatives such as antimicrobial stewardship programs have worked to reduce antibiotic use and treatment duration in the NICU, emphasizing proper care for premature infants worldwide. This article examines the ethical landscape from the perspectives of three primary stakeholders: parents, healthcare providers, and regulatory bodies. The key ethical question is whether these groups achieve meaningful cooperation or if institutional and professional priorities overshadow clinical practice. In the NICU, decision-making responsibility mainly lies with the medical team, as parents often have limited influence over treatment decisions, and regulatory oversight usually occurs indirectly. This concentration of authority underscores the complex and critical nature of neonatal intensive care. Full article
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