| Autor: |
Ožegić O; Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Medicine and Pain Management, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.; Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Bedenić B; Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.; BIMIS-Biomedical Research Center Šalata, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.; Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Sternak SL; Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.; Clinical Microbiology Department, Teaching Institute of Public Health 'Dr Andrija Štampar', 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Sviben M; Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.; Parasitology Department, Microbiology Service, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Talapko J; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia., Pažur I; Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Medicine and Pain Management, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Škrlec I; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia., Segedi I; Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia., Meštrović T; University Centre Varaždin, University North, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia.; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.; Department for Health Metrics Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat, leading to increased mortality and necessitating urgent action-however, its impact on athletes and the world of sports has hitherto been neglected. Sports environments (including athletic and aquatic) exhibit high levels of microbial contamination, potentially contributing to the spread of resistant microorganisms during physical activities. Moreover, the literature suggests that travel for sports events may lead to changes in athletes' gut microbiomes and potentially impact their antibiotic resistance profiles, raising questions about the broader implications for individual and public/global health. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) among athletes (particularly those engaged in contact or collision sports) ranges between 22.4% and 68.6%, with MRSA strains being isolated in up to 34.9% of tested individuals. Factors such as training frequency, equipment sharing, delayed post-training showers, and a history of certain medical conditions are linked to higher colonization rates. Moreover, MRSA outbreaks have been documented in sports teams previously, highlighting the importance of implementing preventive measures and hygiene protocols in athletic settings. In light of the growing threat of AMR, there is a critical need for evidence-based treatment guidelines tailored to athletes' unique physiological demands to ensure responsible antibiotic use and mitigate potential health risks. While various initiatives-such as incorporating AMR awareness into major sporting events-aim to leverage the broad audience of sports to communicate the importance of addressing AMR, proactive measures (including improved AMR surveillance during large sporting events) will be indispensable for enhancing preparedness and safeguarding both athletes' and the general public's health. This narrative review thoroughly assesses the existing literature on AMR and antibiotic usage in the context of sports, aiming to illuminate areas where information may be lacking and underscoring the significance of promoting global awareness about AMR through sports. |
