Leicester-Led Study Finds One in Three Hospital Infections Involve Drug-Resistant Bacteria
A groundbreaking study led by the University of Leicester has revealed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is alarmingly prevalent in hospital settings, with over a third of hospital-acquired infections now involving drug-resistant bacteria. The research, published in The Lancet clinical Medicine in September 2025, highlights the serious threat AMR poses to patient safety and global public health.
With antibiotic-resistant infections responsible for an estimated 1.14 million deaths worldwide each year, this Leicester-led meta-analysis underscores the urgent need for robust infection prevention measures and improved surveillance. The study drew on 34 hospital-based investigations, covering more than 20,000 patients across 18 countries, and found a pooled prevalence of 36.5% for resistant infections.
Dr. Daniel Pan, infectious diseases clinician and NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Leicester, explained:
“Hospitals are high-risk environments for drug-resistant infections, given the widespread use of antibiotics and invasive procedures. Even where effective antibiotics are available, resistant infections significantly increase the risk of death. AMR is not only a public health threat—it directly endangers patients.”
The study revealed that patients with resistant infections faced a 58% higher adjusted risk of death compared to those with non-resistant infections. Bloodstream infections and fatalities occurring during the same hospital admission were associated with the greatest risk.
Professor Manish Pareek, Chair in Infectious Diseases and Director of the Development Centre for Population Health at the University of Leicester, added:
“Our analysis also exposes critical evidence gaps. Many regions, including parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, are under-represented in hospital-based AMR studies. To meet global goals on antibiotic access and AMR reduction, better surveillance and research from these areas are essential.”
This independent study was funded by Pacific Life Re and supported by the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Ian Collins, Vice President of Medical Analytics at Pacific Life Re, said:
“Collaborating with the University of Leicester on this meta-analysis has provided vital insight into the prevalence and lethality of resistant infections in hospitals. The data will help us refine internal models and better understand the future impact of AMR.”
The NIHR Leicester BRC, hosted by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in partnership with the University of Leicester, Loughborough University, and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, plays a pivotal role in supporting research that drives improvements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
This study reinforces the urgent need for coordinated action against antimicrobial resistance, from infection prevention and control in hospitals to global strategies aimed at reducing the spread of resistant pathogens.
