Pandrug-resistant (PDR)

Non-susceptibility to all agents in all antimicrobial categories (i.e. bacterial isolates are not susceptible to any clinically available drug).

The prevalence of PDR bacteria is difficult to judge as isolates are rarely assessed against all possible antibiotics. However, PDR Gram-negative bacteria have been reported in more than 20 countries in all regions of the world. Mortality in patients infected with these bacteria is high (around 50% on average) but very variable.

See also: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and Extensively drug-resistant (XDR).

Video definition by Marc Mendelson, University of Cape Town (South Africa).

Multidrug‐resistant, extensively drug‐resistant and pandrug‐resistant bacteria: an international expert proposal for interim standard definitions for acquired resistance (Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2011)