The incidence of infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics is constantly increasing. Infections with resistant bacteria are associated with higher morbidity, mortality and costs. It has been estimated that in Europe each year about 33′000 deaths are attributable to infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria [1], and that by 2050 antimicrobial resistance will cause 10 million deaths every year worldwide (as compared to e.g. 8.2 million deaths caused annually by cancer) [2].
