Topics and Trends in Most Cited Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria Papers, Class of 2026

What topics and trends defined most-cited Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria research in the Class of 2026?

In 2024, research on antibiotic resistance was dominated by horizontal gene transfer, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and mobile genetic elements. A significant shift occurred towards studying Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and implementing antimicrobial stewardship, while focus on broad resistance mortality burdens saw a relative decline. New methodologies like metagenomic sequencing also emerged strongly.

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Updated July 17, 2026

At a glance

Field: Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
Cohort label: Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed: 9,706
Papers ranked: 20
Top topics in ranked papers: Horizontal gene transfer, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mobile genetic elements
Publication window: Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility: Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window: 18 months post-publication
18m citation range: 56–2,321
Data source: OpenAlex · Retrieved July 2026
License: CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 9,706

2,32118m citations

Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 1990–2021: a systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050

GBD 2021 Antimicrobial Resistance CollaboratorsThe Lancet202410.1016/s0140-6736(24)01867-1

GBD 2021 Antimicrobial Resistance CollaboratorsInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), United States

Antimicrobial resistanceDisability-adjusted life yearspathogen-drug combinationsinfectious syndromesMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureuscarbapenem resistanceGram-negative bacteriamultiple cause of death datamicrobiology datasingle drug resistance profilesStatistical modellingcounterfactual scenariosprobabilistic forecastGram-negative drug pipelineinfection prevention and controlage-specific mortality trendssepsisdrug-resistant infectionsdrug-susceptible infectionsexcess mortality risk

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#2 of 9,706

30318m citations

Global trends in antibiotic consumption during 2016–2023 and future projections through 2030

Eili Y Klein et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2411919121

Arindam NandiOne Health Trust, United States

Antimicrobial resistanceAntimicrobial consumptiondefined daily doseIQVIA pharmaceutical sales dataCOVID-19 pandemicupper-middle-income countrieslower-middle-income countrieshigh-income countriesconsumption rate per 1000 inhabitants per dayeconomic growth effectsglobal consumption projectionswater and sanitation infrastructurevaccination accessAntimicrobial resistance mortality burdenglobal health disparitiesNational-level surveillance

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#3 of 9,706

16918m citations

A novel antibiotic class targeting the lipopolysaccharide transporter

Claudia Zampaloni, Patrizio Mattei, Konrad Bleicher et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-023-06873-0

Michael A. Lobritz, Kenneth A. BradleyF. Hoffmann-La Roche, Switzerland

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanniiCRABmacrocyclic peptide antibioticslipopolysaccharide transportLptB2FGC complexLptB2FGC inhibitionzosurabalpinOuter membraneAntibiotic resistance mechanismsdrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogensantimicrobial drug target

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#4 of 9,706

15118m citations

VFDB 2025: an integrated resource for exploring anti-virulence compounds

Siyu Zhou et al.Nucleic Acids Research202410.1093/nar/gkae968

Siyu ZhouChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China

anti-virulence compoundsVirulence factorsbacterial multidrug resistanceanti-virulence therapeutic strategiesvirulence factor databaseVFDBdrug repurposingtarget selectionliterature miningchemical structuremolecular targetsmechanisms of actionbacterial pathogenesisAntimicrobial resistanceselective pressureantibacterial therapies

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#5 of 9,706

12418m citations

Antibiotic susceptibility testing using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays

Nikol Kadeřábková, Ayesha J S Mahmood et al.npj Antimicrobials and Resistance202410.1038/s44259-024-00051-6

Nikol Kadeřábková, Despoina A. I. MavridouThe University of Texas at Austin, United States

Antimicrobial resistanceAntimicrobial susceptibility testingMinimum inhibitory concentrationAntimicrobial resistant bacteriaEuropean Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)non-fastidious organismsBroth microdilutionagar dilutionbreakpoint determinationClinical microbiology

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#6 of 9,706

11618m citations

Global burden of antimicrobial resistance and forecasts to 2050

Samuel KariukiThe Lancet202410.1016/s0140-6736(24)01885-3

Samuel KariukiKenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya

Antimicrobial resistanceGlobal burden of diseasemortality forecasting2050 forecastsAntimicrobial resistance mortality burdenpathogen-drug combinationsAge-standardized mortality ratesDisability-adjusted life yearsresistance trendsMolecular epidemiologySDI stratificationyears of life lostinfectious disease mortalitydrug-resistant infections

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#7 of 9,706

10418m citations

Burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in low-income and middle-income countries avertible by existing interventions: an evidence review and modelling analysis

Joseph A Lewnard et al.The Lancet202410.1016/s0140-6736(24)00862-6

Joseph A LewnardUniversity of California, United States

Antimicrobial resistancelow-income and middle-income countriesvaccine-avertable burdenexisting interventionsevidence reviewmodelling analysisinfection prevention and controlAntimicrobial stewardshipvaccine coveragewater and sanitationGlobal burden of diseasemortality reductionintervention impactpathogen-specific resistanceNosocomial infectionscommunity-acquired infections

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#8 of 9,706

9718m citations

Global antimicrobial resistance and use surveillance system (GLASS 2022): Investigating the relationship between antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial consumption data across the participating countries

Samuel Ajulo et al.PLoS ONE202410.1371/journal.pone.0297921

Samuel Ajulo, Babafela AwosileTexas Tech University, United States

GLASSAntimicrobial resistanceAntimicrobial consumptionbeta-lactam resistancecephalosporin resistanceFluoroquinolone resistanceEscherichia coliKlebsiella pneumoniaeBloodstream infectiondefined daily doseATC classificationbeta-lactam-penicillinsdose-response relationshipAntimicrobial stewardshipGlobal surveillanceCountry-level analysisJ01CJ01D

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#9 of 9,706

9418m citations

A new antibiotic traps lipopolysaccharide in its intermembrane transporter

Karanbir S Pahil, Morgan S A Gilman et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-023-06799-7

Andrew C. Kruse, Daniel KahneHarvard University, United States

Gram-negative bacteriaOuter membranelipopolysaccharideLpt transporterlipopolysaccharide transporttransenvelope transporterAcinetobactersubstrate-bound conformationtransport inhibitioncomposite binding siteAntimicrobial resistancecytoplasmic membraneprotein bridgeamphipathic glycolipid

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#10 of 9,706

8618m citations

Aztreonam–avibactam versus meropenem for the treatment of serious infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria (REVISIT): a descriptive, multinational, open-label, phase 3, randomised trial

Yehuda Carmeli et al.The Lancet Infectious Diseases202410.1016/s1473-3099(24)00499-7

José Miguel CisnerosTel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel

aztreonam-avibactammeropenemGram-negative bacteriaSevere infectionsREVISIT trialphase 3 trialopen-label trialmultinational studyrandomised trialcomparative effectivenessAntimicrobial resistanceβ-lactamase inhibitorcarbapenem comparatorcombination therapy

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#11 of 9,706

8018m citations

Prophage-encoded antibiotic resistance genes are enriched in human-impacted environments

Hanpeng Liao, Chen Liu et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-52450-y

Shungui Zhou, Manuel Delgado‐Baquerizo, Yong‐Guan ZhuFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China

Antimicrobial resistance genesAMR determinantsprophagesphage-mediated transductionBacterial genomesmetagenomesmetatranscriptomeshuman-impacted environmentsprophage-encoded ARGsheterologous E. coli hostbacteria-phage interactionsARG mobilizationantibiotic exposureResistance gene abundanceARG diversityprophage activityhabitat comparisonHorizontal gene transfer

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#12 of 9,706

7818m citations

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular types, antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in China: a longitudinal, multi-centre study

Fupin Hu, Yuqing Pan, Heng Li, Renru Han, Xiao Liu et al.Nature Microbiology202410.1038/s41564-024-01612-1

Min Zhou, Zhemin Zhou, Ping HeFudan University, China

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniaecapsular serotypeKL64KL47hypervirulent CRKPvirulence gene typingcapsule typingphylogenetic analysisspatiotemporal analysiscapsule lossO-antigen lossphagocytosis susceptibilityserum resistancebiofilm formationMouse infection modelsserotype prevalence dynamicsmulti-centre surveillancetransmission hubs

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#13 of 9,706

7518m citations

Evolution and host-specific adaptation of<i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>

Aaron Weimann et al.Science202410.1126/science.adi0908

Roger C. Lévesque, Julian Parkhill, R. Andrés FlotoUniversity of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Pseudomonas aeruginosacystic fibrosisClonal spreadHorizontal gene transferglobal transmission networkshost-specific adaptationConvergent evolutionmacrophage survivaltranscriptional changesMultidrug resistancecross-infectionCF versus non-CF tropismpathogenic evolutionpatient-to-patient transmissionimmunodeficiency

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#14 of 9,706

7318m citations

Organic fertilization co-selects genetically linked antibiotic and metal(loid) resistance genes in global soil microbiome

Zi-Teng Liu et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-49165-5

Siyu ZhangEast China Normal University, China

Antimicrobial resistance genesmetal(loid) resistance genesorganic fertilizationARG-MRG co-selectionARG-MRG-carrying contigsagricultural soil metagenomesmetatranscriptomic dataarsenic stressARG-MRG co-regulationgenetic linkagegenomic elementsVirulence factorsMobile genetic elementsmetagenome-assembled genomespathogenicity riskssoil microbiomeagroecosystemsglobal distribution map

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#15 of 9,706

7218m citations

International and regional spread of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Europe

Mabel Budia-Silva et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-49349-z

Sandra ReuterUniversity of Freiburg - Medical Center, Germany

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniaeMobile genetic elementsST258ST101ST11ST307bla KPC-likeblaOXA-48NDM carbapenemasebla OXA-48-like ST14High-risk clonesEURECA collectionEuSCAPE collectiongenomic surveillanceCarbapenemase genesClonal spreadregional spread patternsSouthern European countries

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#16 of 9,706

7118m citations

A Klebsiella-phage cocktail to broaden the host range and delay bacteriophage resistance both in vitro and in vivo

Huanchang Chen et al.npj Biofilms and Microbiomes202410.1038/s41522-024-00603-8

Trevor Lithgow, Tieli ZhouThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China

Klebsiella pneumoniaePhage cocktailsΦK2044ΦKR1ΦKR8NTUH-K2044Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniaePhage resistanceKL1 capsule-typecapsular serotypeBiofilmGalleria mellonella modelMouse infection modelscatheter biofilm modelHospital wastewaterhost range expansionPhage therapyantibiotic-resistant pathogens

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#17 of 9,706

6818m citations

Hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: A global public health threat

Ting-Yu Lei et al.Microbiological Research202410.1016/j.micres.2024.127839

Ying Wang, Xu-bing ChenDali University, China

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniaeCarbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniaecarbapenem resistancehypervirulenceAntimicrobial resistanceVirulence factorsCarbapenemase genesKPC carbapenemaseNDMblaOXA-48rmpArmpA2SiderophoresConvergent evolutionST11ST258capsular serotype

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#18 of 9,706

5818m citations

Profiles, drivers, and prioritization of antibiotics in China’s major rivers

Yi Liu et al.Journal of Hazardous Materials202410.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135399

Weiling SunPeking University, China

Pharmaceutical pollutionriver monitoringChina's major riversantibiotic concentration profilespollution driversantibiotic prioritizationenvironmental risk assessmentaquatic ecosystemssource apportionmentspatial distributiontemporal variationWastewater effluentagricultural runoffAntimicrobial resistance genesecological risk rankingwater qualityemerging contaminants

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#19 of 9,706

5718m citations

Rifaximin prophylaxis causes resistance to the last-resort antibiotic daptomycin

Adrianna M Turner et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-08095-4

Benjamin P. Howden, Glen P. CarterThe University of Melbourne, Australia

rifaximindaptomycinvancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faeciumVREfmcross-resistanceRNA polymeraseprdRAB operoncell membrane remodellinghepatic encephalopathy prophylaxisliver cirrhosismultidrug-resistant pathogensLast-resort antibioticsantibiotic binding reductionRNA polymerase mutations

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#20 of 9,706

5618m citations

The influence of efflux pump, outer membrane permeability and β-lactamase production on the resistance profile of multi, extensively and pandrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Rawaa A Hussein et al.Journal of Infection and Public Health202410.1016/j.jiph.2024.102544

Mushtak T.S. Al-OuqailiUniversity of Anbar, Iraq

Klebsiella pneumoniaemultidrug-resistant (MDR)Extensively drug-resistantPandrug-resistantefflux pump genesacrABmdtKtolCOuter membraneompK35ompK36Extended-spectrum β-lactamasemetallo-lactamasescefazolin resistanceceftriaxone resistanceampicillin resistanceceftazidime resistancecefepime resistanceNosocomial infectionsVITEK®2 Compact System

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Topic trends

Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The research landscape for the Class of 2026 is fundamentally driven by the mechanistic spread and clinical impact of resistance. **Horizontal gene transfer** and **mobile genetic elements** form the core of the biological focus, highlighting how resistance traits disseminate across bacterial populations. Clinically, **Klebsiella pneumoniae** and **Pseudomonas aeruginosa** emerged as the most critical pathogens studied, reflecting their status as major threats in healthcare settings. Additionally, **antimicrobial stewardship** is a prominent theme, indicating a strong parallel emphasis on managing and optimizing existing antibiotic use to combat resistance. The intersection of these themes underscores a dual approach: understanding the genetic basis of resistance spread and implementing clinical strategies to mitigate it.

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

The transition to the Class of 2026 reveals a sharp pivot toward specific resistant phenotypes and advanced diagnostic methodologies. The most striking increase was seen in **Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae**, which surged in prominence alongside related topics like **KPC carbapenemase** and the **ST11** clone. Methodologically, the use of **mouse infection models** and **metagenomic sequencing** saw significant growth, reflecting a move towards more complex in vivo studies and high-resolution genomic tracking. Conversely, broader topics such as the **antimicrobial resistance mortality burden** and specific pathogens like **Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii** experienced relative declines. This shift suggests a maturing field that is moving away from broad epidemiological sizing towards targeted mechanistic studies and precision interventions for high-priority resistant strains.

Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodology GitHub bioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/antibiotic-resistance-in-bacteria/2026. Accessed 2026-07-17.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459