‘Superbugs’ on the Rise, WHO Warns
The World Health Association is warning that drug-resistant bacteria, dubbed ‘superbugs,’ are on the rise. These bacteria do not respond to the first-line antibiotics frequently enough used by clinicians.
Dr. Thomas Holland, an infectious disease specialist at Duke University Hospital, explained that several types of these bacteria can turn routine infections into serious, or even deadly, ones.
“The antibiotic-resistant infection that’s the most common in the U.S. is MRSA or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. That’s one that we’ve been dealing with for a number of decades, and remains common here,” said Holland.
Holland also noted a relatively new fungal pathogen called Candida auris is also increasing in prevalence.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a particularly risky drug-resistant bacteria called NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales (NDM-CRE) rose 460% between 2019 and 2023 across the U.S.
The rise in NDM-CRE infections was found in patients with pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and wound infections.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has also been tracking a rise in antibiotic resistance statewide.
“The concern is that we’re not keeping pace as far as antibiotic development and control of these infections with their rise,” Holland said.”Things that we could normally treat relatively easily, like urinary tract infections or staph infections, are becoming harder to treat.”
Rising Antibiotic Resistance and Changing Climate contributing to Infections in North carolina
October 16, 2024 – An increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the emergence of infections previously uncommon to North Carolina are raising concerns among medical professionals. Dr. David holland, an infectious disease specialist, recently discussed these trends and the need for a thorough response.
A key driver of antibiotic resistance is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. As Dr. Holland explained, “If you have a common cold, it’s not bacterial and antibiotics in that situation are not going to help you and are going to contribute to driving this evolution of resistance for everybody else.” Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, but when used unnecessarily, thay allow bacteria to evolve and become resistant to the drugs, rendering them ineffective. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-resistance/index.html
Adding to the challenge, warming temperatures are expanding the geographic range of various pathogens. “We live in a warming habitat. Things that weren’t normally in North Carolina, like some fungal infections, are now popping up here. We’re seeing viral infections that normally would have been in the tropics, now showing up in the U.S. and North Carolina,” Holland stated. Climate change creates conditions favorable for the spread of infectious diseases, as vectors like mosquitoes and ticks expand their habitats and pathogens survive for longer periods. https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-and-human-health
Combating this rise in resistance requires a multi-faceted, long-term strategy. Holland emphasized the importance of understanding local resistance trends. “We have to know and understand what our local trends are for resistance. If I’m treating a patient who is really sick with a urinary tract infection, I have to understand – until I have culture results back – I may have to use somthing that’s broader or can cover a wider range of pathogens up front,” he said. This approach allows doctors to make informed decisions about treatment, even before definitive lab results are available.
While the increase in antibiotic-resistant infections is concerning,Dr. Holland reassured the public, stating, “This is not a stay-in-your-home situation.” He stressed the need for a “concerted and large societal response over time,” highlighting the simple yet effective practice of good hand hygiene. “Wash your hands and just having good hand hygiene is helpful for not spreading these bugs.” https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html
Key takeaways:
* Antibiotic Resistance: Overuse of antibiotics is driving the evolution of resistant bacteria.
* Climate Change: Warming temperatures are introducing new pathogens to North Carolina.
* Prevention: Good hand hygiene is a crucial step in preventing the spread of infections.
* Response: A long-term, coordinated effort is needed to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.