Researchers sound alarm on spike in drug-resistant ‘nightmare bacteria’ Image By HPN Staff Key Points Infections from NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales jumped by over 460 % in recent years — a startling increase in strains resistant to almost all antibiotics. These bacteria are showing up across 29 states, mostly in hospitals where vulnerable patients are concentrated. The CDC estimates that in 2020, NDM-CRE caused ~12,700 infections and 1,100 deaths in the U.S. Many clinical labs aren’t equipped to quickly identify NDM or similar resistance genes, leaving physicians uncertain of treatment. Because these strains resist nearly all antibiotics, infections that were once manageable in outpatient settings could increasingly require intravenous therapies and hospitalization. A rare but dangerous drug-resistant bacterium is spreading rapidly in U.S. hospitals, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. Infections caused by NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter ales (NDM-CRE) jumped more than 460% in recent years — a spike that researchers call alarming. These so-called “nightmare bacteria,” as once described by former CDC Director Tom Frieden, are resistant to nearly all antibiotics and can be deadly. The CDC estimates NDM-CRE caused about 12,700 infections and 1,100 deaths in the U.S. in 2020 — most in hospital settings where vulnerable patients are at greater risk. The bacteria have now been found in hospitals across 29 states, all of which are required to report cases and provide samples to public health departments. CDC researchers found infections rising across every region of the country. Why it matters NDM-CRE bacteria develop resistance by picking up specific genes that block antibiotics. That means once-common infections like urinary tract infections or pneumonia could increasingly require IV antibiotics and hospitalization instead of oral treatment. “It was shocking to see how large of an increase it was,” says Danielle Rankin, a co-author of the new report and an epidemiologist at the CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. “The biggest thing for us is that we understand where this is happening because we want to ensure that this does not go outside of health care settings [and] into the community and cause more difficult-to-treat infections.” Testing limitations are compounding the problem. Many clinical labs lack the resources and equipment to quickly identify resistant strains, leaving patients and providers in the dark about treatment options. The big picture The findings add to mounting global concerns about antibiotic resistance. The World Health Organization warned as far back as 2014 that resistant bacteria and other pathogens had been detected in every region of the world — a sign that the problem is not isolated but systemic. Antibiotic resistance naturally evolves, but experts say overuse of antibiotics in health care and agriculture has accelerated the process. Without new drugs, better testing, and stronger antibiotic stewardship, common infections could once again become deadly. SUGGESTED STORIES Researchers squeeze a new benefit out of oranges Eating citrus fruits may reduce depressive risks, according to a recent study from a Harvard research team. “We found that eating one medium orange a day may lower the risk of developing depression by about 20 percent,” researcher Raaj Mehta told The Harvard Gazette. The reas Read more Critics call for transparency in a federal hospital funding stream A federal drug pricing program intended to help hospitals fund uncompensated care is facing new criticism. Those critics contend that the program that allows certain hospitals to purchase drugs at a discount has expanded far beyond its original intent. Read more Consumers are capable of weighing market tradeoffs in the healthcare industry This is a lightly edited excerpt of testimony recently provided to the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing " Making Health Care Affordable: Solutions to Lower Costs and Empower Patients." Consumers regularly make a varie Read more
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