Experts warn that the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs poses a significant global health threat, with the World Health Organization reporting that antimicrobial resistance is outpacing advancements in modern medicine.
Antibiotic-resistant superbugs are becoming an increasingly alarming global health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that one in every six bacterial infections is now resistant to antibiotics. This warning comes as part of a press release issued by the agency on Monday, highlighting the urgent need for more responsible use of antibiotic medications.
Based on data collected from over 100 countries between 2016 and 2023, the WHO found that resistance to antibiotics has risen in approximately 40% of infection samples. This troubling trend underscores the growing threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The report identifies eight common bacterial pathogens that are of particular concern: Acinetobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, non-typhoidal Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Among these, the most dangerous infections are caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, especially E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which can lead to severe health complications such as sepsis, organ failure, and death.
Antibiotics are part of a broader category of medications known as antimicrobials, which also includes antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics. When bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites become resistant to these medicines, it results in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), significantly increasing the risk of severe illness, disability, or death, according to WHO.
“Antimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine, threatening the health of families worldwide,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement accompanying the report. “We must use antibiotics responsibly and ensure everyone has access to the right medicines, quality-assured diagnostics, and vaccines.”
According to a study by the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project, more than one million deaths each year are directly linked to antibiotic resistance. While some instances of AMR can occur naturally as germs mutate over time, the WHO cautions that misuse and overuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobials are significant contributing factors.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Fox News, expressed concern over the findings in WHO’s latest report. “These are aggressive bacteria that are more and more difficult to treat,” he said. “Carbapenem resistance, in particular, is very tough to treat, as is multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis.” Carbapenems are classified as “last-line antibiotics” used to manage serious multidrug-resistant infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Siegel pointed out that the overuse of antibiotics, particularly for common upper respiratory infections and serious hospital-acquired infections, is a primary contributor to the rise of AMR. He noted that antibiotics are not very profitable for pharmaceutical companies to develop, as they are typically used only during infections, rather than on a daily basis. Consequently, the medical community often relies on antibiotics that have been in use for decades.
Artificial intelligence (AI) may offer a potential solution to this growing crisis. Siegel suggested that AI could expedite the development of new antibiotics at a lower cost through machine learning, as well as improve sanitation and promote more judicious use of antibiotics in fighting infections.
To address the issue of antimicrobial resistance, the WHO is calling for enhanced surveillance of AMR and antimicrobial usage through its Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS). The organization emphasizes the need for countries to strengthen laboratory systems and generate reliable surveillance data, particularly from underserved areas, to inform treatment strategies and health policies.
“Countries must commit to strengthening laboratory systems and generating reliable surveillance data, especially from underserved areas, to inform treatments and policies,” the report stated. “WHO calls on all countries to report high-quality data on AMR and antimicrobial use to GLASS by 2030.”
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