Drug-Resistant Bacteria Infections Rise in the U.S.
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an increase in infections from drug-resistant bacteria. These infections, sometimes called “nightmare bacteria,” rose almost 70% between 2019 and 2023.
The CDC report points to bacteria with a specific gene, NDM, as a main cause of the increase. These bacteria are hard to treat, and only two antibiotics are effective against them. These drugs are also expensive and need to be given through an IV.
In the past, these bacteria were rare in the United States, mostly seen in people who had received medical care in other countries. But now, the rate of these infections has jumped significantly in recent years.
Experts worry that many people may be carrying these drug-resistant bacteria without knowing it, which could lead to them spreading in communities. This could mean that common infections, like urinary tract infections, could become harder to treat.
The overuse of antibiotics is a big reason for the rise in drug-resistant bacteria. When antibiotics are not used properly, they can make bacteria stronger.
The CDC has been warning about “nightmare bacteria” that are resistant to many antibiotics. The new data comes from 29 states that track and report these infections.
In 2023, there were 4,341 cases of infections from bacteria resistant to certain strong antibiotics in those states. Of those, 1,831 were the NDM type.
The rate of these infections rose from under 2 per 100,000 people in 2019 to over 3 per 100,000 in 2023. The rate of NDM cases rose even more.
Some experts believe the COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role. The pandemic led to a large increase in antibiotic use, which may have contributed to the rise in drug resistance.
It’s important to note that the CDC’s count may not show the full picture. Many states don’t fully track and report these cases. Also, many hospitals can’t do the tests needed to find certain types of resistance. Some of the most populated states, like California, Florida, New York, and Texas, were not included in the CDC’s data, meaning that the number of infections is likely higher than reported.
