Top 10 Superbug Stories of 2024: Bacterial Kryptonite and Deep-Sea Antibiotics
A crisis some call a “silent pandemic” is sweeping the globe. It’s grown steadily and stealthily, without drawing as much attention as viral outbreaks that have flared up over the same period. The culprit driving this pandemic: multidrug-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs. Superbugs show extensive antibiotic resistance, meaning drugs that would historically cure people of the infections stop working. Bacteria develop this resistance over time as they evolve, and they can easily share that resistance with other microbes, thus compounding the issue.
Killing CRAB
A newfound antibiotic can kill carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, or CRAB, a superbug that’s resistant to most existing drugs. The drug represents a novel class of antibiotic, and it slays bacteria by messing with the machinery they need to build their outer membranes. The mechanism is highly selective, meaning the drug works only on A. baumannii. This narrow target makes the drug less likely to pressure other bacterial species into developing resistance, scientists reported.
“Hypervirulent” superbug is spreading
New strains of a superbug called hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) have been detected in 16 countries, including the United States. Classic versions of the microbe were already a big problem, especially among people with weakened immune systems in health care settings. But now, hvKp is becoming more widespread — it can cause severe, fast-progressing infections, even in people with robust immune systems.
Lingering bugs in the body
A study found that two concerning superbugs — namely, various antibiotic-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae and E. coli — can linger in the human body for up to five and nine years, respectively. This puts the carriers of these bacteria at risk of recurrent infection and of exposing other people to the same microbes. In the meantime, the superbugs also have a chance to share their antibiotic-resistant genes with other bacteria.
As the world grapples with the rise of superbugs, it’s essential to understand the implications of antibiotic resistance not just on a global scale, but also on a personal level. Imagine being a parent trying to protect your child from a simple infection, only to find out that the antibiotics that once worked are no longer effective due to the evolution of these superbugs. This reality hits close to home for many families, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat this growing threat. The stories of individuals impacted by superbugs serve as a stark reminder of the importance of ongoing research and collaboration in the fight against antibiotic resistance.