BIGGEST THREATS
The following superbugs have been cited by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Urgent Threats
Clostridioides difficile
Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis, which is an inflammation of the colon. Some of the symptoms of a C. diff infection are watery stools or frequent bowel movements for several days, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, and stomach tenderness or pain.
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Most C. diff cases occur if the person has been taking antibiotics. But some other factors that may put people at risk are being over the age of 65, having recent hospitalizations, having a weak immune system, or having a previous infection of C. diff or exposure to it.
One in five people who have had a C. diff infection, will get one again. If repeated infections do occur, innovative treatments may have to be used. One of these being fecal microbiota transplants, which have so far shown promising results for patients.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
Carbapenem- resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, are a family of germs that include Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli (E. coli), and are highly resistant to antibiotics. These germs are typically found in the human intestines but can sometimes spread outside the gut and cause serious infections. These include urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, wound infections, and pneumonia. These bacteria became resistant to Carbapenem (which is reserved for serious infections) by producing Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase enzymes. These enzymes can break down the Cabapenem and make it ineffective.
The people most likely to acquire a CRE-related infection are those who are in acute or long-term healthcare settings. Also those with medical devices like ventilators, intravenous catheters, urinary catheters, or wounds can be easily infected, because CRE can enter through these openings in the body.
Drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or N. gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea. This disease specifically targets the genitals, rectum, and throat. Some of the symptoms are unusual discharge, pain while urinating or defecating, itchiness, or soreness in the area. If the infection is left untreated, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and increased risk of HIV infection.
N. gonorrhoeae is quick to develop resistance to antibiotics, much more than other bacteria. Gonococcal fluoroquinolone resistance opened up the development of the cephalosporin antibiotics, which are currently the most recommended treatment. If cephalosporin-resistant gonorrhea was to emerge, it would complicate providers' abilities to treat the infection. Therefore, N. gonorrhoeae is being closely monitored, and the research of alternative treatment highly encouraged.
SUPERBUGS
Stopping the Drug-resistance Epidemic
