Drug-Resistant Infections surge in U.S., Driven by Rise in ”Nightmare Bacteria“
Washington D.C. – Cases of drug-resistant bacterial infections are increasing across the United States, with a particularly sharp rise in strains resistant to carbapenems - a class of antibiotics frequently enough used as a last resort, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC). The surge is raising concerns about the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and the limited treatment options available for serious infections.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs like bacteria and fungi evolve to withstand the drugs designed to kill them. The misuse of antibiotics, including incomplete or unneeded prescriptions, is a major contributor to this phenomenon, allowing germs to strengthen and proliferate.
Researchers analyzed data from 29 states that conduct comprehensive testing and reporting of carbapenem-resistant bacteria. Their findings, released this week, revealed 4,341 cases of these infections in 2023, including 1,831 cases of the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) variety.
The overall rate of carbapenem-resistant infections climbed from just under 2 per 100,000 people in 2019 to over 3 per 100,000 in 2023 – a 69% increase. Though, the rate of NDM cases saw a more dramatic jump, rising from approximately 0.25 to 1.35 per 100,000, representing a 460% increase over the same period.
“This is a concerning trend,” said Dr. Maroya Walters, one of the report’s authors.
experts believe the increase in drug resistance is highly likely linked to the increased antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know that there was a huge surge in antibiotic use during the pandemic, so this likely is reflected in increasing drug resistance,” explained Dr. jason Burnham, a researcher at Washington University, in an email.
The CDC acknowledges it’s data provides only a partial picture of the problem. Many states do not have the capacity for complete testing and reporting, and cases are often identified only in hospitalized patients undergoing specific testing. Furthermore, the agency lacked data from several of the most populous states, including California, Florida, New York, and Texas, suggesting the actual number of infections is likely higher.
A June CDC report also documented a rise in NDM cases,specifically within New York City,between 2019 and 2024.
