Scientists have raised alarms about a significant surge in infection rates caused by “nightmare” drug-resistant bacteria in the United States.
According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been a concerning 70% increase in cases of patients infected with these formidable bacteria from 2019 to 2023.
The report, published on Tuesday, attributed this sharp rise to the prevalence of bacteria carrying the “NDM gene.”
Researchers noted that only two antibiotics are effective against this type of infection, and these costly drugs require intravenous administration.
Bacteria containing the NDM gene, once considered rare and typically found in a limited number of overseas patients, are now increasingly being reported.
While the overall number of cases remains small, the report indicates that infections have increased more than fivefold across the country in recent years.
“The rise of NDM bacteria in the United States presents a serious threat and is deeply concerning,” stated David Weiss, an infectious diseases researcher at Emory University, via email.
Weiss further indicated that many individuals may unknowingly carry these drug-resistant bacteria, posing a risk for potential community transmission.
Patients visiting healthcare providers for what are typically considered routine and easily treatable infections, such as urinary tract infections, may face severe complications if infected with these bacteria.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when pathogens like bacteria and fungi develop the capability to resist the effects of medications designed to eliminate them, according to scientists.
The inappropriate use of antibiotics—such as failing to complete prescribed treatments or using unnecessary prescriptions that do not effectively target germs—is exacerbating this issue.
In recent years, the CDC has highlighted the emergence of “nightmare bacteria” that exhibit resistance to a broad spectrum of antibiotics, including carbapenems, which are reserved for severe infections when all other options fail.
Data showed that there were 4,341 documented cases of carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections across 29 states in 2023, with 1,831 cases specifically related to the NDM gene.
However, the researchers did not provide information on how many individuals with these infections ultimately died.
The incidence rate of carbapenem-resistant infections increased from just below 2 per 100,000 individuals in 2019 to over 3 per 100,000 in 2023, marking a 69% jump.
Specifically, the rate of NDM-associated cases surged from approximately 0.25 to about 1.35, an astonishing increase of 460%, according to the authors.
The surge in antibiotic usage during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to this increase, as noted by an external researcher.
“The surge in antibiotic usage during the pandemic seems to be reflected in the rising cases of drug resistance,” stated Dr. Jason Burnham, a researcher from Washington University, in an email.
Despite the concerning statistics, the CDC’s estimates only represent a fraction of the actual infection rates.
Many states lack comprehensive testing and reporting protocols, often testing only hospitalized patients suffering from severe infections.
Additionally, some hospitals lack the necessary testing capabilities to identify specific genetic resistance patterns in bacteria, as noted by scientists.
The CDC’s researchers did not have data from several of the nation’s most populous states, including California, Florida, New York, and Texas, implying that the true total of infections across the U.S. is likely much higher than reported, according to Burnham.
A CDC report from June also documented a rise in concerning NDM cases in New York City from 2019 through 2024.
With contributions from Post wires.
