Why are Superbugs Spreading?

According to data from the CDC, the number of antibiotic-resistant infections has risen by as high as 78%, or more, during the Covid-19 pandemic, wiping out many years of reduced incidence of such infections (1). The CDC admitted that the excess burden on the medical system from the pandemic resulted in increased exposure to superbugs, citing increased use of catheters and other medical equipment. However, it is also likely that superbugs are being created by overzealous use of antibiotics, internally, externally, and in the water supply. An article in Medical Economics in April, 2024, explained that over 2.8 million pathogenic infections occur annually, and causes 1.27 million deaths, expected to rise ten-fold in the next 30 years.

What can doctors and health department do to increase the detection of drug-resistant infections? Unfortunately, the report by Medical Econmics found that many labs being used could not differentiate strains of microgranisms, and therefore are unable to tell patients whether they have a particularly resistant strain of a given bacteria or fungus. In the case of infections of Candida a., for example, this is counterproductive since the typical medical response is to use antibiotics to which many strains of Candida are resistant.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem that complicates the treatment of infections and poses a serious public health risk. One of the main sources is livestock, which are kept in factory farms and fed antibiotics.

(Danielle Gould: 2012, Food Tech Connect)

There are at least a few key mechanisms of resistance, such as mutations in target genes, the production of enzymes that inactivate antibiotics, and the use of efflux pumps to expel antibiotics from microbial cells. These insights underscore the complexity of the issue and the adaptive capabilities of microorganisms. Looking ahead, the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to tackle antibiotic resistance will require the reduction in pollution from hospitals, overuse of antibiotics in livestock, and improved practices for general hygeine in home and medical settings (2). Future improvement calls for increased investment in research, better detection systems, and the judicious use of existing antibiotics to preserve their efficacy. Complimentary therapies have proven as, or more, effective than sythetic drugs, and include natural compounds found in garlic, turmeric, Spearmint, and certain herbal formulations.  In addition, Iodine and colliodial silver could have apotential applications as well. 

Sources 

1. https://www.wired.com/story/the-pandemic-fueled-a-superbug-surge-can-medicine-recover/
2. https://www.lifegate.com/reduce-pollution-fight-superbugs