Report of a deadly superbug spreading in Malaysia has raised concern. This pathogen is everything that can disrupt the normal lives of human beings. It is antibiotic resistant, can cause severe disease and has a higher rate of circulation! Could it be a global threat?
The findings of the study have been published in Microbial Genomics.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have identified a "virulent strain of antibiotic-resistant ‘superbug’ that causes severe disease has been found circulating in a Malaysian hospital - posing significant challenges to global public health."
Analysing 10 years’ worth of data, scientists discovered that most Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) infections at the main tertiary hospital in Terengganu, Malaysia, belonged to Global Clone 2 (or GC2), which is the dominant type in most parts of the world, the study found. The bacterium is resistant to multiple antibiotics, with most resistant to carbapenems - the drugs of choice for the treatment of A. baumannii infections.
There is an urgent need for continuous surveillance
"Our study provides further evidence that the same dangerous family of A. baumannii bacteria keeps spreading in hospitals. Despite its importance, there is very little information on A. baumannii from low- and middle-income countries. Understanding how the disease evolves is critical in helping to prevent the spread of disease, as well as developing and optimising treatments. A. baumannii keeps evolving new resistance tricks and low- and middle-income countries need more tools to track it," co-author Dr David Cleary, from the University of Birmingham has said.
“There’s an urgent need for continuous surveillance and development of effective treatment protocols to combat the spread of MDR A. baumannii. The predominance of the GC2 lineage and the high incidence of carbapenem resistance pose a significant threat to public health.”
"Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), one of the most infamous pathogens responsible for causing grave infections, has been recognized as an emerging global public health threat. A.baumannii may infect blood, lungs, urinary tracts and wounds. It usually does this in healthcare facilities, e.g., hospitals. Due to its resistance to treatment with antibiotics, it has been ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen. With its astounding capacity to defy treatment, this superbug is becoming more and more challenging to control, especially in hospital settings where susceptible patients are more vulnerable," said Dr. Diksha Goyal, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram.
WHO lists it as a critical priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen
A.baumannii can cause infections in blood, lungs, urinary tracts and wounds. It typically causes these in healthcare settings, such as hospitals. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed it as a critical priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen.
Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative, opportunistic bacterium known for causing severe infections, particularly in hospital settings. What makes A. baumannii especially dangerous is its rapid acquisition of resistance genes. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains have become increasingly common, complicating treatment protocols and increasing mortality risk.
This pathogen is notorious for its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods and its resistance to multiple antibiotics, making it a significant concern in healthcare environments. Infections caused by A. baumannii include pneumonia (especially ventilator-associated pneumonia), bloodstream infections (sepsis), wound infections, and urinary tract infections. It primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, including those in intensive care units (ICUs), on ventilators, or with invasive medical devices such as catheters.
Symptoms of A. baumannii infection depend on the site of infection but may include fever, chills, increased heart rate, respiratory issues, or redness and swelling in wounds.
The findings of the study have been published in Microbial Genomics.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have identified a "virulent strain of antibiotic-resistant ‘superbug’ that causes severe disease has been found circulating in a Malaysian hospital - posing significant challenges to global public health."
Analysing 10 years’ worth of data, scientists discovered that most Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) infections at the main tertiary hospital in Terengganu, Malaysia, belonged to Global Clone 2 (or GC2), which is the dominant type in most parts of the world, the study found. The bacterium is resistant to multiple antibiotics, with most resistant to carbapenems - the drugs of choice for the treatment of A. baumannii infections.
There is an urgent need for continuous surveillance
"Our study provides further evidence that the same dangerous family of A. baumannii bacteria keeps spreading in hospitals. Despite its importance, there is very little information on A. baumannii from low- and middle-income countries. Understanding how the disease evolves is critical in helping to prevent the spread of disease, as well as developing and optimising treatments. A. baumannii keeps evolving new resistance tricks and low- and middle-income countries need more tools to track it," co-author Dr David Cleary, from the University of Birmingham has said.
“There’s an urgent need for continuous surveillance and development of effective treatment protocols to combat the spread of MDR A. baumannii. The predominance of the GC2 lineage and the high incidence of carbapenem resistance pose a significant threat to public health.”
"Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), one of the most infamous pathogens responsible for causing grave infections, has been recognized as an emerging global public health threat. A.baumannii may infect blood, lungs, urinary tracts and wounds. It usually does this in healthcare facilities, e.g., hospitals. Due to its resistance to treatment with antibiotics, it has been ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen. With its astounding capacity to defy treatment, this superbug is becoming more and more challenging to control, especially in hospital settings where susceptible patients are more vulnerable," said Dr. Diksha Goyal, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram.
WHO lists it as a critical priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen
A.baumannii can cause infections in blood, lungs, urinary tracts and wounds. It typically causes these in healthcare settings, such as hospitals. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed it as a critical priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen.
Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative, opportunistic bacterium known for causing severe infections, particularly in hospital settings. What makes A. baumannii especially dangerous is its rapid acquisition of resistance genes. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains have become increasingly common, complicating treatment protocols and increasing mortality risk.
This pathogen is notorious for its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods and its resistance to multiple antibiotics, making it a significant concern in healthcare environments. Infections caused by A. baumannii include pneumonia (especially ventilator-associated pneumonia), bloodstream infections (sepsis), wound infections, and urinary tract infections. It primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, including those in intensive care units (ICUs), on ventilators, or with invasive medical devices such as catheters.
Symptoms of A. baumannii infection depend on the site of infection but may include fever, chills, increased heart rate, respiratory issues, or redness and swelling in wounds.
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