FIGHTING SUPER BUGS IN HEALTH CARE - EMERGING CHALLENGES AND NEWER SOLUTIONS Dr.T.V. Rao MD

FIGHTING SUPER BUGS IN HEALTH CARE - EMERGING CHALLENGES AND NEWER SOLUTIONS

Dr.T.V. Rao MD

What Are Super bugs?

Super bugs are bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that have become resistant to the first-line antibiotics and antifungal drugs typically used to combat infections. Their ability to withstand treatment makes them particularly dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2.8 million drug-resistant infections occur annually in the United States, resulting in more than 35,000 fatalities HOW WE STARTED CONTROLLING INFECTIOUS DISEASES - The last true revolution in infection control occurred in 1867 when British surgeon Joseph Lister began using carbolic acid as an antiseptic, significantly reducing mortality rates from infection by 30 percent within a decade. There is now a genuine threat of humanity returning to an era where mortality due to common infections is rife. Now many are aware that our Antibiotic pipeline has become narrow and little is flowing out, as few firms are interested in developing new Antibiotics as they lose efficacy due to irrational use of Antibiotics. One patient out of every 20 admitted to hospital contracts a nosocomial infection, (an infection the patient did not have when they entered the facility), and with 1.8 million people per year acquiring an infection during their hospital stays (USA). More than 99,000 Americans die annually — that’s 270 deaths every day. The elderly and immunocompromised patients are particularly at risk. If this was the incidence, imagine how many are dying in a country like India, it is not the death of a person, many resistant strains are spread in the Hospital environment keeping every one guessing who will be infected and die with the consequences. While the threats have grown more sophisticated, the methods of controlling and preventing these life-threatening infections have not. Understood well and the health care is invaded by SUPER BUGS

The researchers focused on one of the most problematic species of bacteria - Acinetobacter baumannii, which can infect wounds and cause pneumonia.

CHALLENGES IN OVERCOMING THE SUPER BUGS – However we can always try better solutions The threat of common infections causing widespread mortality remains, especially as antibiotic development has slowed due to irrational use and limited interest from pharmaceutical companies. Nosocomial infections (acquired during hospital stays) affect one out of every 20 patients ad Stopping the superbugs Lack of New Generation of Antibiotics Antibiotics kill bacteria. However, there has been a lack of new drugs for decades and bacteria are becoming harder to treat, as they evolve resistance to the ones we have limited to hospitals in the USA, leading to approximately 99,000 deaths annually1.

The Challenge of Super bugs in Healthcare Elderly and immunocompromised patients are particularly vulnerable to super bug infections. Hospitals and healthcare facilities become breeding grounds for these resistant strains, putting patients at risk. Despite advances in medical science, controlling and preventing super bug-related infections remains a pressing issue. Strategies to Combat Super bugs

Antibiotic Stewardship: Ensuring appropriate antibiotic use and avoiding over prescription.

Infection Control Measures: Rigorous hygiene practices, isolation protocols, and environmental cleanliness.

Research and Development: Encouraging the development of new antibiotics and alternative therapies.

Phage Therapy: Exploring bacteriophages (viruses that attack bacteria) as a potential treatment option

Artificial intelligence what is happening and Researchers working to overcome the issues related to SUPER BUGS

in principle, the AI could screen tens of millions of potential compounds - something that would be impractical to do manually.

Scientists have used artificial intelligence (AI) to discover a new antibiotic that can kill a deadly species of superbug. The AI helped narrow down thousands of potential chemicals to a handful that could be tested in the laboratory. The result was a potent, experimental antibiotic called abaucin, which will need further tests before being used.

Scientists have used artificial intelligence (AI) to discover a new antibiotic that can kill a deadly species of superbug.

The AI helped narrow down thousands of potential chemicals to a handful that could be tested in the laboratory.

Canadian and US researchers have - with the help of artificial intelligence - discovered a new antibiotic that kills a deadly species of "superbug" which can infect wounds and cause pneumonia, media reports said.

'Acinetobacter baumannii' is one of the three superbugs the World Health Organisation has identified as a "critical" threat, as the bacteria can withstand multiple antibiotics and survives on surfaces and medical equipment.

Infections caused by superbugs or antibiotic resistant infections kill more than a million people a year.

MOST IMPORTANT Remember to staying informed and practicing good hygiene are essential steps in the fight against superbugs.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

WHO on emerging challenges in Infectious diseases

NIH /CDC on Super bugs

Open health resources on Super bugs in Infectious diseases

Copilot answers to questions on Super-bugs and Antibiotic development and artificial intelligence Article formulated by

Article formulated by

Dr.T.V.Rao MD