Annual Death Toll from Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Surpasses Thousands, According to RKI Data
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), one of the institutions involved in the study about antibiotic-resistant pathogens in Germany, is urging strong prevention and control measures to contain the spread of these pathogens. The RKI emphasizes the careful, prudent use of antibiotics as the key strategy to curb resistance.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern worldwide, and the study about antibiotic-resistant pathogens in Germany underscores this global health challenge. In 2019, around 45,700 people died in Germany in connection with antibiotic-resistant pathogens, with approximately 9,600 deaths directly due to the resistance of the pathogen. While not all deaths were directly caused by the resistance, common causes included bloodstream, respiratory, and abdominal infections.
The misuse of antibiotics, such as using them without a valid reason, for too long, or inappropriately, promotes the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens. The increasing use of antibiotics globally creates selective pressure for bacterial strains with resistance to antibiotics.
To address this issue, the RKI recommends a multi-faceted approach. Beyond judicious antibiotic use, prevention and control measures generally include infection control practices, monitoring and surveillance programs, research and cooperation between healthcare, veterinary, and food safety authorities, education and awareness campaigns, and the implementation of national action plans.
Infection control practices involve strict hygiene procedures in healthcare and community settings to limit pathogen transmission. The RKI has implemented this through its antibiotic resistance surveillance system (ARS) since 2007. Researchers from multiple institutions, including the RKI and the University of Washington, conducted the study about antibiotic-resistant pathogens in Germany.
The study was published in the journal "Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy - Antimicrobial Resistance". It emphasizes the need for targeted and appropriate use of antibiotics to reduce their resistances. The RKI also highlights the importance of preventing the spread of resistant pathogens in Germany.
Antibiotics are indispensable in modern medicine, but their overuse and misuse have led to a rise in antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Germany needs to strengthen prevention and targeted control measures to contain the spread of resistant pathogens, as suggested by the RKI. If the affected individuals had been infected with the same pathogen without resistance, they likely would have survived.
In conclusion, the RKI's call to action combines prudent antibiotic stewardship, surveillance, hygiene, cross-sector collaboration, and public education as central pillars of prevention and control of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. These measures are crucial to ensuring the continued effectiveness of antibiotics in modern medicine.
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