All over the world, the spread of resistant microbes is steadily growing. A recent publication in The Lancet, in which 174 authors were involved, for the first time gives a comprehensive image of the seriousness of the situation. The study evaluated 9,324 sources (studies, hospital data etc.) as well as 478 million case reports and samples from 204 countries. It found that around 4.95 million deaths were associated with resistant bacteria. Of these deaths, 1.27 million were directly caused by resistant microbes.
The WHO has accordingly expressed alarm. It predicts that, by 2050, 10 million people per year will die as a result of resistant pathogens. Infections caused by resistant bacteria are apparently on the way to becoming the world's most frequent cause of death, even ahead of cancer.
Research into new antibiotics struggles to keep up
One of the reasons for this dramatic increase is the slow development of new antibiotics. According to the journal Nature, only 40 active agents are currently being investigated as potential candidates. By contrast, over 4,000 new active agents are being developed to treat cancer. The increasing use of antibiotics (rise of 65% between 2000 and 2015) has made them into cheap mass-produced goods and at the same has played a major part in promoting the spread of resistance.
Especially in poorer countries, resistant pathogens are spreading in an uncontrolled way. This should also be taken as a warning signal in Europe and the USA. As well as the cost in terms of human life, the economic consequences are becoming increasingly important. According to an estimate by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the costs caused by resistant pathogens amount to 55 billion US$ per year. They are made up of the costs of treatment (20 billion) and of lost productivity (35 billion). It seems realistic to assume that the costs in Europe are similar.
Dangerous gaps in Germany's Drinking Water Ordinance
Astonishingly, only six pathogens are responsible for over 70 % of all the infections resulting in death. One of these six is the waterborne gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which accounts for about 75,000 deaths per year worldwide. According to the data in the Lancet publication, about 10 people per million of those living in Europe and the USA die from an infection caused by resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
This is at least 10 times the number of deaths caused by Legionella bacteria. But while the Drinking Water Ordinance requires thorough monitoring of Legionella bacteria, it has up to now neglected Pseudomonas aeruginosa even though this microbe is known to be transmitted to humans mainly via water. There is therefore an urgent need to amend Germany's Drinking Water Ordinance to include Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a threshold level of 0 per 100 ml.
Point-of-Use water filters* help to prevent infections
As numerous studies have shown, just a few water outlets contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa are sufficient to spread the pathogen further via hands and surfaces and thus to infect patients. Its ability to form a biofilm also protects it from disinfection procedures (chlorination, temperature etc.). Furthermore, the bacterium has a higher level of tolerance for chlorine.
But effective countermeasures can be taken nonetheless. The use of infection prevention water filters can effectively curb the spread of gram-negative pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Along with a large number of other hygiene procedures, Point-of-Use water filters can help health care establishments to prevent infections and the deaths that can result from them.
As regards the spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens, the peak - at least in the rich countries – will probably not be reached for a few decades yet. All the more reason to take appropriate action to combat them as early and effectively as possible.
If you would like to find out more about these and similar topics, take a look at our "Infection Prevention and Hospital Hygiene" film series. Each film gives a short and accessible account of particular aspects of this subject that are worth knowing about:
Learn more about Point-of-Use filters as filtration solutions for infection prevention*