There’s been a significant rise in human infections linked to drug-resistant bacteria in the United States, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recent laboratory tests by the CDC have revealed a concerning spike in a type of bacteria known as NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant enterobacillus, often referred to as NDM-CRE.
NDM-CRE falls under a larger group called carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which are notorious for their resistance to some of the most powerful antibiotics available. The term “NDM” originates from New Delhi Metallobetalactamase, an enzyme that renders nearly all antibiotics ineffective. In 2020 alone, NDM-CRE resulted in around 12,700 infections and about 1,100 deaths in the U.S. And, alarming trends indicate that these numbers could rise even further.
Infections caused by NDM-CRE, including urinary tract infections and pneumonia, soared more than 460% from 2019 to 2023, according to the CDC. These infections are challenging to treat due to their antibiotic resistance, and they pose a serious risk, potentially spreading throughout communities.
Moreover, NDM-CRE infections are often misdiagnosed or overlooked because they are still relatively uncommon in the U.S. This can lead to missed opportunities for timely treatment. Daniel Rankin, an epidemiologist at the CDC, has cautioned that this swift growth in NDM-CRE infections limits our options for addressing severe bacterial diseases. He emphasized the importance of having access to reliable tests to determine the most effective treatment.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, highlights the serious threat posed by these infections, attributing the trend to the overprescription of antibiotics and global increases in antibiotic resistance. Treatment options for carbapenem-resistant infections do exist, with new antibiotics like Ceftazidime-Avibactam and Meropenem-Vaborbactam being some of them. However, Siegel points out that there aren’t enough antibiotics being developed to combat these issues effectively.
Dr. David Perlin, a Chief Science Officer in New Jersey, expressed concerns about the inability of monitoring systems to keep pace with evolving pathogens. He confirmed that NDM-CRE infections can be incredibly serious and praised the adaptability of these bacteria, which can develop various resistance mechanisms. He suggested patients should be proactive in discussions regarding infectious diseases with their healthcare providers.
Perlin also stressed that timely diagnosis and control measures are critical, especially in environments like hospitals and nursing homes where infections can spread rapidly. Maintaining a clean environment and targeting early diagnosis are essential steps in managing these dangerous infections.
