• Source: www.pbs.org

Drug-resistant bacterial infections nightmare bacteria carrying the NDM gene have risen nearly 70% in the United States between 2019 and 2023, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health experts warn the trend poses a serious public health threat as treatment options remain scarce and costly.

David Weiss, an infectious diseases researcher at Emory University, said the increase is alarming. “The rise of NDMs in the U.S. is a grave danger and very worrisome,” Weiss said.

Difficult to treat, costly to manage T

The bacteria, resistant to a wide range of antibiotics including carbapenems, drugs typically reserved for severe infections, are considered difficult to treat. Only two antibiotics have proven effective so far, but both are expensive and must be given intravenously, researchers said.

The CDC report shows that 4,341 carbapenem-resistant cases were identified across 29 states in 2023. Of those, 1,831 carried the NDM gene, a fourfold increase compared with 2019. The overall infection rate rose from 2 per 100,000 people in 2019 to 3 per 100,000 in 2023, while NDM-specific infections surged by 460%.

Spread and surveillance challenges 

Experts believe the rapid growth is tied to multiple factors, including increased antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know that there was a huge surge in antibiotic use during the pandemic, so this likely is reflected in increasing drug resistance,” said Dr. Jason Burnham, a researcher at Washington University.

The CDC data reflects only a portion of the country. Many states do not conduct comprehensive testing or reporting, and several of the most populous, including California, Florida, New York, and Texas, were not included in the analysis. Even where testing occurs, cases are often detected only in hospitalized patients requiring advanced diagnostic procedures.

This gap suggests the true number of infections is likely higher, Burnham said, adding that many carriers may remain undiagnosed, enabling further community spread.

Background on antimicrobial resistance 

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria and fungi adapt to survive exposure to drugs designed to kill them. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics, such as taking them unnecessarily or not completing prescribed courses, contribute to this resistance.

The CDC has previously warned of “nightmare bacteria” resistant to multiple drugs, highlighting their ability to evade even last-resort treatments. Patients who have received medical care abroad have historically accounted for many U.S. NDM gene cases, but experts say the bacteria are now spreading more broadly.

While the CDC report did not provide data on patient outcomes, researchers stress the urgency of expanding surveillance and developing affordable treatment options.

“Every year we delay, the threat grows more difficult to contain,” Weiss said.

Also Read :Air Pollution Linked to Dementia Risk: Landmark Cambridge Study Warns of Global Brain Health Crisis-