What Is A Superbug? Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Has Become A Serious Concern

An increasing number of people are asking, “What is a superbug?” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated two million Americans are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year. More than 23,000 of those people will die. Although the numbers are already alarming, some analysts believe the infections and deaths are underreported.

Superbugs are disease-causing microbes that have developed a resistance to antibiotics. As a result, certain diseases cannot be effectively treated with traditional antibiotic medication.

As explained by the CDC, antibiotic-resistant superbugs have surged due to the misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock.

Superbug explosion triggers U.N. General Assembly meeting https://t.co/o3ItrKSuNJ (By @Dina_Maron) pic.twitter.com/tMOYjD2kkr

— Scientific American (@sciam) September 7, 2016

In many cases, “antibiotics are not optimally prescribed.” In addition to being prescribed when they are not necessary, the medications are often incorrectly dosed and are not taken for the recommended duration.

Antibiotic use in food animals is also blamed for increasing the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In response, the CDC recommends extreme caution when diagnosing and treating illness in livestock.

Superbugs are more difficult and more expensive to treat. Antibiotic-resistant diseases are also more likely to lead to death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified a total of 18 superbugs, which are considered the “biggest threats.” The antibiotic-resistant bacteria are divided into three different categories, which include concerning threats, serious threats, and urgent threats.

Concerning threats, which include Erythromycin-Resistant Group A Streptococcus and Clindamycin-Resistant Group B Streptococcus, are lower-level threats because they can generally be treated with alternative medications.

The US Superbug Crisis Growing as National Tracking Efforts Fall Far Short https://t.co/L1JwyveNGw pic.twitter.com/0qjvYmU6Md

— Common Dreams (@commondreams) September 7, 2016

Serious threats, which include Drug Resistant Non-Typhoidal Salmonella and Drug-Resistant Non-Typhoidal Salmonella, are considered “significant antibiotic-resistant threats.” However, the CDC has noted a “low or declining domestic incidence.” Serious threats are not considered “urgent,” but they are closely monitored for any signs of an outbreak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIMxvl9w3XQ

Urgent threats, which include Clostridium difficile and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, are not necessarily widespread. However, the CDC has identified “significant risks… across several criteria.” Therefore, the CDC suggests vigilant monitoring to prevent a widespread outbreak.

Although the Centers for Disease Control report an estimated 23,000 Americans are killed by superbugs each year, some analysts suggest the number is disturbingly inaccurate.

A Reuters survey, which was presented to state health departments throughout the United States, revealed superbugs are underreported on death certificates in at least 24 states. In many cases, the states do not require antibiotic-resistant diseases to be listed on the certificates.

Essentially, the news agency contends “tens of thousands of deaths from drug-resistant infections – as well as many more infections that sicken but don’t kill people – go uncounted because federal and state agencies are doing a poor job of tracking them.”

According to the survey, the most common superbugs excluded from the death certificates include CRE, MRSA, VISA, and VRSA. Instead, the deaths are attributed to illness or injury related to the superbug.

For example, an estimated 14,000 people die each year due to complications related to Clostridium difficile. However, those deaths are not included in the DCD’s estimation of yearly superbug deaths.

Reuters suggests many clinicians and doctors are simply unaware of “how to fill out the forms.” It is also suggested that some of the doctors cannot or will not wait for lab results to confirm the patient suffered from an antibiotic-resistant superbug.

Although the numbers may be underreported, the United Nations acknowledged antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a worldwide concern.

Later this month, the United Nations General Assembly will meet in New York City to discuss what a superbug is, why they have become more prominent, and how to prevent devastating outbreaks.

As reported by Scientific American, the discussions may include the development of a new class of antibiotics, which could be more effective in treating antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

[Image via Ezume Images/Shutterstock]