Medical Science Is Facing A Crucial Challenge: Modern Treatment Can’t Tame ‘Nightmare Bacteria’

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The arena of medical science is facing a crucial challenge as the most dangerous and deadly bacteria are spreading rapidly. A current study reveals that the bacteria are highly dangerous. Researchers have warned about these highly drug-resistant bacteria.

According to EurekAlert, a recent study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard reveals the key fact regarding these dangerous bacteria. The team of researchers from Harvard Institute has examined the carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). The team discovered a wide variety of the CRE species.

The surprising fact is a large variety of genetic traits help the CRE to resist the powerful antibiotics. Even these traits are transferred easily among the CRE species. The spread of CRE is more rapid than it was previously assumed.

The transmission process of CRE from person to person doesn't reveal any symptom. This fact is truly very rare and more concerning. It is necessary to increase the genomic surveillance of these most harmful bacteria.

William Hanage, the senior author of the study and the associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard Chan School, opined that the spread of CRE is very rapid. He stressed on the current healthcare facilities to increase the observation of the transmission of CRE. He clearly indicates that minute observation can be a breakthrough to eradicate this problem.

Usually, carbapenems are considered as the last resort of drugs when other powerful antibiotics can't bring the ultimate result. But CRE can easily resist carbapenems. This fact is very crucial for modern medical treatment.

According to CDC or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CRE cause 600 deaths and 9,300 infections in the US every year. The director of the CDC, Tom Frieden has called CRE as 'nightmare bacteria'. These bacteria are truly a nightmare because the last weapon of infection treatment can't kill them.

The researchers have so far collected 250 samples of CRE from the patients of one California hospital and three Boston hospitals. They have collected the samples to unveil some important facts. Their aim is to create a breakthrough.

The important facts are: a) The researchers want a snapshot of the CRE's genetic diversity to reveal the true characteristics and the frequency of outbreaks; b) The research team wants to collect the evidence to know the strains, which are transmitted between the hospitals; c) They want to know how resistance is building up and spreading among the species.

William Hanage, the senior author of the study, termed the whole process as the "riot of diversity". The riot exists among the CRE species and the carbapenem resistance genes. The most alarming fact is the resistance genes move easily from species to species and this lead to a greater problem.  

Even the research team never found such resistance mechanisms before. They assume that this is not the last, there are more to be discovered. Doctors opine that transmission prevention is the key step to tame the situation. Continuous research must bring the ultimate breakthrough.