Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Jul 20
CDC Reports 461% Surge in NDM-Linked Superbug Infections Since 2019
Updated
Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Jul 20
CDC Reports 461% Surge in NDM-Linked Superbug Infections Since 2019
1 articles · Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Jul 20
Summary
NDM-carrying carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infections jumped 461% in U.S. surveillance data from 2019 to 2023, the CDC said, marking a sharp rise in bacteria resistant to last-resort carbapenem antibiotics.
NDM is a resistance gene that helps pathogens defeat carbapenems and often travels with defenses against other drugs, further narrowing treatment options for severe infections.
CRE infections already carry a 30% to 50% mortality rate and mainly hit hospitalized or otherwise vulnerable patients, which CDC officials say raises concern that NDM could spread beyond healthcare settings.
A 2016 Nevada case in which a woman died from a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection resistant to all 26 available antibiotics had highlighted the threat, but NDM was then considered relatively rare in the United States.
The NDM superbug gene crosses borders easily. Can national health systems defend against such a globalized and invisible threat?
A bacteria that defeats every antibiotic is spreading. Are we facing a future where minor infections could once again be fatal?
With drug companies abandoning antibiotic research, who will create the weapons for our war against superbugs?
"A 460% Rise in NDM-CRE Superbugs: The U.S. Faces a Looming Public Health Crisis (2019–2023)"
Overview
Between 2019 and 2023, the United States saw a sharp rise in NDM-CRE superbug infections, which are highly resistant to last-resort antibiotics and threaten public health. This surge is mainly due to gaps in infection control, such as inconsistent hand hygiene and cleaning, allowing these bacteria to spread easily between patients and in healthcare environments. As a result, NDM-CRE increases the risk of hard-to-control outbreaks and could reverse progress made against drug-resistant infections. Addressing these challenges requires stronger infection control practices and better detection to protect patients and healthcare systems.