Dangerous, drug-resistant superbugs continue to be an urgent problem in the United States, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
uncertain
superbugs → continue → Control
The CDC identified 19 pathogens, responsible for 9.7 million infections and 50,800 deaths a year, as well as six others that are being monitored.
asserted
that → identify → infections
The four superbugs deemed “urgent threats” include Candida auris, Acinetobacter and Enterobacterales and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
asserted
superbugs → deem → auris
These bacteria often spread in medical settings, like hospitals and clinics, accounting for more than 42,000 deaths and nearly $12 billion in healthcare costs, according to the report.
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bacteria → spread → report
The threat is projected to worsen with researchers projecting 317,000 annual deaths from superbugs in North America by 2050.
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researchers → project → 2050
“Antimicrobial resistance threatens modern medicine and puts millions of Americans at risk every year,” CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz said.
asserted
Schwartz → threaten → risk
These are the most urgent threats, according to the CDC.
uncertain
These → accord → CDC
Candida auris
Candida auris, or C. auris, is a deadly fungus that has led to more than 6,700 infections across the U.S. this year.
asserted
that → lead → U.S.
Since 2019, the number of clinical cases has increased nearly tenfold.
asserted
number → increase → cases
The pathogen typically spreads in hospitals and long-term care facilities, putting patients with serious underlying health conditions at the greatest risk .
asserted
pathogen → spread → risk
The fungus can spread to the body through medical devices, but also by touching contaminated objects and surfaces.
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fungus → spread → objects
It can survive there for weeks, the CDC says.
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CDC → survive → weeks
Infections after exposure can cause organ failure, sepsis and shock, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
uncertain
Infections → cause → Clinic
While C. auris infections have contributed to deaths, the exact number is hard to pinpoint because most patients already have other serious health problems.
asserted
patients → contribute → problems
Patients infected with C. auris must be isolated and those around them should wear protective gear and disinfect surfaces.
asserted
those → infect → surfaces
CRAB
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter, also known as CRAB, can cause deadly bacterial infections and large outbreaks among hospitalized patients and nursing home residents, according to the CDC.
uncertain
Acinetobacter → know → CDC
Cases can spread through touching infected objects, surfaces and from person to person, and lead to blood, lung, wound and urinary tract infections.
asserted
Cases → spread → infections
CRAB cases appeared to be declining in U.S. hospitals from 2012-2017 but since then the number of infections have risen.
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number → appear → infections
There were an estimated 9,497 cases and 817 deaths in 2023, leading to more than $355 million in healthcare costs, the new report shows.
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report → be → costs
People can protect themselves from CRAB by regularly washing their hands with warm water and soap and disinfecting surfaces.
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People → protect → surfaces
CRE
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, or CRE, is another life-threatening bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, as well as the same infections as CRAB.
asserted
that → threaten → CRAB
People who require ventilators or catheters, have weakened immune systems or are on certain antibiotics long-term are at a greater risk for CRE, the CDC says.
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CDC → require → CRE
There were an estimated 14,878 cases in hospitalized patients in 2023, the new report shows, and 1,252 died due to infections, leading to more than $174 million in healthcare costs.
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1,252 → be → costs
The bacteria can spread from person-to-person through dirty hands, wounds or stools, as well as by touching contaminated medical equipment and devices.
asserted
bacteria → spread → equipment
“With recent, rapid increases in carbapenemase-producing CRE (CP-CRE), more people may develop CRE infections and deaths may increase,” the report warns.
uncertain
report → produce → infections
People can protect themselves from CRE by frequently washing their hands with warm water and soap, disinfecting surfaces and wearing protective equipment when necessary.
asserted
People → protect → equipment
Infections can lead to infertility, increase the risk of getting and giving HIV and result in rare complications.
asserted
Infections → lead → complications
Some women with infections may develop an inflammatory disease in their reproductive system and those who are pregnant could be at risk of a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.
uncertain
who → develop → pregnancy
Infections can occur when someone has sex with a person who has the infection without using a condom.
asserted
who → occur → condom
Infections can also spread to infants during childbirth.
asserted
Infections → spread → childbirth
People can protect themselves from gonorrhea by using a condom during sex and talking with partners about their sexual history.
asserted
People → protect → history
The report also identified 13 additional pathogens as “serious threats” that require prompt and sustained action, including some that are regularly in the news, such as drug-resistant Shigella, C. diff, nontyphoidal Salmonella and Staph.
asserted
that → identify → Shigella
Cases of sexually-transmitted Shigella are rising in the U.S. this year, with infections leading to bloody diarrhea, dysentery, seizures, blood infections and even death.
asserted
infections → transmit → diarrhea
Salmonella infections have sickened dozens of people following exposure to contaminated shellfish, eggs, jalapeños and alfalfa sprouts over the past few months.
asserted
infections → sicken → months
The Aporia
