These 3 Superbugs Pose The Greatest Risk To Human Health

The World Health Organization is issuing a warning about a group of deadly bacteria: Recently, the WHO released its first-ever list of “priority pathogens,” a list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that the organization says pose the greatest threat to human health. The list is divided into three categories: critical-, high- and medium-priority. Three pathogens made it into the critical-priority group. These bacteria are resistant to multiple antibiotics and pose a high risk to people in hospitals and nursing homes, the WHO says. Multidrug-resistant bacteria, sometimes called “superbugs,” are a critical priority because infections with these germs can be deadly, according to the WHO. For example, people who get infections from a type of multidrug-resistant bacterium called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have a 64 percent greater chance of dying than people who contract the same infection in its nonresistant form, according to the WHO. [6 Superbugs to Watch Out For] All of the top three pathogens on the list are resistant to a group of antibiotics called carbapenems. These antibiotics are sometimes referred to as “last resort” medications, because if they don’t work, very few options are left.    “It is important the WHO take this on, because with travel and now widespread communication, an antibiotic-resistant organism … is going to get around the world pretty quickly,” said Dr. Ken...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - Category: Science Source Type: news