Robert Koch Institute warns
Thousands of deaths annually through antibiotic -resistant pathogens
The use of antibiotics is increasingly leading to resistance in bacterial strains in Germany. The Robert Koch Institute sees a challenge for global health.
Antibiotic -resistant pathogens represent a significant risk of health – also in Germany. According to a study by researchers from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the University of Washington and other institutions, around 45,700 people in Germany died in connection with antibiotic resistant pathogens in 2019. The resistance was not always the direct cause. Blood power infections as well as respiratory and abdominal infections lead to death particularly frequently.
According to RKI, however, around 9600 of these people died immediately due to the resistance of the pathogen – “if those affected had been infected with the same pathogen without resistance, they would probably have survived”.
For comparison: According to the Federal Statistical Office, the total number of people in Germany in Germany was 939,500 people.
“One of the greatest challenges for global health”
“Antibiotics are among the most important medical achievements and are indispensable in modern medicine. However, antibiotic resistance is increasing worldwide. They are one of the greatest challenges for the global health of this time,” writes the RKI on its website.
The ever more frequent use of antibiotics in global medicine creates selection pressure: bacterial strains that have resistance to the antibiotic survive and can spread further.
If antibiotics are used too often, too often, too often, over a period of too long or improperly, this favors the origin and spread of resistant pathogens, the RKI reports.
RKI for more prevention in antibiotic resistance
“An important approach to reducing antibiotic resistance is therefore the targeted and appropriate use of antibiotics,” writes the RKI. Germany must further increase prevention and targeted control measures in order to curb the spread of resistant pathogens.
The study was published in the specialist magazine “Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – Antimicrobial Resistance”.
Dpa
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Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
