39 million people could die from superbugs, researchers say

39 million people could die from superbugs, researchers say

More than 39 million people worldwide could die directly from antibiotic-resistant infections in the next 25 years, according to a study published in The Lancet, which considers it possible to avoid this.

Antibiotic resistance, recognized as a major health challengeis expected to worsen in the coming years. The phenomenon occurs when bacteria or other pathogens undergo changes that prevent them from reacting to antimicrobial treatments.

For the first time, this study evaluates the impact of antibiotic resistance over time and try to calculate its evolution.

From 1990 to 2021, more than one million people worldwide died each year as a result of antibiotic resistance, according to its authors.

Greater vulnerability to infections

The researchers analyzed 22 pathogens, 84 pathogen-treatment combinations, and 11 infectious syndromes in people of all ages from 204 countries and territories, based on data from 520 million people.

In three decades, deaths of children under five years of age directly caused by a antibiotic resistance fell by more than 50% as infection prevention and control improved in infants and young children.

But deaths among adults aged 70 and older increased more than 80% in that perioddue to the rapid ageing of the population and greater vulnerability to infections among the elderly.

Among pathogens, deaths due to Staphylococcus aureus have increased the most worldwide.

In the coming decades, deaths caused by antibiotic resistance will continue to increase.

The number of direct victims could reach 1.9 million annually worldwide by 2050, 67% more than in 2021, according to the researchers’ modelling.

Between 2025 and 2050, antibiotic resistance could directly cause more than 39 million deaths worldwide and be linked to 169 million deaths, scientists estimate.

With a better treatment of infections and access to antibiotics, 92 million deaths could be avoided worldwide between 2025 and 2050, especially in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, according to the study’s authors.

(With information from EFE)

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Bryce

I am Bryce, a writer for Southshore Journal, and I bring my passion for general news to our dynamic team. My commitment to editorial quality and the responsibility of informing guide my daily efforts. Working in collaboration with our talented journalists and editors, I strive to provide accurate and current information for our attentive audience.