Will Superbugs Wipe Out Humanity? They have the potential to be a global threat

superbugs, A term describing bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, they pose a growing threat to global health. As these bacteria mutate and develop resistance to the drugs we used to kill them, they become more difficult to eradicate. According to a WHO analysis, if no measures are taken to combat this threat, could cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050.

According to Lumara González Arechiga Gonzálezbiologist and disseminator of science on social networks, “the problem with superbugs is precisely that because they are pathogenic, because these strains are pathogenic, they become very difficult to fight,” she said. said in an interview for El Heraldo Digital.

In 2019, an estimated 5 million deaths worldwide were directly linked to drug-induced infections. In addition, bacterial or fungal infections that “escape” antibiotics, overall increased by 15% in 2020 compared to 2019as reported by US authorities?.

Should we be worried?

Although superbugs are an emerging problem, they are unlikely to cause a global pandemic. However, Lumara warned that “antibiotics take longer to react and what we’re probably seeing is longer treatment times for bacteria.”

He felt that in Mexico, due to the socio-economic conditions, there could be a risk, but currently it does not represent a risk”,the most serious are in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the East”.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Certain actions can intensify the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant microbes,” such as:

• Taking antibiotics frequently or incorrectly
• Poor infection prevention and control practices
• Living or working in unsanitary conditions
• Improperly handled food

What are superbugs and why are they dangerous?

Superbugs are very powerful variants against common drugs. This phenomenon occurs through evolution and natural selection, with surviving antibiotics passing on this “benefit” to future generations. Lumara describes it like this: “They’re constantly mutating, it’s like saying, ‘I didn’t die, I reproduced,’ and what do you think, the daughter cells cause that transformation.”

Superbugs are particularly dangerous because they can be difficult, if not impossible, to treat with available antibiotics. Moreover, they are not only resistant to one antibiotic, but to several, which makes them a serious threat to public health.

scary superbugs

• Staphylococcus aureus: It is immune to many common antibiotics and can cause a variety of problems, ranging from skin infections to pneumonia and sepsis.
• Enterococci: It normally lives in the intestines and vagina without causing any problems, but it can become a serious infection if found in other parts of the body. Some strains of Enterococcus have developed a “shield” against vancomycin.

• Klebsiella pneumoniae: It can cause serious infections, especially in the lungs, blood and wounds. It generated defenses against carbapenems, making these infections particularly difficult to treat.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa: They can affect various parts of the body, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Multidrug resistance makes treatment difficult.
• Clostridioide difficult: Although it can live in the intestine without causing problems, if it multiplies it is very dangerous. Some strains are not eliminated by any medication.

• How do superbugs spread?

These microorganisms can spread in the same way as ordinary bacteria. “A person who has already had one can infect someone else through human contact… But for people to thrive, they need to have their immune systems suppressed… I wouldn’t say they get spread more easily they don’t get more infectious, but they get harder to control“, clarified Lumara.

Fighting superbugs is a complex task that requires both preventing the overuse of antibiotics and finding new treatments. Lumara noted that:

“There are so many antibiotics… Each year, 300 or more are discovered, but almost none reach the clinical stage. So more research and investment is needed for them to reach daily use… It is also very important to strengthen our immune system from childhood”.

The continuous training of health personnel on this ecological and evolutionary process is crucial and for individuals, maintaining good hygiene and enriching the microbiota, the set of microorganisms that live in our body, can be effective strategies. Lumara suggested, “Consume probiotics, even in the same diet, from yogurt to Kombucha,” she said.

Don’t lose hope

But scientific research is always looking for new ways to fight superbugs, and there are reasons for hope. Currently, scientists are looking for alternatives, such as the use of bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) or even faecal transplants. Additionally, further research into the human microbiome may reveal more prevention strategies.

Yes, it is a matter of concern. I think they tried a lot to control not to generate panic, because there’s no point in being in a state of panic; Still, it’s important… What won’t happen is that one day the bacteria won’t respond to any antibiotics and we’ll all die,” testified the expert, also known as “Lumara the biologist” on social networks.

He concluded by pointing out that antibiotics are generally derived from living things, primarily microscopic fungi. Penicillin, which comes from the fungus Penicillium, and many antibiotics are chemically modified from compounds produced by these organisms.