ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANT BACTERIA | These are the bacteria most resistant to antibiotics according to the WHO

A microbiological analysis on a European scale, promoted by several animal organizations, including the Animal Welfare Observatory (OBA), reveals alarming data about chicken meat on the shelves of the Lidl chain.

According to the study, more than 70% of chicken meator contains bacteria resistant to antibiotics, which represents a serious threat to public health. Furthermore, 38% of the samples analyzed present listeria, and a worrying 83% contain diarrheal pathogens such as E.coli and Campylobacter. In response to these findings, OBA has informed the Ministries of Consumer Affairs and Agriculture to take the necessary measures.

Recent European microbiological analysis highlights a critical problem in commercially available chicken meat. More than 70% of the samples contain bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics. This resistance not only makes it difficult to treat bacterial infections in humans, but also increases the risk of spreading diseases resistant to conventional drugs.

In addition to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the study reveals that 38% of chicken meat samples contain listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Even more alarming is that 83% of the samples contain diarrheal pathogens such as E.coli and Campylobacter, which are responsible for a large number of gastrointestinal infections each year.

Given these worrying findings, the Animal Welfare Observatory (OBA) has informed the Ministries of Consumer Affairs and Agriculture the urgent need to intervene. The authorities are called to reinforce health inspections and regulations in the production and distribution of chicken meat to guarantee food safety and protect the health of consumers.

Importance of food safety and public health

This analysis highlights the importance of food safety and the need for stricter controls in the food industry. Consumers should be informed about the risks associated with chicken meat and take appropriate precautions in food preparation and cooking to minimize the risk of infection.

Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella spp are some of the microorganisms that have demonstrated high levels of resistance to various generations of antibiotics, representing a serious threat to global health.

Antimicrobial resistance: an urgent public health problem

Antimicrobial resistance has become a critical public health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified this problem in 2020 as one of the “urgent health problems of global dimension.” This situation is due to several factors, such as the prescription and unregulated use of antibiotics, lack of access to quality medicines at affordable prices, and lack of clean water and adequate sanitation services.

The WHO points out that antimicrobial resistance is the product of a combination of alarming factors, creating a “terrifying cocktail.” These factors include:

• Prescription and inappropriate use of antibiotics

• Lack of access to quality medicines at affordable prices

• Deficiencies in clean water and sanitation services

• Inadequate infection prevention and control

Antimicrobial resistance does not discriminate by region or economic level. Worrying levels of resistance have been found in both low-income and middle- and high-income countries. A WHO-supported Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) study showed widespread resistance in samples from 500,000 people from 22 countries, with variations ranging from 0% to 82% in at least one of the most used antibiotics.

Priority pathogens according to the WHO

WHO has identified a list of priority pathogens with the support of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Tübingen, Germany. This list, developed through multi-criteria decision analysis by international experts, It is crucial to guide research, development and innovation (R&D) projects for new antibiotics.

Criteria for including pathogens on the WHO priority list include:

• Degree of lethality of infections

• Need for prolonged hospitalization

• Frequency of resistance to existing antibiotics

• Ease of transmission between animals and people

• Prevention through hygiene and vaccination

• Therapeutic options available

• Research and development of new antibiotics

Priority levels on the WHO list

• Critical Priority: Dangerous multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitals and chronic care homes, and among patients with invasive devices.

• High and Medium Priority: Bacteria with increasing resistance, related to community-acquired diseases, such as gonorrhea and Salmonella food poisoning.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its list of priority bacterial pathogens for 2024, highlighting bacteria that have high levels of antibiotic resistance and that pose a significant risk to global public health. This list is classified into three categories: critical, high and medium priority.

Critical Priority

1. Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

2. This bacteria has significant resistance to carbapenems, one of the most powerful antibiotics available.

3. Enterobacteriaceae resistant to third generation cephalosporins

4. These pathogens have developed resistance to a key group of antibiotics used to treat serious infections.

5. Enterobacteriaceae resistant to carbapenems

6. Resistance to carbapenems in these bacteria is of particular concern due to the limited availability of therapeutic alternatives.

7. Rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

8. This form of resistant tuberculosis has been identified through independent analysis and presents a significant challenge to tuberculosis treatment.

High priority

1. Salmonella Typhi resistant to fluoroquinolones

2. Resistance to fluoroquinolones in this typhoid-causing bacteria is a growing concern.

3. Shigella spp. resistant to fluoroquinolones

4. This resistance complicates the treatment of gastrointestinal infections caused by Shigella.

5. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium

6. Vancomycin resistance in this bacteria can make the treatment of nosocomial infections difficult.

7. Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

8. This resistant pathogen is frequently associated with serious and difficult-to-treat hospital-acquired infections.

9. Fluoroquinolone-resistant non-typhoid salmonellae

10. Resistance in these bacteria affects the treatment of common food infections.

11. Neisseria gonorrhoeae resistant to third generation cephalosporins and/or fluoroquinolones

12. Resistance in this bacteria, which causes gonorrhea, poses a significant risk to sexual and reproductive health.

13. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

14. MRSA is known for its resistance to multiple antibiotics, complicating the treatment of skin infections and other serious infections.

Medium priority

1. Macrolide-resistant group A streptococci

2. Macrolide resistance in these streptococci affects the treatment of throat and skin infections.

3. Macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae

4. This resistance complicates the treatment of pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

5. Ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae

6. Resistance to ampicillin in this bacteria can complicate the treatment of respiratory infections and meningitis.

7. Macrolide-resistant group B streptococci

8. This resistance is worrying for the treatment of infections in newborns and pregnant women.