Red alarm level: Multi -resistant germs threaten patients in Bochum!

Red alarm level: Multi -resistant germs threaten patients in Bochum!

The growing threat from multi-resistant pathogens (MRE) represents a serious health risk. According to a report by the National Reference Center (NRZ), the situation in 2024 further tightened in 2024. Over 10,000 rehearsals were analyzed, and the proportion of samples with carbapen masher rose to alarming 61.1 percent - a striking increase compared to 43.9 percent three years earlier. Carbapenemasen are enzymes that inactivate reserve medication such as carbapeneme and thus make it difficult to treat infections.

These results were published in the epidemiological bulletin of the Robert Koch Institute on May 15, 2025, whereupon Dr. Niels Pfennigwerth from the NRZ recommends increasing monitoring of the situation. Multi -resistant pathogens are particularly life -threatening, especially for hospital patients, since the treatment options are increasingly limited. Each application of antibiotics also promotes the formation of resistance by killing sensitive bacteria while resistant survives and multiply.

a global problem

The increasing number of antibiotic -resistant pathogens is not only locally, but a worrying phenomenon worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the greatest global threats to health. Every year, over a million people worldwide die from infections caused by resistant bacteria, and around 35,000 in Europe alone. Shocking forecasts indicate that by 2050 more than 39 million people could die of antibiotic -resistant germs.

The danger is reinforced by the abusive use of antibiotics. In German hospitals, especially in non-university institutions, there are current defects in antibiotic prescription. While university clinics such as the Charité in Berlin Antibiotic Stewardship (ABS) teams set up to better control the use of antibiotics, many other facilities lack such support. ABS includes the diagnosis of the pathogen, the selection of the suitable antibiotic as well as the adaptation of therapy duration and dosage.

particularly endangered groups

are particularly at risk of people with a weak immune system, such as patients with autoimmune diseases, children with an unrefined immune system, older people as well as organ transplanted people and cancer patients who are in chemotherapy. Diabetics and patients with invasive interventions also represent a risk group. Infections with resistant pathogens are often more complicated, which makes the treatment considerably more difficult.

Experts emphasize that the development of antibiotic resistance cannot be prevented, but can only be slowed down. It is therefore essential to promote the responsible handling of these medication and to make it clear to the patients that antibiotics do not work against viruses. Studies show that almost half of the Europeans do not know that antibiotics only help against bacteria. Vaccinations against diseases such as diphtheria and tetanus could also reduce the antibiotic requirement and are an essential measure in the fight against resistant germs.

The increasing numbers of multi -resistant pathogens illustrate the need for comprehensive measures. Awareness of the risks and the responsible use of antibiotics must be increasingly anchored in public in order to avert the social and health tragedy, which threatens to resistant germs. In the context of these challenges, it is crucial that research is invested in the development of new antibiotics and alternative therapy options.