According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infection rates from drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” have surged by almost 70 percent between 2019 and 2023. This alarming trend is primarily driven by bacteria that possess the NDM gene, as detailed by CDC researchers in an article published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Monday.
Infections caused by bacteria with the NDM gene are particularly difficult to treat, with only two antibiotics effective against these strains. Moreover, these antibiotics are costly and require administration through an IV line. Initially, bacteria carrying the NDM gene were considered rare, primarily linked to patients receiving medical care abroad. However, the recent data indicates a significant increase in U.S. cases, which have more than quintupled in recent years, raising serious concerns among health professionals.
“The rise of NDMs in the U.S. is a grave danger and very worrisome,” stated David Weiss, an infectious diseases researcher at Emory University, in an email. The CDC scientists suggest that many individuals may unknowingly carry these drug-resistant bacteria, posing a risk for potential community spread. This situation could transform common infections, such as urinary tract infections, into chronic and challenging health issues, as highlighted by Dr. Maroya Walters, one of the report’s authors.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs, such as bacteria and fungi, develop the capability to withstand the drugs meant to eliminate them. A significant factor contributing to this rise in resistance is the misuse of antibiotics. Incomplete or unnecessary prescriptions can fail to eradicate the germs, allowing them to evolve and become stronger. The CDC has previously emphasized the threat posed by “nightmare bacteria” that exhibit resistance to a broad spectrum of antibiotics, particularly carbapenems, which are considered a last resort for treating severe infections.
The CDC’s recent study gathered data from 29 states that conduct the necessary testing and reporting of carbapenem-resistant bacteria. In 2023, there were 4,341 reported cases of carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections, with 1,831 attributed to the NDM variety. The rates of these infections rose from just under 2 per 100,000 people in 2019 to over 3 per 100,000 in 2023, marking an overall increase of 69 percent. In contrast, the rate of NDM cases escalated from approximately 0.25 to 1.35, reflecting a staggering increase of 460 percent.
Dr. Jason Burnham, a researcher from Washington University, noted that the increase in drug resistance is likely linked to the surge in antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know there was a huge surge in antibiotic use during the pandemic, so this likely is reflected in increasing drug resistance,” he remarked.
The CDC’s figures may only represent a partial view of the situation, as many states do not fully test and report cases. Even in states that do, the cases are primarily found among hospital patients requiring specialized testing. Additionally, numerous hospitals lack the capacity to conduct essential tests for certain genetic resistance forms. Notably, the CDC researchers did not have data from several populous states, including California, Florida, New York, and Texas, indicating that the actual number of U.S. infections is likely underreported.
This recent report is not the first to highlight the rise in drug-resistant infections. A prior CDC report published in June pointed to an increase in NDM cases specifically in New York City from 2019 to 2024, further underscoring the urgent need for enhanced monitoring and research to combat these formidable pathogens.
