Diseases and deaths caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens in Europe

Go back

Dec 13, 2018 - Foods

Diseases and deaths caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens in Europe

In November 2018, the journal "The Lancet Infectious Diseases" published figures on illnesses and deaths due to infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the European Union.

Below are some results of this study:

• Between 2007 and 2015, the burden of disease due to infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens in Europe, as in Germany, has significantly increased. For example, the number of deaths caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the EU has increased sixfold during this period, and the number of deaths from Escherichia coli resistant to third-generation cephalosporins has quadrupled.
• According to calculations, approximately 670,000 people in the EU contract infections from antibiotic-resistant pathogens annually, and about 33,000 people die from them each year.
• In Germany, approximately 54,500 people currently contract infections from antibiotic-resistant pathogens annually, and about 2,400 people die from them.
• The majority of these infections in Europe are associated with medical treatment.
• The authors of the study show that the burden of disease due to infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens in Europe is comparable to the combined disease burden of influenza, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
• Through enhanced infection prevention, infection control, and guideline-based antibiotic therapy, this disease burden can be significantly reduced.

For questions, our customer advisors are very happy to assist you.
 

Source: www.rki.de