Antibiotic resistance Super germs first discovered in Germany

In livestock and humans, bacteria with transmissible resistance gene detected
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a growing problem worldwide. Increasingly, individual bacterial strains also develop resistance to so-called emergency antibiotics, which are used when conventional agents fail. Bacterial strains that are resistant to the emergency antibiotic colistin have also spread in Germany, according to a recent study by the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and the University of Veterinary Medicine (TiHo) Hannover. Since the bacteria can pass on the resistance via a certain gene (gene mcr-1) to other bacterial strains, the observations are evaluated very critically.

Also, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has warned in a recent communication before the "transferability of a resistance gene in human and veterinary medicine".

Bacterial pathogens that have developed resistance to antibiotics have been reported more frequently in recent years. Here are "pathogens from the family of enterobacteria, which are resistant to a variety of antibiotic agents", particularly problematic, reports the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.

Furthermore, if the bacteria show resistance to antibiotics from the carbapenem group, there are few therapeutic options for treating such infections. Colistin has been reported by TiHo to be "one of the few remaining antibiotics that works against infection with these multi- and carbapenem-resistant pathogens in the enterobacterial family."

The genetic transferability of colistin to other bacterial strains, identified last year by Chinese scientists, has therefore caused a stir among medical professionals worldwide. An analysis of existing bacterial samples from Germany on the gene mcr-1 has now shown that were present in both samples of farm animals and in human samples pathogens with the transferable.

In Germany, too, many bacterial strains carry the resistance gene mcr-1. (Image: science photo / fotolia.com)

Resistance gene spread since 2011 in Germany
"The research network was able to show for the first time that the resistance gene mcr-1 occurs in Germany in Escherichia coli in livestock as well as in humans," reports TiHo Hannover. However, it would not be possible to say anything about the extent of distribution, possible transmission routes or the direction of transmission (from human to animal or vice versa). It is clear, however, that the resistance gene has been present in Germany at least since 2011, and thus the possibility of transmission to humans has existed for several years.

"Transmittable resistance genes can be transmitted to pathogens by harmless intestinal bacteria, the so-called commensal germs, and make it more difficult to treat them," warns the BfR. "The current results confirm once again that the strategy of responsible use of antibiotics must be consistently pursued", emphasizes the President of the BfR, Professor Dr. med. Dr. Andreas Hensel.

Further investigations to estimate the risk required
According to the information provided by the BfR, "further molecular genetic studies on the genetic background and transmission potential" should now be carried out in order to assess potential risks for consumers. "To what extent is the" proven, transferable antibiotic resistance that has been present for years in the treatment of infectious diseases of the Human beings have a role to play now has to be researched on the side of human medicine, "says the BfR. The TiHo Hannover according to further investigations in Germany and in other countries is also required "to be able to estimate since when this resistance gene occurs and to what extent it is common in bacteria of humans and animals." This is important to shed light on the To reach the extent of the problem. (Fp)