Dangerous pathogens spread multidrug-resistant bacteria in waters

Antibiotic-resistant germs in streams, rivers and lakes

Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe said last year: "It can not leave anyone cold that more and more people around the world are dying from germs that are resistant to antibiotics. We have to fight antibiotic resistance resolutely - nationally and internationally. "The fact that something has to be done in this country is also made clear by a search by journalists from the NDR. The reporters found that in some German waters antibiotic-resistant germs are.

Dangerous increase of antibiotic resistance

The increase in antibiotic resistance is posing a growing challenge for healthcare. Only last year, an EU Commission warned of massively increasing antibiotic resistance. If the problem is not brought under control soon, according to researchers threatens a horror scenario. According to an earlier study by the Berlin Charité, there could be around 10 million deaths from multidrug-resistant germs by 2050. In recent years, more and more governments and experts have announced their intention to step up the fight against antibiotic resistance. The fact that a lot of things have to happen in Germany is also made clear by a search by journalists from Norddeutsche Rundfunk (NDR). They found that antibiotic-resistant germs are found in various German waters.

In streams, rivers and lakes in Lower Saxony antibiotic-resistant germs were discovered. And to an extent that surprised even experts. (Image: jarun011 / fotolia.com)

Man died after infection with deadly germ

In March 2017, a man fell into a stream in Frankfurt, infected himself with a deadly germ and died only a short time later in the Frankfurt University Hospital.

This incident was the reason for a comprehensive investigation in which various multidrug-resistant germs were found in Frankfurt waters.

"In five samples pathogens with resistance to the reserve antibiotics carbapenems or colistin were found," said the deputy director of the public health department, Prof. Ursel Heudorf at that time.

"In addition, nucleic acids were found in eight water samples with another method, which can form a specific, the antibiotic carbapeneme degrading enzyme, a carbapenemase type OXA -58," said the expert.

The finds in Frankfurt were the occasion for months of research by journalists of the NDR broadcast Panorama.

The reporters wanted to know if such germs could possibly also be found in waters in Lower Saxony.

Alarming finds in waters

As the NDR reports on its website, the journalists have sampled a total of twelve places: from streams, rivers and at two bathing lakes.

Scientists at the Dresden University of Technology and the University Hospital Giessen then examined these for multidrug-resistant pathogens - and found them everywhere.

"That's really alarming," said the antibiotic expert dr. Tim Eckmanns from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) opposite the NDR.

"The pathogens have apparently arrived in the environment and to an extent that surprises me."

According to the NDR, the germs found are multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MRGN).

These pathogens can lead to serious illnesses that are difficult to treat.

So far, there are no systematic controls

The water researcher Thomas Berendonk from the Dresden University of Technology also told the NDR that he was worried about the finds.

The examined samples are all from Lower Saxony, a federal state that stands out through intensive animal fattening. There is also a problem here that the water in the flat regions flows more slowly and can therefore deposit substances more easily.

Although it has long been known that there are antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the environment, so far there are no systematic controls. The germs could possibly reach the environment via the waste water from clinics.

According to Martin Exner from the research group HyReKa, who researches the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by wastewater, one does not have to be afraid of bathing because of the results. However, one should pay close attention to personal hygiene.

"So take a shower with clean water when you're out swimming. Of course you should always do that, "said Exner, who was not involved in the investigation, according to a news agency dpa.

However, the germs could be dangerous for people in the hospital, the elderly with chronic wounds and infants.

In view of the results, the Federal Environmental Agency urgently demands to retrofit at least all major sewage treatment plants.

According to NDR, the cost would be around 1.3 billion euros per year. These are "means that should be taken into consideration, even for the protection of the individual," said the President of the Federal Environment Agency Maria Krautzberger in an interview for the program Panorama. (Ad)