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The fight against super germs is getting more and more complicated
So far, antibiotics have been considered extremely effective in treating infections caused by bacteria. But the "magic weapon" no longer works perfectly, because more and more bacteria become resistant. Accordingly, experts have been warning for years against too frequent and improper use of funds - and call for stronger measures to be able to combat the "super germs".
Up to 6000 people die annually from multidrug-resistant pathogens
If there is a bacterial infection, usually antibiotics help against the pathogens. However, more and more cases occur in which the drugs do not work sufficiently or not at all. According to the National Reference Center (NRZ) at the Berlin Charité, a maximum of 6,000 people can be assumed to die each year from infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. Accordingly, experts have been warning for some time about the growing danger of so-called "super germs".
Resistant pathogens are a growing problem. Every year, around 6,000 people die as a result of a corresponding infection. (Image: Alexander Raths / fotolia.com) "10-point plan" includes tightening of reporting obligations
In the meantime the problem has been recognized in politics, says Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Glaeske from the University of Bremen to the news agency "dpa". For example, Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU) presented a "10-point plan" in March this year, which includes stricter reporting requirements and the expansion of hygiene standards in all facilities. Similarly, the joint fight against antibiotic resistance and cross-border epidemics is also the central theme of the two-day G7 meeting of health ministers on 8 and 9 October in Berlin, reports the Federal Ministry of Health. Despite the political interest has not improved much, says pharmacist Glaeske, who holds since 1999 at the University of Bremen a professorship for drug application research. Instead, the resistance would increase worldwide, as antibiotics would be used too often and inappropriately. Especially general practitioners would often prescribe the funds rash: "In one-third of cases, there is no important and understandable reason why these antibiotics are prescribed," cites the "dpa" the experts.
Many people already require an antibiotic for a cold
In the case of a cold, for example, antibiotics are usually completely out of place because they are usually caused by viruses - but an antibiotic only works for bacterial infections. Here, however, there is often ignorance, which means that many people even with cold and cough the supposed "miracle weapon" demand. "I have often experienced that patients go to another doctor if you try to explain to them that this is unnecessary or even harmful," said Nuremberg doctor Marie-Luise Adam on. In addition, funds were often used that are actually intended for very specific and severe cases ("Reserve Antibiotic"). The more carefree they are used, the more resistant the bacteria become to antibiotics.
Demand for binding award guidelines
Accordingly, according to Glaeske, binding guidelines for the awarding of outpatient care are necessary and the subject must be more closely integrated into the training of doctors. On the side of the patients, a better and clearer education is important, as well as a good hygiene in hospitals must play a central role, e.g. the frequent disinfection of the hands is maintained. It was crucial, however, how strictly the clinic management deals with the topic, said the head of the Microbiological Institute of the University of Erlangen, Christian Bogdan, to the news agency. Accordingly, there is still much ignorance here in some clinics.
With regard to hygiene, many large houses would now use a so-called "risk-based screening" to check patients at risk for certain multidrug-resistant pathogens in advance of hospitalization and thereby prevent their spread. According to Christian Bogdan, with good success, because "90 percent of cases are discovered through risk-based screening".
Entry into hospital also possible through travelers
As "at risk" apply, for example People with non-healing open wounds or frequent hospitalizations. Patients from countries with high resistance rates will also be screened to prevent the introduction of germs. However, these can also be reached by travelers in a clinic. Likewise, in many people resistant bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA for short) anyway settle on the skin and mucous membranes without triggering a disease. In addition, about six percent of the population carry ESBL-producing intestinal enterobacteria, which can render antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity ineffective.
In addition, in the fight against the "super germs" and the lack of new antibiotics is a big problem. Because instead of continuing to develop here, the pharmaceutical industry is more focused on other drugs that can be used to make higher profits. "But we really need new antibiotics because the ones we have will probably not work in the long run," says Glaeske.
Use as growth promoter in the animal mast
But too frequent and inappropriate use of antibiotics is not only widespread in human medicine. Instead, agriculture and livestock are affected, for example, by using the funds as growth promoters. A view from the expert Glaeske "very dark chapter", to which the policy would have to turn much stronger. Here, in his view, only sanctions could change anything - but the Federal Ministry of Agriculture does not even publish data on their use. However, these are necessary in order to take appropriate action against current practice. "I consider that a complete misunderstanding of the situation," criticized Glaeske.
According to Michael Kresken from the Campus Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, the fight against antibiotic resistance had to come from many directions at the same time - but he had almost given up hope for a rapid change in the situation: "The topic is like the one in the Environmental pollution. It's a creeping, chronic process that has gotten used to, "says Michael Kresken to dpa. (No)