Much more dead by resistant germs in clinics

The number of deaths from resistant germs in German hospitals could be significantly higher than previously thought

20/11/2014

The number of deaths from antibiotic-resistant germs in German hospitals could be far higher than previously confirmed by official sources. While the Federal Ministry of Health reports 10,000 to 15,000 deaths a year from hospital infections, several media report more than 30,000 cases.

Multi-drug resistant germs in hospitals are particularly dangerous
For a long time, antibiotics were considered to be an all-purpose weapon against bacterial infections. However, since more and more antibiotics are no longer effective, as the pathogens have developed resistance to the agents, their image has suffered greatly. Doctors are accused of overly prescribing antibiotics and, moreover, often using so-called broad-spectrum agents, which favor the development of resistance of many pathogens at once. In addition, the use of antibiotics in factory farming is heavily criticized, because the drugs are not only used to treat sick animals but also likely to increase growth, although this is prohibited.

The greatest danger is posed by so-called "multidrug-resistant bacteria that are resistant to several or even all available antibiotics". According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), only a few years ago, mainly gram-positive pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) played the most important role. In the meantime, gram-negative multidrug-resistant infectious agents, which are resistant to all ß-lactam antibiotics as well as other antibiotic groups, have come into focus. When severely immunocompromised patients come into contact with such agents, such as in an intensive care unit, the infection is often severe and may even be fatal.

At least 30,000 dead due to resistant germs?
Last year, more than 30,000 of the three most prevalent resistant bacteria were reported to have been billed to deceased patients, as reported in media reports from the „Time“, „Time Online“ and the „Funke Media Group“ evident. If the numbers are correct, the infection rate is much higher than stated by the Federal Ministry of Health. Instead of the officially mentioned 7,500 to 15,000 dead, there is „more than 30,000 to 40,000 deaths, probably far more“, The Vice President of the German Society for Hospital Hygiene, Walter Popp, is quoted by the media.

„The German Society for Hospital Hygiene is assuming a false assumption here, since it equates deaths that carry a resistant pathogen with deaths caused by a resistant pathogen“, Health Ministry spokeswoman Katja Angeli comments on the numbers. The official estimates of 10,000 to 15,000 deaths from hospital infections per year are still correct. (Ag)