February 28, 2017.
The World Health Organization has just published its first list of bacteria that should be the subject of priority scientific research. These bacteria are today a threat to humanity in that they manage to resist many families of antibiotics.
WHO makes antimicrobial resistance a priority
Antibiotic resistance has become a major health threat and the World Health Organization (WHO) urges governments and medical authorities to do everything to launch programs to develop new treatments to fight these superbugs now able to resist current antibiotics.
WHO has just published a list, made up of 12 families of bacteria considered by the body to be ” most threatening to human health “. Among them, the group judged ” most critical “, Contains multiresistant bacteria which are a particular threat in hospitals, nursing homes,” or for patients whose care requires the use of devices such as ventilators or blood catheters “, Indicates the WHO in a press release. This group includes in particular bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and various Enterobacteriaceae (including Klebsiella, E. coli, Serratia, and Proteus).
Medical research must direct its research to fight against antibiotic resistance
The second and third groups are made up of bacteria, which are also dangerous but whose priority levels have been judged ” raised ” and ” way “. These two groups contain increasingly resistant bacteria and ” that cause more common illnesses such as gonorrhea or salmonella food poisoning “.
” This list is a new tool to ensure that research and development meets urgent public health needs », Said Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO Assistant Director-General for the Health Systems and Innovation group. ” Antibiotic resistance is increasing and we are rapidly exhausting our treatment options. If we let the market go, the new antibiotics we need most urgently will not be developed in time “, She further clarified.
Read also: A diagnostic test to fight antibiotic resistance
Sybille Latour
