Hospitals, known as hotspots for diseases, are facing a new challenge with the presence and spread of drug-resistant bacteria. A recent study has highlighted the risk of multidrug-resistant bacteria being most prevalent in hospital sinks, shedding light on the concerning issue of superbugs.
The study, published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), focused on a ‘multispecies outbreak’ of a superbug known as ‘carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE)’. This outbreak occurred in a paediatric ward at Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo back in 2017, raising alarms about the transmission and persistence of these drug-resistant bacteria.
According to the research findings, the first case of CPE was identified in a one-year-old boy with cardiac disease in June 2016. Subsequently, the superbug spread to a 15-year-old patient in March 2017, eventually affecting a total of 19 paediatric patients. Investigations revealed that nine sinks in the hospital were contaminated with CPE, including sinks in patient rooms, a nurse center, a waste room, and an ice machine.
Despite efforts to contain the contamination by replacing and disinfecting sinks with hydrogen peroxide, the CPE persisted in the hospital environment. The study also suggested that the resistance mechanism of the bacteria may have been transferred between different bacterial species within the hospital, highlighting the complexity of combating these drug-resistant superbugs.
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are classified as superbugs due to their resistance to multiple antibiotics, posing a significant challenge in treatment. The emergence and spread of these drug-resistant bacteria in hospital settings emphasize the importance of stringent infection control measures and surveillance to prevent outbreaks and protect patients and healthcare workers.
As healthcare facilities continue to face the threat of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, ongoing research and vigilance are essential to address this growing public health concern. Understanding the transmission, persistence, and resistance mechanisms of these bacteria is crucial in developing effective strategies to combat the spread of drug-resistant infections in healthcare settings.
