Summary
Infection rates of a drug-resistant bacteria, known as "nightmare bacteria," have increased by almost 70% in the U.S. from 2019 to 2023, according to the CDC. The bacteria have a specific gene, making them difficult to treat with most antibiotics, and their cases have risen significantly, mainly impacting hospital patients.
Key Facts
- "Nightmare bacteria" cases in the U.S. rose nearly 70% from 2019 to 2023.
- Bacteria with the NDM gene largely drove this increase; these are hard to treat.
- Only two expensive antibiotics work against these infections, and they require IV administration.
- The rate of NDM cases in the U.S. increased more than fivefold in recent years.
- In 2023, there were 4,341 cases of carbapenem-resistant infections from states that tested and reported them.
- Unfinished or unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions have contributed to the rise in drug-resistant bacteria.
- Many U.S. states do not fully test or report these cases, and hospitals often lack the ability to detect genetic resistance.
- The reported cases likely underestimate the true number due to incomplete data from populous states like California, Florida, New York, and Texas.
