Klebsiella pneumoniae threat: Antibiotic crisis in Ukraine
Klebsiella pneumoniae, a dangerous bacterium responsible for pneumonia, has been discovered in Ukraine. Experts are alarmed as the bacterium is resistant to drugs. Scientists believe it poses a significant threat to public health.
Concerning news from Ukraine. A dangerous bacterium has been detected in our eastern neighbour. According to specialists, it poses a threat to public health. The strain in question is Klebsiella pneumoniae. Onet.pl recently reported on the danger.
Dangerous bacterium detected in Ukraine
Dr Oleksandr Nazarchuk from the National Medical University in Vinnytsia sought assistance from Prof Kristian Riesbeck of Lund University. They conducted research on the resistance of bacteria found in individuals wounded in the war and hospitalised patients. It was found that about 6% of the 141 samples were resistant to all antibiotics.
Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most dangerous of them all. The bacterium can cause very serious infections - including pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and skin infections. It is one of the main causes of mortality related to drug resistance.
The spread of infection will continue
Experiments on mice and insect larvae showed that the resistant bacteria were exceptionally aggressive, killing the larvae much faster than less resistant strains. Genetic sequencing revealed that the bacteria also possess genes that make them more virulent.
According to Prof Riesbeck, the bacteria will pose a problem - their spread will be difficult to control. Due to the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has limited capacity to provide medical care at a level that effectively combats the bacterium. "As long as the patients cannot be isolated and treated properly, the spread of infection will continue," the Swedish expert stated.
