In a study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has been revealed that hospitals in Ukraine are facing a concerning rise in germs that are resistant to the last-line antibiotics used to treat infections. The study warns that this urgent crisis extends beyond Ukraine's borders, presenting a growing threat to global public health.

Conducted by a team of scientists from the CDC and Ukraine's health ministry, the study analyzed samples from hundreds of Ukrainian patients who had contracted infections while receiving treatment at hospitals between November and December of the previous year. Shockingly, the results showed that approximately 60% of the patients with infections were battling germs resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, which are often considered the last resort for doctors when other treatment options fail.

In comparison, a European study conducted in 2017 found that only around 6.2% of similar infections showed resistance to carbapenem antibiotics. The authors of the study attribute this alarming increase in drug-resistant organisms to a combination of factors, including high prewar rates of antimicrobial resistance, an increase in the prevalence of traumatic wounds, and the strain on healthcare facilities due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This growing issue of antimicrobial resistance has been a cause for concern among health officials for years. In March 2022, the European counterpart of the CDC issued a warning, urging hospitals to isolate and screen patients from Ukraine as a precaution against multidrug-resistant organisms.

Germany, in particular, experienced a rapid surge in infections from drug-resistant bacteria after March 2022. It was observed that the increase was linked to refugees and evacuated patients from Ukraine. Notably, the most significant rise was seen in drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, a member of the Enterobacterales group, which has been developing resistance to carbapenem antibiotics—a situation deemed urgent by the CDC.

In the United States, drug-resistant bacteria, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, are estimated to cause more than 13,000 cases and 1,000 deaths each year. According to CDC data, approximately 5% of Klebsiella samples in 2021 were reported to be resistant to carbapenem antibiotics. However, the study published on Thursday revealed that all the Klebsiella samples tested from the Ukrainian patients showed resistance to these crucial antibiotics.

Furthermore, other drug-resistance threats have also been identified in Ukraine. In July, U.S. military doctors treating a Ukrainian soldier discovered that he had been infected with six different extensively drug-resistant bacteria following severe burns on over half of his body.

To effectively respond to this growing threat, the CDC's report highlights the need for additional training and supplies to support hospitals in Ukraine that are treating infected patients during the ongoing war. In addition, there is a pressing need to strengthen the capabilities of labs in Ukraine by providing adequate supplies and manpower to test infections for resistance. This is paramount not only for assessing the extent of the threat but also for guiding doctors in deciding on appropriate treatment options for these challenging infections.

In conclusion, the rise of drug-resistant germs in Ukrainian hospitals poses an urgent crisis that must be addressed promptly. The global community must collaborate in providing support to Ukraine to combat the alarming increase of antimicrobial resistance, as failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences on public health worldwide.