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The overlooked bacterial pandemic
Danilo Gomes Moriel1, Diego Piccioli1, Maria Michelina Raso1
1GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant economic and health impact worldwide. It also reinforced the misperception that only viruses can pose a threat to human existence, overlooking that bacteria (e.g., plague and cholera) have severely haunted and shaped the course of human civilization. While the world is preparing for the next viral pandemic, it is again overlooking a silent one: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This review proposes to show the impact of bacterial infections on civilization to remind the pandemic potential. The work will also discuss a few examples of how bacteria can mutate risking global spread and devastating outcomes, the effect on the global burden, and the prophylactic and therapeutic measures. Indeed, AMR is dramatically increasing and if the trend is not reversed, it has the potential to quickly turn into the most important health problem worldwide.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat, mirroring historical bacterial pandemics. Urgent action is needed to prevent AMR from becoming the next global health crisis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted global health vulnerabilities.
- Historical bacterial infections (e.g., plague, cholera) profoundly impacted human civilization.
- There is a dangerous misperception that only viruses threaten existence, neglecting bacterial threats and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To underscore the pandemic potential of bacterial infections by reviewing their historical impact.
- To highlight the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- To discuss bacterial mutation, global spread, burden of disease, and control measures.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical pandemics caused by bacteria.
- Analysis of current trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- Examination of bacterial mutation mechanisms and their epidemiological implications.
Main Results:
- Bacterial infections have historically caused devastating pandemics and shaped civilizations.
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasing globally, driven by bacterial mutations.
- Without intervention, AMR could become the foremost global health challenge.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial infections, particularly those involving AMR, represent a significant and underestimated pandemic threat.
- Addressing AMR requires a multi-faceted approach including prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.
- Reversing the trend of AMR is critical to prevent future global health devastation.
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