A major Indian study highlights the growing danger of antibiotic resistance, particularly among patients with serious Gram-negative bacterial infections. Researchers analysed 26,213 infections across 20 tertiary-care hospitals and found that carbapenem resistance in bacteria including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was associated with a 16–43% higher risk of death, depending on the organism. Resistant bloodstream infections caused by some bacteria had mortality rates of around 46–51%, while treatment costs were also substantially higher. Experts warn that unnecessary antibiotic use increases selection pressure, allowing resistant bacteria to survive and spread. They stress that antibiotics should be prescribed only when needed, with the right drug, dose and duration, supported by appropriate testing and antimicrobial stewardship.
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