Typhoid fever, a bacterial infection thought to be ancient, remains a significant threat globally despite being rare in developed countries. A recent study found that the bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S Typhi) is rapidly evolving extensive drug resistance, including strains resistant to frontline antibiotics and newer medications.
Researchers sequenced 3,489 S Typhi strains from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India between 2014 and 2019, revealing a significant rise in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Typhi. This strain not only evades conventional antibiotics but also develops resistance to newer treatments.
The emergence of XDR Typhi has alarming implications, with nearly 200 international cases reported since 1990, primarily spreading from South Asia to Southeast Asia, East Africa, and even the UK, US, and Canada. Infectious disease specialists warn that this development highlights the urgent need for expanded prevention measures, especially in high-risk countries.
Historically, XDR typhoid strains have been treated with third-generation antimicrobials, but these are now becoming increasingly ineffective due to resistance mutations. The remaining oral antibiotic, azithromycin, may soon lose efficacy if new mutations emerge.
Untreated typhoid cases can be fatal, with 20% of cases leading to death each year. While vaccines can prevent future outbreaks, access must be expanded globally to avoid another health crisis. Nations are urged to invest in typhoid conjugate vaccines and support antibiotic research to combat this growing threat.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-killer-is-rapidly-becoming-resistant-to-antibiotics-study-warns