A new combination of antimicrobial substances, designed to combat bacteria classified as particularly dangerous by the World Health Organization (WHO), has already developed resistance against it. Despite being tested only in clinical trials, bacteria have already been found to be resistant to the new “weapon.” Carbapenem-resistant bacteria are the most dangerous, as they are resistant to both conventional antibiotics and emergency antibiotics. Carbapenems are considered the last resort against many multi-resistant pathogens, but in recent years, bacteria have been discovered that are also resistant to carbapenems. These bacteria produce an enzyme that breaks down the drug, making infections with carbapenem-resistant pathogens difficult to treat.
Researchers have recently developed a new combination of two antimicrobial substances that should work against such bacteria. Aztreonam-Avibactam is a combination of an older antibiotic, Aztreonam, and a newer inhibitor, Avibactam, which can neutralize the effectiveness of carbapenem resistance and make the bacteria vulnerable again. However, despite being tested only in clinical trials, bacteria have already been found to be resistant to the new combination. This is alarming, as the resistance has also been found in bacteria that carry carbapenemases, which are very common in Germany. This means that resistance to the new combination of drugs can spread quickly.
According to the researchers, the new combination of drugs may no longer work in many cases. The expectation that it would be a promising combination for infections with carbapenem-resistant pathogens may not be fulfilled. The study was published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. The development of antibiotic resistance is a growing concern worldwide, and this new finding highlights the need for continued research and development of new antimicrobial substances to combat multi-resistant bacteria.
