Multiresistance: Danger from Killer Germs?

Multi-resistant germs are no more aggressive than their relatives without protection, and they cause the same diseases. What makes them dangerous is that they are very difficult to get rid of. This is all the more true because they often infect hospitalized patients, many of whom also suffer from immune deficiencies.

Which germs are multidrug-resistant?

So far, different germs are relevant worldwide. If, for example, there are pneumococci in Central and Eastern Europe that are resistant to penicillin and cause severe pneumonia, such infections can still be treated well in Germany.

In Germany, for example, the following pathogens are considered problematic:

  • Some staphylococci, which cause sepsis and pneumonia.
  • Enterococci involved in kidney, biliary tract and peritonitis infections
  • Certain pathogens that may be relevant in hospital-acquired infections of the lungs, abdomen, or kidneys

MRSA bacteria

MRSA bacteria often play a role in the clinic. These “methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains” are a resistant type of Staphylococcus aureus, a normal colonizer of the nose, throat and intestines.

It becomes a problem germ because it is insensitive to methicillin (a penicillin derivative) and to many other antibiotics, making it difficult to treat, for example, in wound infections. For healthy people with normal body defenses, MRSA bacteria are not contagious.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have also played an increasing role in hospital-acquired infections in recent years.

Germ control-hope for a cure?

One thing is fairly certain: with each new drug, the bacteria will come up with new defense mechanisms. However, the development can at least be controlled.

The following measures are recognized worldwide by physicians, microbiologists and hygienists to ensure that antibiotics will still be able to exert their beneficial effects ten years from now:

  • Strict hygiene measures especially in clinics, nursing homes and homes for the elderly.
  • Limited and targeted prescriptions of antibiotics, responsible handling of patients with the prescribed drugs.
  • Restriction of antibiotics, for example, in animal husbandry.

Copper against germs?

In addition, there are always interesting discoveries that show additional ways to fight infections.

For example, it turns out that copper kills germs and can thus effectively stop the spread of even multi-resistant bacteria. A Hamburg clinic had installed door handles, door plates and light switches made of copper in two wards over a period of several months – the number of germs on these was more than a third lower than on the usual stainless steel fittings.