New Delhi [India], November 28 (HBTV): The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released an eight-report highlighting a concerning trend of increasing antibiotic resistance in Indian hospitals, stating that antibiotic-resistant bacteria have risen by 91 per cent over the past few years, rendering many drugs ineffective.
The findings are based on an analysis of 99,027 culture-positive samples collected from hospitals across the country between January and December 2024.
According to the report, Gram-negative bacteria are responsible for most infections and pose a particular concern due to their rapid development of antibiotic resistance.
The report noted that Gram-negative bacteria remained the most commonly isolated pathogens from clinically relevant samples such as blood, urine, CSF and respiratory tract samples, except for pus and exudate samples.
The study also highlighted that Acinetobacter baumannii, listed as a critical priority pathogen by the World Health Organisation, showed 91 per cent resistance to antibiotics in ICU settings.
Additionally, the report found growing resistance in typhoid treatment, with 95 per cent of Salmonella Typhi cases resistant to fluoroquinolones. It stated that Salmonella Typhi isolates showed high susceptibility to ceftriaxone (98 per cent), cefixime (97.9 per cent), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (97.7 per cent) and azithromycin (99.5 per cent), but very low susceptibility to fluoroquinolones, with more than 95 per cent resistance. The findings underscore the limited effectiveness of fluoroquinolones in treating infections caused by this pathogen.
The spread of resistance genes such as NDM, OXA-48 and TEM among bacteria is also a significant concern, as it could lead to the emergence of new superbugs.
The ICMR warned that without immediate action, the situation could escalate into a national health crisis.
To prevent further deterioration, the report outlined urgent measures, emphasising rational antibiotic use, strengthened infection control practices and enhanced surveillance to curb the spread of resistant bacteria. It also recommended implementing an integrated antibiotic policy and conducting regular audits to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. (ANI)