Fight against multi-resistant bacteria: EU invests 5.9 million euros!

Fight against multi-resistant bacteria: EU invests 5.9 million euros!

Antimicrobial resistance represents one of the greatest health threats today. The consequences are particularly dramatic in sub-Saharan Africa. A new project under the name ComBac Africa aims to address this pressing problem. A total of almost 5.9 million euros from EU funding over a period of four years will be used to advance the fight against multi-resistant gram-negative bacteria through optimized diagnostics and better antibiotic stewardship.

The project is coordinated by Sören Becker, Professor of Medical Microbiology at Saarland University. The partner countries - Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria - will take part in the initiative together with European institutions, including the Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire and the GARDP Foundation from Switzerland. This collaboration aims to deepen the understanding of the transmission mechanisms of gram-negative bacteria and develop diagnostic-therapeutic algorithms that improve patient treatment.

Causes and challenges of resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem, particularly in healthcare facilities. Resistance arises through frequent and sometimes inappropriate use of antibiotics, especially reserve antibiotics, and the frequent insufficient compliance of patients when taking medication. Inadequate hygiene and the wrong duration of therapy also contribute to the spread of multi-resistant pathogens. Loud 360-ot Nosocomial infections are a common complication in medical facilities and are associated with significant financial and health burdens.

In Europe, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common multi-resistant pathogen. It is estimated that these infections lead to around 170,000 cases and over 5,000 deaths annually, costing the healthcare system up to 380 million euros. The RBLA data show that resistance to antibiotic-producing bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae continues to gain importance. Particular attention should be paid to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing pathogens.

Joint action for a better future

The ComBac Africa project has several goals. This includes the development of a needs-based diagnostic and antibiotic stewardship program as well as the improvement of microbiological diagnostics. The One Health concept also looks at the entire spectrum of transmission mechanisms in order to develop more effective strategies to combat multi-resistant pathogens.

The project duration is 48 months and is supported by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, a cooperation between the EU and the EDCTP Association. The aim is to significantly improve the chances of treating serious infections caused by multi-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Through a combination of international knowledge and local expertise, the challenges of antimicrobial resistance in Africa should be addressed more effectively.