Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how the hospital superbug C. diff quickly develops resistance to the main treatment drug available in the UK.
Researchers have uncovered the rapid evolution of resistance in the hospital superbug C. diff against the primary treatment drug used in the UK.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that typically affects individuals who have recently used antibiotics. In the UK, it is linked to around 2,000 deaths each year.
The team from the University of Sheffield and the University of Manchester has revealed that C. diff can swiftly develop a high level of resistance to vancomycin, a key antibiotic. Remarkably, the bacteria can withstand concentrations of the drug that are 32 times higher than what is normally effective, all within a span of less than two months.
Unfortunately, the antibiotics prescribed for C. diff can harm beneficial gut bacteria, which contributes to a significant reinfection rate. As many as 30 percent of patients treated with vancomycin may experience a recurrence of the infection within weeks, with the chances of further relapses increasing over time.
Despite the essential role of vancomycin in UK healthcare, routine checks for resistance in clinical environments are insufficient, which means resistance might be developing undetected in hospitals. Widespread resistance could eliminate this vital treatment option for patients in the UK.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognized antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the most critical threats to global public health and development. In 2019, it was estimated that bacterial AMR was directly linked to 1.27 million deaths worldwide and contributed to a total of 4.95 million fatalities.
Jessica Buddle, a PhD student at the University of Sheffield and the lead author of the study, stated: “Our research underscores the urgent need for effective monitoring of vancomycin resistance in hospitals across the UK. If resistance goes unchecked, it could lead to a large number of patients experiencing recurring infections following treatment with vancomycin. More studies are crucial to guide healthcare policies and assess whether vancomycin is still the most appropriate treatment option.”
“Our ongoing research is focused on understanding the extent and mechanisms by which resistance develops, simulating these conditions in the complex environment of the human gut, and collaborating with UK epidemiologists to identify potential resistance patterns emerging in hospitals.”
“These initiatives are vital to avert a future scenario where antibiotics cease to be effective for treating bacterial infections, turning conditions that are currently manageable into life-threatening challenges once again.”
Despite the alarming speed of this evolution, the resistant strains generally exhibited reduced overall fitness, which may limit their potential threat in clinical settings. Additionally, the resistant variants often displayed weaknesses in their ability to sporulate, a process essential for C. diff to spread from person to person and survive on hospital surfaces.
Future research will aim to explore the connection between resistance and the capability of the bacteria to cause serious illness. This insight will help enhance the monitoring of emerging resistance in hospital environments.
