Khaberni - The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in a new report of the increasing risk of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, after recent data showed that about 40% of common bacterial types have become resistant to available treatments, threatening to return the world to the "pre-antibiotic era".
The data collected from more than 100 countries through the "Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Usage Surveillance System (GLASS)" indicated that bacterial resistance to essential drugs is rising at alarming rates, which portends severe consequences for health systems worldwide.
The magnitude of the problem and its alarming indicators, according to the 2025 report issued by the organization, are that 1 in every 6 bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 has become resistant to treatment. The report also warned that between 2018 and 2023, antibiotic resistance levels increased in more than 40% of the samples, with an average annual increase ranging between 5 - 15%.
The report presents for the first time estimates of the spread of resistance across 22 commonly used antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal and bloodstream infections, in addition to gonorrhea.
What is antibiotic resistance? Antibiotic resistance occurs when germs, such as bacteria, develop defensive mechanisms that enable them to defeat the drugs designed to kill them.
The reports clarify that the misuse of antibiotics, as in viral infection cases, remains the main reason worsening this crisis. In 2015, 30% of antibiotic prescriptions in outpatient clinics were unnecessary, while the percentage reached 50% in cases of acute respiratory infections.
Excessive or random use of antibiotics leads to bacterial adaptation and mutation, becoming more resistant, meaning the treatment is no longer effective, and resistant strains can be transferred from one patient to another, even among those who have not originally taken antibiotics.
The most affected areas: Data from the organization shows that antibiotic resistance rates are highest in the Southeast Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions, where a third of reported infections are resistant to treatment.
In Africa, the rate is 1 in every 5 infections, while the problem is worsening in countries with weak health systems lacking diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
The most dangerous pathogens: The report indicates that gram-negative bacteria have become the greatest global threat, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), which are among the most common causes of sepsis, organ failure, and even death.
More than 40% of E. coli strains and more than 55% of K. pneumoniae strains worldwide have developed resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, the first treatment choice. In the African region, this percentage exceeds 70%.
Carbapenems and Fluoroquinolones, considered last-resort options to save lives from bacterial resistance, are quickly losing their effectiveness, limiting treatment options and forcing doctors to resort to expensive and often unavailable drugs in many low- and middle-income countries.
A call from the organization and global responsibility: In this context, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said, "Antimicrobial resistance is outpacing modern medicine's progress and threatens the health of families worldwide." He added, "We must use antibiotics responsibly, ensuring everyone has access to the right medicines, accurate diagnoses, and vaccines. Our future also depends on innovation in the next generation of antibiotics."
The organization urged all countries to enhance surveillance of antibiotic resistance and to regularly report on it by 2030, affirming that the solution is not limited to developing new drugs, but also includes rational use and improving healthcare systems.
