Scientists have identified a highly antibiotic-resistant and deadly strain of “Acinetobacter baumannii.” Experts have emphasized that the bacteria poses a serious threat to public health.

In a hospital in the city of Terengganu, Malaysia, a highly antibiotic-resistant and deadly strain of “Acinetobacter baumannii” was discovered.

Researchers have announced that this bacteria belongs to the globally prevalent “GC2” lineage and poses a threat to public health. They examined 126 bacterial samples collected in the region between 2011 and 2020.

The results revealed that the bacteria has developed resistance to numerous antibiotics.

High levels of resistance to the preferred “carbapenem” group of antibiotics were particularly noted in A. baumannii infections.

An international research team stated that plasmid DNA responsible for spreading antibiotic resistance was found in 97% of the samples they analyzed.

“CONTINUED SPREAD IN HOSPITALS” Dr. David Cleary from the University of Birmingham, one of the study’s co-authors, stated in a release regarding the study, “We have obtained new evidence that this dangerous A. baumannii family continues to spread in hospitals. However, data from low- and middle-income countries is very insufficient. Understanding how the disease evolves is critical for preventing its spread and developing effective treatments.” Cleary also emphasized the need for more effective surveillance systems and new treatment protocols in these countries to combat antibiotic resistance, stating that “The dominance of the GC2 lineage and the high level of carbapenem resistance pose a serious threat to public health.” The study’s lead author, Prof. Chew Chieng Yeo from Sultan Zainal Abidin University in Malaysia, commented, “Our study demonstrates the critical importance of international research collaboration against the spread of bacteria with multidrug resistance. This collaboration becomes even more crucial when there is data scarcity in certain regions.”