Drug-resistant Campylobacter infections rising in the U.S

A study has found rising rates of drug-resistant Campylobacter infections in the United States. Campylobacter jejuni is a common cause of foodborne illness, affecting about 1.5 million people yearly. The research looked at data from 10 states between 2013 and 2019 to analyze trends in infection and resistance to antibiotics. The study revealed that young adults aged 20 to 39 faced the highest rates of drug-resistant C. jejuni infections. Resistance to a specific class of antibiotics, quinolones, rose from 22.6% in 2013 to 33.54% in 2019. Regional differences were also noted in antibiotic resistance, with Connecticut reporting the highest levels for most antibiotics. Infections usually come from eating contaminated poultry. Inadequate cooking and sanitation practices are primary infection causes. While many cases are mild, young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems can experience more severe effects, leading to hospitalizations. Over 100 annual deaths in the U.S. are linked to these infections. The study used data from the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, which tracks antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Csaba Varga, the lead researcher, emphasized the importance of this data in identifying trends and adapting strategies to manage antibiotic resistance. Some states had notably higher rates of drug-resistant infections. For example, Tennessee and Georgia had higher percentages for several antibiotics, whereas New Mexico reported the lowest rates. Varga noted that environmental factors and farming practices might contribute to these differences. The study also found that resistance to tetracyclines decreased, while quinolone resistance increased. Quinolones, like ciprofloxacin, are sometimes used to treat severe Campylobacter infections, but a lower use in poultry may contribute to rising resistance rates. Thankfully, resistance to a key antibiotic, azithromycin, remains low. Both this study and previous research indicate a need for further investigation into the growing issue of antibiotic resistance. Varga highlighted that available data likely underrepresents actual foodborne infection rates, as many people do not seek medical attention for mild symptoms.