Microscopic bacterium with glowing armor in a sterile hospital.

Superbugs on the Rise: Are Hospitals Doing Enough to Stop Them?

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals the concerning spread of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Port Elizabeth hospitals, highlighting the urgent need for better infection control."

In today's world, infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. One major reason is the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often called "superbugs." Among these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa stands out as a tough opponent, especially when it develops resistance to carbapenems, a powerful class of antibiotics used as a last resort. Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) poses a significant threat in hospital settings, making infections harder to manage and increasing the risk to patients.

Resistance to carbapenems can arise in several ways, including changes in the bacteria's genes that affect drug entry or removal, and the production of enzymes called carbapenemases that break down the antibiotics. Understanding how these resistance mechanisms spread is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat them.

A recent study investigated the prevalence and genetic characteristics of CRPA in hospitals in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. By identifying the genes responsible for carbapenem resistance and analyzing the genetic relatedness of different CRPA isolates, the researchers aimed to shed light on the extent of the problem and inform infection control efforts.

Decoding the Superbug: Genes and Spread

Microscopic bacterium with glowing armor in a sterile hospital.

The study, conducted between March and August 2015, examined 234 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from patients in Port Elizabeth hospitals. Of these, 81 were found to be resistant to carbapenems. Further investigation revealed that 15 of these CRPA isolates carried the blavIM-2 gene, which encodes a carbapenemase enzyme.

To understand the genetic relationships between these blavIM-2-positive isolates, the researchers used a technique called multilocus sequence typing (MLST). This method analyzes the DNA sequences of several housekeeping genes to create a genetic fingerprint for each isolate.

Six novel sequence types were identified among the blavIM-2-positive isolates.
A majority of the isolates (9/15) shared an identical genetic profile, provisionally designated as ST1.
Five of these ST1 isolates were from patients in the same hospital ward, suggesting a potential environmental reservoir of the bacteria.
The remaining CRPA isolates, which did not carry the blavIM-2 gene, likely developed carbapenem resistance through other mechanisms.

These findings highlight the concerning presence and potential spread of CRPA within the studied hospitals. The identification of a potential environmental reservoir underscores the importance of stringent infection control measures to prevent further transmission.

Fighting Back Against Superbugs: What Can Be Done?

The study's results emphasize the urgent need for improved infection control practices in healthcare facilities. These practices include:

<ul> <li>Enhanced hygiene protocols: Frequent and thorough handwashing, surface disinfection, and equipment sterilization.</li> <li>Antibiotic stewardship: Judicious use of antibiotics to minimize the selection pressure that drives resistance.</li> <li>Surveillance and screening: Monitoring the prevalence of CRPA and screening high-risk patients to identify and isolate carriers.</li> <li>Environmental monitoring: Regular testing of hospital environments to detect and eliminate reservoirs of CRPA.</li> </ul>

By implementing these measures, hospitals can help curb the spread of CRPA and protect vulnerable patients from these increasingly challenging infections. Further research is needed to fully understand the transmission dynamics of CRPA and develop novel strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.21010/ajid.v11i2.9, Alternate LINK

Title: Multilocus Sequence Typing Of Carbapenem Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates From Patients Presenting At Port Elizabeth Hospitals, South Africa

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: African Journal of Infectious Diseases

Publisher: African Traditional Herbal Medicine Supporters Initiative (ATHMSI)

Authors: Annear D, Black J, Govender S

Published: 2017-06-08

Everything You Need To Know

What is Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), and why is it a concern?

Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is a type of bacteria that has developed resistance to carbapenems, a class of powerful antibiotics. This resistance makes infections caused by CRPA more difficult to treat, as carbapenems are often used as a last resort. Its significance lies in the context of hospitals, where CRPA can spread rapidly, posing a significant threat to patient health and potentially leading to increased mortality rates. The implications include prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and the potential for untreatable infections.

What did the study investigate regarding the spread of drug-resistant bacteria?

The study focused on the spread of Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) in hospitals in Port Elizabeth. The study examined 234 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, with 81 of them being resistant to carbapenems. The investigation looked into the genes responsible for the resistance and analyzed the genetic relationships between the isolates. The study identified the blavIM-2 gene in 15 of the CRPA isolates. It is significant as it provides insight into the mechanisms of resistance and the spread of the bacteria within a healthcare setting. The implication is the need for stringent infection control measures to prevent further transmission and improve patient outcomes.

What is the blavIM-2 gene, and why is it important?

The blavIM-2 gene is a gene found in some strains of Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) that produces an enzyme called carbapenemase. This enzyme breaks down carbapenem antibiotics, rendering them ineffective. In the study, 15 of the CRPA isolates were found to carry this gene. Its presence is significant because it directly contributes to antibiotic resistance, making infections more challenging to treat. The implications are that infections caused by bacteria carrying the blavIM-2 gene may not respond to carbapenem treatment, potentially leading to treatment failures and increased risk to patients.

What is Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and why was it used in this research?

Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is a method used to analyze the DNA sequences of several housekeeping genes within bacteria to create a genetic fingerprint for each isolate. Researchers used this technique to examine the Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) isolates. This process helped identify the genetic relationships between different CRPA strains. This method is significant because it allows researchers to track the spread of CRPA within hospitals and identify potential sources of infection. The implications involve the ability to understand how CRPA is transmitted, which can help inform the implementation of targeted infection control strategies to prevent further spread.

What is the significance of the study's findings, and what actions are needed?

The study's findings highlight the critical need for enhanced infection control practices in healthcare facilities to combat the spread of Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). Stringent measures include hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and appropriate use of antibiotics to prevent the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. This is very significant because healthcare settings are environments where these bacteria can easily spread. Implications include the necessity for healthcare workers to adhere to strict protocols to prevent the transmission of CRPA. Improved infection control can reduce the risk of infections and improve patient outcomes.