![Scientists warn diphtheria is evolving to become resistant to antibiotics](https://chadlaw.dnsupdate.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/syringe-and-tablets.jpg)
16
Mar 2021
Scientists warn diphtheria is evolving to become resistant to antibiotics
Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease affecting the throat, nose and sometimes the skin. If left untreated it can lead to breathing difficulties, paralysis and heart failure, and can sometimes be life-threatening.
Babies are vaccinated against the infection in the UK and elsewhere, but in low to middle-income countries, there are intermittent outbreaks of infections in unvaccinated and partially vaccinated communities.
Following a study undertaken by scientists at the University of Cambridge, it is now being claimed that the easily preventable infection is evolving antimicrobial resistance (AMR), becoming resistant to antibiotics and could even render existing vaccines ineffective.
The coronavirus pandemic impact on diphtheria vaccination schedules, together with a rise in the number of infections, carries the risk of the disease becoming a major global threat.
In the study, researchers from the UK and India used genomics to map infections, including a subset from India, where over 50 per cent of the globally reported cases occurred in 2018.
The World Health Organisation’s Dr Pankaj Bhatnagar, said “AMR has rarely been considered as a major problem in the treatment of diphtheria, but in some parts of the world, the bacterial genomes are acquiring resistance to numerous classes of antibiotics.
“There are likely to be a number of reasons for this, including exposure of the bacteria to antibiotics in their environment or in asymptomatic patients being treated against other infections.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 7382
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