Tue Nov 05 06:00:29 UTC 2024: ## War in Ukraine Fuels Rise of Drug-Resistant Bacteria, Threatening Soldier Lives
**Dnipro, Ukraine** – The ongoing war in Ukraine is fueling a dangerous surge in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), jeopardizing the lives of wounded soldiers and straining already overwhelmed hospitals. Doctors are reporting a significant increase in infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly in soldiers returning from the frontlines.
The Dnipro Mechnikov Hospital, one of the main hospitals treating wounded soldiers, has seen a tenfold increase in its workload, according to chief surgeon Sergiy Kosulnykov. “Every blast is an open wound, and every open wound is an infection,” he said, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The delay in evacuations from the war zone due to intense drone activity means soldiers often arrive at hospitals with wounds that are heavily infected with aggressive microbes. “By the time medical teams take a look, the wounds are often dirty, rotting, with necrosed (dead) tissues and bones, and full of aggressive microbes that are difficult to fight,” said Kosulnykov.
The use of strong antibiotics to combat these infections is leading to a further increase in AMR, creating a vicious cycle. “The more we try to somehow kill a microbe, the more it defends itself,” explained Kosulnykov.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the alarming trend, attributing it directly to the ongoing war. “The ultimate cause why we see the rise of antimicrobial resistance is actually the ongoing war,” said Jarno Habicht, WHO representative in Ukraine.
While Ukraine has long struggled with high rates of AMR, the war has exacerbated the issue. Doctors are also concerned by the discovery that some soldiers are already resistant to antibiotics even before entering hospitals, suggesting pre-existing exposure.
The situation is further complicated by the lack of access to modern medication and the reliance on strong antibiotics, which are only a temporary solution. “People fought infections before me, and they will fight infections after me,” said Kosulnykov, acknowledging the ongoing battle.
Despite the grim reality, Ukrainian health officials are actively monitoring the situation and increasing the number of laboratories testing for drug-resistant bacteria. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also raised concern, noting that the spread of aggressive bacteria extends beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The WHO emphasizes the importance of ending the war to combat the growing threat of AMR. “We don’t want to go back to the era where we cannot treat certain diseases,” said Habicht, highlighting the need for continued monitoring, research, and appropriate treatment.
First Piper 