Increased Number of Resistant Bacteria in Danish Hospitals
Multidrug-resistant intestinal bacteria, known as CPE (Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae) bacteria, pose a growing challenge within Denmark’s healthcare system. According to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI), there has been a significant increase in the number of infections in Danish hospitals. From 2022 to 2023, the recorded cases surged by 43 percent.
Previously, these bacteria were primarily linked to hospital admissions abroad or extended stays outside the country. However, there is now a significant spread of CPE bacteria internally within Denmark, independent of travel connections. Chief Physician Anne Kjerulf from the Central Unit for Infection Hygiene has expressed her concerns regarding this development, noting that the number of outbreaks has become so extensive that it affects daily operations in several hospital departments. A considerable portion of resources is now directed toward containing the spread of these resistant bacteria.
In 2022, there were 304 cases of CPE bacteria reported, rising to 436 cases in 2023. These bacteria, typically found in the intestines, are particularly problematic as they are resistant to essential types of antibiotics commonly used to treat critically ill patients. Chief Physician Ute Wolff Sönksen from the Antibiotic Resistance Reference Department at SSI points out that the situation could become critical if an infection caused by CPE bacteria cannot be treated with standard antibiotics.
There are significant regional differences in the prevalence of CPE bacteria across Denmark, and research is intensively focused on understanding how these bacteria spread. All indications suggest that a “Danish reservoir” of infection has now been established, which further exacerbates the situation.
The issue of CPE bacteria is not unique to Denmark. Other countries are also grappling with challenges related to these resistant bacteria, often to an even greater extent. In some cases, infections with these bacteria are so resistant that they cannot be treated with antibiotics at all. This makes it challenging for hospitals to plan surgeries, as the risk of postoperative complications due to resistant bacteria is high.
This development underscores the need for ongoing research and a strengthened effort in infection control and antibiotic stewardship to address the threat posed by multidrug-resistant bacteria in the healthcare system.