Drug-resistant bacteria rise in Danish hospitals

Multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria, known as CPE, are increasingly found in Danish hospitals, with cases rising by 43% from 2022 to 2023, according to Statens Serum Institut (SSI). Previously, such infections were typically associated with foreign hospital stays, but now they are spreading locally. Anne Kjerulf of the Central Unit for Infection Control describes the situation as ‘worrying.’ With 436 cases in the following year up from 304, CPE bacteria pose a threat as they are resistant to vital antibiotics. Chief physician Ute Wolff Sönksen of SSI highlighted the critical risks when usual antibiotic treatments are ineffective against these. SSI notes that CPE is part of a ‘Danish infection reservoir’ and poses challenges for hospital procedures due to the risk of untreatable infections.