Today, infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide and a substantial health threat.
Infections – holding humankind hostage
The number of effective therapeutic measures against serious life-threatening infections has fallen dramatically because of multi-drug resistance of the invasive pathogens.
Especially for children, the aged and immune-suppressed patients, the situation is extremely threatening. Infections with multi-drug resistant microbes in hospitals (nosocomial infections) have become increasingly common, with about 9 million cases worldwide and a mortality rate of around 4.5%. The follow-up costs for therapies are enormous because most of the infections appear at intensive care or post-operative activities and distinctly prolong hospitalization.
Unfortunately, this issue goes beyond the hospital environment. In the past years, numerous disease outbreaks have appeared after hospitalization; resistant pathogens were transferred as stowaways to a broader population. Combined with today’s increasing mobility, this has spread dangerous pathogens worldwide. A case in point is the avian flu several years ago or the current swine influenza.
Unfortunately, this issue goes beyond the hospital environment. In the past years, numerous disease outbreaks have appeared after hospitalization; resistant pathogens were transferred as stowaways to a broader population. Combined with today’s increasing mobility, this has spread dangerous pathogens worldwide. A case in point is the avian flu several years ago or the current swine influenza.
