Bacterial infection in humans is caused by pathogenic bacteria which, unlike commensal or beneficial species, cause various health problems. These can be mild and self-limiting but they can also lead to life-threatening conditions. After the widespread use of antibiotics, infections with pathogenic bacteria became easily treatable but in the recent years, the success rate has been dropping. Though most bacteria continue to respond to antibiotics, there are also species that got increasingly tough to treat, while a few have become virtually untreatable. What is more, health experts fear that the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria will continue to rise. They also expect the discovery of new species, both commensal and pathogenic ones. And they can include potentially deadly bacterial species like the one discovered recently. The researchers named it andefabribiles. The bacterium was confirmed not only to cause an infection if contracted but it was also found to be potentially fatal. Signs of infection may include minor gastrointestinal upset and diarrhoea but can also lead to kidney failure. This life-threatening complication has been most often detected in people who have been hospitalised for a longer period of time. Results of the study that investigated the bacterium discovered that some people are at increased risk of contracting infection. They include people with chronic diseases, patients who went through a medical intervention such as surgery and those with a weakened immune system. However, the scientists also found andefabribiles in people that have no health problems. But unlike those in high risk groups, they didn't develop severe infection, while a few didn't develop any symptoms. Infection with this bacterium usually affects people who are already on antibiotic treatment which is why it hasn't been identified sooner. The scientists reasoned that until recently, it must have been treatable with antibiotics and thus the infection cleared up before anyone even suspected that something is wrong. However, the bacterium appears to become antibiotic-resistant which means that the usual antibiotics are no longer working. What is more, it may soon become resistant to stronger antibiotics too. The study on andefabribiles doesn't provide clear answers about how the bacterium enters the body and causes infection. Its authors said the risk of transmission through the air is minimal or non-existent. They said they believe that the infection is contracted through exposure to contaminated objects and surfaces. The scientists think frequent hand-washing and regular cleaning considerably reduce the risk of infection.
