Antibiotic Resistance Costly, Deadly for Older Americans

A study of 87,509 elderly patients from the Veterans Administration with positive blood cultures examined the number with multi-drug resistant bacteria.  The authors found that in older patients (>65 years) these infections with more lethal and of tremendous burden to the healthcare system ($1.9 Billion).  Here is good evidence that antibiotic-resistant infections are disproportionately lethal in older Americans compared to other demographics.  Among MDR bacteria isolated, the burden caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae were the most troublesome.  The IDSA and The Pew Charitable Trusts recommend that Federal action begins with the passage of the PASTEUR Act now before Congress.

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