The Dirty Dozen: These are the 12 most dangerous superbugs in the world

The World Health Organization has released a list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose an urgent threat to the world.

The World Health Organization has just released its list of the 12 bacteria that pose the greatest risk to humanity’s existence, stating that new antibiotics are “urgently needed” to counter them. WHO held a press conference recently to unveil the list of the most dangerous “superbugs,” which are resistant to most antibiotics making them difficult or nearly impossible to treat.

The bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii topped the list. This disease can result in pneumonia, blood infections, and more. It affects people with compromised immune systems, and it attacks organ systems with a high fluid content, like the respiratory or urinary tract.

Here is the rest of the list:

WHO priority pathogens list for R&D of new antibiotics

Priority 1: CRITICAL
Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant, ESBL-producing
Priority 2: HIGH
Enterococcus faecium, vancomycin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-intermediate and resistant
Helicobacter pylori, clarithromycin-resistant
Campylobacter spp., fluoroquinolone-resistant
Salmonellae, fluoroquinolone-resistant
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, cephalosporin-resistant, fluoroquinolone-resistant
Priority 3: MEDIUM
Streptococcus pneumoniae, penicillin-non-susceptible
Haemophilus influenzae, ampicillin-resistant
Shigella spp., fluoroquinolone-resistant

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