Common antibiotic linked to rise

A recent study led by the University of Melbourne has found that the antibiotic rifaximin, commonly prescribed for liver disease, may contribute to the emergence of an almost untreatable superbug known as vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium (VRE). The study, published in the journal Nature, reveals that rifaximin causes genetic changes in VRE, making it resistant to daptomycin, a crucial last-resort antibiotic. This development contradicts previous beliefs that rifaximin posed a low risk for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The World Health Organization has identified AMR as a significant global health threat, contributing to approximately 4.95 million deaths in 2019. Researchers emphasize the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and responsible antibiotic use to combat this growing issue. As VRE may be transmitted in hospital settings, further investigation into these risks is underway.