WHO updates list of drug-resistant bacteria most threatening to human health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) 2024, identifying 15 antibiotic-resistant bacteria in critical, high, and medium categories. The list provides guidance on developing new treatments to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines. AMR is primarily driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. The updated BPPL incorporates new evidence and expert insights to guide research and development for new antibiotics and promote international coordination to foster innovation. Critical priority pathogens, such as gram-negative bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, pose major global threats due to their high burden and ability to resist treatment. High priority pathogens, such as Salmonella and Shigella, pose significant challenges in healthcare settings. The BPPL 2024 also emphasizes the need for a comprehensive public health approach to addressing AMR, including universal access to quality and affordable measures for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.