‘Nightmare bacteria’ found in SC as it spreads across US, CDC says. What to know

A drug-resistant bacteria, commonly called “nightmare bacteria,” is spreading dramatically across the United States, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control, and it has been found in patients in South Carolina.

The hard-to-treat bacteria called NDM cause infections such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections and wound infections and can be deadly, the CDC said.

“The rise of NDMs in the U.S. is a grave danger and very worrisome,” David Weiss, an Emory University infectious diseases researcher, told the Associated Press.

Dr. Maroya Walters, one of the CDC report’s authors, warned that this means common infections — like urinary tract infections — could become harder to treat.

In South Carolina as of Sept. 23, there have been 33 cases of NDM, compared to 31 in all of last year, said Casey White, spokesperson for the South Carolina Department of Health.

“The risk of getting NDM to the general public is low,” she said.

Such infections are more likely to occur in healthcare facilities, she said.

By region, NDM cases totaled eight in the Midlands, eight in the Upstate, 11 in the Lowcountry, and six in the PeeDee.

In 2024, there were a total of 31 NDM-CRE cases in South Carolina.

CRE refers to Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales, the type of bacteria and NDM refers to a gene that allows the bacteria to destroy certain antibiotics.

“(NDM-CRE) are resistant to most available antibiotics and NDM-CRE infections are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality,” the CDC said.

It also spreads quickly.

The CDC report said detection is challenging because many laboratories lack testing capacity.

“This sharp rise in NDM-CRE means we face a growing threat that limits our ability to treat some of the most serious bacterial infections,” said Danielle Rankin, an epidemiologist in CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. “Selecting the right treatment has never been more complicated, so it is vitally important that healthcare providers have access to testing to help them select the proper targeted therapies.”

The CDC said there are few effective treatment options.

“Because NDM-CRE has historically been uncommon in the United States, healthcare providers might not suspect it when treating patients with CRE infections. This can lead them to pick a treatment that is not effective,” the CDC said.

The CDC said it is not known specifically why the surge is happening but suspects gaps in infection control such as hand hygiene, wearing gloves and gown during patient care, and proper cleaning and disinfection, and limited testing.

“Many hospitals and clinics do not have the tools to rapidly detect NDM-CRE infections or the presence of these dangerous germs in patients who aren’t yet sick,” the CDC said. “Delayed identification leads to slower treatment, increased transmission, and missed opportunities for infection control.”

The SC Department of Health said, “Taking antibiotics when they are not needed or not following prescribed use can lead to increased antibiotic resistance, raising concerns about potential spread of these bacteria in communities.”

Most at risk are people in healthcare facilities, especially those who are on ventilators. urinary catheters, or intravenous catheters as well as those who have weakened immune systems.

It is spread by person-to-person contact from dirty hands, wounds, or stool or contaminated medical equipment and devices.

Animals can also get CRE but the risk of it being transmitted to pet owners is low, the CDC said.

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