Bacterial resistance is one of the biggest global health challenges. A recent study published in Science Advances and reported by Agencia SINC reinforces this concern by showing that diabetes can speed up the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The study, conducted by microbiologists from the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, reveals that patients with diabetes mellitus have a higher probability of developing infections caused by resistant bacteria. This happens because poor glucose control creates an environment that promotes bacterial growth and the emergence of resistant mutations.
Researchers used a mouse model to analyze how diabetes affects antibiotic effectiveness. They infected both diabetic and non-diabetic mice with Staphylococcus aureus and treated them with rifampicin, an antibiotic known to generate resistance quickly. The results were alarming: within just four days, resistant bacteria dominated the infection in diabetic mice, while no resistant mutations were found in non-diabetic mice.
However, when insulin was administered to diabetic mice to normalize glucose levels, bacterial growth decreased, and the development of resistant mutations was significantly reduced. This highlights the importance of glucose control in fighting bacterial resistance.
The findings of this study open new research opportunities. They not only emphasize the need to control diabetes to reduce the risk of resistant infections but also raise questions about how this disease interacts with other conditions in the evolution of bacterial resistance. Additionally, researchers plan to extend the study to other problematic bacteria and vulnerable groups, such as patients undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplant recipients.
Since resistant bacteria can spread easily through the air, contaminated surfaces, and food, these findings highlight the urgent need to implement preventive measures. Beyond its known effects, diabetes may play a crucial role in the spread of one of the greatest health challenges of the future.
Associate Professor at University of Granada