Bacterial infections are the second leading cause of death worldwide. One in eight deaths is linked to bacterial infections. What are these bacteria? What is the situation in France?
Second leading cause of death worldwide
After heart disease, bacterial infections are the second leading cause of death worldwide. This is the finding of a large study published in the medical journal The Lancet on November 22. “It’s regarding the first study at present global estimates of deaths associated with 33 bacterial pathogens“, underline the researchers.
7.7 million died from bacterial infections
According to the study, 7.7 million people have died in 2019 following a bacterial infection. A study possible thanks to thousands of researchers involved around the world through the Global Burden of Disease program. A research program funded by the Bill Gates Foundation.
The 5 deadliest bacteria
Five bacteria are responsible for more than half of deaths by bacterial infection:
– the Staphylococcus aureus,
– E.coli,
– pneumococcus,
– Klebsellia pneumoniae,
– pyocyanin bacillus.
Staphylococcus aureus and pneumococcus
According to this study, the Staphylococcus aureus is here main bacterial cause deaths in 135 countries. However, in children under five, pneumococcus is responsible for the deadliest infections. In Francethem invasive infections (meningitis and bacteraemia) of bacterial origin are one of the main causes of death in adults and children according to Public Health France.
