Multidrug-resistant bacteria linked to war injuries – study
A new study from the University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital has revealed that refugees hospitalized for war injuries carry a significantly higher risk of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Researchers found that nearly 80% of Ukrainian patients treated for war-related injuries carried these bacteria, compared with only 8% of refugees overall.
The findings underline the vulnerability of healthcare systems in conflict zones. Hospitals overwhelmed by patient loads and limited resources often lack the means to control infection spread, creating conditions where highly resistant bacteria thrive. These infections are especially difficult to treat and can complicate recovery for those wounded in war.
In contrast, non-hospitalized Ukrainian refugees showed no greater presence of resistant bacteria than Finns who had returned from travel in Asia, Africa or South America. Most carried only ESBL (extended-spectrum β-lactamase)-producing E. coli, with isolated cases of MRSA.
Experts stress that the threat does not extend to the wider public. The risk is confined to hospital settings, where infection prevention measures are critical. Finnish hospitals have protocols in place, such as isolating patients who have received care abroad and collecting bacterial samples to prevent further spread.
The research, part of the Finnish Multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance Research, also contributes to the doctoral thesis of infectious disease researcher Tuomas Aro.
Category: Education
