Two Superbugs Cause Majority of Fatal Newborn Infections in Soweto
Over the past decade, researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand’s Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Unit examined tissue samples from 1,586 children under five who died at public health facilities in Soweto, southwest Johannesburg.
The study shows that two types of bacteria were responsible for more than half of newborn deaths and about a third of infant deaths in the area.
Context and Environment
Soweto’s population lives in diverse housing, ranging from informal settlements to formal homes, making the findings relevant to other urban townships across South Africa, according to the research team.
Findings on Infection and Mortality
Many newborn deaths are due to infections that could be prevented. This study offers detailed data that enhances understanding, says Ziyaad Dangor, head of South Africa’s participation in the nine-country Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (Champs) study.
“More than half of the infections that caused newborn deaths and about a third in infants were due to just two bacteria — Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae — both rapidly developing resistance to antibiotics,” says Dangor.
Implications
- The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a growing challenge in reducing child mortality from infections.
- Enhanced surveillance and preventive measures are critical in managing these infections in vulnerable populations.
These findings highlight urgent need for better infection control and antibiotic stewardship in urban South African townships.
Ziyaad Dangor emphasizes, “This is not new knowledge, but the detailed data provided by this study is invaluable.”
Author’s summary: The study identifies two antibiotic-resistant bacteria as leading causes of fatal infections in newborns and infants in Soweto, revealing critical challenges for child health in similar urban communities.