Antibiotics have saved countless lives, yet some bacteria have adapted to survive the very drugs designed to destroy them. These resistant organisms, often called superbugs, can turn a routine infection into a life-threatening emergency. For patients who contract a superbug during a medical procedure, the consequences can be severe and, in some cases, permanent. If you have been harmed by a dangerous medical device, our experienced Olympus scope infection attorney can help.
What Makes a Bacterium a Superbug?
A superbug is a germ, usually a type of bacteria, that has developed resistance to the antibiotics designed to kill it. As bacteria multiply, random genetic mutations allow some to withstand a given antibiotic, and those survivors pass their resistance traits to the next generation. Every time antibiotics are used, especially when they are taken unnecessarily or stopped too early, the drug clears out weaker bacteria and leaves resistant ones to grow and spread.
When bacteria survive treatment, doctors have fewer options and, in serious cases, none that work. As a result, the infection can spread throughout the body and escalate into a severe or life-threatening illness.
Common superbugs include:
- Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii
Where Are Superbug Infections Most Commonly Contracted?
Superbugs spread most often in healthcare settings, where vulnerable patients, invasive procedures, and shared equipment facilitate the transmission of bacteria between people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 38 hospital patients in the United States has at least one healthcare-associated infection on any given day. In 2023 alone, an estimated 518,000 healthcare-associated infections occurred in acute care hospitals nationwide.
Symptoms and Complications of a Superbug
The symptoms of a superbug infection depend on where in the body it develops, and they often mimic ordinary infections at first. The difference is that they do not improve, or may even worsen, despite standard antibiotic treatment.
Common warning signs include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Fatigue and general weakness
- A wound that is red, swollen, or slow to heal
- A persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Pain or burning during urination
- Diarrhea or abdominal pain
When a resistant infection enters the bloodstream, it can trigger sepsis, a life-threatening reaction that may lead to organ failure, septic shock, and death. Survivors may experience lasting effects, including chronic pain, organ damage, or permanent disability.
When a Superbug Infection Is Caused by a Defective Device
Certain superbug infections can be traced to medical devices that cannot be properly cleaned between uses. Reusable scopes, in particular, contain narrow channels and moving parts where bacteria can survive disinfection and pass from one patient to the next.
Medical device manufacturer Olympus is currently facing lawsuits that allege its duodenoscopes were designed in a way that trapped bacteria and could not be reliably cleaned between patients. Olympus knew of this contamination risk but failed to adequately warn hospitals and regulators, allowing drug-resistant infections to pass from one patient to the next. If you underwent a procedure involving an Olympus scope and later developed a superbug infection, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
Discuss Your Legal Options with Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC
At Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, we know how scary a drug-resistant infection can be. If your condition was caused by a device you were told to trust, we will stand by your side and hold the manufacturer accountable. Contact us today to discuss your options and take the first step toward the compensation you deserve.