The Silent Threat: Rise of Superbugs (Part 1)

The world is still catching its breath after the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus. But behind the scenes, a far more silent threat is looming superbugs. These drug-resistant microbes don’t make headlines daily, but they’re quietly evolving and waiting for the right moment to strike. If left unchecked, they could trigger a health crisis even more devastating than a viral pandemic.

An old friend, now a new enemy: Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacterium that seemed relatively harmless since its discovery in 1911, has become one of the most feared superbugs in modern hospitals nowadays. A. baumanii is commonly found in healthcare settings, especially in ICUs and mainly affects those with weakened immune systems, ventilated patients or individuals with open wounds.

Building the resistance – becoming the superbugs

A. baumannii was once easy to treat, but since the 1970s, it has quickly evolved to resist nearly all major antibiotics. A nationwide study in 43 Malaysian hospitals from 2017 to 2021 found that A. baumannii is becoming more resistant to all seven antibiotics tested including Carbapenem, showing a worrying upward trend in drug resistance. Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is becoming a global threat, especially in hospitals, with ICU mortality rates up to 50%. Widespread across Asia, the Americas, and beyond, it’s classified by WHO as a critical priority due to its resistance to last-resort antibiotics.

How does Acinetobacter baumannii survive in hospitals?

Hospitals work hard to follow strict hygiene protocols, but A. baumannii still manages to survive and persist. This is due to several factors:

• It resists disinfectants: Unlike most bacteria, A. baumannii can survive hospital-grade cleaners. It hides on surfaces like bedrails, sinks, and ventilators — even after routine cleaning. 
• It builds protective biofilms: It forms slimy layers called biofilms, which act like shields. These make it harder to kill and help it survive on wounds, catheters, and medical tools.
• It lives without water: Most germs die when dry, but A. baumannii can survive for weeks or even months on dry surfaces; making it a long-lasting threat in hospitals.

Superbug isn’t just a scientific issue — it’s a human one.

At Biorism, we’re taking action now. We’re developing innovative hygiene solutions through our Sil2U technology, which delivers long-lasting antimicrobial protection on fabrics and surfaces. Alongside this, we’re enhancing MDRO surveillance and raising public awareness, all in a committed effort to protect lives before the window to fight back closes.

Let’s act now, together.

The article is prepared by Biorism Scientist, Dr. Woon JJ, (PhD in Microbiology).

References:

1. Müller, C., et al. “A Global View on Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.” mBio, vol. 14, no. 6, 2023, e02260-23.
2. Ministry of Health Malaysia. Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (MyAP-AMR) 2022–2026. Ministry of Health Malaysia, 2024.
3. Ma, C., and Siobhán McClean. “Mapping Global Prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii and Recent Vaccine Development to Tackle It.” Vaccines, vol. 9, no. 6, 2021, p. 570.
4. Medioli, F., et al. “Is It Possible to Eradicate Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) from Endemic Hospitals?” Antibiotics, vol. 11, no. 8, 2022, p. 1015.
5. Sati, H., et al. “The WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List 2024: A Prioritisation Study to Guide Research, Development, and Public Health Strategies Against Antimicrobial Resistance.” The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2025.
6. Sarshar, M., et al. “Acinetobacter baumannii: An Ancient Commensal with Weapons of a Pathogen.” Pathogens, vol. 10, no. 4, 2021, p. 387.