When Antibiotics Don't Work (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

The script opens with a chilling revelation about the global emergence of drug-resistant superbugs that are virtually untreatable. It highlights the alarming statistics that at least two million people are infected annually, with over 23,000 fatalities. The narrative then focuses on a personal account of a man dealing with the dire consequences of such infections, leading to a hospital's high alert status akin to DEFCON 5. The segment underscores the critical situation of antibiotic depletion and the new threats posed by bacteria that are increasingly resistant to the strongest antibiotics, emphasizing the unknown origins and the economic challenges in combating this crisis.

This paragraph delves into the frightening reality of antibiotic resistance through the story of Addie Rerecich, a young girl who contracted a severe staph infection that eventually led to her battling pneumonia. It details the progression of her illness, the medical interventions, and the discovery of a particularly dangerous bacteria, Stenotrophomonas, which is highly resistant to treatment. The segment also explains the concept of Gram-negative bacteria and their ability to resist antibiotics, highlighting the grim prognosis Addie and her mother faced as they entered the post-antibiotic era.

The narrative continues with the dire situation of Addie's health, where doctors admit to having exhausted all medical options. The only remaining hope is a risky surgical intervention to remove the infection. The story then shifts to another individual, David Ricci, who faced a superbug crisis in India. After a tragic accident, he was rushed to a local hospital where he received inadequate care, leading to severe complications. The segment paints a grim picture of the superbug crisis unfolding globally and the struggle of health professionals to combat these infections.

This section discusses the spread of superbugs, particularly the NDM-1 gene, which confers resistance to almost all antibiotics. It explains how this gene can transfer between different bacteria, making infections extremely difficult to treat. The discovery of NDM-1 in Delhi's water supply is highlighted, emphasizing its presence not just in hospitals but also in the environment. The segment further explores the implications of this resistance gene, its global spread, and the challenges faced by medical professionals in treating infections, as exemplified by David Ricci's case who brought NDM-1 into the United States.

The focus shifts to the homegrown superbug threat, KPC, which is a gene that can turn bacteria into highly resistant organisms. The narrative recounts a major KPC outbreak at the Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), highlighting the hospital's efforts to contain the spread. Despite stringent measures, the KPC outbreak resulted in infections and fatalities, underscoring the severity of the antibiotic resistance crisis. The segment also discusses the discovery of silent carriers and the realization that the outbreak was more widespread than initially thought, leading to a sense of helplessness and urgency among the medical staff.

The script concludes with a discussion on the role of genomics in understanding and combating superbugs. It highlights a study at the world's largest medical center in Houston, which identified a new, deadly bacterium, Klebsiella CG307. The segment underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of antibiotic resistance and the alarming possibility of returning to a pre-antibiotic era. It also touches on the economic challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in developing new antibiotics and the need for a shift from a capitalistic market approach to one that prioritizes public health needs.

This paragraph discusses the economic factors contributing to the scarcity of effective antibiotics. It highlights the paradox of antibiotic use, where the success of these drugs leads to their limited use and, consequently, less return on investment for pharmaceutical companies. The segment narrates the decline in antibiotic research within major drug companies and the eventual closure of Pfizer's antibiotic research facility. It also addresses the need for a new business model that supports the development of antibiotics without relying solely on market forces.

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of collaboration and investment in antibiotic research. It discusses the federal government's efforts to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including the National Action Plan and the investment of $250 million for antimicrobial development. The segment also highlights the need for a strategy to support promising products and the importance of international cooperation. However, concerns are raised about proposed funding cuts and their potential impact on progress made in combating antibiotic resistance.