Researchers Uncover New Insights on Superbug Spread in Hospitals

Researchers from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) have launched a collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of superbugs in healthcare settings. Superbugs, which are strains of bacteria resistant to most antibiotics, pose a significant threat to patient safety and are becoming increasingly prevalent. A recent study published in The Lancet estimates that over 39 million people could die from these infections between 2025 and 2050 if current trends continue.

In response to this growing crisis, the British Columbia-based researchers have initiated a pilot program aimed at improving the understanding of how superbugs, specifically the Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection, spread within hospitals. C. difficile is known to be one of the leading causes of infectious diarrhea in healthcare settings, particularly in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

The pilot program will analyze samples from infected patients at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. According to Dr. Kevin Afra, executive director for antimicrobial stewardship and infection control at Fraser Health, the research will involve whole-genome sequencing of the samples. This process aims to reveal the genetic characteristics of C. difficile and how it propagates in hospital environments.

“We’re hoping to learn more about whether the C. difficile we see in our hospitals is transmitted from patient to patient or whether some patients are coming into hospitals colonized with C. difficile,” Dr. Afra explained. “Our hope is that this project will inform future antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention strategies to enhance patient safety across the region.”

The implications of this research extend beyond the local context. Dr. Will Hsiao from SFU emphasized the global significance of understanding C. difficile transmission. “Through advanced computational analysis of the sequence data, we are able to place the C. difficile from B.C. in a national and global context. This will allow clinicians to use these insights to improve local intervention strategies,” Hsiao noted.

The study is set to continue throughout much of 2026 at SFU’s molecular biology and biochemistry department. As researchers delve deeper into the complexities of superbug behavior, the findings could pave the way for innovative solutions to combat the growing threat posed by antibiotic-resistant infections, ultimately aiming to safeguard patient health on a broader scale.