Context

The latest Bacterial Pathogens Priority List (BPPL) updated by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights critical priority pathogens as significant global threats.

WHO updates Bacterial Pathogens Priority List

• The list features 15 families of antibiotic-resistant bacteria grouped into critical, high and medium categories for prioritization.
• WHO highlighted salmonella, shigella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus as high-burden pathogens in low- and middle-income countries, posing significant healthcare challenges.
• High-priority pathogens like antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Enterococcus faecium pose unique public health challenges.

About Bacterial Pathogens Priority List

• About: The list serves as a new mechanism to prompt research and development that addresses pressing public health needs. 
  • Divided into three tiers—critical, high, and medium priority—the WHO list aims to guide resource allocation accordingly.

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