BACTERIAL INFECTIONS GLOBAL BURDEN, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND MAJOR PATHOGENS

Bacterial infections continue to be a major global health concern, causing substantial illness and death across all age groups. In 2019, infections from 33 notable bacterial pathogens were linked to approximately 7.7 million deaths worldwide, accounting for around 13.6% of total global mortality. The most lethal bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which together are responsible for over half of bacterial-related fatalities. The principal fatal syndromes are lower-respiratory tract infections, sepsis, and intra-abdominal infections. This thesis examines the global epidemiology, pathogen prevalence, clinical impact, regional differences, and public health implications of bacterial infections, emphasizing the importance of surveillance, preventive strategies, and effective antimicrobial management.