Can we escape from top-priority ESKAPE pathogens?

ABSTRACTThe ESKAPE pathogens - Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. - are designated by the World Health Organization as critical-priority multidrug-resistant organisms. These bacteria are leading contributors to the global antimicrobial resistance crisis, significantly increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs worldwide. Their capacity to evade conventional antibiotics continues to complicate clinical management and undermine infection control efforts. Tackling the global threat of ESKAPE pathogens demands coordinated and sustained interventions. This mini review summarizes recent evidence on the burden and prevalence of ESKAPE infections and assesses emerging strategies to combat resistance. Progress in surveillance and promising preclinical and clinical studies of novel therapies underscore that integrated approaches are crucial. Moving forward, a balanced emphasis on prevention, surveillance, and therapeutic innovation will be essential to mitigating the threat posed by ESKAPE pathogens over the coming decade.