A superbug that uses 26 different antibiotics has killed an American woman who had an infected swelling in her hip after a long stay in India . But the case remains a warning of the dangers of what the CDC calls untreatable "nightmare bacteria". Currently infections that are resistant to all antibiotics are " very uncommon " according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . However , they are predicted to become more widespread due to the increase in global travel . When doctors are faced with " the inability to treat a life - threatening infection , they need the flexibility to use drugs licensed for use in other countries , " said Professor David Piddock from Antibiotic Action and the University of Birmingham .
A superbug that uses 26 different antibiotics has killed an American woman who had an infected swelling in her hip after a long stay in India . Currently infections that are resistant to all antibiotics are " very uncommon " according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . However , they are predicted to become more widespread due to the increase in global travel . When doctors are faced with " the inability to treat a life - threatening infection , they need the flexibility to use drugs licensed for use in other countries , " said Professor David Piddock from Antibiotic Action and the University of Birmingham .