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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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New E. coli Strains Could Spell Epidemic

Drug-resistant bacteria may rival MRSA threat, researchers warn

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(Newser) – New drug-resistant strains of E. coli have doctors worried that the mutant bacteria could become a superbug to rival MRSA, the drug-resistant form of staphylococcus that kills hundreds hospital patients each year, the Daily Telegraph reports. The spread of the new E.coli strains must be carefully tracked to avoid an epidemic, Canadian scientists write in a new paper.

Funding is needed to figure out which strains are causing the most deadly infections, aiding development of more effective, targeted antibiotics, the research team says. The elderly are most at risk, especially those in hospitals and nursing homes, where such bugs can spread rapidly. The big worry is that the bacteria will spread into the general public, as MRSA has recently done.

Kevin Kowalyck died at age 2 of an E. coli infection from hamburger. If the new, antibiotic-resistant straings of E. coli start spreading outside of hospitals, many other children will be at risk.
Kevin Kowalyck died at age 2 of an E. coli infection from hamburger. If the new, antibiotic-resistant straings of E. coli start spreading outside of hospitals, many other children will be at risk.   (KRT Photos)
E. coli bacteria such as these have been evolving to be resistant to common antibiotics and are showing up outside of hospitals, circumstances that could set off an epidemic, researchers say.
E. coli bacteria such as these have been evolving to be resistant to common antibiotics and are showing up outside of hospitals, circumstances that could set off an epidemic, researchers say.   (Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH)
Workers keep the chicken meat cold to avoid bacteria growth in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania. The fact that resistant forms of E. coli are being found in otherwise healthy patients means they're not just being spread through hospitals.
Workers keep the chicken meat cold to avoid bacteria growth in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania. The fact that resistant forms of E. coli are being found in otherwise healthy patients means they're not just...   (KRT Photos)
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