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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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New Superbug Stalks Hospitals

Thousands killed by drug-resistant pathogen

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(Newser) – A deadly new superbug is stalking the world's hospitals, health experts warned today. The pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii is a burgeoning threat and proving extremely difficult to control, with a third of outbreaks resistant to front-line antibiotics, according to a study in the Lancet. Of 24,000 US cases in a year, nearly 34% of infected hospital patients died. The figure rose to 43% among patients in intensive care, according to AFP.

Slow poison, slow cure
Slow poison, slow cure   (©Unhindered by Talent)
A. baumannii is proving extremely difficult to cure and is killing thousands each year.
A. baumannii is proving extremely difficult to cure and is killing thousands each year.   (©mynameisharsha)
An Indonesian nurse puts a mask on a mock patient at a hospital in Jembrana, Indonesia Friday, April, 25, 2008.
An Indonesian nurse puts a mask on a mock patient at a hospital in Jembrana, Indonesia Friday, April, 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
A nurse wears a face mask in a hallway of a hospital January 13, 2004 in Guangzhou, China.
A nurse wears a face mask in a hallway of a hospital January 13, 2004 in Guangzhou, China.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Acinetobacter Baumannii: Special Report Part 1: Mysterious killer germ comes home with troops   (stegonews)
Scrub TV: Acinetobacter Baumannii: Special Report Part 2   (stegonews)
Scrub TV: Acinetobacter Baumannii: Special Report Part 1   (stegonews)

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petepenguin
Nov 20, 08 12:21 AM CST
Gee,another thing that can kill me.Get in line,Gumby. Reply
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