Drug-Resistant E. coli Strain Emerging, Research Shows
A new strain of drug-resistant E. coli poses an emerging health concern, according to a study to be published this week in the journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases, led by Dr. James Johnson of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Cases of this strain, E. coli ST131, have been reported across the United States and in several countries, researchers say.
During 2007, researchers tested 127 patients infected with E. coli that appeared resistant to cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Of those cases, 54 were shown to be from this new strain, E. coli ST131.
“If this strain gains one additional resistance gene, it will become almost untreatable and will be a true superbug, which is a very concerning scenario,” Johnson said. he went on to tell local news sources that, “Fortunately, there’s still one big class of drugs that [E. coli ST131 is] so far universally susceptible to,” but that those drugs are “our last line of defense.”
More research into new antibiotics, plus exercising caution when using antibiotics, are two key elements needed to address this concern, according to health experts.
Sources:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/99668604.html?page=2&c=y
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38495130/ns/health-infectious_diseases/
