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Warning over hospital infection | Warning over hospital infection |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hospitals could face a growing threat from a deadly bacterial infection, warn scientists. | Hospitals could face a growing threat from a deadly bacterial infection, warn scientists. |
An analysis by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute found Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has the capacity to develop drug resistance rapidly. | An analysis by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute found Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has the capacity to develop drug resistance rapidly. |
There are currently less than 1,000 reports of Steno blood poisoning in the UK a year - a third of which are fatal. | |
But the Genome Biology study warns it may eventually prove harder to treat than superbugs such as MRSA. | But the Genome Biology study warns it may eventually prove harder to treat than superbugs such as MRSA. |
The degree of resistance it shows is very worrying Dr Matthew AvisonUniversity of Bristol | The degree of resistance it shows is very worrying Dr Matthew AvisonUniversity of Bristol |
At present, Steno infections are responsible for less than 1% of all healthcare acquired infections. | |
Most infections are in severely ill patients whose immune systems have already been weakened. | |
Steno spreads through wet areas such as taps and shower heads, and can cling to equipment such as ventilator tubes and catheters, growing into a "biofilm" coating which is difficult to remove. | Steno spreads through wet areas such as taps and shower heads, and can cling to equipment such as ventilator tubes and catheters, growing into a "biofilm" coating which is difficult to remove. |
Dr Matthew Avison, from the University of Bristol, who co-led the research team, said: "This is the latest in an ever-increasing list of antibiotic-resistant hospital superbugs. | Dr Matthew Avison, from the University of Bristol, who co-led the research team, said: "This is the latest in an ever-increasing list of antibiotic-resistant hospital superbugs. |
"The degree of resistance it shows is very worrying. Strains are now emerging that are resistant to all available antibiotics." | "The degree of resistance it shows is very worrying. Strains are now emerging that are resistant to all available antibiotics." |
Dr Lisa Crossman, who also took part in the research, said that cracking the bacterium's genetic code should help scientists to find new way to combat its threat. | Dr Lisa Crossman, who also took part in the research, said that cracking the bacterium's genetic code should help scientists to find new way to combat its threat. |
However, the Health Protection Agency said the threat should not be over-stated. | |
A spokesperson said: "The infection does not spread in the manner of MRSA or C. difficile - there is little spread between patients, and infections are mostly caused by one-off strains." | |
A Department of Health spokesman said: "Clean and safe treatment in the NHS is a top priority for the government. | A Department of Health spokesman said: "Clean and safe treatment in the NHS is a top priority for the government. |
"We have committed an investment of £270m per year by 2010/11 to support infection prevention on top of the extra money that the NHS has already invested in better education and training, upgrading isolation facilities, new equipment and better surveillance." | "We have committed an investment of £270m per year by 2010/11 to support infection prevention on top of the extra money that the NHS has already invested in better education and training, upgrading isolation facilities, new equipment and better surveillance." |
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