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Antibiotic resistance rise fears | Antibiotic resistance rise fears |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The rise in antibiotic resistance is reaching worrying levels, experts say. | The rise in antibiotic resistance is reaching worrying levels, experts say. |
The Health Protection Agency said while the focus on infections such as MRSA had been largely successful, new trends in other bugs were now posing a threat. | The Health Protection Agency said while the focus on infections such as MRSA had been largely successful, new trends in other bugs were now posing a threat. |
For instance, 12% of bloodstream infections by E. coli in England, Wales and Northern Ireland now show some signs of not responding to drugs. | For instance, 12% of bloodstream infections by E. coli in England, Wales and Northern Ireland now show some signs of not responding to drugs. |
The HPA said the NHS must be careful over antibiotic use and urged industry to look into developing new drugs. | The HPA said the NHS must be careful over antibiotic use and urged industry to look into developing new drugs. |
There are two main families of bacteria known as Gram-positive, such as MRSA, and Gram-negative, which includes E. coli and other less common bugs Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas. | |
There are some cracks in the system, but they are not big ones yet Dr David Livermore, of the HPA | There are some cracks in the system, but they are not big ones yet Dr David Livermore, of the HPA |
The HPA said there had been a drive to tackle MRSA in recent years which had helped reduce infection rates and led to a host of new antibiotics to be developed. | The HPA said there had been a drive to tackle MRSA in recent years which had helped reduce infection rates and led to a host of new antibiotics to be developed. |
By comparison, the development of antibiotics targeting Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, which can cause a range of symptoms from mild diarrhoea to abdominal cramps and kidney damage, was much less common. | |
The fight against drug resistance is an on-going battle because many bacteria constantly mutate, gaining resistance to current antibiotics in the process. | The fight against drug resistance is an on-going battle because many bacteria constantly mutate, gaining resistance to current antibiotics in the process. |
This is what has been happening in recent years to the likes of E. coli. | |
HPA data show that there are about 20,000 bloodstream infections of E. coli each year - although the true level of infections would be much higher if urinary tract infections were taken into account. | |
Of these, 12% show signs of resistance - up from about 4% at the turn of the century. | Of these, 12% show signs of resistance - up from about 4% at the turn of the century. |
The infections are mostly not yet resistant to all forms of antibiotics, just what doctors call the first-line. | The infections are mostly not yet resistant to all forms of antibiotics, just what doctors call the first-line. |
This means they are having to use back up drugs, which tend to have more side effects and raises the prospect of the widespread emergence of a new strain which is totally antibiotic resistant. | This means they are having to use back up drugs, which tend to have more side effects and raises the prospect of the widespread emergence of a new strain which is totally antibiotic resistant. |
Cases | Cases |
Indeed, reports have already emerged of such a scenario in Israel and the US, while four cases have been reported in the UK. | Indeed, reports have already emerged of such a scenario in Israel and the US, while four cases have been reported in the UK. |
Dr David Livermore, an infections expert at the HPA, urged industry to start looking at developing new antibiotics. | Dr David Livermore, an infections expert at the HPA, urged industry to start looking at developing new antibiotics. |
But he added: "The NHS must be careful over its use of antibiotics to slow down the development of resistance. | But he added: "The NHS must be careful over its use of antibiotics to slow down the development of resistance. |
"Hospitals must make sure they use the right dose, for the right length of time. | "Hospitals must make sure they use the right dose, for the right length of time. |
"GPs should not prescribe - nor patients expect - antibiotics for routine coughs and colds. | "GPs should not prescribe - nor patients expect - antibiotics for routine coughs and colds. |
"Resistance has been accumulating. We are having to use reserve antibiotics more than previsously... that is worrying. | "Resistance has been accumulating. We are having to use reserve antibiotics more than previsously... that is worrying. |
"There are some cracks in the system, but they are not big ones yet." | "There are some cracks in the system, but they are not big ones yet." |