Deadly Drug-Resistant Superbug Spreads in California

[Guest guest]

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Deadly Drug-Resistant Superbug Spreads in California

By Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily Staff Writer,

LiveScience.com | LiveScience.com – Sat, 26 Mar, 2011 1:26 PM EDT

A multidrug resistant bacterium is infecting a relatively high number of

patients in long-term care hospitals in Los Angeles County in California, public

health officials say.

The bacterium, called carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), is

resistant to almost all antibiotics available to treat the infection. It has

been associated with higher rates of death and longer hospitals stays, the

researchers say. The bacteria is known to cause pneumonia, bloodstream

infections and meningitis. It is difficult, but not impossible, to treat.

CRKP is not new. But previously, it was thought to be limited to the East Coast

of the United States, the researchers say. Researchers have not systematically

monitored this bacteria on a national scale. This was the first time public

health officials in Los Angeles had required laboratories to report the presence

of this bacteria.

The bacterium is just one of a growing number of pathogens that are resistant to

multiple antibiotics. However, CRKP is not necessarily more serious than other

multidrug resistant organisms, Fielding, director of public health for

Los Angeles County, said in a news conference about the findings.

The study " adds weight to the general concerns regarding overuse of

antibiotics, " Fielding said, " and highlights the importance of continued

surveillance and efforts to try to reduce both the overuse of antibiotics and

increased investment in new antibiotics, " he said.

The findings will be presented at the annual meeting of the Society for

Healthcare Epidemiology of America in Dallas on April 3.

Between June and December 2010, 350 cases of CRKP were identified in the county.

This rate was unexpectedly high. Forty-two percent were from long-term acute

care centers and 6 percent were from nursing homes.

Patients who get CRKP tend to be elderly, stay in hospitals for long periods of

time, and be on ventilators, according to Dr. Dawn Terashita, of the Los Angeles

County Department of Public Health.

Since this was the first time rates of CRKP in the county had been studied, the

researchers don't know how they compare with previous years. They suspect the

rates are increasing, but more research is needed to confirm this, Fielding

said.

The researchers also do not know why the rates are high, but will continue to

monitor the bacteria.

They want to educate physicians and the public how antibiotics should be used,

Fielding said.

" We need to educate the public because, in many cases, antibiotics are

prescribed because the patients really demand them or strongly ask for them, "

Fielding said. If patients do go on antibiotics, they should finish the full

course of their medication, he said.

Both patients and physician should practice frequent hand-washing to reduce

transmission of drug-resistant bacteria, Fielding said.

Pass it on: High rates of CRKP, a multidrug resistant bacteria, have been found

in Los Angeles county. However, it is not necessarily more serious than other

types of drug-resistant bacteria.

[Guest guest]

Interesting where it is striking: in hospitals dedicated to elder care. Some of the nursing and retirement homes here have had warnings about Hepatitis and HIV. There doesn't appear to have been a serious issue though.

In a message dated 3/26/2011 5:55:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, no_reply writes:

Deadly Drug-Resistant Superbug Spreads in California