Drug-resistant urinary tract infections spreading worldwide

Faculty of 1000: Biology and Medicine ^ | Dec 28, 2009 | Unknown

[decimon]

A sudden worldwide increase in an antibiotic-resistant bacterium is cause for concern, according to a review in f1000 Medicine Reports.

Faculty of 1000 member Dr Johann Pitout, of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, urges the medical community to monitor the spread of a multi-drug resistant bacterium before it becomes necessary to use more powerful antibiotics as a first response.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are bacterially-produced enzymes that confer resistance to penicillin-type antibiotics. ESBLs have been commonly linked to nosocomial infections, which are generally treated with intravenously-administered antibiotics such as the carbapenems.

However, in recent years there has been a drastic increase in community-acquired infections, caused by a single strain of ESBL-producing E. coli. Dr Pitout suggests that the rapid spread of this particular strain is due, at least in part, to international travel through high-risk areas such as the Indian subcontinent.

Using carbapenems as the first response to such infections increases the risk of inducing resistance to them in the community, nullifying some of our most powerful anti-bacterial strategies. Dr Pitout recommends that the medical community should use existing methods to identify infections caused by ESBL-producing bacteria, and empirically test the efficacy of other antibiotics in treating community-acquired infections.

Dr Pitout concludes, "If this emerging public health threat is ignored … the medical community may be forced to use the carbapenems as the first choice for the empirical treatment of serious [community-acquired UTIs]."

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Notes to Editors

1. Dr Johann Pitout is a Faculty Member for f1000 Medicine, Infectious Diseases Section, and works at the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada http://f1000medicine.com/member/5309018475971825

2. The full text of this article is available for subscribers at http://f1000medicine.com/reports/10.3410/M1-84/

3. Faculty of 1000, which comprises http://f1000medicine.com and http://f1000biology.com, is a unique online service that helps you stay informed of high impact articles and access the opinions of global leaders in medicine and biology. Our distinguished international faculty select and evaluate key articles across the sciences, providing a rapidly updated, authoritative guide to the literature.

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[goseminoles]

No. It revealed itself as an abscess in the epidural area of the spine. Vancomycin was administered via PICC line for 6 weeks in January.
It returned in 0ctober. This time taking Zyvox orally for 6 weeks.
Both bouts with MRSA required the abscess to be surgically removed. The first time a laminectomy was done to decompress. I literally thought I was going to die or be paralyzed in January.
My point is that these resistant bugs are nasty and anything that could help should be utilyzed. My infectious disease doctor said manuka honey is a winner.
50% of people carry MRSA. 8x more like if you have a cat.

[decimon]

My infectious disease doctor said manuka honey is a winner.

That's surely interesting. Thanks.

[flowerplough]

50% of people carry MRSA. 8x more like if you have a cat.

Cats are little four-legged Satans that foolish people invite into their homes. Musilms are "ordered" to hate dogs, but they often love cats. Muhammad is said to have loved his cat Muezza so much that "he would do without his cloak rather than disturb (the) one that was sleeping on it."

[decimon]

Anyone want to hear about an alternative skin cream?

For nearly a week I’ve been using Olivio on my hands. That’s the butter substitute, Olivio. As per every winter, my hand skin was drying and starting to crack around the nails. Hand cream never does much so I tried something different and it’s working.

The trick is to use a very small amount. Just enough to get a light coating. Any more is just an oily mess that doesn’t evaporate like hand lotions.

I’m a 64-year-old guy. Don’t know how I got this old but there it is. :-)

[goseminoles]

I’m not blaming cats. Just thought I’d pass that info on.

[flowerplough]

Nor am I “blaming cats”. As I do not “blame” homosexuals for AIDS, so I do not blame cats for the infections they spread. And though I don’t hate cats the way Muslims hate dogs, I would rather not be in a room, house, or building with a cat. Cats have their place. Their place is outdoors, catching and eating mice, chipmunks, birds, and baby bunnies.

[RegulatorCountry]

I’d been having a lightly swollen lymph node on my left jaw just below the ear for a few days, didn’t think much about it, figured it was coming from a mildly infected razor cut and would clear up on its own. Yesterday, a series of mildly painful bumps arose just inside my hairline, vaguely like insect bites, and the lymph nodes enlarged a bit more, but still not painful.

This morning, the lymph nodes are very painful and noticably enlarged, and the bumps have merged together into a painful rash slightly larger than a quarter, all still inside my hairline. I’m beginning to be concerned that it’s MRSA. I have no idea what could have come into contact in that spot specifically, other than perhaps a telephone receiver, that’s my “phone ear.”

I can’t get to a doctor until tomorrow, unless I pay through the nose for one of those doc-in-the-box afterhours places. Is there something I can do, topical antimicrobial or something, that won’t do more harm than good? I’m perfectly open to herbals and alternatives, know quite well that they can be effective, but this is a new one on me, and it’s frankly a little scary.

[kalee]

Thank you for the link.

[Sally'sConcerns]

I may be over reacting on your behalf because my (now ex/deceased) husband had chronic lymphocytic leukemia. One time he merely scuffed a small - less than dime sized area on his hand and another time he got a small paper cut down in the V between thumb and forefinger. Both times he came very close to having his arm amputated above the elbow.

Granted, he had leukemia so his immune system was compromised but staph moves fast.

Years ago I dated a guy who delivered the WSJ and was healthy as a horse. He cut his hand on the string he used to secure the rolled up paper and he came down with a staph infection. He called me and when I went to his apartment he was delirious with fever and had a bump on his arm near the elbow area. I managed to get him in my car and I took him to the doctor. He had staph which had spread.

The point I’m trying to make about my friend is he was healthy as a horse and still became very ill very quickly. If it were me I’d go ahead and go to the doc in the box but then remember, I’ve been ‘spooked’ twice.

[Lx]

Is this one of those multiple partner things??

I guess it’s nice to be married!!!!

[decimon]

Is this one of those multiple partner things??

That would exacerbate things.

I guess it’s nice to be married!!!!

Couples are better able to cope with health shocks than singles: UBC study

[goseminoles]

I’m not a doctor nor will I give any advise. If you’re concerned, go see a doctor. Lymph node enlargement could possibly indicate infection. If it gets worse or it really bothers you, by all means go see someone asap.
My bout with mrsa was never a skin thing. I had a 104 fever and severe back pain. I hadn’t eaten in 3 days and was in bad shape.
The web has plenty of pictures of mrsa skin infections.

[csmusaret]

Coconut oil is also very effective. Eat 4 teaspoons a day and it will work wonders.

[RegulatorCountry]

I realize you’re not a doctor, and am not expecting you to dispense medical advice. The topic arose, I’ve been concerned this morning, and was wondering if there was anything helpful and not harmful, that I could do prior to seeing a doctor.

Thank you for your reply.

[RegulatorCountry]

I’ve gotten an appointment for late this afternoon, and will find out what’s going on.

[goseminoles]

I wasn’t trying to be snippy. I swear! If you have MRSA(which you probably don’t) there’s not a whole lot you can do today except go the doctor.

[goseminoles]

I’d like an update after your appt!
FYI, I’m a 38 y/o guy. I was a bad alcoholic. Apprently research suggests its a possible major contributing factor with MRSA. Many people have MRSA. Only a few actually get sick (3 in 10000 in my case). My best advise to people, especially drinkers is to build that immunity up by eating healthy and taking supplements.

[decimon]

I’ve gotten an appointment for late this afternoon...

That's good. Your post also raised my concerns for you.

[badbass]

You’re welcome! Use the link, follow through. Lots of good stuff out there, lot’s of good info on the net (filtered through your common sense of course).

[RegulatorCountry]

Doc-in-the-box says Shingles. Two prescriptions, an antiviral and something to help with nerve inflammation and pain, Acyclovir 800 mg tabs, and Gabapentin 300 mg capsules.