Posted on 10/01/2006 7:12:13 PM PDT by blam
New strain of hospital bug linked to 49 deaths
By Caroline Davies
(Filed: 02/10/2006)
A virulent strain of a superbug has been linked to at least 49 deaths in three Leicester hospitals this year, the local NHS trust has revealed.
Figures released by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said the superbug clostridium difficile (C Diff) was probably responsible for the deaths of 28 patients, and possibly contributed to the deaths of a further 21 found to be infected. Another 29 cases have been referred to the coroner.
The superbug, a common cause of diarrhoea, is carried without side effects by as many as one in 33 adults. But it can be fatal for vulnerable patients with suppressed immunity and the elderly.
It is hard to eradicate and cannot be prevented with alcohol gels or routine cleaning. It can survive for months outside the body, lurking on floors, handles, lavatory seats, lockers and beds. Many patients will already be carrying it before being admitted to hospital.
The trust held an audit after noticing an increase in the number of cases of a new strain, C Diff 027, which arrived in Britain from Canada and the US around 15 months ago. The 027 is said to be the most recent mutation of the bug and is particularly nasty because it produces 20 times as much toxin as others strains of C Diff and resists many antibiotics.
Since its arrival it appears to be spreading from the south to the north of the country.
The trust said it had set up a task force to fight the infection, with the hospitals being steam cleaned and staff, visitors and patients being told to wash their hands.
Dr David Jenkins, the trust's director of infection prevention and control, said: "Clostridium difficile is not a new bug, but the latest strain is virulent and, in common with other hospitals, we are working hard to combat it. NHS trusts are not required to keep information on those deaths where C Diff may have been a contributing factor. However, we are analysing this as part of the battle against the new strain.
"The full analysis will take some weeks and when we have the accurate data we will let people know.
"What we know now is that the number of deaths this year where C Diff looks to have been the primary cause is 28 and there have been a further 21 where C Diff may have contributed. There are also 29 cases that have been referred to the coroner.
"This is not just a hospital issue. Our research and that of other trusts around the country suggest that at least one in five cases occurs in the community.
"We treat more than one million people a year, meaning that Leicester is one of the biggest hospital trusts in the country. So it is important that local people understand that although the number of cases of C Diff appears high the risk is actually very low.
"However, the fact that the chances are slim does not diminish the problem. Earlier this year, the trust set up a task force of consultants, doctors, nurses and infection control specialists to fight this new infection."
The trust's hospitals are Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester General Hospital. Last week visiting hours were cut at Derby's hospitals to reduce the spread of the superbug as it was revealed that 31 patients were either being treated or under investigation for C Diff compared to 13 cases this time last year.
The Healthcare Commission has been asked to investigate an outbreak of the bug at Maidstone Hospital where 136 patients were diagnosed with the infection between April and June. Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said the infection was the cause of death of six patients.
In July, the commission published the findings of an inquiry into three outbreaks of C Diff at Stoke Mandeville hospital near Aylesbury which may have killed as many as 41 elderly patients since 2003.
More than 51,000 people over 65 were diagnosed with C Diff in 2005-6, more than twice as many as the previous year. At least 25 per cent of patients brought it with them into hospital.
It can be controlled by hygiene, isolation of infected patients and avoidance of antibiotics. It does not harm otherwise healthy people but problems can occur when very ill people are treated with antibiotics.
Very interesting. Thanks for posting.
Paul Harvey, of all people was saying something about an incurable/untreatable mosquito borne virus brought in to the USA from a Rachel Carson Free zone in the lovely vacation spot of Africa.
Boston is full of bedbugs, when is this SH@t going to stop?
Close the freaking State Dept. so they can't issue any more Visas and DO any more damage then they already have!
Can't wait till we have wonderfully socialized medicine like the brits have.
C. diff. is a nasty bug. My grandmother died from complications of C. diff. last year. They usually treat it with a vancomycin/flagyl combo, but it recurs easily. If the patient isn't kept in isolation, it could be spread easily. I can't imagine that in a country with socialized medicine, that it would be common to have a private room.
I'm sorry to hear that you lost your grandma.
well what did you mean by that bait remark?
LOL. You aren't gonna give up are you? It had a double meaning. Did he teach you debating skills (which you are funny but very good at)? Secondly, your grammar seems to have improved :') Were you baiting the grammar police?
A vaccine coupled with a common tetanus vaccine would be the best way to eradicate this pesky pathogen. In large animals, the Clostridium spp. vaccine covers for several types of the family's pathogens.
Yes. I was just trying to get a bite Thanks for responding
You did good:')
I bet that was a mess. They all recover ok?
Don't go to the hospital. There are SICK people there. < /sarc >
I just got over a bout with c diff with a two-week round of Flagyl. The Flagyl is nasty too. It worked, but after a few days, the Flagyl made me almost as sick as the c diff. I forced myself to continue with the Flagyl for the full two weeks, and I'm glad I did.
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