Hospitals Fail To Report Spread Of New Superbug 'More Dangerous Than MRSA'

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 11-5-2006 | Beezy Marsh

[blam]

Ping.

It's always something.

[Ken522]

I wonder if Clostridium difficile has made an appearance in the 'States as well ....

[CindyDawg]

It's been around awhile. It's easier to treat than MRSA.

[CindyDawg]

Oh ok. I see they are talking about a new strain.

[krinkrayyado]

Pneumonia is the old man's friend.
-William Osler

[blam]

"I wonder if Clostridium difficile has made an appearance in the 'States as well ...."

Apparently.

Rising Deadly Infections Puzzle Experts

[krinkrayyado]

Clostridium difficile is a common gut inhabitant. It overgrows in the presence of antibiotics that kill other strains (like yeast infections in those who take antibiotics). It is a nuisance and prolongs hospital stays. Kills only those who are in extremes, and is to be respected, but not feared. Beware the conveyors of fear. They are worse than the disease

[srmorton]

C. difficle has been known for years to cause PMC (pseudomembranous colitis), a severe inflammation of the large intestine that is most frequently seen in patients who have received massive doses of powerful antibiotics. The antibiotics kill the normal flora organisms allowing C. difficle, which is usually present in very small numbers and is kept in check by the normal flora, to multiply. I am not aware of there being a recent increase in PMC, but I teach microbiology at a community college and am not on the "front lines" in a hospital setting. Since the organism was already resistant to the powerful antibiotics that I mentioned, it makes sense that it could develop resistance to other antibiotics as well.

[editor-surveyor]

"It's always something."

Frightened sheep are easier to manipulate than complacent sheep.

[VOA]

bump

[linn37]

We were allowed to use Purell after all isolation patients now we must wash hands with antibacterial soap. The Purell does not kill off C-diff.

[Jorge]

Frightened sheep are easier to manipulate than complacent sheep.

And how could this possibly serve any purpose for manipulating people?

[NRA2BFree]

I remember reading about this last year. It's a real nasty bug.

[MinuteGal]

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPERBUG!

Leni

[_Jim]

And how could this possibly serve any purpose for manipulating people?

I fear that e-s is a listener to The Power Hour; they are big on telling their audience what to fear but short on informing them why 'it' should be feared ...

[pterional]

It is amazing how the inappropriate use of broad spectrum antibiotics has created both problems. MRSA and C difficile.

[editor-surveyor]

"And how could this possibly serve any purpose for manipulating people?"

It's being done right now with the flu vaccine, just as it was last year at this time. Endless hype about the 'danger' of a virus that doesn't even affect humans (Avian flu) is being used to funnel wealth to the drug manufacturers (tami-flu), and vaccine makers.

[blam]

I posted this earlier tonight and had MSRA in mind.

Unnatural Success (New Antibiotic?)

[cosine]

There seems to be a new strain showing up more frequently, one that pumps out more toxin. It is a nasty bugger to get under control and the death rate is up. My understanding is that part of the problem is that normal handwashing, alcohol rubs, don't kill it. You just hope to wash it off.