E.coli cases on the rise again

Britain is facing a huge rise in blood poisoning caused by a multi-drug resistant strain of E.coli, a report has warned.

The threat to global health by the growth of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria is as significant as the emergence of new diseases such as AIDS and pandemic flu, The Independent newspaper reported.

Professor Peter Hawkey, a clinical microbiologist and chair of the Government’s antibiotic-resistance working group, told The Independent that the “slow but insidious” growth of resistant germs was threatening to turn common infections into untreatable diseases.

Prof Hawkey said: “It is a worldwide issue – there are no boundaries. We have very good policies on the use of antibiotics in man and animals in the UK. But we are not alone. We have to think globally.”

The report was written by Prof Hawkey’s group for the Department of Health and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

E.coli bacteria

Between 2005 and 2009, the incidence of E.coli bacteraemias – or bacteria in the blood – has risen by 30 per cent, from 18,000 to more than 25,000. Cases of antibiotic resistant E.coli have risen from one per cent at the start of the century to 10 per cent.

Such is the concern that the Government has made £500,000 available for new research into ESBL- producing bacteria (Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases), which are able to break down a wide range of antibiotics.

Once confined to hospitals, ESBL-producing E.coli have rapidly spread in the community, making some infections difficult to treat.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, said: “We are committed to preventing and treating infections effectively so we can give high quality care to patients.

That is why we are calling for research proposals into the resistance caused by extended spectrum Beta Lactamases.”

Prof Hawkey said: “There are only so many antibiotics available and as we lose them it becomes more difficult to replace them.”