Deadly variations of superbug now spreading beyond the hospital

Experts in Britain say virulent bugs such as MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) are now spreading beyond hospitals and into the wider community and may put lives at risk.

The experts, gathered at a conference in Cardiff, Wales are particularly concerned about a potentially lethal form of MRSA which can infect the lungs, and may strike young people in particular; MRSA is not usually a threat to young people.

They say certain strains of community-acquired MRSA such as Panton Valentine leukocidin (PVL) can cause a condition called necrotizing pneumonia, which destroys lung tissue and while it only affects a minority of those infected, it can be deadly.

The strain produces a potent toxin which causes recurrent boils and abscesses, but if it enters into the bloodstream it can lead to necrotising pneumonia.

Even with the strongest antibiotics, more than 60% of otherwise healthy, young and fit people who contract the infection die and it can easily be misdiagnosed by GPs because the symptoms appear relatively harmless.

The experts say the emergence of community MRSA highlights just how efficient the bacteria are at evolving and presenting new and difficult problems to be dealt with.

Dr. Marina Morgan, of the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation NHS Trust says community-acquired MRSA is spread outside of hospitals by skin-to-skin contact and appears as sores which look like insect bites.

The bacteria appear to be able to stick to damaged skin and airways better than the hospital MRSA strains, and can also multiply at a faster rate; in the very worst case scenario Dr. Morgan says they can kill in a day.

In the United States 12% of all MRSA cases are already community-acquired and the UK also has an increasing number of cases.

It is suspected that children are at particular risk because they have more cuts and abrasions than older people and have more contact with other people.

According to the Health Protection Agency, in 2005, the first year it had figures for PVL infection, there were 130 cases; last year 150 new infections were recorded.

The Department of Health says the condition is treatable and it is currently trying to establish the prevalence of the bacteria.

They have already asked doctors to be extra vigilant and report cases direct to the Health Protection Agency.

Irish researchers are currently examining a new breed of bacteria including a strain of E. Coli, which carry enzymes called extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs), which are capable of destroying many common antibiotics.

This particular strain of E. Coli is spreading into nursing homes and communities across Europe and was the culprit in a severe outbreak of cystitis, a bladder infection, in the UK between 2003 and 2004.

The researchers from the National University of Ireland say even though cystitis is not life threatening, it is the most common form of urinary tract infection, and the economic consequences of failing to treat an outbreak quickly and properly are considerable.

They say patients with severe infections may suffer serious complications if the first antibiotic given to them does not work.

The research was presented last week at the Federation of Infections Societies Conference in Cardiff.