A multi-resistant strain of the E. coli bacteria has gained a foothold in Europe, a new study shows.
The Public Health Agency describes the rate of spread as “worrying”.
– Urgent measures are required to counter the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Sweden and globally, says Vilhelm Müller, investigator at the Public Health Agency, in a press release.
E. coli bacteria normally occur in the human intestinal flora and now a new clone of the bacterium has taken hold in Europe, shows a new study from the European infection control authority ECDC.
– The study is further proof of the serious increase in multi-resistant bacteria that risks reducing the possibility of treating severe bacterial infections in the future, says Vilhelm Müller.
The new strain of E. coli can cause urinary tract infections and blood poisoning, among other things, and has been shown to be resistant to several treatments, including antibiotics.
WHO: Global health threat
The WHO classifies bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, also called carbapenem-resistant bacteria, as a global health threat and of the highest priority for research into new treatment methods.
According to the Public Health Agency, the bacteria has taken hold and spread in Sweden as well.
“The public health authority closely follows the development of the number of cases and characterizes all findings with the aim of detecting and preventing the national spread of infection as well as changes in resistance mechanisms and resistance patterns,” writes the authority.
– The collaboration with ECDC shows the importance of European collaboration to map the occurrence and spread of multi-resistant bacteria across national borders in a way that would otherwise not be possible, says Inga Fröding, investigator at the Public Health Agency, in the press release.