Hum Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Scientists say a new strain of antibiotic-resistant staph has been identified in humans and fresh, unpasteurized cow's milk in Europe, although it's not known how widespread or virulent it is. A bigger concern, according to their study, is that a newer test may miss this strain of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). "We're missing out on a whole chunk of the bacteria from our understanding of the epidemiology of MRSA," said Dr. Mark A. Holmes of the department of veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge in England, and a study co-author. "If we're going to continue the successful drive to reduce MRSA in hospitals and in communities we need to understand where it's coming from. We are not seeing the whole picture." Clusters of the new MRSA strain were found among both humans and dairy cattle in England, Scotland and Denmark, according to the study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. But the risk of infection in the community-at-large from the new strain of MRSA is remote at best according to one infectious disease expert. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted June 6, 2011 Member Share Posted June 6, 2011 That's bad news. And just what we need too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I haven't talked about this much before, but this thread looks like the place. About a 14 months ago I had a major run-in with MRSA. What follows is a cautionary tale. While I am an under control type-2 diabetic, there are a lot of us these days, in many cases MRSA doesn't really care. It started when I fell, wounding & bruising my little toe. In short order it took off and within days it was alreay necrotic - rotting. I lost my little toe, the 5th metatarsal (long bone on the side of the foot) and a 10x10 cm chunk of flesh extending into the sole of my foot. It took 3 months of IV antibiotics and 3 surgeries to eradicate the infection, it re-infected twice requiring 4 hospitalizatio and the use of antibiotics that were still in trials in combination with vancomycin, and the wound just recentlly got close to closing - it's down to 2x4 mm & 1 mm deep. About 3 months ago while at the wound clinic I was informed thst 2 visitors wanted to onterview me; they were from CDC - the Centers for Disease Control. During the interview I was informed that the strain I had was new and that there had only been 12 cases so far; 3 in Europe, 1 in Canada then a cluster of 8 in SE Michigan. Of those there were 4 survivors, one being me. This in someone who knew what to look for and got to a physician fast. The point is that because of our over-use of antibiotics, both in humans and animals, we have accelerated the evolution of some bacteria into highly resistant strains that can be very dangerous. If you wound yourself watch it carefully, and if it swells, discolors, or drains GET TO AN ER FAST!! I don't mean make an appointment with a general practitional for 2 days from now, MRSA moves far too fast for that, I mean NOW. That's usually your fastest path to getting a consult with a surgeon, your best bet. Hours can matter. Odds are it isn't a superbug, but the risk of delayed treatment is just too damned high. I didn't wait and it still damned near killed me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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