Public health officials are to test raw meat sold in supermarkets for the presence of antibiotic resistant meat.
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| They fear contamination of meat with bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics used by vets may be helping to drive infections in humans |
Scientists based at Public Health England are to test 400 samples of chicken,
pork and beef from supermarkets around the country for signs of antibiotic
resistant strains of Escherichia coli.
They fear contamination of meat with bacteria that have developed resistance
to antibiotics used by vets may be helping to drive infections in humans.
Using genetic testing they will compare any strains of extended-spectrum beta
lactamase positive E. coli (ESBLs) from the meat with those found to
cause antibiotic resistant infections in human patients.
These strains of bacteria are resistant to many penicillin based antibiotics.
Experts fear that humans may be catching these bacteria from animal products
or the bacteria themselves could be passing antibiotic resistance to strains
found in humans.
As part of the £500,000 study, scientists will also test farm slurry, human
sewage and rivers for signs of the bacteria, in the hope of finding out how
it is spread.
Professor Neil Woodford, head of the antimicrobial resistance and health care associated infections reference unit at Public Health England, said: "The risks posed to human health by resistant E. coli from non-human reservoirs are not fully understood.
"This study will help to disentangle this complex interrelationship.
"The problem with ESBL-producing E. coli is that infections caused by them become very much harder to treat.
"This study is very important because its results will help to shape future intervention strategies to reduce the spread of these antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and to reduce the numbers of infections that they cause."
E. coli bacteria are commonly found in the gut of humans and animals where they live harmlessly.
Some strains can cause illness including food poisoning, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections. The bacteria is responsible for 90% of UTIs.
Those strains that produce ESBLs are able to break down common antibiotics used to treat them and so become resistant.
Antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli are an increasing problem. Around one in every 10 human cases is resistant to traditional antibiotics used to treat the infection.
Professor Neil Woodford, head of the antimicrobial resistance and health care associated infections reference unit at Public Health England, said: "The risks posed to human health by resistant E. coli from non-human reservoirs are not fully understood.
"This study will help to disentangle this complex interrelationship.
"The problem with ESBL-producing E. coli is that infections caused by them become very much harder to treat.
"This study is very important because its results will help to shape future intervention strategies to reduce the spread of these antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and to reduce the numbers of infections that they cause."
E. coli bacteria are commonly found in the gut of humans and animals where they live harmlessly.
Some strains can cause illness including food poisoning, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections. The bacteria is responsible for 90% of UTIs.
Those strains that produce ESBLs are able to break down common antibiotics used to treat them and so become resistant.
Antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli are an increasing problem. Around one in every 10 human cases is resistant to traditional antibiotics used to treat the infection.
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