Latest news with #antibioticResistance
ABC News
26-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Hospital study finds link between La Niña events and spread of deadly Vibrio vulnificus infection
Anamika Ganju had not seen anything like it in more than 20 years as an intensive care clinician. Two men in three days had presented to the emergency department with baffling similarities. Both men, aged around 80, had cuts that had rapidly progressed to grotesque infections, with their skin sloughing away to reveal gaping wounds. Both had been crabbing in the muddy estuaries of rivers swollen by floodwater that had devastated the Wide Bay region just weeks before. And to the despair of Dr Ganju and her colleagues, both men were unresponsive to the standard antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. "It is pretty devastating," Dr Ganju said. "You're like, 'Why is this patient so sick? What am I missing? He shouldn't be so sick … with [the] signs and symptoms I'm seeing, they should start getting better." Analysis of decaying tissue from one of the patients in March 2022 showed it was teeming with Vibrio vulnificus — a flesh-eating bacteria rare enough in the tropical north of Queensland, but almost unheard of in the Fraser Coast region about three hours' drive north of Brisbane. Vibrio vulnificus was known to thrive on the additional nutrients brought by floodwaters, but Dr Ganju said the scarcity of the infection in the hospital's sub-tropical location meant it was not initially considered a likely diagnosis. "To be honest, in my career — I've been doing this for 25 years — I had not seen a Vibrio [case] before this," Dr Ganju said. The medical team pivoted to use ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic known to target Vibrio vulnificus, and both patients underwent operations to remove and replace the decaying flesh. Three more fishermen presented to the hospital with bacterial infections over the next six months and, by then, the team was on high alert. Source: Queensland Health "We would always ask whether there was exposure to … marine water or were they in a boat, and if we got that history we would start the ciprofloxacin [immediately]," Dr Ganju said. More than one in four patients can die once the infection takes hold, but all five men survived. The third patient, Hervey Bay fisherman Rodney Drier, required 18 operations and after contracting a fungal infection had his left hand amputated. He rues the slip of a knife while cutting up a catfish to use as crab bait which had life-changing consequences. "It ruined my lifestyle … took my life away from me," the disability pensioner said. Once all patients were discharged in 2022, Dr Ganju and her colleagues recorded their experience in a clinical case report published today in the Rural and Remote Health Journal. By analysing the frequency of Vibrio vulnificus infections in Queensland, lead author and senior pharmacist Daniel Bermingham found spikes of infections over the past 25 years corresponded with La Niña weather events. While there were only 86 cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections in Queensland between 1998 and 2023, the number of cases increased nearly fivefold during a La Niña event. With carbon emissions known to contribute to more frequent and extreme La Niña events, Mr Bermingham said his research showed climate change increased the risk of Vibrio vulnificus infections. The researchers hope the findings will result in a public awareness campaign of the potentially fatal risks and best practice if the infection is acquired. "The first aid care that you can provide to yourself … is to get the first aid kit out, give [the wound] a good wash and make sure that you can clean the wound from injury," Mr Bermingham said. "Get some chlorhexidine or some betadine and put it onto the actual wound and go see the GP or ED if it does tend to get worse." Allen Cheng, the director of Monash Infectious Diseases at Monash Health in Victoria, was not involved in the clinical case report and does not believe "major changes" to public health messaging are warranted. However, he agreed the epidemiology, or distribution, of Vibrio vulnificus was becoming more common in subtropical regions due to global warming. "The case report … is at least a very good reminder to physicians that this [infection] does exist and we may be seeing changes in the epidemiology." In a statement, Queensland Health says the department issues public health advice about the risks of exposure to floodwaters, particularly around severe weather events. The Queensland Health guidelines prescribing antibiotics in cases of severe infections were last reviewed in 2024, the spokesperson said. The guidelines now advise using ciprofloxacin — the antibiotic targeting Vibrio vulnificus — if the patient is exposed to water, including in subtropical regions like Hervey Bay. As he tends to his orchids, Mr Drier is emphatic that there needs to be improved public awareness of the infection. "Especially when you see people walking in floodwaters in the streets," he said. "I think, 'You stupid fools, if only you knew'. One scratch and you've got a bug."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NEW STUDY IDENTIFIES ADDITIONAL LINKS BETWEEN POULTRY ANTIBIOTIC USE AND HUMAN DRUG RESISTANCE
Ionophores, Commonly Used in Animal Agriculture, Found to Contribute to Antibiotic Resistance in Humans Salisbury, MD, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new study, published in mSphere, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, suggests some antibiotics used in conventional poultry farming may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans. This research, conducted by Dr. Alex Wong, Asalia Ibrahim and Jason Au of Carleton University's Department of Biology, focuses on ionophores, a class of antibiotics commonly used in conventional poultry farming and previously described as 'not important to human medicine.' 'This research underscores the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of animal and human health,' explains Dr. Alex Wong. 'While ionophores have long been considered safe for use in poultry to prevent parasitic infections, this study suggests that ionophore use could fuel the growth of antibiotic resistance to medically relevant drugs.' This study highlights the ongoing research and critical discussion about responsible antibiotic use in animal agriculture, showcasing the potentially negative long-term human and animal health effects of using antibiotics in animal production, even those not presently deemed 'important to human medicine." The study found: Bacterial pathogens around the world have genes (narA and narB) that allow them to resist ionophores. These genes are often found linked to other resistance genes that protect bacteria from human antibiotics. When ionophores are used, they can unintentionally encourage bacteria to carry both types of resistance – making them harder to kill with medicines we need and increasing the risk of clinically significant antimicrobial resistance spreading from animal agriculture to human healthcare systems. The study's findings contribute to the ongoing scientific conversation about antibiotic resistance and inform future research and policy decisions and provides evidence that the widespread use of ionophores potentially threaten human health. 'This study surprised me. Personally, I've been dismissing the use of ionophores for years because we didn't have this evidence. This study suggests that it could be driving resistance to the drugs we do care about. When animal producers use ionophores they can drive the growth of bacteria that are resistant to our most important medicines,' Lance Price, M.S. Ph.D., Professor at George Washington's (GW) Milken Institute School of Public Health and Founding Director of GW's Antibiotic Resistance Action Center. Perdue Takes No Chances with Animal or Human Health, Standing Firm on Its Decade-Long 'No Antibiotics Ever' Commitment Ionophore use in poultry has been on the rise after a reintroduction of usage by large producers—with some poultry companies relying on routine use of the drug class for preventing illness. However, Perdue Farms took a trailblazing approach by committing to No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) in 2016, shunning the use of all antibiotics including ionophores. Perdue Farms remains committed to its No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) program. 'We started our NAE transition initially due to consumer demand, however with time we have seen, and appreciate, the animal welfare and human health benefits of this approach,' states Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, Chief Science Officer at Perdue Farms. 'For a decade now, our No Antibiotics Ever commitment has reflected our belief that what's good for the bird is also good for people– and this study confirms that belief is well-founded. At the end of the day, it's a promise that gives consumers peace of mind and sets a higher standard for responsible poultry production.' This research was funded by the Canadian Government, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Perdue Farms. Learn more about the study and Perdue Farms' commitment to NAE at For media interested, there will be a virtual briefing today, June 25, at 10 AM ET. You can join that briefing using this link starting at 10 AM ET, or reach out to for more detail. ### About Perdue FarmsWe're a fourth-generation, family-owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers, and farmers through trusted choices in products and services. Perdue Foods consists of a premium protein portfolio, including our flagship PERDUE® brand, Niman Ranch®, Coleman Natural®, Pasturebird®, and Yummy®, as well as our pet brands, Full Moon® and Spot Farms®, and is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores and our direct-to-consumer website, Perdue AgriBusiness is a leading merchandiser, processor, and exporter of agricultural products and the largest U.S. manufacturer of specialty, organic, and non-GMO oils. It also ranks as one of the largest suppliers of organic feed ingredients in the world. Now in our company's second century, we never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever and in USDA-certified organic proteins. Learn more at Attachment Ionophores Report Infographic CONTACT: Kerri McClimen Perdue Farms
Medscape
24-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Doctors Ignore Vets at Their Patients' Peril
On June 14, I attended a continuing medical education event on antibiotic resistance that proved highly informative — especially due to the genuinely interdisciplinary approach fostered by the Ordine Provinciale dei Medici Chirurghi e degli Odontoiatri di Como (Order of Physicians, Surgeons, and Dentists of the province of Como), the local regulatory body for medical doctors and dentists in Como in northern Italy. The event brought together general practitioners, hospital-based infectious disease specialists, nurses from both community and long-term care settings, pharmacists, and pharmacologists. Notably, it also included a large and engaged group of veterinarians from both private practice and public health — several of whom I had the opportunity to speak with over lunch. The experience underscored a disconnect I hadn't fully appreciated before. In healthcare, we frequently invoke the concept of 'One Health' — the idea that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected. Yet in practice, we often leave veterinarians — the very professionals who deal directly with animal health — out of the conversation. And that means we risk overlooking the implications of animal health for human health. Human-Animal Relationship When I try to think of a veterinarian who regularly appears in the media, only one name comes to mind: Ilaria Capua, an internationally recognized Italian virologist and former lawmaker. Although her work is widely respected, it is far removed from the hands-on work of those monitoring food safety, managing disease surveillance in livestock, or caring for our household pets. Our relationship with those pets — dogs, cats, and other animals — has evolved dramatically. The term 'fur babies' may strike some as cringeworthy, but it reflects a profound shift: Pets are increasingly viewed not as animals, but as full members of the family. They may not yet have a seat at the dinner table, but in many homes, they share the bed, receive kisses, and engage in physical affection with their owners as a matter of routine. Research has shown that the microbiota of pets and their human companions — antibiotic-resistant bacteria included — can be remarkably similar. Pathogen transmission between animals and humans, in both directions, is a well-documented phenomenon. One might ask: How is this different from kissing a human partner? The distinction lies in biology and behavior. Animals have immune systems that differ from our own and may carry microbes that are harmless to them but potentially dangerous to humans — particularly those who are immunocompromised. This should prompt physicians to routinely ask patients with weakened immunity about their close contact with pets, especially dogs and cats. Moreover, unlike humans, animals spend time sniffing and licking potentially contaminated surfaces, including animal carcasses and feces — encounters that raise their microbial exposure in ways most human companions do not experience. This issue is especially relevant in the context of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, a zoonotic virus that has not gone away and is not limited to outbreaks in the United States. In fact, H5N1 is now infecting a broader range of species than ever before. To our knowledge, no pathogen in modern times has circulated across such a wide array of animal species at the same time. Animal Health Surveillance At the event, I asked several veterinarians how surveillance for H5N1 avian influenza is currently managed in Italy. I learned that aside from confirmed outbreaks in poultry — whether among wild birds or on farms — there is no mandated testing of dairy cattle, even when chickens on the same farm test positive for the virus. 'Because even if they're positive, what are we supposed to do?' one veterinarian asked me, reflecting the lack of a clear protocol. It has now been over a year since H5N1 was first confirmed to have infected cattle. Even setting aside the unique circumstances of the United States, it is difficult to understand why a coordinated international response protocol has not yet been developed. Turning back to domestic animals, we cannot rule out the possibility that hunting dogs, companion animals, or even house cats may come into contact with infected birds in the wild. To date, cats appear to be particularly susceptible to H5N1, with a reported case fatality rate of approximately 90%. Yet this is a virus in continuous evolution — and one that has consistently defied expectations. There is legitimate concern that it could adapt to infect humans via other mammals with whom we share close physical contact. After all, H5N1 has already jumped directly from birds to humans on multiple occasions over the past two decades. In the most recent example, a new variant of the virus infected and killed a 60-year-old man in the United States who contracted the virus from his backyard poultry. Anthropomorphizing of Animals Our growing tendency to treat animals like humans — and to project onto them our own emotions and behaviors — sometimes extends even to wild animals, particularly when wild boars, wolves, or bears cross paths with hikers or wander into urban areas. Some attribute this perception shift to the enduring influence of cartoons and fairy tales, especially from the Walt Disney canon. Others suggest it stems from a broader idealization of nature, fueled by the increasing physical and experiential distance from it that characterizes much of modern urban life. The humanization of companion animals also has important consequences in clinical care. Today, veterinarians are often faced with the same complex communication challenges as human physicians: setting priorities, explaining poor prognoses, and discussing the ethical boundaries of aggressive or prolonged treatment. Importance of Communication, Collaboration If one theme stood out from the day's discussions, it was the essential role of communication — among clinicians and with patients. Effective collaboration between general practitioners and specialists is, of course, critical. So too is coordination with nurses and hospital pharmacists, who play a key role in supporting antibiotic stewardship. But most important is clear and empathetic communication with patients — some of whom may pressure physicians to prescribe antibiotics without understanding their limitations, whereas others may fail to adhere to treatment simply because they did not fully grasp the instructions. In this broader landscape, we must not overlook the essential contribution of veterinary services. Veterinarians are vital allies in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, because resistant bacteria do not recognize species lines or geopolitical borders. Thanks to veterinarians and livestock producers, antibiotic use in poultry farming has dropped sharply in Italy, and it has stabilized in cattle and swine production as well. Their expertise must also be recognized in monitoring H5N1 and other viruses with pandemic potential. These threats require tightly knit, cross-sector surveillance networks — networks into which veterinarians must be fully integrated.
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Just one serving of a favorite summer food raises risk of contracting super bacteria resistant to treatments
People indulging in a shrimp cocktail or seafood salad this summer could be at risk of potentially fatal antibiotic-resistant infections, scientists warn. Researchers in Georgia have found that seafood favorites like shellfish and scallops imported into the US may be contaminated with bacteria that is resistant to colistin, a 'last-resort' medication used to kill bacteria that isn't cleared by other treatments. And consuming the seafood could lead to the gastrointestinal tract being colonized by the bacteria, experts suggest, which could wait for the immune system to weaken before causing a deadly infection. It's not known exactly how many strains of bacteria are resistant the drug, but experts are worried that the number is growing amid widespread overuse of antibiotics, allowing bacteria to mutate and become better at evading treatments. Colistin is only used when standard treatments have failed — typically against pneumonia or sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection. Scientists have long voiced concern about rising drug resistance, warning it could turn previously treatable infections into life-threatening diseases. Lead researcher Issmat Kassem, a microbiologist, warned: 'We love our seafood. [But] if you go out to lunch today, your plate might have ingredients from six, seven, eight countries. 'Some countries do not have strict regulations for using antibiotics in food animal production, so imported food can be a vehicle for transmission of resistance.' Colistin was first discovered in the 1950s but doctors stopped using it by the 1980s because it was revealed patients using the drug were found to suffer from damage to the nerves and kidneys. However, a rise in drug-resistant infections in the 1990s saw use of the medication increase as there was a need for new treatments. Data online suggests that colistin is currently administered to fewer than 1,000 seriously ill patients in the US every year, although this number continues to rise. For the study, researchers tested shrimp and scallops bought from eight seafood markets in Atlanta, Georgia. The team tested samples for the colistin-resistance genes known as mcr. At least 10 types of mcr genes have now been identified, with scientists warning they might spread though imported and exported food. It wasn't clear how the resistant bacteria had ended up on seafood, but previous research has suggested this may happen if rainwater falls on farms and then flows into the waters where the fish or crustaceans are being farmed. More than 90 percent of seafood consumed in the US is imported, with major sellers including China, Norway, Ecuador, Chile and India. The food is screened for numerous contaminants, like mercury, PFAS and antibiotics, but is not checked for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. And each country has varying regulations when it comes to collecting, storing, slaughtering and exporting or importing goods for consumption. In some countries, farm animals, including farmed seafood, may be treated with colistin, which studies show may marginally boost their growth rates. A 2023 study suggested that despite concerns over resistance, the antibiotic was still being widely used for feed in some low- and middle-income countries. It is also given sometimes to prevent outbreaks because of the unsanitary conditions some animals are kept in. It was not clear what the name of the colistin-resistant bacteria was, or which countries the imported seafood had come from. The findings were revealed in a presentation for ASM Microbiome 2025 in Los Angeles, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. It is set to be published as a study in the journal mSphere. The scientists cautioned that their study focused on just one food group, but said it was likely that others also posed a risk. The team added that the drug-resistant bacteria they found on the seafood matched a strain they had also detected in wastewater in the city, suggesting the bacteria was spreading in the community. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are a growing risk in America, with more than 2.8million infections now recorded every year — and with treatment costs having more than doubled since 2002. Around 35,000 people die from antibiotic-resistant infections in the US every year. While much of seafood is consumed raw in the summer, people can reduce their risk by cooking the food, which likely kills the resistant bacteria. But Americans should be extra vigilant as the bacteria can still be spread onto the surface food is prepared on — raising the risk of infection. Older individuals and pregnant women are already advised not to eat raw seafood, especially sushi, which can put them at a higher risk of infection because of their weakened immune systems.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Poo transplant: 'Poo pills' and the fight against superbugs
You might think of it as just some stinky brown waste but scientists are finding lots of useful ways to use human latest is in the fight against superbug infections - infections that don't respond to antibiotics - using pills filled with freeze-dried faeces. The idea is that stool samples packed with good bacteria from healthy people are put into a pill, taken by someone with a superbug infection and the healthy bacteria will help to flush out the to the UK Health Security Agency, antibiotic resistant infections are on the rise but Dr Blair Merrick who tested the pills says: "We could potentially, in the future, replace antibiotics with microbiome [therapies] - that's the big picture, so there's a lot of potential." Why are superbugs a problem? Humans have been using antibiotics to treat infections for nearly 100 years. But as taking them became more common in recent years, sometimes in situations where they weren't needed, some strains of bacteria have developed a resistance to types of antibiotics. It means they can be difficult to treat and life-threatening. According to the NHS, the biggest worry is that new strains of bacteria will eventually also become resistant to antibiotics. How does a poo transplant work? Poo samples from healthy donors are tested to make sure there are no harmful bugs and undigested food is removed before it's freeze dried into a powder. That's then put into a pill which dissolves in the bowel to released the poopy powder. The study, which was carried out at Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals in London, suggests the superbugs are flushed out of the bowel and replaced by healthy gut bacteria. Poo transplants like this aren't a new thing. They've already been successfully used in treating Clostridium difficile (C. diff) which is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea, stomach ache, loss of appetite and it can also make a person feel are also looking at poo transplants as a treatment for liver disease.
