Multi-resistant germs at the meat counter

Multi-resistant pathogens a growing problem

07/11/2012

Multidrug-resistant pathogens are becoming an ever greater problem. The bacteria resistant to antibiotics are found not only in hospitals but also in fattening farms and not infrequently even on the offer in the meat counter.

At this year's Regional Conference on Healthcare Economy Northwest today in Oldenburg, health experts have explicitly addressed the risks and pathways of multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or ESBL-producing endobacteria. The antibiotic-resistant pathogens „are a big challenge for health care“, so the message of the charitable association „Health Economics Northwest“. However, according to the experts, it is not just hospitals that have to face the challenge, but the entire healthcare system and related areas such as food supply are affected.

Bacteria develop resistance through antibiotic use in animal husbandry
In addition to the increased presence in the hospital sector, the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria in recent years, especially in the field of food supply has become worrying. Especially in the northwest region of Germany, where many pet farms are located, the multidrug-resistant pathogens represent a significant problem. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) 82 percent of the pigs and 86 percent of the people living in the fattening farms Pig farming are employed, populated with multidrug-resistant germs. The massive use of antibiotics in animal farms has resulted in the pathogens increasingly developing resistance. Therefore, experts have been calling for more years to regulate or control the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. Actually, the use of antibiotics is only allowed in the case of illness of the animals, but still many breeders use the medicines for the forbidden growth promotion.

Resistant pathogens jump from animals to humans
As the director of the Institute for Hospital Hygiene at the Klinikum Oldenburg, Jörg Herrmann, told the news agency „dpa“ Although the animal-associated MRSA strains are significantly less harmful to humans than the conventional variants of these bacteria, the risk should not be underestimated. Because recently, researchers at the Translational Genome Research Institute in Flagstaff in the journal „mbio“ reported that at least one strain of MRSA germs, which had first passed on to the animals from humans without resistance, subsequently became resistant through contact with antibiotics and subsequently jumped back to humans. It has been proven that this human pathogen has been caused by the careless handling of antibiotics in animal husbandry. In the end, irresponsible handling of the drugs will come back to us.

Multidrug-resistant germs pass from animal husbandry to health facilities
As the RKI confirmed in its research, many pet owners are now colonized with multidrug-resistant bacteria, which can not only be a problem for those affected, but also poses growing challenges to health care facilities. For on delivery to the hospital, those affected carry the multidrug-resistant germs to the clinics, where they can become a significant health risk. In any case, hospital infections are a serious problem that is further aggravated by the increasing resistance of the pathogens. According to a spokeswoman for the „Health Economics Northwest“ becomes „the number of hospital-related infections per year for Germany is estimated at 400,000 to 600,000; the resulting deaths at 10,000 to 15,000.“

Multi-resistant pathogens included in shopping
According to Herrmann, the multidrug-resistant germs produced in the fattening farms also reach the meat counter with the processed meat and can spread further from here. According to the director of the Institute for Hospital Hygiene at the Klinikum Oldenburg, up to 40 percent of turkey meat and 20 percent of chicken and pork meat are all multidrug-resistant. „Every day, when we go shopping, we take home such multi-resistant pathogens“, stressed the expert. Remedy could be here for example „the good, old kitchen hygiene from grandma's times“ deliver, Herrmann continues. Wash hands after each operation, use different kitchen utensils for the different ingredients and cook, fry or steam all potentially contaminated foods.

Superior bacteria
Just how serious the problem with the multidrug-resistant pathogens is already today was illustrated by Jörg Herrmann using the example of the MRSA germs. „Every fifth pus, called Staphylococcus aureus, which is detected in a patient, is such a multi-drug resistant, "said the expert „One to two percent of these pathogens are resistant, today it is 20 percent. "About one to three out of 100 inpatient hospitalized patients today are colonized with MRSA „the risk of transmission - in the hospital, in the doctor's office and in rehab“ increases significantly, explain the specialist for hospital hygiene. Originally the doctors thought they could „with the development of more and more antibiotics encounter resistance of the pathogens“, but meanwhile it is clear that the bacteria are superior to us. Because they develop significantly „faster new resistance than we new antibiotics“ he explained, he explained. (Fp)

Read about:
Multi-resistant germs in the pigsty
Resistant germs due to antibiotic animal husbandry
Multi-resistant germs on frozen chicken
Resistant bacteria in German hospitals
Risk of infection in the hospital
Hospital germs: Staphylococci prefer blood
WHO warns of antibiotic resistance

Image: Manfred Blanck