Doctors warn of antibiotic-resistant colon bacteria
Outbreaks of infections with enterococci bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics have been reported in Flanders, and doctors are concerned that it will spread
Fatal blood poisoning
The bacteria don’t pose a danger to healthy people and even help the digestion process. But among weaker people, like the elderly and cancer patients, the bacteria can end up in the bloodstream and cause fatal blood poisoning. Resistant enterococci are often transmitted to weaker people by healthy family members, doctors and health-care staff.
In recent years, there have been increasing numbers of infections with resistant enterococci bacteria in hospitals, rest homes and among patients living at home. There were 18 cases of resistant enterococci in Belgium in 2009; the number rose to 103 in 2012 and to 381 cases so far this year.
To deal with the problem, doctors are advised to prescribe fewer antibiotics, which increase the risk of resistance. Strict hygiene measures are also essential. As care is increasingly provided outside hospitals to save money, it makes monitoring more difficult. Hygiene measures are less easily implemented in patients’ homes.
Until now, the outbreaks have been limited to about 20 hospitals in the region of Antwerp and in the border region with France. Doctors believe it’s only a matter of time until it spreads.
