Growing threat of superbugs

As researchers become increasingly concerned about measuring and preserving biodiversity, microbiologist Hugh Pennington, at the University of Aberdeen, recently wrote that where you stand on biodiversity depends on where you sit. As a researcher working with some of the novel antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Pennington wrote of his lifelong efforts to fight biodiversity and to research all means possible to combat the emergence of new variant bacteria. For him, biodiversity amongst potential human pathogens was just bad. His worries are echoed by continuing evidence of the impact of these novel bacteria. A new study in the US has found that almost five per cent of hospital patients carried the antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, putting the prevalence of these novel bacteria at between 8 and 11 times higher than previous estimates. The survey adds to global fears that such antibiotic-resistant bacteria present a major threat to health that is under-acknowledged and understudied. A new report from the European Academies Science Advisory News focus A new report highlights the continuing and growing threat from antibiotic-resistant bacteria to human health. Nigel Williams reports. Council (Easac) aims to raise the profile of the threat facing human health. While bird flu gets headline press treatment, antibiotic-resistant bacteria routinely kill thousands of people every year with little media attention. " Antibiotic resistance is a global pandemic, " says the report. " The general trend to more widespread antibiotic resistance is relentless and, if it continues unabated, deaths from what were previously treatable infections will occur with increasing frequency. " One of the concerns highlighted is the routine use of antibiotics in farm animals to improve meat yields. And, in another move last month, the UK's Soil Association called on the British government Threatening: The antibiotic-resistant S. aureus is turning up in greater numbers amongst US hospital patients according to a recent survey.