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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Warning over new threat from MRSA | Warning over new threat from MRSA |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A new strain of MRSA seems to be triggering a deadly form of pneumonia in people who catch flu, experts say. | A new strain of MRSA seems to be triggering a deadly form of pneumonia in people who catch flu, experts say. |
| Researchers believe the new strain of the antibiotic-resistant bacterium is becoming more widespread. | Researchers believe the new strain of the antibiotic-resistant bacterium is becoming more widespread. |
| It is known as community acquired MRSA, (CA-MRSA) because, unlike most forms of the superbug, it poses a significant risk outside hospitals. | It is known as community acquired MRSA, (CA-MRSA) because, unlike most forms of the superbug, it poses a significant risk outside hospitals. |
| The potential threat is detailed in a study appearing in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases. | The potential threat is detailed in a study appearing in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases. |
| However, experts stressed cases of pneumonia caused by CA-MRSA in the UK were very rare. | |
| CA-MRSA pneumonia is particularly dangerous due to the rapid, aggressive nature of the infection Professor Mark EnrightImperial College London | CA-MRSA pneumonia is particularly dangerous due to the rapid, aggressive nature of the infection Professor Mark EnrightImperial College London |
| The researchers, from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, say death rates following infection may be higher than 50%. | The researchers, from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, say death rates following infection may be higher than 50%. |
| They warn the emergence of swine flu could intensify the problem, as CA-MRSA appears to strike people who are already ill with flu. | They warn the emergence of swine flu could intensify the problem, as CA-MRSA appears to strike people who are already ill with flu. |
| However, the just how common infections are remains unknown. | However, the just how common infections are remains unknown. |
| MRSA infections can range from boils to more severe infections of the blood, lungs and sites of surgery. | MRSA infections can range from boils to more severe infections of the blood, lungs and sites of surgery. |
| Most occur in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes. | Most occur in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes. |
| But the latest study warns that community-acquired cases are beginning to increase. | But the latest study warns that community-acquired cases are beginning to increase. |
| Writing in the journal, the researchers said: "Community-acquired MRSA infections are no longer restricted to certain risk groups or to the geographic areas where outbreaks first occurred." | Writing in the journal, the researchers said: "Community-acquired MRSA infections are no longer restricted to certain risk groups or to the geographic areas where outbreaks first occurred." |
| "They now occur widely both in the community as well as health care facilities and have been reported on every continent." | "They now occur widely both in the community as well as health care facilities and have been reported on every continent." |
| Septic shock | Septic shock |
| The latest study is based on an analysis of two cases from the US. | The latest study is based on an analysis of two cases from the US. |
| It is important to note that these infections remain uncommon in the UK Dr Angela KearnesHealth Protection Agency | |
| In both, the patients developed bacterial pneumonia, high fever and low blood pressure, and rapidly progressed to septic shock, a widespread infection that requires urgent medical attention. | In both, the patients developed bacterial pneumonia, high fever and low blood pressure, and rapidly progressed to septic shock, a widespread infection that requires urgent medical attention. |
| They both made a full recovery. | They both made a full recovery. |
| The reason why the bacterium appears so lethal remains unclear. | The reason why the bacterium appears so lethal remains unclear. |
| It was thought to have emerged from Australia in the 1990s, but initially only triggered relatively trivial skin and soft tissue problems. | It was thought to have emerged from Australia in the 1990s, but initially only triggered relatively trivial skin and soft tissue problems. |
| However, antibiotics do appear to have more effect than in standard MRSA infections. | However, antibiotics do appear to have more effect than in standard MRSA infections. |
| Professor Mark Enright, an expert in MRSA at Imperial College London, said: "Bacterial pneumonia following influenza can be very serious and in some cases fatal. | Professor Mark Enright, an expert in MRSA at Imperial College London, said: "Bacterial pneumonia following influenza can be very serious and in some cases fatal. |
| "CA-MRSA pneumonia is particularly dangerous due to the rapid, aggressive nature of the infection and the difficulty in providing effective chemotherapy. | "CA-MRSA pneumonia is particularly dangerous due to the rapid, aggressive nature of the infection and the difficulty in providing effective chemotherapy. |
| "The emergence of pandemic influenza and increased prevalence of CA-MRSA in many countries may cause increased morbidity and mortality in infected individuals." | "The emergence of pandemic influenza and increased prevalence of CA-MRSA in many countries may cause increased morbidity and mortality in infected individuals." |
| Professor Ron Cutler, of Queen Mary University Of London, said: "In the past respiratory tract infections with MRSA tended to be in the elderly in a hospital ward. | Professor Ron Cutler, of Queen Mary University Of London, said: "In the past respiratory tract infections with MRSA tended to be in the elderly in a hospital ward. |
| "These infections could have been post viral and with a weakened immune system and a poor response to antibiotics were and still are difficult to treat successfully. | "These infections could have been post viral and with a weakened immune system and a poor response to antibiotics were and still are difficult to treat successfully. |
| "The CA strains are able because of their increased toxic potential to infect a younger population." | "The CA strains are able because of their increased toxic potential to infect a younger population." |
| Serious concern | |
| Professor Richard James, of the University of Nottingham, said: "The threat from CA-MRSA in the USA is very serious concern, especially if there is a flu epidemic as this could trigger a large number of cases of necrotizing pneumonia, which has a mortality rate of more than 50% in 72 hours. | Professor Richard James, of the University of Nottingham, said: "The threat from CA-MRSA in the USA is very serious concern, especially if there is a flu epidemic as this could trigger a large number of cases of necrotizing pneumonia, which has a mortality rate of more than 50% in 72 hours. |
| "The concern is that this may be the start of an exponential increase as we saw with hospital MRSA infections in the 1990s. | "The concern is that this may be the start of an exponential increase as we saw with hospital MRSA infections in the 1990s. |
| "It took the UK 13 years to get to grips with hospital-acquired MRSA infections, we are not equipped to deal with large numbers of CA-MRSA infections in the community." | "It took the UK 13 years to get to grips with hospital-acquired MRSA infections, we are not equipped to deal with large numbers of CA-MRSA infections in the community." |
| However, the Health Protection Agency stressed that in the UK only a tiny fraction of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria carried the relevant disease-causing toxin, know as PVL. | |
| And of these, most were more likely to cause minor infections, rather than pneumonia. | |
| Dr Angela Kearnes, head of the HPA's Staphylococcus aureus reference lab, said: "Although several other countries have encountered serious problems, it is important to note that these infections remain uncommon in the UK." |