Showing posts with label e.coli. Show all posts

Wednesday 30 November 2011

e.coli- Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase e. coli 'not from Singleton Hospital

Singleton Hospital's maternity unit is still open for full-term births

A mother suspected to have contracted an E. coli strain at a maternity unit where two premature babies have died did not pick up the bug at the hospital, say health chiefs.

Her case was initially one of two investigated at Singleton Hospital's maternity and neonatal unit.

Tests now show the mother was carrying a different ESBL E. coli sub-type.

The other case was a premature baby who died after contracting the strain at the unit.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University Health Board, which runs the hospital, said a second baby who died at the unit had contracted ESBL E. coli elsewhere.

ABM announced on Friday a third baby had tested positive but showed no symptoms.

Tests are under way to see if that baby has the same sub-type as the cross-infection, or whether it is unconnected.

What is ESBL E. coli?

ESBL E. coli is not the same as the E. coli O157 which causes food poisoning
ESBL stands for Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase
ESBL E. coli is most often found in the gastrointestinal tract but may cause urinary tract infections
ESBL E. coli is resistant to commonly-used antibiotics such as penicillin, but can be treated
In most people ESBL E. coli does not cause harm but in vulnerable individuals it can cause serious infections
Source: ABM health board

ABM said in a statement: "While these tests are under way, as a continuing precaution, the neonatal unit is restricted to routine admission for babies over 36 weeks' gestation only.

"We are also taking additional precautions, including restricting visitors to the maternity unit and continuing to ask visitors to wash their hands and use hand hygiene gel."

Two other people in the maternity unit were also found to have been infected, but contracted it outside the hospital.

Officials have stressed that ESBL E. coli is not the same as E. coli O157 which causes food poisoning.

They say a very small proportion of people carry ESBL E. coli harmlessly in their body.

ABM added: "Our investigations into the cross infection have not yet identified how the ESBL E. coli was transmitted, but we continue to do all we can to determine the cause.

"However, in other similar instances of this kind elsewhere in the UK the cause of transmission was never identified."

Tuesday 22 November 2011

a very premature baby who died after contracting ESBL E. coli at the city's Singleton Hospital.

Singleton Hospital, where a premature baby has died from suspected E.coli

A premature baby has died after contracting a form of E.coli while on the neonatal unit at Singleton Hospital, in Swansea.

Hope Erin Evans died aged just five days after being born "very premature" and contracting the the ESBL strain of E.coli.

Another baby has died and another three people are ill after an outbreak of the same antibiotic-resistant form of the infection.

Health officials were yesterday investigating the five cases which include baby Hope and a new mother in a maternity ward.

The second death happened "in the community" outside the hospital but health chiefs believe the cases were linked.

Doctors are investigating how the cross-infection happened between the two dead babies - the second child wasn't being named.

Admissions to the neonatal unit have now been restricted as a "precaution" to babies born at 36 weeks gestation or more.

Hope was born in the hospital on October 31 but was never taken home by her parents after contracting the illness.

An inquest has been opened. Her father Jonathan gave evidence that she died on November 4 in the hospital.

A hospital spokesman said: "ESBL E.coli is most often found in the gastrointestinal tract but may cause urinary tract infections.

"It is resistant to commonly used antibiotics such as penicillins, but can be treated."

Dr Bruce Ferguson, medical director of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, which runs Singleton Hospital, said: "ABM University Health Board, supported by Public Health Wales, is investigating two cases of ESBL E.coli cross infection in the maternity-neonatal unit at Singleton Hospital.

"Tests have confirmed that in one of these cases the ESBL E.coli infection was contracted in the hospital.

"Sadly, this was a very premature baby who, despite the best efforts of staff, later died. The cause of death of this baby is currently being investigated by the coroner.

"Everyone involved with the unit and in the care of this baby deeply regret this tragic loss."

The second case is understood to involve a mother who tested positive for ESBL E.coli but who has not shown any symptoms and has not required treatment.

It is thought the woman also contracted the infection while in hospital.

These two cases, which are being investigated, are linked to three other confirmed cases of ESBL E.coli where the infection was contracted outside hospital.

Another young baby who contracted the infection also died.

Dr Ferguson said: "These appear to be isolated incidents, which have been contained, and there is no evidence of the infection spreading further.

"Checks have been taken of patients, equipment and areas in the maternity-neonatal unit and no evidence of ESBL E.coli has been found.

"The unit has an excellent record for hand-hygiene and general infection control adherence. Reported infection levels in the unit have been below the national average in recent years.

"Nevertheless we have taken extra precautions. For example, the obstetric theatres have undergone a deep clean and cleaning has been increased in the neonatal and labour wards.

"As a precaution, we have temporarily restricted the neonatal unit to admissions for babies of 36-weeks and over gestation. This is under constant review and we anticipate lifting this restriction shortly.

"All routine full-term births are continuing at the Singleton maternity unit as normal.

"We would like to reassure expectant mothers due to give birth in Singleton Hospital that the maternity unit is open as usual for full-term births.

"However, any mothers-to-be who have concerns or questions should speak to their community midwife in the first place."

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes which can be produced by bacteria making them resistant to antibiotics widely-used in many hospitals.

A new class of ESBLs have emerged and been detected in E.coli bacteria. ESBL-producing E.coli are resistant to penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics.

A helpline has been set up for women who are due to give birth at Singleton Hospital and are concerned. It can be contacted on 07747 615 627.

Two babies die, three other E. coli cases in Swansea

Singleton Hospital's maternity unit is still open for full-term births

Two babies have died after an E. coli infection, health officials in Swansea have confirmed.

One was a very premature baby who died after contracting ESBL E. coli at the city's Singleton Hospital.

The other baby died in the community but doctors say the cases were linked. How the cross-infection occurred is being investigated.

As a precaution the unit, which has undergone a deep clean, is only open for full-term births.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of one of the babies, Hope Erin Evans from Aberdare, south Wales, who was just five days old when she died at the hospital on 4 November.

'Tragic loss'

Three other non-fatal cases have been confirmed but Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University Health Board said they appeared to be isolated incidents.

The board's medical director Dr Bruce Ferguson said: "Tests have confirmed that in one of these cases the ESBL E.coli infection was contracted in the hospital.

What is ESBL E. coli?

ESBL E. coli is not the same as the E.coli O157 which causes food poisoning
ESBL stands for Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamose
ESBL E. coli is most often found in the gastrointestinal tract but may cause urinary tract infections
ESBL E. coli is resistant to commonly-used antibiotics such as penicillin, but can be treated
In most people ESBL E. coli does not cause harm but in vulnerable individuals it can cause serious infections
Source: ABM health board

"Sadly, this was a very premature baby who, despite the best efforts of staff, later died.

"The cause of death of this baby is currently being investigated by the coroner. Everyone involved with the unit and in the care of this baby deeply regret this tragic loss."

The other baby contracted the infection outside the hospital.

Dr Ferguson reassured expectant mothers due to give birth in Singleton Hospital that the maternity unit is open as usual for full-term births.

As a precaution, the health board has temporarily restricted the neonatal unit to admissions for babies of 36 weeks gestation, or longer.

"These appear to be isolated incidents which have been contained, and there is no evidence of the infection spreading further," Dr Ferguson added.

"Checks have been taken of patients, equipment and areas in the maternity/neonatal unit and no evidence of ESBL E. coli has been found.

"Very saddened"

"The unit has an excellent record for hand-hygiene and general infection control adherence. Reported infection levels in the unit have been below the national average in recent years."

Analysis

Hywel GriffithBBC Wales Health correspondent

The investigation into these cases will concentrate on the history of contact between all five people involved.

This means looking at any links they have in the community as well as what happened at Singleton Hospital.

It will be vital to establish whether any of the regular infection control measures used in neonatal units have been breached.

This was the suspicion in the last major outbreak of ESBL e.coli in 2008 at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

An official report concluded that the bacteria there spread via the hands of staff or shared equipment, although no definitive evidence was found.

Managers in Swansea have already stressed their 'excellent record for hand-hygiene and general infection control'. They will need to be sure that every possible precaution was taken.

Microbiologist Prof Hugh Pennington told BBC Radio Wales ESBL E. coli caused problems for young babies because their immune systems were not well-developed.

"These bugs . . . are really quite good at getting about and once they get into something like a neonatal unit, history tells us with other related bugs they can be really quite difficult to eradicate.

"I'm sure that the people at Singleton are doing their utmost to make sure that there aren't any problems.

"They have restricted admission to the very young babies because they are the ones really at risk from this particular nasty bug. It's a very reasonable approach to take."

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said she was "very saddened" to hear of the two deaths.

Conservative health spokesman Darren Millar AM expressed his condolences for the families involved, adding: "This is obviously an incredibly serious case and I urge the health minister to update us on the current situation and the next planned steps as soon as possible.

"While I recognise these infections appear to be isolated and contained, those using the hospital will expect regular reassurances from the Welsh government in the immediate future."

Anxious people

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said the deaths were a "terrible tragedy".

"While the unit is temporarily closed for some patients, pregnant women in the area who are expected to deliver at the unit need to be reassured that there are alternatives set in place," she added.

"Guarantees are needed that other units that will have to take pre-term mothers have the resources to cope.

Any mothers-to-be who have concerns or questions should speak to their community midwife in the first place. In addition a help line has also been set up: 07747 615627.

Sunday 2 October 2011

Leek and potato soil linked to E. coli outbreak

Richard Westcott reports on the findings

Soil stuck on leeks and potatoes may have been the source of an E. coli outbreak in the UK earlier this year, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

There were 250 cases scattered across England, Wales and Scotland between December 2010 and July 2011.

The Food Standards Agency said it was a "myth" that dirt did no harm.

The HPA stressed that the vegetables were safe to eat, but reminded people to ensure their food was washed.

Most of the cases were mild, but 74 people needed to go to hospital and one patient, who had underlying health problems, died.

Details of the outbreak were reported weekly to health professionals, but have only just been publicised to the general public.

A spokesperson said: "At the outset it was not clear what was causing the outbreak and we had no information that would have enabled the public to take any steps to protect themselves."

The disease was caused by a rare strain of E. coli called O157 PT8 which is different from the strain that caused the widespread outbreak in Germany.

'Timely reminder'

Infected people were 40 times more likely to have been in a household where loose leeks were handled and 12 times more likely to have been in a household which bought sacked potatoes than people who stayed infection-free.

Dr Bob Adak, head of the HPA's outbreak control team, said: "The vegetables could have carried traces of contaminated soil.

"It is possible people caught the infection from cross-contamination in storage, inadequate washing of loose vegetables, insufficient hand washing after handling the vegetables or by failing to thoroughly clean kitchen equipment, utensils or surfaces after preparing the vegetables."

Dr Andrew Wadge, chief scientist at the Food Standards Agency, said: "It's sadly a myth that a little bit of dirt doesn't do you any harm.

"Soil can sometimes carry harmful bacteria and, although food producers have good systems in place to clean vegetables, the risk can never be entirely eliminated.

"This outbreak is a timely reminder that it is essential to wash all fruits and vegetables, including salad, before you eat them."

Leek and potato soil linked to E. coli outbreak

Tuesday 5 July 2011

E. coli outbreaks linked to Egypt

Egyptian fenugreek seeds have been linked to both outbreaks

E. coli outbreaks in Germany and France could have come from seeds sourced in Egypt, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has said.

A report said there was still "much uncertainty", but fenugreek seeds imported in 2009 and 2010 "had been implicated in both outbreaks".

More than 4,000 people were infected during the German outbreak, 48 died.

Investigators traced the source back to a bean sprout farm in Bienenbuettel, Lower Saxony.

The outbreak in Bordeaux affected 15 people and was linked to seeds sold by a firm in the UK - Thompson and Morgan, although it said there was no evidence of a link.

Linked

Both outbreaks involved the rare strain of E. coli known as O104:H4.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said the strain was so rare in humans the outbreaks were unlikely to have been isolated incidents and both were linked to eating sprouting seeds.

Food Standards Agency advice

Do not eat sprouted seeds such as alfalfa, mung beans (or bean sprouts) and fenugreek raw
Cook sprouted seeds until steaming hot throughout
Clean equipment used for sprouting seeds
Wash hands after handling seeds intended for planting or sprouting

Further investigations have been trying to determine if the source of the infection was contamination at the sites, or if they had been supplied with contaminated seeds.

The report said the German outbreak had come from seeds imported from Egypt in 2010. The outbreak in Bordeaux was linked to seeds exported in 2009 from Egypt to the UK and then sold to France.

Seeds from the UK company Thompson and Morgan are being tested by the Food Standards Agency.

In a statement the firm said: "We can confirm that our own supplier sourced this Egyptian seed, which was then supplied to us.

"Further, we can confirm that this sprouting seed was then exclusively supplied into the French garden centre market."

The report added there could be more outbreaks of the deadly E. coli as "other batches of potentially contaminated seeds are still available within the European Union and perhaps outside".

The ECDC and the European Food Safety Authority "strongly recommend advising consumers not to grow sprouts for their own consumption and not to eat sprouts or sprouted seeds unless they have been cooked thoroughly" until their investigations are complete.

Sunday 26 June 2011

British seed firm 'linked to French E. coli outbreak'

Sales of mustard, rocket and fenugreek seeds from Thompson and Morgan have been halted in France

Officials are investigating a possible link between seeds sold by a UK firm and an E. coli outbreak in France.

News agency AFP said 10 people have been affected by E. coli in Bordeaux.

It is thought a number of them had eaten rocket and mustard vegetable sprouts, believed to have been grown from seeds sold by Thompson and Morgan.

The Ipswich-based company told the BBC it had no evidence of a link. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said no E. coli cases had been reported in the UK.

However, it has revised its guidance and is advising people not to eat raw sprouted seeds, including alfalfa, mung beans (or beansprouts) and fenugreek.

The agency said these should only be eaten if cooked until steaming hot throughout.

A spokeswoman for Thompson and Morgan said the company sold "hundreds of thousands of packets of these seeds" throughout France, the UK and other parts of Europe every year.

"We are very confident the problem is not with our seeds. People can still grow these seeds and use these seeds with absolute confidence," she said.

Food Standards Agency advice

Do not eat sprouted seeds such as alfalfa, mung beans (or beansprouts) and fenugreek raw
Cook sprouted seeds until steaming hot throughout
Clean equipment which has been used for sprouting seeds
Wash hands after handling seeds intended for planting or sprouting

"For such a small number of people to have been affected, it does suggest that the problem is perhaps in the local area, how the seeds have been handled or how they have been grown, rather than the actual seeds themselves."

The company was co-operating fully with investigations, she added.

Paul Hansord, the company's managing director, said: "We make sure that everything we do is to a high standard."

He said the firm bought its seeds in bulk from suppliers around the world. The affected seeds may have been sourced from Italy.

Thompson and Morgan also said they did not raise any seeds, instead selling packets via mail order to gardeners.

Seven of those affected by the E. coli outbreak, who ate the sprouts at a country fair at Begres near Bordeaux, needed hospital treatment.

Click to play

Helen Johns, Thompson and Morgan: 'It does suggest the problem is in the local area'

Close contact

The FSA says it is asking the company for more information about the seeds.

There is no suggestion of a link to the German E. coli outbreak, which came from bean sprouts grown on an organic farm, but two people are said to be infected with a similar strain.

Frederic Lefebvre, France's secretary of state for consumer affairs, was quoted by AFP recommending "consumers who bought these same products not use them".

Mr Lefebvre added: "The link between the symptoms and eating of the sprouts so far has not been definitively established."

The sale of the three seed types - mustard, rocket and fenugreek - has been halted in France.

Thompson and Morgan have provided samples of these seeds to investigators in the UK.

An FSA spokesman told the BBC: "We have been in contact with the French authorities about this outbreak and are aware that a UK business has been named in connection with it.

"No cases of food poisoning have been reported in the UK linked with the outbreak in France but we are in close contact with the Health Protection Agency.

"We have asked for further information from the French authorities with regard to the three named type of seeds to help us carry out investigations in the UK."

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Deaths from E. coli still rising in Germany

Test samples of bean sprouts in a German lab, 10 Jun 11

Investigators still want to know how bean sprouts became contaminated

Europe's E. coli outbreak

The death toll has risen to 35 in Germany's E. coli epidemic and health officials say about 100 patients have severe kidney damage.

The source of infection has been identified as bean sprouts from an organic farm in northern Germany.

At least 3,255 people have fallen ill, mostly in Germany, of whom at least 812 have a complication that can be fatal.

About 100 patients with damaged kidneys will need transplants or life-long dialysis, one health expert said.

Karl Lauterbach, an epidemiologist who is also an opposition Social Democrat (SPD) politician, warned that E. coli infections were growing worldwide.

Since the start of the outbreak in May, all but one of the deaths have been in Germany.

Investigators say they believe organic bean sprouts from a farm in Bienenbuettel, Lower Saxony, were responsible. The farm's produce has been withdrawn from sale.

Several workers from the farm have fallen ill with the virulent new E. coli strain.

Biological challenge

Germany's national disease agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), said the death toll rose to 35 at the weekend, but the rate of new infections was declining.

Yet it is still not clear how the bean sprouts became contaminated with the bug, which normally lives in the guts of cattle and sheep.

Health advice

Wash fruit and vegetables before eating them
Peel or cook fruit and vegetables
Wash hands regularly to prevent person-to-person spread of E. coli strain

Source: UK Health Protection Agency

Health experts quoted by the Associated Press news agency said the toxin produced by the new E. coli bug in Germany was especially potent.

The German strain causes not only bloody diarrhoea but also neurological disorders, including paralysis in some cases. The potentially fatal complication is called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).

Tests show that the strain has genes that make it resistant to many antibiotics.

Germany plans to tighten its checks on fresh vegetables and there are calls to speed up lab reporting procedures.

Consumer Affairs Minister Ilse Aigner said she had asked regional authorities across Germany to prioritise checks on growers and importers of bean sprouts, including handlers of imported seeds.

Germany has lifted its warning against eating raw cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce, but kept it in place for the sprouts.

The European Commission has offered 210m euros (£186m; $303m) to European farmers who have seen a dramatic loss of income since the outbreak started in early May.

Initially Germany mistakenly blamed Spanish cucumbers - a move which brought some Spanish vegetable exporters to a standstill.

mengele plus

Wednesday 30 November 2011

e.coli- Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase e. coli 'not from Singleton Hospital

What is ESBL E. coli?

Tuesday 22 November 2011

a very premature baby who died after contracting ESBL E. coli at the city's Singleton Hospital.

Two babies die, three other E. coli cases in Swansea

What is ESBL E. coli?

Analysis

Sunday 2 October 2011

Leek and potato soil linked to E. coli outbreak

Leek and potato soil linked to E. coli outbreak

Tuesday 5 July 2011

E. coli outbreaks linked to Egypt

E. coli outbreaks linked to Egypt

Food Standards Agency advice

Sunday 26 June 2011

British seed firm 'linked to French E. coli outbreak'

British seed firm 'linked to French E. coli outbreak'

Food Standards Agency advice

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Deaths from E. coli still rising in Germany

Deaths from E. coli still rising in Germany

Europe's E. coli outbreak

Health advice

Featured post

More patients in Scotland given antidepressants

Wednesday 30 November 2011

What is ESBL E. coli?

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Two babies die, three other E. coli cases in Swansea

What is ESBL E. coli?

Analysis

More on This Story

From other news sites

Yahoo! UK and IrelandTwo Babies Die After E.coli Infection1 hr ago

MSN UKBabies die after E.coli infection2 hrs ago

Related Internet links

Share this page

Sunday 2 October 2011

Leek and potato soil linked to E. coli outbreak

Related Stories

More on This Story

Related Stories

Related Internet links

Around the BBC

Share this page

Tuesday 5 July 2011

E. coli outbreaks linked to Egypt

Related Stories

Food Standards Agency advice

More on This Story

Related Stories

Related Internet links

Around the BBC

Share this page

Sunday 26 June 2011

British seed firm 'linked to French E. coli outbreak'

Food Standards Agency advice

More on This Story

Related Stories

From other news sites

Yahoo! UK and Ireland Food watchdog advises against raw sprouted seeds 1 hr ago

ITV.com Ecoli fears over UK farm 3 hrs ago

Expatica France Britain advises 'thorough' cooking of sprouted seeds 3 hrs ago

Mirror.co.uk Seeds warning issued after French E.coli outbreak 7 hrs ago

The Independent French lay blame on British seeds for E. coli outbreak 17 hrs ago

Related Internet links

Share this page

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Deaths from E. coli still rising in Germany

Europe's E. coli outbreak

Health advice

More on This Story

Europe's E. coli outbreak

Latest news

Background and analysis

Correspondents

Video reports

From other news sites

Expatica Germany Killer bacteria toll rises to 36 9 hrs ago

FOXNews.com E. Coli Death Toll Reaches 35 as Germany Warns it Could Rise 17 hrs ago

Spiegel Online Expert Warns 100 Patients Will Need New Kidneys or Dialysis 19 hrs ago

Sydney Morning Herald German E coli death toll hits 35 35 hrs ago

Reuters UK German officials see no E.coli fault at organic farm 62 hrs ago

Related Internet links

Share this page

Featured post