E.Coli and MRSA

are often mentioned recently because of fatalities resulting from infections. What used to be minor infections are becoming deadly because of mutated strains. I can still remember when my son was in a British hospital creche (where his mother worked), being infected with E. Coli (result of our visit to a 'pick your own strawberries' farm where we ate as we picked) meant having to stay away for two weeks to prevent it spreading to other children. That was 30 years ago.

E. Coli is a bacillus (Escherichia coli) normally found in the human gastrointestinal tract and existing as numerous strains, some of which are responsible for diarrheal diseases. Other strains have been used experimentally in molecular biology.

According to Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:
Species of bacterium that normally inhabits the stomach and intestines. When E. coli is consumed in water, milk, or food or is transmitted through the bite of a fly or other insect, it can cause gastrointestinal illness. Mutations can lead to strains that cause diarrhea by giving off toxins, invading the intestinal lining, or sticking to the intestinal wall. Therapy for gastrointestinal illness consists largely of fluid replacement, though specific drugs are effective in some cases. The illness is usually self-limiting, with no evidence of long-lasting effects. However, one dangerous strain causes bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, and death in extreme cases. Proper cooking of meat and washing of produce can prevent infection from contaminated food sources.

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. This organism is known for causing skin infections in addition to many other types of infections.

In 2009, research showed that many antibiotic-resistant genes and toxins are bundled and transferred together to other bacteria, which speed the development of toxic and resistant strains of MRSA. S. aureus is sometimes termed a "superbug" because of their ability to be resistant to several antibiotics.

There is a link between super strains of bacteria and modern farms:

"Right now, half of all antibiotics in the UK are used on farm animals and 60 per cent of those are given to pigs. The overuse of antibiotics in intensive farming means that these creatures provide a breeding ground for the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of diseases such as MRSA, E.coli and salmonella, which pass from animals to humans.

An investigation by Rolling Stone magazine (hardly an agricultural periodical, but it contained this great piece of journalism) revealed that hundreds and sometimes thousands of Smithfield pigs co-exist (it is somehow galling to say 'live') in a single barn without natural light or fresh air.

Unsurprisingly, many are seriously ill. A pig can be slaughtered legally in the United States only if it can walk, and many of Smithfield's swine are only capable of meeting this meagre standard by virtue of quantities of antibiotics, vaccines and insecticides.

More:

Giant factory pig farms aren't just morally wrong. They're making us ill
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2005406/DOMINIC-WEST-Giant-factory-pig-farms-arent-just-morally-wrong-Theyre-making-ill.html


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