ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
      • Culture & Society
      • Bizarre Stories
      • Lifestyle
      • Art and Music
      • Gaming
      • Books
      • Movies and Shows
    • Resources
      • How To
      • Science Careers
      • Metascience
      • Fringe Science
      • Science Experiments
      • School and Study
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

E. coli superbugs linked to poor hygiene and not contaminated food

E. coli may cause food poisoning, urinary tract infections, or intestinal infections.

Fermin Koop by Fermin Koop
October 24, 2019
in Diseases, Health, News, Science

Despite it has usually been associated with undercooked chicken or other food, antibiotic-resistant E. coli is actually more likely to be spread through poor toilet hygiene, according to new research.

Credit Wikipedia Commons

Millions of bacteria naturally populate the guts of humans and animals alike, with different species coexisting in a fine balance that ensures a state of health. Some strands of E. coli form part of the natural gut microbiome and are usually harmless.

However, sometimes, a person may come into contact with strains of this bacterium that have developed antibiotic resistance. When this happens, E. coli may cause food poisoning, urinary tract infections, or intestinal infections.

Two possible sources of E. coli infections are contaminated food items and poor personal hygiene. But it remains unclear which one of these sources is most likely to lead to infection, and that is what researchers set out to learn.

In their study, published in The Lancet, the researchers collected antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains from meat (chicken, pork, and beef), animal slurry, salad, and fruit, on the one hand, and human bloodstream infections, feces, and sewage, on the other. The samples came from the National Health Service (NHS) laboratories.

Typically, antibiotic-resistant strains of this bacterium feature extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), enzymes that neutralize the action of antibiotics that people use to fight E. coli, such as penicillin and cephalosporin. Scientists refer to such strains of E. coli as "ESBLs-E. coli."

The researchers' analysis revealed that resistant E. coli strains present in the samples of human blood, feces, and sewage had lots of similarities. The dominant strain present in samples of human origin was ST131. In samples of food, however, the researchers found barely any traces of ST131. Instead, they noticed the presence of other ESBL-E. coli strains.

The almost complete lack of a crossover of E. coli strains between samples of human origin and those taken from contaminated foods suggested to the study authors that most infections with antibiotic-resistant E. coli are, most likely, transmitted from human to human as a result of poor hygiene practices.

"Critically — there's a little crossover between strains from humans, chickens, and cattle. The great majority of strains of ESBL-E. coli causing human infections aren't coming from eating chicken, or anything else in the food chain," notes Prof. Livermore. "Rather — and unpalatably — the likeliest route of transmission for ESBL-E. coli is directly from human to human.”

Still, researchers noted that the findings do not mean people should stop being careful about how they handle foods, as food remains a source of infection.

"We need to carry on cooking chicken well and never to alternately handle raw meat and salad," the lead author says. "There are plenty of important food-poisoning bacteria, including other strains of E. coli, that do go down the food chain."

Tags: E. Colifoodhygiene

ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2023 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
      • Culture & Society
      • Bizarre Stories
      • Lifestyle
      • Art and Music
      • Gaming
      • Books
      • Movies and Shows
    • Resources
      • How To
      • Science Careers
      • Metascience
      • Fringe Science
      • Science Experiments
      • School and Study
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2023 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don't you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can't be wrong. Don't worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW