A new superbug is invading British hospitals. Officials believe that GRE could be the worst superbug of all since it attacks the sickest of patients and helps MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) bacteria – those that are resistant to most antibiotics –thrive in dirty environments.
GRE (glycopeptides-resistant enterococcal) is a form of enterococci bacteria, which is found in the bowels, and it infects wounds, causes blood poisoning and infections of the urinary tract, abdomen, pelvis, and heart valves. Infections in Great Britain have skyrocketed 50 percent in only two years.
The biggest danger may be that GRE is resistant to a class of antibiotics called glycopeptides, which includes vancomycin and teicoplanin. Glycopeptides are some of the few antibiotics that are still effective against MSRA.
“GRE is very resistant to antibiotics, especially vancomycin,” said Dr. Mark Enright of Imperial College, London. “Vancomycin is the last-ditch antibiotic we use against MRSA.
“It is crucial that MRSA doesn’t become resistant to vancomycin because then it would be almost untreatable.”
Two antibiotics, linezolid and synercid, are still effective against GRE, but some strains are developing a resistance to them.
Since GRE usually attacks people who are very sick to begin with, unlike MRSA which normally attacks healthy people, it is very difficult to tell if a patient died from GRE or from another cause.
Experts say GRE can be controlled by diligent hand washing and the cleaning of all equipment following each use. They also advise that antibiotics be prescribed only to those who really need them.
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