Der Spiegel: Antibiotics Prove Powerless as Super-Germs Spread

[marmar]

Antibiotics were once the wonder drug. Now, however, an increasing number of highly resistant -- and deadly -- bacteria are spreading around the world. The killer bugs often originate in factory farms, where animals are treated whether they are sick or not. By SPIEGEL Staff

The pathogens thrive in warm, moist environments. They feel comfortable in people's armpits, in the genital area and in the nasal mucous membranes. Their hunting grounds are in the locker rooms of schools and universities, as well as in the communal showers of prisons and health clubs.

The bacteria are transmitted via the skin, through towels, clothing or direct body contact. All it takes is a small abrasion to provide them with access to a victim's bloodstream. Festering pustules develop at the infection site, at which point the pathogens are also capable of corroding the lungs. If doctors wait too long, patients can die very quickly.

This is precisely what happened to Ashton Bonds, a 17-year-old student at Staunton River High School in Bedford County, in the US state of Virginia. Ashton spent a week fighting for his life -- and lost. This is probably what also happened to Omar Rivera, a 12-year-old in New York, who doctors sent home because they thought he was exhibiting allergy symptoms. He died that same night. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,811560,00.html

[Heywood J]

1. "by the environmentalist group Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND)"

Oh, there's an unfortunate acronym.



This whole situation is a bit terrifying, especially with the totally drug-resistant TB that's appearing:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/01/invincible-tb-india/

[Rex]

2. So, do we have anything coming down the pipeline

to replace anti-biotics? Seems kinda like a waste of effort if they are going to put ABs in all our food supplies. I guess money is more important then the survival of the human race.