Deadly hospital germs spread to public spaces

NEW DELHI: A recent study has found that hospital strains, which were found to be resistant to several drugs and caused high mortality, are now spreading into communities as well.

Essentially, the bacteria causing infections which are mostly found in hospitals are now seen in public spaces as well.

Be it one's home, office or any other space, multidrug-resistant bacteria are now everywhere.

The study, conducted by researchers at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, involved 201 patients who did not come into contact with any health care facility in last three months or more.

Infections due to multidrug resistant organisms have become a serious health concern worldwide.

"The results are extremely worrying. The incidence of resistance among bacteria has increased and is spreading in the community.

"The main reasons for this are the spread of classically 'hospital' strains, particularly resistant Klebseilla and E. Coli, into the community and vice versa, and the repeated admissions of individuals to hospitals with long standing underlying diseases," said Dr Sumit Ray.

"Increased use of antibiotics in animals and by humans and changing environment are few reasons for the spread of this resistant bacteria in the community.

"Many a time, patients who go back from the hospital carry back a little bit of the infection to the community," added Dr Ray.

Of the 5,309 patients screened from the database admitted to ICU, 3,822 (71.9 per cent) were infected on the day of admission or within 48 hours of admission.

Of the 3,822 patients, 1,452 patients were cultivating positive microbial cultures. Among these, 201 bacterial strains were isolated from patients, who had community acquired infections.

"The resistance to high end antibiotics by organisms contracted by patients in the community resulting in high mortality, seen in our study, is a cause for worry and needs further research and proper action plan," Dr Ray further said.