A pathologist at the University of Calgary has raised an alarm about a multi-drug resistant strain of E. coli. It is responsible for causing urinary tract and bloodstream infections that are very difficult to treat.

Dr Johann Pitout said that there is one group of antibiotics called carbapenems which is costly that can effectively attack this strain of bacteria.

Pitout warned that by using carbapenems the cost of treatment would be high putting stress on health-care budgets and overusing the powerful antibiotics can lead to new strains of antibiotic-resistant bugs that would effect the treatment.

Pitout said the spread of the bacterium is linked to the Indian subcontinent which is a high-risk area.

This multi-drug resistant strain was first detected in India in 2001. Today, it has spread to North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, Italian research published in the May 2008 issue of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, quoted.

He warned in his report that alternative treatment will not be found if E. coli superbugs become widespread.
(With Inputs from Anjali Singh)