New study: bacteria in meat related to urinary tract infections

New study: bacteria in meat related to urinary tract infections

A recently carried out study suggests that the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), which often occurs in insufficiently cooked meat, may be responsible for hundreds of thousands of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the United States, whereby women are disproportionately affected.

e. Coli is a large and diverse group of bacteria that occur in the environment, food and intestine of humans and animals. While most tribes are harmless, some diseases such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and others can cause.

researchers at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health used a new genomic approach to track down the origins of E. coli infections in the USA. They estimated that E. coli can cause between 480,000 and 640,000 HWI annually. Women get up to 30 times more often to HWI than men, with millions of women affected by HWI annually.

lance B. Price, professor of environmental and occupational medicine and founder and co-director of the GW Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, explains: "Our study provides convincing evidence that dangerous E. coli strains find their way from farm animals to people and makes people sick-sometimes really sick."

The study published in one Health included the isolation of E. coli from raw chicken, turkey and pork, which was bought in large food chains in Flagstaff, Arizona. The researchers also collected E. coli-isolates from urine and blood samples from patients who were admitted to the hospital in the same city because of HWI.

By analyzing the genomes of E. coli, the researchers developed a new prediction model of both meat and Uti patients to determine the source of the bacteria. It was also found that the food-related E. coli tribes identified in the study cause heavy kidney and bloodstream infections that can be fatal.

e. Coli, often in connection with diarrhea, is the main cause of HWI in the USA and accounts for about 85 % of cases. HWI can range from simple bladder infections treated with antibiotics to life -threatening bloodstream infections.

Frequent signs and symptoms of HWI are:

1. a strong, persistent urge to urinate
2. a burning feeling when urinating
3. Frequently excretion of small quantities
4. Trüber, darker, bloody or strong smelling urine
5. Pain or pressure in the lower abdomen
6. feel tired or shaky
7. fever or chills (a sign that the infection could have reached the kidneys)

To prevent E. coli infections, follow the guidelines on food safety:

when cooking
1. Wash your hands with water and soap before, during and after the preparation of food and before eating.
2. wash your hands after touching uncooked meat, poultry, seafood, flour or eggs. Clean worktops, cutting boards and utensils after touching one of these products.
3. rinse fresh fruit and vegetables under running water.
4. Make sure that the dishes are cooked at a safe minimum temperature.
5. keep raw meat, poultry, seafood and their juices while shopping, cooking and storing in the fridge separated from other foods.
6. Avoid eating raw dough or batter.

While many factors contribute to HWI, simple precautions against E. coli can help to minimize the risk of infection.

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