How dangerous is this superbug?
A ‘new’ kind of hospital bacteria, the Klebsiella, is regularly in the news. This bacterium has a multi-resistant variant: Klebsiella Oxa-48. Will this superbug cause problems?
Klebsiella pneumoniae are rod-shaped bacteria that occur in the mouth, intestines and on the skin. In principle, the bacterium does not cause disease, but can cause infections (pneumonia) in people with a reduced resistance. The Klebsiella Oxa-48 is a variant of the bacterium. This variant is resistant to almost all forms of antibiotics. This makes it difficult to treat an infection with this bacterium.
Reduced resistance
Healthy people generally do not get sick from the Klebsiella Oxa-48 and can carry it around without getting sick. You usually get rid of the bacteria on your own. In people with an illness, especially in a nursing home or hospital, infection with Klebsiella can cause a infection originate. You can think of pneumonia, wound infection or blood infection.
hands
Infection with Klebsiella Oxa-48 occurs through direct contact with the hands. That is why the bacterium poses a risk, especially in healthcare. The many care contacts with a patient such as dressing and undressing, showering and wound care promote the spread. The Klebsiella bacteria cannot spread through the air.
Risk
The Klebsiella bacterium is especially common in environments where certain types of antibiotics are used. Because the bacteria resistant is resistant to most types of antibiotics, it can spread easily there. In hospitals and nursing homes, infections with the Klebsiella Oxa-48 are mainly seen in patients in the intensive care unit, patients with open wounds, patients with chronic lung diseases, patients with an implant, IV or catheter and patients with a weakened immune system.
Appearance
Until now, the Klebsiella Oxa-48 was hardly found in the Netherlands, which is why it is of great importance to prevent spreading. Infected patients should therefore be treated and nursed separately. The caregivers must take extra hygiene measures, especially in the field of cleaning and hand hygiene.
To treat
Due to the antibiotic resistance, infection with the Klebsiella Oxa-48 bacteria is very difficult to treat. A special type of antibiotics will therefore have to be used. Even after contamination, hygiene is of great importance.
Sources):
