The bacteria Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are named for their ability to fight off carbapenem antibiotics which are recognized the last line of defense in the fight. Enterobacteriaceae is a family of bacteria, which live in our everyday environment, in places like water and soil. This family of bacteria is known to cause pneumonia, kidney and bladder infections, and bloodstream infections. But thankfully most can be treated with antibiotics. But because of antibiotic overuse many Enterobacteriaceae have adapted and become resistant. So far, CRE has emerged almost only in hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities; however, mostly only the weakest of patients are being affected. In the USA TODAY's research there have been thousands of CRE cases throughout the country in recent years but crazily enough they show up as everything from pneumonia to intestinal and urinary tract infections. Like trying to find a lost kid at the fair, nearly impossible to just pick out. The CRE bacteria's ability to defeat the most potent antibiotics there is, has scared a good number of people for illnesses that now can't be stopped. Death rates among patients with CRE infections can be about 40%, which is a whole lot worse compared to other more widely known health care infections like MRSA, which have troubled health care facilities everywhere. But the main and most common concern is CRE being found within the general "healthy" community.
The bacteria CRE infections have already been and are endemic in several major U.S. areas, including that of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, which are among the top 5 most populous cities in the country. But even smaller scale rural areas have seen cases reported in places like Oregon, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina. The biggest challenge is containing the spread of CRE, however, first the must figure out where it is coming from, who it's most common in and how will they prevent it. "There is no billing code for CRE infections under Medicare or Medicaid, the health care programs for the elderly, poor and disabled, and there's no federal reporting requirement for the infections. So getting a reliable national picture of prevalence or where cases are concentrated is a challenge." -- USA TODAY It's apparent that CRE is spreading and it is spreading rapidly. "But the bacteria are there to stay, lurking somewhere, invisible and always a threat."
A parasite of the roundworm classification Trichinella is is known to cause a disease called trichinellosis. Trichinellosis is a parasitic disease caused by eating raw or undercooked pork or wild game infected with the larvae of trichinella. There are eight Trichinella species; five are encapsulated and three are not. Spiralis is more adapted to pigs and is most pathogenic in human. Britovi is the second most common of Trichinella to infect humans usually you can find it in wild boar and domesticated pigs. Nativa has a high resistance to freezing, pretty much only found in the arctic and subarctic regions; this is usually in polar bears, arctic foxes, walruses and other animals indigenous to arctic climates. Nelsoni, found primarily in eastern Africa, has been documented to cause a few human cases. Murrelli spreads mostly through black bear meat and it is distributed among wild carnivorous populations. Now to the non-encapsulated species, Pseudospiralis infects birds but also had been found in the human population as well. Papuae infects both mammals and reptiles, including crocodiles, humans, and pigs. Zimbabwensis can infect mammals but not much in the human population; mostly only been detected in reptiles of Africa. Most animals are exposed to the parasite by either feeding of animal with products contaminated with Trichinella, exposure to infected rodents or other infected wildlife or cannibalism within an infected herd.
Trichinella infection can be prevented, by cooking properly or by freezing pork. However, freezing pork is not an effective method for killing the larvae itself. When cooking a food thermometer should be used to measure the internal temperature of cooked meat. Do not sample meat until it is completely and thoroughly cooked. To aid in prevention of a Trichinella infection in animal populations, do not allow animals to eat uncooked meat, scraps, or carcasses of any other animals that may be infected with Trichinella. The Trichinella parasite is one that is easy to come in contact with and become infected with, if you are not careful. Be cautious with meat sources and hunting. Be aware of where the meat comes from what region you live in and the risks of Trichinella.
So far, CRE has emerged almost only in hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities; however, mostly only the weakest of patients are being affected. In the USA TODAY's research there have been thousands of CRE cases throughout the country in recent years but crazily enough they show up as everything from pneumonia to intestinal and urinary tract infections. Like trying to find a lost kid at the fair, nearly impossible to just pick out.
