Drug-resistant bacterium hits Southland healthcare facilities
Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 23:00
in Health & Medicine
Researchers find 356 cases of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae , mostly among elderly. It's a relative of E. coli , resistant to most antibiotics except colistin, a drug so powerful it can cause kidney damage. Studies in the U.S. and Israel have shown about 40% of infected patients die.A dangerous drug-resistant bacterium has reached Southern California healthcare facilities, according to a study released Thursday by Los Angeles County public health officials.