The superbug Klebsiella pneumoniae was found in meat being sold in supermarkets. The United States has been focusing all its efforts on eradicating bacteria like Campylobacter, Salmonella and Listeria in its food system since these cause numerous infections yearly. This newly discovered bacteria can cause urinary track infections, liver complications and blood stream infections, which is different from the typical symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, the Huffington Post reported.
K. pneumoniae is commonly found in livestock and pets. A study, which began in 2012, gathered bacteria from meats sold in grocery stores in Flagstaff and from urine and blood samples at Flagstaff Medical Center. The experiment concluded that the bacteria can be transported to humans from food animals. The bacteria have proven to be antibiotic-resistant, according to the Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are superbugs that are quite difficult to conquer since these adapt better to their host and may cause more dangerous illnesses. Another antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, causes lung infections and can kill immune cells which serve as a human's natural defense against pathogens. Researchers also discovered similar resistance from two other bacteria: Acinetobacter baumannii, that cause complications to hospital staff; and Vibrio cholera, which is responsible for cholera. The study is conducted to create awareness and control the spread of these pathogens and to begin developing cures for these particular infections, Fox News reported.
The fruit Bromelia pinguin L. has been recently discovered by researchers in Southern Mexico's Merida Institute of Technology and can be used to combat these superbugs. It has proteins that carry antibacterial properties. The fruit, a cousin of the pineapple, has worked against S. aureus, a bacterium commonly found in hospitals. The researchers took an interest in this particular fruit since people in Southern Mexico have use it as anti-parasitic medicine, according to Natural News.
