Troubling Bacteria Found In Meat As New Strain Emerges In Quebec
Posted October 27, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
C. difficile is a bug that forms in the intestines of people who are taking antibiotics. The drugs kill off the kind of bacteria that’s normally in our systems, allowing what’s often called “c. diff” to run rampant.
The result: severe diarrhea, which can last weeks or even months and can reoccur without warning. In some severe cases, it can be fatal.
Nine people have already died in Quebec from what researchers fear is a new and more powerful strain of the infection. And officials have no idea where it’s coming from or how to treat it.
It follows a disturbing report earlier this month that symptoms of C. difficile had begun showing up in people who haven’t been in a hospital environment or exposed to antibiotics, and that has the experts worried.
Where was it coming from? Authorities suspect it could be in the food we eat, after traces of the bug were found in processed meats sold in both the U.S. and Canada. And while it used to be a problem mainly for the elderly and the frail, more young people appear to be contracting it.
It’s already believed responsible for at least 2,000 deaths in Quebec between 2003 and 2004. And outbreaks have also been noted in B.C., the U.S. and Europe.
Doctors think the meat angle is worth exploring, noting there has to be a way it’s spreading to the general public.
“I don’t think we know what it means, but it’s a serious concern and it could potentially be contributing to cases, not only in the community but in hospitals as well,” notes Dr. Dale Gerding, of Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital in Chicago.
Separate research was done at the University of Guelph and the University of Arizona. Both found C. diff in ground beef, veal, turkey and pork, pork sausage, chorizo, summer sausage and liverwurst.
Nearly 18 percent of the samples tested in Ontario contained the bug.
Still not everyone is convinced of the meat of the matter. “The bottom line is that we don’t have any evidence to say that C. difficile is a foodborne illness, that people get it from foods,” cautions Dr. Clifford McDonald of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
But others insist we can’t wait to find out.
“That’s one of our priorities, to start doing the types of studies to determine whether people who eat certain foods would be at increased risk over other persons who don’t eat those foods,” suggests the CDC’s Dr. Clifford McDonald.
If you wind up getting it, make sure you take it seriously. Because it can be a killer.
“It can do so much damage to your colon that it may necessitate the removal of your bowel,” warns Mt. Sinai infectious disease specialist Dr. Alison McGeer.
But researchers believe you shouldn’t stop eating the meats involved just yet. “It’s not to say that you should fear eating meat, we just need to figure out if it’s part of the problem,” McGeer advises.
Adding to the concern – C. difficile is a spore-forming bacteria, which means improperly cooked meat could allow it to survive. Experts say broiling the varieties involved at temperatures of 80C for 10 minutes is the only way to be sure you’ve killed it.
Here’s an overview of the bug and what you can do about it.
What is it?
Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming bacterium commonly found in nature.
What does it do in humans?
Nothing happens to most people who ingest C. diff spores. But in those whose gut flora (the normal bacteria that inhabit our gastrointestinal tracts) has been disrupted by antibiotics, C. difficile can take root and cause serious disease.
What kind of disease?
C. difficile triggers a severe, recurrent and hard to treat diarrhea. Relapses are common, sometimes over weeks and months. In severe cases it can destroy the colon. It can be fatal.
What’s new?
Research teams in Ontario and Arizona have found C. diff spores in a range of ground and processed meats, raising suspicions some people may be becoming infected by eating meat. But that is only a theory at the moment.
How To Minimize Your Risk
You may not be willing to give up eating meat and there’s still no proof that’s the problem. But being sure it’s exposed to the necessary temperatures can keep you safe until more research is done.
If you work in a hospital or nursing home, make sure you wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom. If there’s a hand sanitizer available, use it.
Don’t overindulge in antibiotics – especially when they’re not necessary. But if you are taking them to fight off something, don’t stop even if you start to feel better. That’s how the bugs develop their resistance.
What If You Or Loved Ones Already Have It?
It’s tough to get rid of, but there are things you can do to minimize your risks.
- Drink lots of fluids. Tea, apple juice and water are the best. But stay away from carbonated soft drinks, orange juice or other citrus products, which can aggravate the symptoms. Caffeine is a problem, too.
- Eat smaller meals more often. This helps to promote more normal bowel movements.
- Eat foods that ease diarrhea, like rice, bananas, and toast.
- Avoid foods that will aggravate your stomach and colon, such as high fat or fried meals.
- Anything spicy is a also a trigger.
