Appeal for superbug probe

By ANGELA GREGORY

Scientists want an urgent investigation into antibiotic resistance in New Zealand that could harm the economy.

In the Beehive today, a group of microbiologists will say there is evidence of a growing problem requiring a co-ordinated study.

Senior medical laboratory scientist John Aitken said there was not enough information available on antibiotic resistance.

"Antibiotic resistance is a threat not only to human health, but also to economic health because of the potential threat to food production."

He said that in 1999 an Antibiotic Resistance Steering Group was set up by the Animal Remedies Board.

Mr Aitken said the panel found sufficient scientific information to prompt action protecting the effectiveness of antibiotics.

It recommended a surveillance programme to highlight interaction between human health, animal health and food production.

But Mr Aitken said the recommendations had not been acted on and the extent of the problem remained unclear.

Mr Aitken, Otago University microbiologist Dr Greg Cook and clinical microbiologist Dr Mark Jones will present new research on resistant bacteria.

For the past six years a monitoring system had been developed and extended through the Southern Community Laboratories network to track resistant bacteria.

Mr Aitken said the laboratories took part in an international survey of penicillin-resistant bacteria, known as streptomycin pneumoniae.

"It confirmed an already-observed increase in its resistance to penicillin in New Zealand."

He said monitoring had been extended to Southern Community Laboratories' microbiology departments in Auckland, Hastings and Dunedin.

clusters of multiply resistant bacteria infections have been identified.

nteMr Aitken said present strategies for the control of antibiotic resistance in New Zealand were based on the false assumption that antibiotic resistance was dependent on the type of antibiotic used.

"Controls for the spread of antibiotic resistance therefore assume that removing the type of antibiotic being used will halt the spread of resistance.

"However, there is no evidence to support that strategy. In fact, quite the opposite."

He said there was concern many antibiotics now available to treat human disease would end up ineffective.

There was a parallel concern that the development of resistance among bacteria was outstripping the ability of the pharmaceutical industry to develop new antibacterial agents.

Herald feature: Health