Intestinal inflammation: dangerous germ spreads

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MunichThe numbers are alarming: Within five years, infections with a particularly dangerous intestinal germ in Germany have almost tripled. Older people over 70 years of age are particularly affected.

Colon like a balloon

Clostridium difficile is one of the most common hospital germs. It is found in 20 to 40 percent of patients - but most of them show no symptoms. Outside of hospitals, the bacterium is only detectable in the intestines in less than five percent of cases. The reason: "Antibiotics promote the spread of the intestinal germ," explains Dr. Bettina Weiß from the Robert Koch Institute to The drugs pushed back other intestinal bacteria so that the clostridia could multiply quickly. Then the toxins of the bacteria attack the intestinal wall and paralyze the muscles. In the worst case, the colon can expand like a balloon.

Use antibiotics in a more targeted manner

While 626 cases of pseudomembranous colitis were reported in 2008, there were already 1715 in 2013. Of these, 1122 diseases were severe and 659 patients died. “The fact that the numbers have almost tripled is certainly also due to the fact that the cases of illness are recorded more reliably today,” says Weiß. The actual increase cannot therefore be estimated at the moment. However, it may also have something to do with demographic change, because it is predominantly older people who are infected Clostridium difficile are concerned. "These data remind us once again to use antibiotics very specifically," said infection specialist Prof. Ansgar Lohse from the Hamburg-Eppendorf Clinic to "Die Welt".

Wash your hands!

One can become infected through direct contact with people with diarrhea. The transmission can also take place indirectly - via dirty surfaces and objects. "To protect yourself, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap if you come into contact with possible sources of infection, for example after a visit to the hospital," recommends Weiss. The elderly, patients with chronic illnesses, or people who have recently taken antibiotics are particularly at risk of developing pseudomembranous colitis. (away)

Source: Robert Koch Institute: Epidemiological Bulletin, Severe Clostridium difficile infections: IfSG survey data from 2013, July 7, 2014.

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