Researchers Report First Outbreak of Antibiotic-Resistant Strep
April 22, 2002
PITTSBURGH, Pa - Late last year, a group of school children in Pittsburgh became ill with strep throat. However, officials at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh could not figure out why the group of 46 was not responding to the traditional treatment - the antibiotic erythromycin.
After further research, it was discovered that the children had the first strain of antibiotic-resistant strep. The children were successfully treated with other drugs, but an additional warning flag was raised for healthcare workers. Bacterium are adapting faster than prescriptions are being developed leaving officials worried that the over use of prescription antibiotics could lead to mass resistance.
Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been sent to the area to follow up.
