New study to assess impact of ESBL E. coli in UK

The government is launching a new study into the impact of ESBL-positive E. coli in the UK in order to help combat the spread of this antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain.

Research will be carried out by Public Health England and funded by the Department of Health to establish the most significant reservoirs of ESBL E. coli, looking at sewage, farm slurry and raw meat to assess potential risks to human health.

It will also look at stool samples from patients who have no symptoms of illness to see whether the bacteria is carried in their gut.

The results from the study will help to reduce the numbers of infections – such as urinary tract infections or blood poisoning – caused by ESBL E. coli.

Professor Neil Woodford, head of the antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections reference unit at Public Health England, said: "Its results will help to shape future intervention strategies to reduce the spread of these antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and to reduce the numbers of infections that they cause."

E. coli infections can also cause infections in the intestine, with young children, older people and those with compromised immune systems at greatest risk of being affected by the bacteria.