WHO confirms mutation of the bacterium E. Colli

June 2, 2011.- The World Health Organization confirmed the existence of two mutations of the bacterium Escherichia coli, which has killed 17 people in Germany and one in Sweden.

The new strains could explain the aggression who suffered the victims as experts said they are more resistant to antibiotics and cling to the intestine for longer. They also have the capacity to generate more toxins. Apparently these mutations are from the combination of two different bacteria: E. coli O104, identified in 2005 in Korea, which contributes 80% of the genes and another that is responsible for producing very harmful toxins.

While scientists have succeeded in detecting these mutations, the cures will not come in the short term as to produce new drugs will require considerable time. Therefore, the prognosis of the health authorities is not very encouraging in Europe, since they suspect that there are thousands of people who are incubating the bacteria, so the number of hospitalizations could increase with every passing day as the killings.