New strain of MRSA superbug kills two in Britain

LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) A new strain of the MRSA superbug has killed two people following an outbreak in a hospital in England, according to public health experts.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA), which monitors infectious diseases, yesterday said eight cases of the strain known as Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) have been identified.

Four people developed an infection, which destroys white blood cells that normally fight infection. A healthcare worker and a patient have died. The deaths are the first from PVL in a British hospital.

''It is the first time it has happened so far. The understanding is that the PVL-producing MRSA was introduced to the hospital from the community,'' Dr Christine McCartney, of the HPA, said in an interview. ''It is extremely rare.'' The strain had been identified previously in the community in healthy young people in Britain and other countries but cases in a hospital pose more of a public health risk.

MRSA, or methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a hospital-acquired superbug resistant to certain antibiotics.

MRSA occurs most frequently in patients with weakened immune systems in hospitals and nursing homes.

''When people contract PVL-producing strains of MRSA, they usually experience skin infection such as a boil or abscess.

Most infections can be treated successfully with everyday antibiotics but occasionally a more severe infection may occur,'' the HPA said in a statement.

The agency is advising the hospital about outbreak control measures and will monitor MRSA infection nationally.

''We are insuring that infection-control measures are stringent, as usual, and enforcing good hygiene control measures. We are fairly reassured that things are under control,'' McCartney said.

The first case was identified in September following the death of a female healthcare worker. The organism was isolated from their patient's blood and identified as a PVL-producing MRSA. It was traced back and identified in another patient who died in March.

''The trigger was the death in September,'' said McCartney.

MRSA is a growing public health problem in Britain and other nations. Britain has the worst record for MRSA infections among major European countries. In England and Wales the number of deaths linked to MRSA increased 22 per cent between 2003 and 2004. The misuse of antibiotics and poor hygiene and cleanliness standards contribute to the spread of superbugs.

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