Changing Treatments to Fight E. coli

Doctors in Germany are trying a treatment that might be risky to fight severe Escherichia coli infections. They are treating some patients with antibiotics as soon as they enter the hospital. The Associated Press wrote about it June 7. The E. coli outbreak in Europe has affected more than 2,600 people in the last month. Antibiotics are commonly used to kill bacteria that cause illness. But E. coli infections are different. The illness is caused by toxins rather than the bacteria. Many doctors fear that killing the bacteria quickly could release more toxins. This could kill the patient. Most hospital cases are treated with intravenous fluids. But the World Health Organization and U.S. health officials say antibiotics may be used in special cases. Doctors treating people in the latest outbreak said they tried antibiotics because the cases have been so severe.