Over 480,000 UTIs May Be Caused By E.coli Found In Keema Meat

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A new study has found that meat bacteria may cause over half a million urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the United States every year, with one of its authors warning that deaths from UTIs could be on the rise [1].

What is E. coli?

Normally, E. coli (Escherichia coli) lives in the intestines of humans, as well as in certain animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless and are even helpful in maintaining your digestive system. When you consume contaminated food or drink contaminated water, some strains may cause diarrhoea [2].

Although many of us associate E. coli with food poisoning, different types of bacteria can also cause pneumonia and urinary tract infections. It has been estimated that 75% to 95% of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli.

E. coli is normally found in the bowel and enters the urinary tract through this route.

Half A Million UTIs Are Caused By E. coli From Meat

According to the study, between 480,000 and 640,000 UTIs resulting from E coli bacteria in the United States, every year could be related to strains known as FZECs, or food-borne zoonotic E coli.

According to the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC), approximately half of all women in the UK will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime [3].

Ground meat is a finely chopped piece of meat that has been finely chopped. Ground beef is the most common type of ground meat, but many other types of meat are prepared in a similar manner, including pork, veal, lamb, goat meat, and poultry [4].

In India, ground meat is called keema or qeema and is usually made from lamb or mutton.

How Does E. coli In Meat Cause UTIs?

Since people carry the strain of E. coli that causes UTI in their gut, the bacteria has spread from the anus into the urinary tract [5].

UTIs are usually considered to be no more than a discomfort, but the bladder can provide an entry point for E. coli into the bloodstream via the kidneys, posing a much greater risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), E coli bloodstream infections account for between 36,000 and 40,000 deaths in the United States every year, while in the United Kingdom, BSAC describes UTIs as a "chronically neglected area of infectious diseases".

A recent report stated that there was an overall prevalence of UTI of 33.54%, of which 66.78% were females and 33.22% were males. Females exhibited a higher prevalence than males in India [6].

According to experts, if E. coli, which is already resistant to some antibiotic treatments, becomes resistant to more antibiotics, then the number of people dying from bloodstream infections may increase.

Reducing UTIs caused by meat-borne E. coli strains can help reduce these deaths.

Industrial Farming And UTI-causing E. coli

Researchers added that the high density of animals in indoor sheds had probably contributed to spreading the infection risk. When you are packing animals together extremely tightly, pigs or poultry, and buying them from the same breeder the dangerous strain of E. coli will spread very quickly [7].

Additionally, the strains that spread from animal to animal could develop new characteristics that would cause worse disease and make them more resistant to antibiotic treatment.

In addition, the researchers noted that this might not be the case in other countries.

How To Avoid UTI Caused By E. coli

E. coli infection can be minimised by following a few simple steps [8].

• Firstly, make sure your food is prepared properly by washing your meat, fruits, and vegetables.
• Additionally, wash your hands regularly.
• Hydrate frequently,
• urinate after sex, and
• use showers instead of bathtubs.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.