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Posted on Fri, Sep 30, 2011 : 10:36 a.m.

'Superbugs' hit the highways, new research shows

By Juliana Keeping

‘Superbugs’ like anti-biotic resistant E. coli thrive in villages situated along roads, according to new research from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Researchers at U-M, along with international researchers, spent five years studying a region in northwest Ecuador to gain insight into the habits of the superbug.

"Our results show it's not just the individual's antibiotic use that affects antibiotic resistance," U-M researcher Joe Eisenberg told UPI. "Other important factors that affect the spread of antibiotic resistance are the rates at which people introduce new strains due to movement in and out of the region, as well as poor water quality and sanitation that allow for the transmission of antibiotic resistant strains."

Read the full story here in UPI and here in Science NOW.

Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter

Comments

WalkingJoe

Fri, Sep 30, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.

Most confusing article I've read in annarbor.com in a long time. What does this have to do with local news?

Tom Smith

Fri, Sep 30, 2011 : 4 p.m.

Ummm... the study was done by the University of Michigan School of Public Health?

grye

Fri, Sep 30, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.

Before reading this, the headline made no sense. In addition, it would be better to identify that the threat exists in other countries.