Watch CBS News

Report: 1st U.S. Case Of Germ Is Resistant To Last Resort Drug

NEW YORK (KDKA/AP) - Officials are reporting the first U.S. human case of bacteria resistant to an antibiotic used as a last resort drug.

The 49-year-old woman has recovered. But officials fear that if the resistance spreads to other bacteria, the country may soon see germs impervious to all antibiotics.

The woman had gone to a military clinic in Pennsylvania for a urinary tract infection. Tests found she had E. coli bacteria resistant to colistin, an antibiotic of last resort. She was successfully treated for the superbug with other antibiotics.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

Bacteria resistant to the colistin have been found in other countries but not in people in the U.S. The woman had not traveled recently outside the country.

Military officials reported the case Wednesday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health sent out a statement Thursday, explaining that the institution is aware of the case and that it is investigating the situation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Defense.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.