By Lubna Abdel-Aziz Incredible as it may seem, a deadly outbreak of E Coli infection is plaguing the United States of America, the most sterilised, disinfected, developed nation in the world. What are the poor, infected, developing nations to do? The consumption of fresh spinach is responsible for a strain of E Coli "more virulent than most", causing the hospitalisation of over 166, and three deaths so far. It has spread from California, the origin of the bacteria, to 25 states, and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning Americans not to eat fresh spinach or any type of fresh salad greens that may contain spinach. We always thought "fresh" was better -- safer, purer, healthier, tastier! Evidently, not anymore. What is this E Coli and why is it causing all this rack and ruin? E Coli, short for Escherichia Coli, is a form of coliform bacteria that grow in the intestines of human beings and other warm-blooded animals. They are discharged in astronomical numbers in human waste, and their presence in water is an indication of fecal contamination. There are many different strains of E Coli, most of which are harmless, living in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. The E Coli strain O157:H7 however, produces a powerful toxin that can cause severe illness. The bacteria can be killed by cooking the spinach at 71 degrees Celsius for 15 seconds. Short of cooking, there is very little we can do, once a strain this virulent, has contaminated our vegetables. Among the many archenemies of our planet Earth and its inhabitants, natural or man-made, we have two major adversaries. They are but tiny, little organisms, the smallest of all living things, namely "bacteria" and "viruses". They may differ in size, structure, biology, behaviour, but they are both lethal, creating havoc amongst all living things. Long before we were aware of viruses we were familiar with bacteria. The study of viruses began in 1898 with Dutch botanist Martinus Beijerinck, when he discovered organisms smaller than bacteria that can cause disease. Scientists have, to some degree understood and handled bacteria, but the tinier organism, the smallest, simplest form of life, the virus (Latin for poison) has proved to be more elusive. Since the discovery of antibiotics in the 1940s, millions of lives survived the ravages of bacterial infections, but unfortunately antibiotics were ineffectual against viruses. Since viruses can only survive inside the cells of the infected host, any antiviral agent will not only destroy the virus, but the cells which the viruses inhabit. The most effective method of combating viral infections is to make use of the body's immune system, by developing vaccines against such viruses as poliomyelitis, chicken pox, measles, influenza, mumps, rabies, yellow fever, and recently HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). Bacteria (Gk bakterion, meaning "rod") exist everywhere, even in places where other organisms cannot survive. There are about 1,000 bacteria existing happily in a symbiotic relationship within the human body. In fact they destroy harmful organisms and assist in digestion. Others can cause disease -- cholera, gonorrhea, pneumonia, syphilis, leprosy, typhoid, Listeria, tuberculosis, and so on. The first living things on earth were probably simple forms of bacteria. Some bacterial fossils were found dating back three billion years. They were first seen by Dutch amateur scientist Anton van Leeuwenhoek in 1676 with his crude microscope, yet he accurately described certain bacteria, and is recognised as the father of Bacteriology. By the late 1800s the French chemist Louis Pasteur developed the first vaccine and his contemporary, German physician Robert Koch, discovered that specific bacteria cause specific diseases such as "bacillus anthracis" causing anthrax, and "mycobacterium tuberculosis" causing tuberculosis. Great strides have been taken throughout the 20th century in identifying, preventing and treating bacterial infections. Today scientists are finding ways of using bacteria to help control water pollution and to treat sewage and industrial waste. Despite the brave fight by modern medicine, despite colossal funding and Herculean efforts, bacterial infection as seen in the recent outbreak is by no means under control. Strains of bacteria have emerged that are antibiotic resistant, a serious threat to general health, posing an enormous challenge to researchers. While bacteria can be an enemy to mankind, they are also friends. Like all living cells, bacteria contain DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) which controls growth, reproduction and all other functions. Making use of small coiled strips of DNA called plasmids, that normally exist in bacteria, researchers have genetically engineered genes into plasmids, and by virtue of the rapid proliferation of bacteria, infinite copies of the gene are produced, which not only serve as a "bank" for that gene, but have assisted scientists in elucidating the human genome -- bacteria's great gift to mankind. Tuberculosis continues to be the leading bacterial disease worldwide, affecting 1.7 billion annually. It occurs most frequently in poorer countries, or in HIV patients whose immune system has been compromised. Tuberculosis is followed by Salmonella, Shigella, E Coli, and Listeria as potent bacterial killers. Those deadly few give a thousand others a bad name. Researchers have a long road ahead before bacterial infections can be eliminated or fully controlled. To reduce the risk, our most effective weapon is our natural immunity. Maintaining the healthiest immune profile, defining our lifestyles, eating the right foods, exercising, and avoiding harmful habits, are imperative. Some of us are at greater risk because of genetic predisposition, advancing age, poor nutrition, recurrent infections such as strep throat, influenza, etc. To protect ourselves further, certain sanitary precautions are necessary. Vigorous handwashing during food preparation, clean cooking utensils, clean water, and well-cooked meat. Raw meat and vegetables should not be washed together in the same sink, placed on the same counter, or handled with the same utensils. Cramps, nausea, and an upset stomach, are not signs of the stomach flu, but food poisoning, pure and simple, caused by those tiny organisms we call bacteria. It is only because of man's ingenuity, that bacteria, our formidable foe, have not succeeded in wiping out the human race! Where observation is concerned, Chance favours only the prepared mind -- Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
