MRSA Infection

Basilea says superbug drug gets positive opinion

UPDATE 1-Basilea says superbug drug gets positive opinion | Industries | Healthcare | Reuters.

ZURICH, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Basilea Pharmaceutica's (BSLN.S: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) MRSA superbug antibiotic ceftobiprole has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections, the Swiss biotech company said on Friday. The drug will be marketed under the Zevtera trade name in Europe. Recommendations for marketing approval by the CHMP are usually endorsed by the European Commission within a couple of months. Earlier this month ceftobiprole -- co-developed with Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Janssen-Cilag unit -- received approval in Switzerland for the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections including diabetic foot infections.

MRSA Patient Losowski's back on the ice

Rome Observer - Losowski's back on the ice.

A little over a year ago, 12-year-old Roman Justin Losowski began fighting a mysterious infection that started with an open wound on his ankle. He was diagnosed with what is known as MRSA, a very dangerous and potentially fatal staff infection. The past year has been a roller coaster ride for Justin, his family and the many friends who stood by the Losowski's during this crisis. Things are looking good as of right now and as per Lori's request, we will indeed keep praying that things continue to go well for young Justin. Skate hard kid!

Arpida Comments On FDA's Anti-infective Drugs Advisory Committee Outcome

Arpida Comments On FDA's Anti-infective Drugs Advisory Committee Outcome.

Arpida (SWX: ARPN) announced that the Anti-infective Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted 17 to 2 against the approval of intravenous iclaprim, an antibiotic currently in development for the treatment of patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSIs), including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Arpida remains confident in the efficacy and safety of intravenous iclaprim and its potential in combating serious resistant infections. Iclaprim has been tested against both vancomycin and linezolid, and in combined Phase III studies that included nearly 1,000 patients with cSSSI, iclaprim has been shown to have high cure rates, exceeding 90 percent in the Per-Protocol population. Iclaprim has demonstrated potent bactericidal (killing) activity against MRSA and an extended range of resistant pathogens, with a well tolerated side-effect profile. Arpida is fully committed to iclaprim's development and will continue to work with the FDA to address any questions related to iclaprim in anticipation of the drug's Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of January 16, 2009.

MRSA Case Reported At Local Middle School

MRSA Case Reported At Local Middle School - Health News Story - WCVB Boston.

A case of MRSA -- an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection -- has been reported at a Franklin middle school. A person at the Annie Sullivan Middle School tested positive for the infection, according to a letter that was distributed by the school on Friday. "There is no threat to the student population," the letter read, in part. "Additionally, the school will be completely sanitized thoroughly over the weekend by a team of out facilities staff."

Superbug trust doubles salary in bid to hire boss

Superbug trust doubles salary in bid to hire boss.

Health chiefs are offering more than twice the usual salary in an effort to find a new boss for the hospital trust that was at the centre of a superbug scandal. Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s former chair, James Lee, resigned shortly after the damning Healthcare Commission report into two Clostridium difficile outbreaks at the organisation’s hospitals. At least 90 patients died in the superbug outbreaks in 2005-06. In the report published last October the watchdog blamed management failings and poor infection control methods. George Jenkins, the chair of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust, is acting as interim chair but there have now been two unsuccessful attempts to find a permanent replacement. Salaries for chairs of acute hospital trusts are usually set by the Department of Health at between £18,164 and £23,020.

Hospitals fail to pass latest superbug hygiene test

Hospitals fail to pass latest superbug hygiene test - Times Online.

Nine out of ten NHS hospitals in England are still not fully compliant with hygiene standards that came into effect more than two years ago. Despite political pressure to cut the number of infections due to MRSA and Clostridium difficile, some trusts still fail to keep wards consistently clean, or isolate sick patients to prevent infections spreading, the Healthcare Commission said. Spot checks suggest that many hospitals may struggle to register with the Care Quality Commission, which will take over as the regulator for health and social care next year. Hospital trusts will have to prove that they are able to manage healthcare-associated infections if they wish to avoid fines or temporary ward closures. The Healthcare Commission carried out unannounced inspections at 51 acute NHS trusts in England, representing about 30 per cent of all hospitals. Only five trusts met all requirements of the hygiene code. While only 3 per cent of lapses represented an immediate risk, the commission said that almost all trusts had more work to do.

Safe Infrared will kill MRSA

Nomir Medical Technologies Granted European Patent on Core Noveon(R) Technology - MarketWatch.

The Noveon is a light-based system that targets the elimination of bacterial and fungal infections through a unique near-infrared photo-inactivation effect, while preserving healthy tissue and promoting recovery. The patent coverage provides for use of two proprietary near-infrared wavelengths that have proven to damage and eradicate bacteria and fungi in human diseased tissue ranging from onychomycosis (toenail fungus) to MRSA infection in the human nose, without thermal injury to surrounding tissues. Nomir's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Eric Bornstein, said, "The granting of this patent is a significant milestone in the evolution of Nomir as a leading photobiology company. We have been developing the Noveon system for five years, and are grateful for the protection that this patent now offers to this unique and proprietary therapy for fighting human infections. This patent covers important systems and is currently integrated into our core medical and dental products and rich research and development pipeline."

New cleaning agents gaining approval

Healthcare Equipment and Supplies.

SYNERGY Health has today announced that two of its ranges of infection control products have been included in the NHS Supply Chain Catalogue and will now be made available to hospitals across the country.

The company, a leading provider of outsourced healthcare support services, has now integrated Byotrol, its unique infection control technology, into the Azo and Oasis ranges.

Byotrol is a unique, long-acting biocide, which demonstrates broad-based efficacy across all microbial classes, bacteria, viruses, fungi, moulds mycobacterial and algae. The technology is particularly effective in the elimination of MRSA, C. Difficile and VRE.

Synergy is currently piloting the use of Byotrol technology in its Azo range in collaboration with the NHS at a leading UK teaching hospital and preliminary results show it offers a potential performance advantage over traditional chlorine-based products while minimising damage to equipment. Byotrol has also been shown to demonstrate residual efficacy, reducing toxicity issues and overcoming the limitation of other infection control offerings.

Richard Deed of TrusTECH, the North West NHS Innovation Hub which is supervising the study, said: “The interim results of the pilot scheme are encouraging.

Garlic emerging as MRSA cure

The Pacifican - Athletic Training Tip of the Week.

Hello everyone, Our family was viciously attacked by MRSA and we nearly lost our oldest son to it within 72 hrs. MRSA also attacked my youngest son and myself. The boils that my son's had grew to the size of small grapefruits and destroy the flesh in the surrounding area. As you can imagine we were horrified. We sought out medical intervention and our doctor threw several antibiotics at my son's infection. The antibiotics failed to keep the infection from coming back. After speaking to an infectious disease doctor, doing my own research and networking with others struggling with MRSA, I came to the conclusion that MRSA is rapidly evolving and becoming resistant to all antibiotics. At that point we decided to run from this vicious cycle of throwing antibiotics at an antibiotic resistant infection. We prayed and researched until we found something that would save our family. MRSA was literally eating away at us and what we found stopped MRSA from killing us. It is called Allimed, stable allicin. This is the first time in history that allicin in garlic has been stabilized. Since we used Allimed we did not need further medical care though we informed our doctors of our decision and continued under their observation. We deat with MRSA ourselves and have not had it return for any of us in over 2 1/2 year. Before using Allimed the boils were coming every few weeks. If we are to survive this era of resistant bacteria, then we will have to think outside the box. What once saved us from infections (antibiotics), is now killing us. The very nature of antibiotics encourage bacterial resistance. Shortly after Penicillin was discovered, bacteria became resistant and now we find ourselves in the vicious cycle of throwing more and more antibiotics at resistant bacteria. http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/795_antibio.html We must see that the era of antibiotic success is now leaving us. If we don't have our eyes wide open, mankind may not survive this pandemic. I hope our story will help to save lives as our family was saved. I welcome emails from anyone who wants our help. God bless, Cathy Cathy@optimalhealthusa.com

 A team of biochemists and doctors are successful at stabilizing allicin: www.allimax.com Scientific Research Files: Current news reports regarding stable allicin: 250 people recover from MRSA using stable Allicin: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/article1279834.ece Current news reports regarding stable allicin: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7531978.stm http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj6C6aEyrYk
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KSObBa5b0Bw&feature=related

These are good files to print out to run by your doctor:

SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACT http://www.allimed.us/pdf/article/Cutler%5B6%5D.pdf http://www.allimed.us/pdf/article/April2005%5B9%5D.pdf
 EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/eccmid15/abstract.asp?id=37436

University Hospital of North Staffordshire avoids MRSA for two months

University Hospital of North Staffordshire avoids MRSA for two months.

STAFFORDSHIRE’S main hospital has passed its second successive month without a single case of MRSA. The achievement gives it its best performance since figures started being collected on the menace in the mid-1990s. It means 73 days have elapsed since the University Hospital of North Staffordshire treated its last patient for the superbug. And, to allay any fears of people needing an operation, it is six months since the last case was seen in its surgical division – traditionally a high risk area as it contains so many patients with open wounds which can be invaded by the bug.

Researchers observe drug resistance molecular activity

Soon, Superbugs Could be Vanquished! - Page 2.

Although such filaments are known to be crucial to the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes from one bacterium to another, Silverman and Clarke claim that they are the first research team to capture images of the process. For their study, the researchers attached a fluorescent dye to a virus, which in turn bound specifically to the filaments on live bacteria, which allowed the behavior of the filaments to be recorded with a high-powered fluorescence microscope. The group's efforts finally helped it capture a detailed series of images showing filament growth, attachment to other cells, and retraction to pull the cells together in preparation for genetic transfer. "This is an important step forward in understanding how antibiotic resistance spreads," said Silverman.

Superbug rates drop at West Mid

Superbug rates drop at West Mid - Hounslow Chronicle.

Infection rates for superbugs Clostridium Difficile and MRSA have tumbled at West Mid in the first half of this year, according to a new report from the Department of Health. The latest figures, released last week, showed the number of C. Diff infections in patients aged over 65 has almost halved for the period from January to June, to a total of 71 cases, compared to 135 cases over the same period in 2007. The number of MRSA bacteraemia infections also fell by almost 40 per cent for the January 2008 and June 2008 period, to a total of 10 cases, compared to 16 cases in the same period in 2007. Director of infection control Dr May Kyi said: "This is a great result and compliments all the hard work staff and visitors have been doing towards combating Healthcare Associated Infections. We will continue with this hard work and promoting infection control across the Trust."

2nd case in Syracuse school

Newsradio 570 WSYR Syracuse.

North Syracuse School District -  In a letter posted on the district's website Wednesday, Schools Superintendent Jerome Melvin says key areas are being disinfected and football players are being instructed to clean out their lockers Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Vets are MRSA reservoir

AVMA backgrounder cautions practitioners about risks of MRSA - November 15, 2008.

The publication says veterinarians are at risk of becoming MRSA reservoirs. About 6.5 percent of practitioners who attended the 2005 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum and volunteered for testing were colonized with MRSA. None had been recently hospitalized or previously had the infection diagnosed. Of those volunteers, about 4.4 percent of small animal practitioners and about 15.6 percent of large animal practitioners were colonized. About one percent of the general public is colonized with MRSA and 30 percent with Staphylococcus, according to information from CDC spokeswoman Nicole Coffin. The AVMA backgrounder says veterinarians need to practice proper hygiene and educate others who come into contact with infected animals how to minimize risks. To read the publication, go to www.avma.org, click on the Reference tab, and follow the Animal Health link. FAQ sections are available through links on the side of the full article.

MRSA Success - No Cases In October , Cambridge University Hospitals

MRSA Success - No Cases In October , Cambridge University Hospitals NHS, England.

Addenbrooke's and the Rosie are winning the fight against infection. There were no incidents of MRSA bloodstream infection in October - a first for the Trust since records began four years ago. Overall, cases of MRSA are 41 per cent down. There have been 25 cases of MRSA bloodstream infection from January to October this year. In the same period for 2007, there were 42. Angela Thompson, Assistant Director of Nursing, said: "This is good news for patients, but it also highlights the hard work and commitment of staff at Addenbrooke's and the Rosie. "We strive to keep the number of cases dropping - all our staff are extra-vigilant with hygiene and hand-washing. Our deep cleaning programme ensures clinical areas are regularly cleansed while the recently launched Central Venous Access Team has also proved a great success in reducing infection.

MRSA grows 50% in 3 years in Ontario

A globeandmail.com: Superbug MRSA cases hit record level in Ontario.

Ontario has recorded its highest number of superbug MRSA cases - a troubling sign that the pernicious invader has made significant inroads in hospitals. Specifically, the number of cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has increased by more than 50 per cent over a three-year period, with 16,498 patients infected or colonized with MRSA in 2007, according to figures provided by Ontario's Quality Management Program-Laboratory Services. By comparison, a total of 10,301 patients were infected or colonized with the superbug in 2004, according to Allison McGeer, director of infection control at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, who analyzed the data for the laboratory services program. (Being colonized with MRSA means the patients are carriers who are not infected and show no symptoms.)

New Paper Says Medicare Hospital-Acquired Conditions Initiative Will Spur Increased Patient Screening and Antibiotic Use

New Paper Says Medicare Hospital-Acquired Conditions Initiative Will Spur Increased Patient Screening and Antibiotic Use.

According to the report, surveyed physicians are highly concerned about Medicare's decision to reduce reimbursement of the costs of treating certain HAIs. Following the implementation of the new initiative in the United States on Oct. 1, 2008, Medicare will no longer cover the additional costs of treating 10 conditions acquired during a hospital stay, including vascular catheter-associated infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and surgical site infections following certain elective procedures. The report finds that 62 percent of infectious disease specialists and 73 percent of critical care specialists are most concerned about Medicare's decision to no longer reimburse the cost of treating vascular catheter-associated infections. "Physicians we surveyed are concerned about the lack of Medicare reimbursement for vascular catheter-associated infections," said Danielle Drayton, PhD, director at Decision Resources. "Many physicians indicate these changes will prompt them to increase their prescribing of carbapenems and anti-MRSA therapies, most notably Cubist's Cubicin and Pfizer's Zyvox."

Doorknobs and TV remotes are germ hotbeds - Yahoo! News

Doorknobs and TV remotes are germ hotbeds - Yahoo! News.

Someone in your house have the sniffles? Watch out for the refrigerator door handle. The TV remote, too. A new study finds that cold sufferers often leave their germs there, where they can live for two days or longer. Scientists at the University of Virginia, long known for its virology research, tested surfaces in the homes of people with colds and reported the results Tuesday at the nation's premier conference on infectious diseases. Doctors don't know how often people catch colds from touching germy surfaces as opposed to, say, shaking a sick person's hand, said Dr. Birgit Winther, an ear, nose and throat specialist who helped conduct the study. Two years ago, she and other doctors showed that germs survived in hotel rooms a day after guests left, waiting to be picked up by the next person checking in.

Objects Closest to Patients are Most Contaminated, Survey Finds

Objects Closest to Patients are Most Contaminated, Survey Finds.

The findings being presented at ICAAC show that the most heavily contaminated objects are those in closest proximity to the patients: bed rails, call buttons and chairs were found to have the highest levels of staphylococcus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). These pathogens can survive for extended periods of time on such objects, which act as reservoirs for the bacteria. Independent laboratory studies have shown that copper, brass and bronze are more than 99.9 percent effective in killing potentially deadly pathogens, such as MRSA, which are commonly found in healthcare facilities. In response to these findings, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered copper, brass and bronze as antimicrobial materials, allowing public health claims to be made about them.

Handwashing Policies in Place but Monitoring Hand Hygiene Remains a Challenge

Handwashing Policies in Place but Monitoring Hand Hygiene Remains a Challenge.

According to a new analysis from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), 99 percent of the 103 Ontario hospitals participating in a 2008 patient safety survey reported that they had a formal hand hygiene policy in place, and just more than one-third of these (38 percent) established an auditing process to ensure that proper handwashing procedures are being followed. Hand hygiene is recognized in Canada and internationally as a top patient safety priority measure in preventing the spread of infections, and auditing is a key component in ensuring observance of hand hygiene policies. Community hospitals were the most likely facility type to have a formal mechanism in place for auditing hand hygiene practices (47 percent), followed by teaching hospitals (35 percent) and small hospitals (19 percent). Among hospitals without formal inspection procedures, more than half (59 percent) reported that one will be developed in 2008, with full implementation planned for 2009.