MRSA, Staph, Staff, Mersa, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Symptoms & Treatment

Red tape holds up new anti MRSA cleaning idea - Eastbourne Today

Link: Red tape holds up new cleaning idea - Eastbourne Today.

Government red tape is stopping the DGH using a new cleaning system that could dramatically cut cases of a potentially fatal infection. The hospital trust is one of a handful in the country to use the new technology in a bid to combat the spread of bugs like clostridium difficile (C diff). But guidelines from the Department of Health, which are based on a piece of legislation from 1969, means the laundry system, called Otex, can only be used on mops and not sheets or other bed linen. Otex artificially recreates the thunderstorm effect to generate the chemical ozone through an electric charge and is said to be 3,200 times more effective than chlorine bleach. But the system uses cold water which goes against the 1969 rule, updated in 1995, which says all laundry and linen should be washed at 70 degrees Centigrade at least. East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both the DGH and the Conquest, said it only uses Otex to clean mops.

Don’t Count on Antibacterial Products to Protect Against MRSA, Other Diseases

Link: Don’t Count on Antibacterial Products to Protect Against MRSA, Other Diseases.

MRSA and other superbugs have made many people anxious, and they are looking for ways to avoid these germs.  But everyone needs to know that antibacterial products are NOT the best line of attack against  MRSA and other germs.  While they can help in a pinch, overuse is linked to antibiotic-resistant superbugs, which is why the American Medical Association doesn’t support their everyday use.  Some bugs  including MRSA – have developed antibiotic resistance.  Bacteria become resistant because of antibiotic overuse and abuse and learn to adapt and mutate, changing just enough to ensure antibiotics have no effect on them and giving them room to spread with increasing virulence.  Hand sanitizers are great when a sink is not available, but soap and water remains the best and safest method for killing bacteria.

OdorXit Prevent - ClO2 Stops the Spread of Dangerous Staph Virus Dead in Its Tracks

Link: New Product Relieving Anxiety of Staph-Worried Schools and Medical Facilities - OdorXit Prevent - ClO2 Stops the Spread of Dangerous Staph Virus Dead in Its Tracks.

The country may be in an uproar over recent staph outbreaks, but a quick and painless end to their panic exists. A new product is aiming to make superbug infections a thing of the past. OdorXit Prevent ClO2, an odor control product, kills contagious bacteria, viruses and even staph safely and effectively before they can spread to others. Health care facilities and educational institutions will particularly want to consider adding OdorXit Prevent ClO2 to their cleaning arsenal. The product's unique formulation produces chlorine dioxide, a bacteria-killing agent, in a safe and consistent way that is far superior to the largely ineffective chlorine and antibiotic treatments. For more information on how to eliminate life-threatening viruses and bacteria from medical facilities and schools, visit the product online at http://www.OdorXit.com?MRSA .

How MRSA Resists Detergent

Link: The association between biocide tolerance and the presence or absence of qac genes among hospital-acquired and community-acquired MRSA isolates -- Smith et al., 10.1093/jac/dkm395 -- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

The MBCs of three commonly used hospital biocides [containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), chlorhexidine gluconate and triclosan] were determined for clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, which were also screened for genes encoding Qac efflux pumps. Methods: MBCs were determined by broth microdilution for 94 clinical isolates of S. aureus, including 38 hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA), 25 community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA), 25 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 6 with intermediate resistance to vancomycin (VISA). All isolates were screened by PCR for the presence of qacA, B, C, G, H and J. Results: Biocides had MBCs 10–1000-fold lower than the concentration recommended for use by the manufacturer. HA-MRSA isolates developed significantly enhanced tolerance to QACs following repeat exposure to subinhibitory concentrations. Ten HA-MRSA and four VISA isolates carried qacA. Two HA-MRSA isolates, one MSSA isolate and one VISA isolate carried qacC. One VISA isolate carried qacA and qacC. The CA-MRSA isolates did not carry qac genes. qacG, H and J were not detected in any HA-MRSA. Isolates with qac genes had significantly (P < 0.0001) higher MBCs for biocides containing QACs and chlorhexidine gluconate. These biocides induced expression of qac genes when assayed with a luciferase reporter. Conclusions: Biocides commonly used in the hospital environment should be effective against clinical isolates of S. aureus if used at concentrations recommended by the manufacturer. However, isolates have the potential to develop increased tolerance to these agents and the expression of Qac efflux pumps results in isolates with a selective advantage when challenged with biocides containing QACs and chlorhexidine gluconate.

New washing agent kills MRSA

Link: Laundry and Cleaning News.

The Horizon Light & Bright laundry care range from JohnsonDiversey is said to provide an effective low-temperature solution to removing stains and killing pathogenic organisms such as MRSA and Clostridium Difficile spores. The range has been developed for busy on-premises laundries where there is pressure for efficient laundry hygiene, as well as for reduced overall costs and faster cycle times. Horizon Light & Bright is said to kill MRSA and other bacteria at 40C and to kill notoriously difficult Clostridium Difficile spores at 60C - no other liquid laundry product claims this, says JohnsonDiversey.

Brazilian MRSA resists hospital detergents

Link: HighWire Press -- Medline Abstract.

A total of 74 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from three government hospitals in 2002 and 2003 were examined concerning the distribution of qacA/B gene, which is the determinant of resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds largely employed in hospital disinfection. By polymerase chain reaction the qacA/B gene was found in 80% of the isolates, which is a significant result considering it is the first time that qacA/B gene is being reported for Brazilian MRSA strains and it is presented at a high rate.

Byotrol claims 75% MRSA reduction for its cleaner

Link: Interactive Investor.

      Byotrol PLC said results of a study on its anti-microbial cleaning agent against the spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in a working hospital environment has yielded positive results. Byotrol said its cleaning agent reduced MRSA incidence by around 75 pct over a 4-month period against the pre-trial condition of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where a 6-month study was undertaken. Byotrol deputy chairman Stephen Falder said the study has demonstrated the effectiveness of the cleaning agent and has potential for "significant sales in the healthcare sector".

Yoghurt 'could cut MRSA'

Link: Telegraph

Had to check it wasn't April 1 with this story

Washing hands with yoghurt might help to stem the spread of MRSA in hospitals, a specialist said yesterday. Prof Mark Spigelman, of the centre for infectious disease at University College London, said thorough washing with ordinary soap and then dipping the hands into a solution that contains good bacteria, such as that found in yoghurt, might have advantages. He said washing hands in antiseptics could be killing good bacteria, leaving space for MRSA to settle. Dipping hands into a solution containing harmless strains could prevent pathogenic bacteria as "they do not generally grow on top of each other".

Towelettes to kill MRSA

Link: Veridien Corporation

In addition to the Hepatitis A, B and C kill claims, the Viraguard(R) Disinfectant Towelettes now carry all the viral and bacterial kill claims of the Viraguard(R) liquid disinfectants, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus Faecalis (VRE), Herpes Simplex-type 1 and 2, Escheria coli (E.coli) strain 157, Mycobacterium bovis (BCG, TB surrogate), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus Pyogenes, Salmonella choleraesius, Staphylococcus aureus, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Rotavirus (SA-11 Group A), Influenza Hong Kong type 1 and 2, HIV-1 (aids virus), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (athlete's foot fungus), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Adenovirus Type 2. Paul Dunnigan, VP-Marketing Group, "This is outstanding news for our healthcare, industrial and retail clientele. With the new EPA approved label claims, Viraguard(R) Infection Control Products provide our customers with the full Hepatitis and anti-viral protection they need in surface disinfecting wipes as well as in liquid disinfectants. We offer them equal protection for hand sanitizing by using the same tested, safe and effective formula in our hand antiseptic products. In particular, Veridien's products are critical in helping to control orally transmitted pathogens (Hepatitis A) and blood-borne pathogens (Hepatitis C) that threaten food workers, emergency medical workers, clinicians and physicians worldwide. Veridien's strategic multi-national client and distributors regard the anti-viral kill claims as a distinct advantage to leverage large contracts in the health and safety industry."

MRSA - 'Wipe It Out' Says Kimberly-Clark

Link: Scotsman.com

Graham Landi, Kimberly-Clark’s UK Managing Director, commented: “As a company which specialises in products designed to help health professionals maintain a hygienic clinical environment and control the spread of infection, we have an integral role to play in helping to stamp out MRSA. “We have always played a part in educating health professionals and we have people visiting hospitals every day demonstrating correct hand washing and drying techniques. This campaign furthers that educational role and we are delighted that the Royal College of Nursing asked us to be a part of it. The Royal College of Nursing General Secretary, Dr Beverly Malone, commented: “We chose to work with Kimberly-Clark because they have extensive experience in the area of hygiene and infection control that will help drive the fight against MRSA and they are committed to the ongoing education of healthcare professionals“. Supporting the education campaign will be ’Wipe It Out’, life saving packs available to hospitals throughout the UK from the middle of May, containing information and materials for patients, visitors and healthcare workers. In addition there will be a special website – www.rcn.org.uk/mrsa – designed by the Royal College of Nursing in conjunction with its partners to allow information downloads by healthcare professionals and members of the public.