Staph Infection Risk Rises with Brain, Chest Surgeries Jun 12, 2010
Approaches that target only methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) will likely fail to prevent many infections, according to the researchers. "On average, MRSA was present in only half of the infections that we identified," Anderson said. (MEDLINEplus)
Poor Hygiene a Danger at Outpatient Surgery Centers Jun 10, 2010
According to a different study in the same issue of JAMA, a large teaching hospital in Madrid, Spain has experienced an outbreak of the superbug, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is resistant to yet another line of antibiotics ... Linezolid is an antibiotic and one of the few options left to effectively treat MRSA, according to background information in the study. (MEDLINEplus)
Harnessing honey's healing power Jun 7, 2010
"And that includes the antibiotic resistant strains - the MRSA - which is just as sensitive to honey as any other staphylococcus aureas.". Clinical trials at the Waikato Hospital have shown that even out of the lab, UMF manuka honey has amazing healing properties. (BBC News)
Superbug's 'CPU' Determines Ability to Infect Jun 4, 2010
28, 2008) Researchers have uncovered how the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, including the notorious MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus) "superbug" strains, resists our body's natural defenses against. (Aug. (Science Daily)
ICU Infection Rates Not a Good Measure of Mortality Risk, Researchers Find Jun 2, 2010
5, 2008) Researchers report that switching between two antibiotics, linezolid and vancomycin, every three months in the surgical ICU decreased the MRSA infection rate from 1. 9 to 1. (Science Daily)
Phoenix-area hospitals fight 'supergerm' May 29, 2010
Nineteen cases involved a supergerm known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Seven infections were tied to the E. coli bacterium, and about a dozen others were caused by various other bacteria, according to the hospital. The facility implemented a series of aggressive procedures over several months to eliminate the problem. (AZCentral -- News)
New weapon against highly resistant microbes within grasp May 28, 2010
This is especially true for the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Most of the pharmaceutical weapons are now useless against these MRSA strains ... According to estimates, as many as every second patient in the USA treated by intensive-care medicine comes down with an MRSA infection. (EurekAlert!)
Woman Loses Breast After Spider Bite May 25, 2010
Skeptics Say MRSA or Other Bacteria Could Have Caused Her Life-Threatening Infection. By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES May 24, 2010. (ABC News)
Antibacterial Silver Nanoparticles Are a Blast May 25, 2010
Medicinal chemists are desperately trying to develop new compounds that can kill strains such as MRSA (methicillin, or multiple-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and E. coli O157. Frontline defenses, such as environmentally benign and cost-effective antibacterial compounds could prevent such infective agents spreading through contact with computer keyboard, phones and other devices. (Science Daily)
Overuse of Antibiotics Spurs Vicious Cycle May 22, 2010
Multi drug-resistant bacteria are a growing problem in hospitals worldwide, marked by the rise of "superbug" infections like methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA). WORTH FIXING. (MEDLINEplus)
Should pets, owners share bed? If you want my advice ... May 22, 2010
Should pets, owners share bed. If you want my advice. (USA Today -- Life)
Bacteria Found That Kills Superbug May 22, 2010
One such strain is methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), a superbug that troubles doctors and public health experts because it is responsible for many infections that are hard to treat ... Replying to questions from Reuters, Iwase said the enzyme destroyed multidrug-resistant strains such as MRSA.. (Newsmax)
Finding the Soft Spot: Researcher Develops Tool to Measure Tissue Damage in the Bedridden and Paralyzed May 22, 2010
(May 29, 2009) Penicillin and other antibiotics in the beta-lactam family work as well as other antibiotics to treat MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcuss aureus) infections in the skin and soft-tissue of. . (Science Daily)
3 payloads built by CU-Boulder set for launch on space shuttle Atlantis May 13, 2010
The second, Staphylococcus, can cause a variety of infections, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA -- a growing problem in hospitals and health clinics -- because of its ability to resist antibiotics in the penicillin class of drugs. "Water quality, food safety and disease are age-old problems on Earth," said Stodieck. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Hospitals fighting patient infections May 10, 2010
A recent outbreak of a superbug known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, at a Valley hospital illustrates the challenges medical professionals face in fighting patient infections ... Nineteen MRSA-related cases were logged during the outbreak. (AZCentral -- News)
Arizona hospital infection risk revealed May 9, 2010
" Illinois does have a website where patients can compare hospitals on dozens of quality-control measures, including staffing ratios and mortality rates. But the state appears to only track bloodstream infections from central-line IVs, not bacteria like C. diff or infections from a catheter. Health-care-associated infections are not new, but the spread of two superbugs in recent years has helped thrust the problem into public view. C. diff and especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus... (AZCentral -- News)
Triad hospitals honored for MRSA efforts May 8, 2010
VHA s Central Atlantic Region, based in Charlotte, has cited High Point Regional Health System, Forsyth Medical Center and Lexington Memorial Hospital for their efforts at reducing infections, particularly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA.. Hospital CEOs in VHA s Central Atlantic region have a goal of reducing the incidence of MRSA infections by 80 percent in three years. (Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area)
Retro nurse's outfit has returned to JFK Medical Center May 5, 2010
The "scrubs" look is very unprofessional and I think it can contribute to the spread of the worst germs, like MRSA. Ben I agree. Nurses should wear the white uniform with cap. (The Palm Beach Post)
Ansell Launches World's First Antimicrobial Surgical Glove May 4, 2010
g. MRSA, VRE) within 60 seconds from exposure. "Ansell's proprietary AMT Antimicrobial surgical glove technology is the result of intensive and collaborative research, and demonstrates the Company's ability for industry leading innovation and new product development", says Magnus Nicolin, CEO of Ansell Ltd.. (Canada Newswire)
Population and nature May 4, 2010
Or vancomycin to treat methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA (vancomycin is one of our last lines of defense against this superbug). You'd be out of luck without the Chinese star anise tree and a bacteria known as Amycolatopsis orientalis. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Fighting Fungal Infections With Bacteria May 3, 2010
8, 2009) Although not as well known as bacterial infections, such as MRSA and E. coli, fungal infections such as that caused by the yeast Candida albicans can be more serious and lead to a higher death rate. . (Science Daily)
Blechnum Orientale Linn - a fern with potential as antioxidant, anticancer and antibacterial agent Apr 30, 2010
The three extracts were also effective against all Gram-positive bacteria tested: Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Stapylococcus epidermidis (minimum inhibitory concentration MIC 15 ... The results indicate that this fern is a potential candidate to be used as an antioxidant agent, for colon cancer therapy and for treatment of MRSA infections and other MSSA/Gram-positive bacterial... (BioMed Central)
Start reporting MRSA Apr 28, 2010
In an eye-opening piece in Sunday's editions of The Times, Staff Writer Matt Fair delved into the issues surrounding MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant infection that has quietly infiltrated hospitals with devastating results. MRSA, short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a mutation of the bacteria that cause common staph infections ... In a more benign form, MRSA results in rashes and boils, but it can grow to affect vital organs and lead to toxic shock syndrome or necrotizing... (NJ.com -- Times)
Scientists Crack Code of Critical Bacterial Defense Mechanism Apr 28, 2010
The same research could also open up MRSA to attack by penicillin and ... 28, 2008) Researchers have uncovered how the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, including the notorious MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus) "superbug" strains, resists our body's natural defenses against. (Science Daily)
MRSA More Likely to Lurk in Certain Patients Apr 27, 2010
FRIDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Certain patients are far more likely than others to carry methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in their noses, a new study shows. Although they are not infected with the potentially lethal germ, its mere presence heightens their risk of developing MRSA-related pneumonia, bloodstream infection and surgical site infection, the research concludes ... In the United States, about 1 percent of people carry MRSA in their nose. (MEDLINEplus)
Long-Term Elder Care Patients and HIV Infected Patients May Carry MRSA in Their Noses Apr 25, 2010
24, 2010) A multi-center study led by a researcher at Rhode Island Hospital has determined that long-term elder care, HIV-infected and hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in their nose. The study also found that patients have vastly different quantities of MRSA in their noses, a potential indicator for their risk of developing an infection after surgery ... In order to better understand the prevalence of MRSA in different... (Science Daily)
Death Rates Not Best Judge of Hospital Quality, Researchers Say Apr 25, 2010
18, 2010) Patient referrals between hospitals influence the rates of hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA, according to a new study ... Infectious disease specialists have developed a way to quickly diagnose the very dangerous, antibiotic-resistant infection called MRSA. By dropping a.. (Science Daily)
Health officials cope with infectious problem Apr 25, 2010
When East Windsor resident Lisa Shields went into CentraState Medical Center in Freehold for an elective procedure to remove a calcium deposit from her foot last December, she came home with more than she bargained for: MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant infection that she's been battling ever since. MRSA, short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a mutation of the bacteria that cause the common staph infection ... In a more benign form, MRSA causes rashes and boils, but in its... (NJ.com -- Times)
New Strain of Virulent Airborne Fungi, Unique to Oregon, Is Set to Spread Apr 24, 2010
3, 2009) A strain of MRSA that causes bloodstream infections is five times more lethal than other strains and has shown to have some resistance to the potent antibiotic drug vancomycin used to treat MRSA. (Jan. (Science Daily)
Musser beats the odds Apr 22, 2010
She had contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a life-threatening staph infection that eats away at the organs and can damage the heart valves once it is in the bloodstream ... "I didn't know what MRSA was," she said ... " Once back at home, Sharaya said it took about a week to regain enough muscle strength to just walk without assistance. She basically had to start over with gymnastics, she said. Nonetheless, with a tube inserted into her body, she was back competing... (Daily Collegian, PA)
Who is at risk for MRSA? Apr 21, 2010
Who is at risk for MRSA ... Who is at risk for MRSA ... PROVIDENCE, RI A multi-center study led by a researcher at Rhode Island Hospital has determined that long-term elder care, HIV-infected and hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in their nose. (EurekAlert!)
You Had Me at Hello: Frisky Yeast Know Who to 'Shmoo' After Two Minutes Apr 20, 2010
18, 2010) Yeast cells decide whether to have sex with each other within two minutes of meeting, according to new research published April 18 in Nature. One of the authors of the study, from Imperial College London, says the new insights into how yeast cells decide to mate could be helpful for researchers looking at how cancer cells and stem cells develop. (Science Daily)
Report: 'Very little progress' made against serious hospital infections Apr 14, 2010
MEDICAL ERRORS: WORSE THAN MRSA. Of five major types of serious hospital-related infections, rates of illnesses increased for three, one showed no progress, and one showed a decline. (USA Today -- News)
Chemical Compound Effective in Destroying Antibiotic-Resistant Biofilms Apr 12, 2010
11, 2010) Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a chemical compound that, when used in conjunction with conventional antibiotics, is effective in destroying biofilms produced by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as the Staphylococcus strain MRSA and Acinetobacter ... Infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA are especially difficult to get rid of because the bacteria can attach to surfaces and then create biofilms, sticky layers of cells that act... (Science Daily)
McMaster study unveils lifeline for 'antibiotic of last resort' Apr 12, 2010
"For years it was thought that resistance would be slow to emerge since vancomycin works in an unusual way. But with the widespread use of the drug to treat infections caused by the hospital superbug MRSA, it has become a serious clinical problem.". MRSA is the short-form for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial infection that is highly resistant to some antibiotics ... MRSA bacteria are responsible for a large percentage of hospital-acquired staph infections, but may also be... (EurekAlert!)
Septicemia Kills Actor Christopher Cazenove Apr 9, 2010
The illness can come from many sources - an untreated wound or a serious infection such as MRSA which some contract in hospitals - but septicemia is often treatable with heavy doses of antibiotics. In some cases, the bacterial infection is so aggressive and wide spread that a patient's immune system and antibiotics cannot beat it back. (CBS News -- Health)
Essential Oils to Fight Superbugs Apr 5, 2010
Drug-resistant strains, such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are extremely difficult to treat. "Not only are essential oils a cheap and effective treatment option for antibiotic-resistant strains, but decreased use of antibiotics will help minimise the risk of new strains of antibiotic resistant micro-organisms emerging," said Professor Samaras. (Science Daily)
Hospital checklists 'cut deaths' Apr 2, 2010
These are checklists covering dozens of conditions including strokes, heart failure and MRSA infections. The researchers said death rates could be "halved" using the system. (BBC News -- UK)
Children in Intensive Care Should Be Screened for MRSA Apr 1, 2010
Researchers found that 6 percent of the 1,674 children admitted to the pediatric ICU unit at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center between 2007 and 2008 were colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This means the children carried MRSA even though they didn't have an active infection -- and they could have unknowingly infected other patients ... Sixty percent of the children with MRSA would have gone unrecognized if the hospital had not conducted the screenings,... (MEDLINEplus)
New strain of superbug kills one Mar 31, 2010
" The hospital has cleaned ward 29 to intensive care standards and all patients on the ward, which is used for kidney patients, are now being screened weekly for Klebsiella. Health professionals say the strain of superbug to which Klebsiella belongs is capable of adapting far more quickly than MRSA. A University Hospital of North Staffordshire spokesperson said: "Various different strains have been identified in the 13 cases currently at University Hospital. "Eight have a new strain that has not... (BBC News -- UK)
Possible 'Superbug' Status for Gonorrhea Mar 31, 2010
31, 2008) Researchers are finding out which bugs grow in intensive care units to develop a novel sampling regime that would indicate the threat of MRSA and other superbugs in the. (Sep. (Science Daily)
Community-acquired MRSA becoming more common in pediatric ICU patients Mar 28, 2010
Universal screening may curb spread of MRSA ... The Johns Hopkins Children's team's findings, to be published in the April issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, underscore the benefit of screening all patients upon hospital admission and weekly screening thereafter regardless of symptoms because MRSA can be spread easily to other patients on the unit ... Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a virulent subset of the bacterium and impervious to... (EurekAlert!)
Bites, bugs, toxic fumes among veterinarians' occupational hazards Mar 26, 2010
DOLITTLER: VIEWS FROM A VET. an award-winning blog on pet health; she writes weekly for the Miami Herald and monthly for Veterinary Practice News. (USA Today -- Life)
Should a prom dress cost more than your wedding dress? Mar 26, 2010
Yes, it is silly to pay so much for the dresses but since my husband passed away at the age of 52 with MRSA, glad she and I can share that memory. JATL. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
New Superbug Surpasses MRSA Infection Rates in Community Hospitals Mar 23, 2010
22, 2010) While prevention methods appear to be helping to lower hospital infection rates from MRSA, a deadly antibiotic-resistant bacterium, a new superbug is on the rise, according to research from the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network ... New data shows infections from Clostridium difficile are surpassing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in community hospitals ... "We found that MRSA infections have declined steadily since 2005, but C. difficile infections... (Science Daily)
Study reveals new hospital germ threat Mar 22, 2010
A dangerous, drug-resistant staph infection called MRSA is often seen as the biggest germ threat to patients in hospitals and other health care facilities. But infections from Clostridium difficile known as C-diff are surpassing MRSA infections, the study of 28 hospitals in the Southeast found ... I think MRSA is almost a household name. (Boston Globe)
Researchers find Clostridium difficile is more common than MRSA in southeast community hospitals Mar 22, 2010
(March 22, 2010)-- Researchers studying epidemiology of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in community hospitals in the southeast U.S. found that rates of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) surpassed infection rates for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Scientists also discovered that healthcare-associated CDI, which is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis, occurs more often (21 percent) than healthcare-associated... (EurekAlert!)
Lesser-known C-diff a bigger hospital threat than MRSA? Mar 21, 2010
Lesser-known C-diff a bigger hospital threat than MRSA ... Lesser-known C-diff a bigger hospital threat than MRSA ... Spores of Clostridium difficile, a bacteria that can cause intestinal disease and in some cases death, appears to have surpassed MRSA as the most prevalent hospital-acquired infection among patients, according to a study by Duke University Medical Center researchers. (USA Today -- News)
Treat Common Bacterial Infections i... Mar 21, 2010
Severe impetigo infections that are not properly treated can lead to cellulitis, MRSA infections, kidney inflammation, and kidney failure. Treatments for Middle Ear Infections in Children. (Suite101.com)
Targeting Blood Vessels, Immune System May Offer Way to Stop Infection-Caused Inflammation Mar 20, 2010
27, 2005) The discovery of a 'molecular switch' could lead to new ways of treating infections such as MRSA, and inflammatory diseases like. (Feb. (Science Daily)
Conventional infection control measures found effective in reducing MRSA rates Mar 19, 2010
In an effort to reduce MRSA rates, some states have mandated active surveillance programs for patients admitted to hospitals. However, screening patients for MRSA remains controversial, with critics pointing to its expense, the tying of scarce infection prevention resources to one particular pathogen and the potential for adverse outcomes when patients who test positive are placed in isolation with reduced contact with healthcare personnel ... During this time, Michael Edmond, MD, MPH, MPA,... (EurekAlert!)
Antiseptic Cloths Associated With Reduced Rate of Treatment-Resistant Bacteria in the Trauma Center Mar 18, 2010
17, 2010) Bathing trauma patients daily using cloths containing the antiseptic chlorhexidine may be associated with a decreased rate of colonization and infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other difficult-to-treat bacteria, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals ... Chlorhexidine gluconate, a water-soluble antiseptic preparation, has broad activity against bacteria, yeasts and viruses and has previously... (Science Daily)
France's national program to reduce HAIs reports important successes; uses mandatory reporting Mar 18, 2010
The drop in HAIs, including MRSA and surgical site infections, could be attributed to important changes in the national infection control system ... MRSA cases have decreased by 40 percent. (EurekAlert!)
Antiseptic Baths Help Fight 'Superbug' Infections Mar 17, 2010
Antiseptic bathing cut the likelihood that patients would develop catheter-related bloodstream infections, as well as the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, popularly known as a "superbug") ... Patients who had the antiseptic baths were also significantly less likely to have MRSA or another tough-to-treat bug, Acinetobacter, growing on their bodies, known medically as "colonization." ... Patients in the non-antiseptic group were... (MEDLINEplus)
* Hardcover: UK: Men behaving badly in the corridors of power Mar 14, 2010
After massive new spending on the overstretched health service, deaths from the drug-resistant MRSA superbug remain higher and cancer cures lower than elsewhere in Europe. Expenditure on education has doubled, yet more parents than ever send their children to private schools. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Antibiotics benefit farm animals (and people), but at what cost? Mar 12, 2010
Antibiotics benefit farm animals (and people), but at what cost. Antibiotics benefit farm animals (and people), but at what cost. (USA Today -- Life)
Teen Develops Infection After Stay in Group Home Mar 12, 2010
"We went to University Medical Center, and they told me it was MRSA." MRSA is a bacterial infection that is highly resistant to antibiotics. Giovanni's mother, Catherine Tokarczyk, blames conditions at the home for her son's illness. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
Remedies From Mother Nature That Work Mar 6, 2010
Now the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA is reviving interest in these ancient remedies. Our ancestors had their own antibiotics, says Dr. Serene Foster, a medical herbalist at Hydes Herbal Clinic in Leicester. (Newsmax)
Newly Engineered Enzyme Is a Powerful Staph Antibiotic Mar 6, 2010
Rockefeller University scientists have now overcome this barrier by engineering a lysin that not only kills multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in mice, but also works synergistically with traditional antibiotics that have long been shelved due to resistance ... By combining nature's forces with technological power, Fischetti and his team have not only come up with an alternative way to defeat MRSA but have potentially breathed new life into drugs that are no longer effective... (Science Daily)
Study: Baths with Bleach Help Kids' Eczema Mar 5, 2010
Although antibiotics are typically used successfully to combat such staph infections, the emergence of drug-resistant MRSA (or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has physicians increasingly wary of overusing the medicines ... Continuous antibiotic treatment is not a viable option, especially given the emergence of MRSA, say Silverberg and Paller. (Time.com)
Sepsis and Pneumonia Caused by Hospital-Acquired Infections Kill 48,000 Patients, Cost $8.1 Billion to Treat Mar 4, 2010
This is the largest nationally representative study to date of the toll taken by sepsis and pneumonia, two conditions often caused by deadly microbes, including the antibiotic-resistant bacteria MRSA. Such infections can lead to longer hospital stays, serious complications and even death. "In many cases, these conditions could have been avoided with better infection control in hospitals," said Ramanan Laxminarayan, Ph. (Science Daily)
Mineral studies advance antibacterial alternatives Mar 4, 2010
The Haydel-Summers collaborative has added clarity to these distinctly muddy waters by screening more than 50 mineral mixtures (and aqueous extractions from them, known as leachates) marketed as health and cosmetic products using pathogens Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Only two mineral mixtures of significantly different compositions (and their leachates) were discovered to... (EurekAlert!)
Can Mobile Phones Help People 'EatWell?' Mar 2, 2010
13, 2009) Mobile phone handsets belonging to hospital workers are covered in bacteria including the "superbug," MRSA. New research describes how mobile phones used by health-care workers may be a source of. (Oct. (Science Daily)
Rising threat of infections unfazed by antibiotics Feb 28, 2010
While the organisms do not receive as much attention as the one known as MRSA -- for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus -- some infectious-disease specialists say they could emerge as a bigger threat. That is because there are several drugs, including some approved in the last few years, that can treat MRSA. But for a combination of business reasons and scientific ch 00001C5D allenges, the pharmaceuticals industry is pursuing very few drugs for Acinetobacter and other organisms of its... (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Simple test could cut excessive antibiotic use Feb 26, 2010
Excessive prescribing of antibiotics adds to healthcare costs and to the worldwide problem of multi-drug resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," like MRSA. Superbugs kill about 25,000 people a year in Europe and 19,000 in the United States. Click for related content. (MSNBC -- Health)
