MRSA infections are increasing every year, resulting in
over 75,000 cases in the U.S., causing around 10,000 deaths annually, states
the CDC.MRSA starts resembling a pimple, and then evolves into a red crater of
blackened puss. Left untreated, MRSA can cause death (Lowie, 2015).
For almost five years Lindsey, “Les” Shaw, a microbiologist
at The University of South Florida, has been researching and developing a potential
antibiotic to fight MRSA (Lowie, 2015).
“In December of 2014,
Shaw’s team received a patent for their modified quinazoline, a class of
compounds used to treat malaria and cancer. USF chemists believe that
quinazoline-based compounds have potential antibacterial properties that could
effectively eradicate MRSA” (Lowie, 2015).
In light of what we know
about MRSA, do you believe a antibiotic will ever be developed that will fight
MRSA? Additionally, if this antibiotic
works now, do you believe it will be effective forever?
Reference
Hi Robert and the MRSA Team,
ReplyDeleteI have attempted to post a comment on your blog. Each time after I completed my comments and clicked on publish my remarks disappear. So, I am not sure if you received them.
Its probably just me, having a difficulty with navigating the blog.
I enjoyed your blog. The several You Tube videos that your team chose were excellent. It appeared to reach different demographics. I particularly enjoyed the Michael Jackson spoof and the vignette on "sanitizer" vs "germ."
The amount of information you provided in the areas of HAI, Cure for MRSA, and Ambulance and Hand-washing were informative. In response to one of your questions; I am not sure if research will be able to eradicate MRSA, although the quniaxolones will appear to save lives and reduced the number of infections. Over time, however, resistant strains will probably recur.
I also agree, stringent mandatory classes on hand-washing techniques should be instituted within the hospital and professional organizations. I am not sure if this is already in place because of JACHO? I also agree, within the hospitals, a firm position would be helpful to change behavior and increase protection for both patients and hospital staff. I wonder if having the hospital staff repeat these classes at least Q6 months, if this would increase correct technique and compliance.
Education of the patients should take on a more firendly atmosphere, yet provide both education and constant reminders to wash hands with sanitizers. On a recent vacation on a crusie ship, we were constantly provided sanitizers, before eating and at specific venues such as theaters.
After this blog, I felt compelled to wash more frequently and have become more cognizant of considering hand washing after greeting someone. By the way, I was unable to vote on your questions as well.
Thanks again.
Clarence
Hi Clarence,
DeleteThanks for your comments. What a great insight, comparing hospitals to cruise ships. Both locations force interactions with a limited number of people. Hospitals might have something to learn from cruise lines in keeping a more upbeat attitude. Perhaps some first-hand investigation is warranted...
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks for your post Clarence.
DeleteI'm glad that our information lead to an increase in your hand washing routine. What I have realized over the past few months is that MRSA should not just be addressed as a "Health Care" issue, but truly a population health issue. Everyone on the planet can benefit from this education. I like your idea for mandatory hand washing in professional organizations too.
Robert
Hello all! Thank you for this wonderful information. It sounds to me as though the scientific community is on its way to developing an antibiotic that will be effective for MRSA. However, I would be wary to think that such an intervention will be able to work permanently. It seems likely that the bacteria would grow resistant to new drugs as well.
ReplyDeleteJodi
Hi Jodi,
DeleteIf the past is a good judge of our future, you may be right. Even if healthcare workers learn and maintain good hand hygiene, there's no guarantee that the good behavior will spread to the population. That's why it's so important to spread the word... not the infection!
Thanks,
Dan
Agreed! I believe this warrants education in the K-12 environment. Not only washing hands but educating on the negatives that can result from lack of solid hygiene. I'm certain the images alone would provide a life long impact, and reinforce the message.
DeleteRobert
Hi MRSA prevention team:
ReplyDeleteYou presented a very informative blog on MRSA and its prevention. The design of the blog is sophisticated and attractive to readers.
Education is the most important in the prevention of MRSA. The early diagnosis and intervention could be cost-effective (Bhattacharya, 2013). Researchers also have found that bed bugs carry MRSA bacterial infection (Biomedical market newsletter, 2011). Keeping hand hygiene and the environment cleanness are critical in the prevention of MRSA. Among potential antibacterial compounds, the isojacareubin (ISJ) from Chinese herb hypericum japonicum shows the potency against MRSA. Perhaps, it can be used alone or combination therapy for treatment of MRSA (Guo-Ying et al., 2012).
Thanks for the great blog.
Aixia
References
Bed Bugs Found to Carry MRSA Bacterial Infection. (2011). Biomedical market newsletter, 574-575.
Bhattacharya, S. (2013). Early diagnosis of resistant pathogens. Virulence, 4(2), 172-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/viru.23326
Guo-Ying, Z., Jing, A., Jun, H., Yun-Ling, Z., Gen-Chun, W., Xiao-Yan, H., & Zhong-Qi, B. (2012). Isojacareubin from the Chinese herb hypericum japonicum: Potent antibacterial and synergistic effects on clinical methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 13(7), 8210-8218. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms13078210
Hello Aixia,
DeleteThank you for the feedback about bedbugs. This is an unsettling finding, given the recent news of bedbug infestations in large cities. It would be useful to find a method of treatment that is both effective and naturally occurring, such the herb you describe, or the specific type of honey that our group mentioned during the Winter Institute.
Thanks for your insight.
Dan
I concur with Dan, I appreciate the Bed Bugs information. I will be even more diligent when I select hotels for travel. I will say also that in all of the research we preformed on MRSA that bed bugs was never mentioned.
ReplyDeleteAgain, thank you for participating in our Blog.
Robert