Posted on 05/13/2011 12:42:04 PM PDT by neverdem
Research at the Medical Research Council (MRC) has highlighted genes in the bacterium Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that may help the superbug to survive after it has been targeted by antibacterial agents. This discovery could inform the development of future drugs to overcome MRSA’s defence systems.
The research team, including scientists at the MRC Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh and the Universities of St Andrews, Dundee and London, developed a gene map to improve understanding of how MRSA escapes being killed by antimicrobials. For the first time, they were able to map relationships between 95 per cent of MRSA genes, and proposed possible new roles for 22 genes that help MRSA cause disease. One particular gene, ftsH, was singled out as a possible Achilles’ heel in MRSA and could potentially be a focus for new drug development.
As part of the study, researchers examined an antimicrobial agent called Ranalexin, which is derived from the skin of a bullfrog and kills MRSA. Computer analysis, coupled with laboratory tests on MRSA, showed that Ranalexin works by weakening both the bacterial cell wall and membrane. This information may help the development of new combination therapies.
MRSA is a particularly potent bacterial infection and the latest statistics show there were 781 deaths involving MRSA infection in 2009 in the UK - accounting for 62 per cent of deaths that involved Staphylococcus aureus - compared with 51 deaths in 1993. However, the proportion of MRSA infections in 2009 was lower than the peak level of 82 per cent in 2008. 'Methicillin-resistant' means the bacteria are unaffected by Methicillin, an antibiotic that could previously kill them.
In hospitals, the proportion of people made ill by MRSA is higher because of more contact with infected cases. People can carry MRSA for a few hours or days or sometimes for weeks or months. They are unaware they are carriers because the bacteria do not harm them or cause symptoms.
Dr Ian Overton at the MRC Human Genetics Unit is pleased with the results: “Multidrug resistant Staphylococcal infections such as MRSA are a worldwide problem and strains resistant to existing treatments continue to emerge. The development of new drugs is therefore important. Our network biology approach has given insights into how Ranalexin works to kill MRSA and helped us to understand more about how infections may develop. This knowledge contributes towards new strategies for treating MRSA.”
Professor Nick Hastie, Director of the MRC Human Genetics Unit, says: “This work is a fine example of the relationship between analysing the fundamental processes which help infections to take hold and exploiting this knowledge to improve drug treatments.”
This work was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Scottish Government, through a Royal Society of Edinburgh Personal Research Fellowship co-funded by Marie Curie Actions. The findings are published in BMC Systems Biology."
Contact: MRC Press Office, Tel: 0207 395 2345, Email: press.office@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
Young Living’s Lemongrass and R-C essential oils have been shown to kill MRSA, and their Thieves line of products are very helpful at keeping all germs at bay from the get-go. We use both oils and the Thieves line of products too.
Of from Syria? Or Algeria? Or Libya?
Or Nigeria?
Or from the United Arab Emirates?
Or from Egypt?
How 'bout from Qatar?
Or from Bahrain?
Maybe Venezuela? They've got plenty of oil, plenty of money. Let's get the list of medical/scientific breakthroughs made by Hugo Chavez's working-man's paradise.
Let's see...
Kuwait! What's Kuwait added to the balance sheet of civilization so far this year?
How's about Angola? OPEC country, right? Rolling in black gold. What's Angola done to make the world a better place recently?
Then there's Dubai. Place is choking on money. They use hundred dollar bills instead of charcoal. Surely Dubai has some learned scientists that have added something significant to the commonweal of mankind in the last five months! No? Huh.
How about Brunei?
Myanmar?
Pakistan? They can afford nuclear weapons after all.
Now back to our regularly scheduled broadcast: an extended look at how all cultures are equal, and the West has no reason to feel superior about anything.
My daughter got it last year after surgery and almost died from it. Spreads like wildfire. Scary stuff!
Thank God she’s okay. What were her symptoms from MRSA and what did they give her for it? Yes, it indeed sounds like scary stuff.
I want to say it was finally Vancomycin (or something like that?) that brought it under control. Long story...we almost sued the doctor for negligence but in the end decided against it. We did have a number of doctors tell us she is now so resistent to antibiotics she'd better NEVER go under the knife again. I don't even want to think about it!
Lemongrass oil didn’t stop an infection I got from a cut on the inside of my lip!Doxycycline did the trick.
In lots of peer-reviewed scientific studies, I presume.
I went in for heart surgery, expecting a 6 to 8 day hospital stay.
I suffered a stroke during surgery and shortly thereafter contracted MRSA.
I then spent 2 long and very painful months in the hospital. The MRSA caused the surgeons to have to cut into my chest 3 more times. Instead of the zipper scar, I have a ditch. ;>) I later reminded my doctor that I was a guy and that I wasn’t looking for a cleavage. ;>)
I lost over 100 pounds and was nothing but skin and bones when I made my escape.
Right before the heart surgery I had purchased a life long dream, a beautiful new boat. I had told my bride that I wanted only two things... I wanted my fishing gear ready and I wanted to be right with God. Well, I also wanted her to be the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes.
My wishes paid off. God, with the help of my lovely bride of 38 years, some very good medical professionals, helped me to survive that hell. As soon as I got out, I took my bride on a 30 cruise in the boat and fished as often as she would let me. LOL
I learned so very much during that 2 month stay, strangely enough I actually have fond memories of it all. I met many folks that were much worse off than me. Compared to some, my issues were like having a common cold.
I wouldn’t wish MRSA on anyone, it tries to kill you and it darn near killed me, but if you know Jesus and you talk to God.... and fight with everything you have, you can survive.
I was told that without heart surgery, I had about 6 months left to live... that was nearly 4 years ago.
What a wonderful story. You’re blessed.
Used the good stuff from Dermisil. I think being under a lot of stress lowered my immune system response .The major side effect in my case was it makes you photosensitive and raises sunburn risk. I was in Florida at the time with terrific weather .Spent a lot of time in the shade.
You have a great sense of humor, and that probably helped you out too? And your “bride” (I love when people use that word) no doubt was helpful too as you say. Great story!! I enjoyed it!
Thank you. ;>)
I feel blessed every morning that I open my eyes. I feel blessed every time I look into my brides eyes, see her smile or hear her laugh.
I am an incurable romantic, so I better shut up before I drive everyone crazy. ;>)
That’s quite a story. Take care of yourself. Good luck!
Thank you. All considered, I’m doing good. ;>)
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