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New drug 'can kill MRSA superbug' | New drug 'can kill MRSA superbug' |
(1 day later) | |
British scientists are working on a drug which they say can destroy the most virulent strains of superbug MRSA. | British scientists are working on a drug which they say can destroy the most virulent strains of superbug MRSA. |
Researchers at Brighton-based Destiny Pharma are testing the bactericidal compound in the hope it can be used in hospitals by 2011. | |
Official figures show in the last three months of last year there were more than 1,000 cases of MRSA in England. | Official figures show in the last three months of last year there were more than 1,000 cases of MRSA in England. |
Campaign group MRSA Action cautiously welcomed the news and called for more funding for research. | |
The potential is really quite amazing Dr Bill LoveDestiny Pharma | The potential is really quite amazing Dr Bill LoveDestiny Pharma |
Most antibiotics used to treat hospital bugs such as MRSA are bacteriostatic, meaning they prevent the growth of bacteria. | |
But pharmaceutical company Destiny Pharma says its compound - codenamed XF-73 - kills bacteria. | |
A study of the drug, which is applied as a gel into patients' noses, showed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) did not develop resistance to the compound despite being exposed to it 55 times. | |
The company's chief executive, Dr Bill Love, told the Independent on Sunday that if the drug passed its clinical trials, it would be a "completely fundamental breakthrough". | The company's chief executive, Dr Bill Love, told the Independent on Sunday that if the drug passed its clinical trials, it would be a "completely fundamental breakthrough". |
"The potential is really quite amazing," he said. | "The potential is really quite amazing," he said. |
He added that he hoped NHS strategic health authorities would back the drug if it won the approval of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. | He added that he hoped NHS strategic health authorities would back the drug if it won the approval of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. |
More tests 'needed' | More tests 'needed' |
The firm presented its findings to the European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona last month. | The firm presented its findings to the European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona last month. |
The XF-73 compound managed to destroy the five most common strains of MRSA in tests, the company said. | The XF-73 compound managed to destroy the five most common strains of MRSA in tests, the company said. |
Bacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop Derek ButlerMRSA Action | Bacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop Derek ButlerMRSA Action |
Derek Butler, chairman of MRSA Action, said he was interested in "anything in the development of cures or treatment for MRSA" and was hopeful the research would prove beneficial. | Derek Butler, chairman of MRSA Action, said he was interested in "anything in the development of cures or treatment for MRSA" and was hopeful the research would prove beneficial. |
But he added: "I think more tests need to be done on it. We need to be careful in saying we have beaten the resistance problem. | But he added: "I think more tests need to be done on it. We need to be careful in saying we have beaten the resistance problem. |
"Bacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop." | "Bacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop." |
A Department of Health spokesman said "a close watch" would be maintained on all emerging findings regarding the superbug. | A Department of Health spokesman said "a close watch" would be maintained on all emerging findings regarding the superbug. |
The latest official figures show recent drops in the number of new MRSA infections seem to have stalled. | The latest official figures show recent drops in the number of new MRSA infections seem to have stalled. |
Cases in England rose by 0.6% between October and December 2007 to 1,087, the Health Protection Agency said last month. | Cases in England rose by 0.6% between October and December 2007 to 1,087, the Health Protection Agency said last month. |
It comes after a series of continuous drops in infections since April 2006. | It comes after a series of continuous drops in infections since April 2006. |
Last September, Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordered all hospitals to deep clean, to tackle the spread of infections, such as MRSA. | Last September, Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordered all hospitals to deep clean, to tackle the spread of infections, such as MRSA. |
But the Conservatives said the programme was a shambles as not all the money promised to cover the costs of cleaning had materialised. | But the Conservatives said the programme was a shambles as not all the money promised to cover the costs of cleaning had materialised. |
Cleaning firms said ministers should instead have properly funded day-to-day cleaning. | Cleaning firms said ministers should instead have properly funded day-to-day cleaning. |