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Hope for new way to destroy MRSA | |
(4 days later) | |
British scientists are working on a new way to combat the superbug MRSA. | |
Researchers at Brighton-based Destiny Pharma are testing a 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. | Campaign group MRSA Action cautiously welcomed the news and called for more funding for research. |
Bacteria have a habit of being able to get round any treatments we develop Derek ButlerMRSA Action | |
The new compound, codenamed XF-73, is applied as a gel into patients' noses. | |
Tests showed that the compound destroyed the five most common strains of MRSA in the nasal passage - and that the bug was unable to develop resistance, even after repeated exposure. | |
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. |
However, critics said that was no evidence that killing MRSA in the nasal passage would prevent patients developing fatal infections, as the bug can be found anywhere on the body. | |
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. |