E. COLI 0157:H7, WHICH RECENTLY TAINTED U.S. SPINACH, MAKES SHIGA TOXIN. SUCH TOXINS ALSO CAUSE DYSENTERY AND WORK LIKE THE DEADLY TERRORIST POISON RICIN.
Though drug-resistant bacteria and viruses are an ever-growing problem, the drug industry has cut way back on development of new antibiotics and antivirals. Firms make little money off such drugs, which are used for only a few days, preferring to bring out “lifestyle” drugs that treat long-term conditions like erectile dysfunction. Only three new antimicrobials have hit the market in 25 years.
IOWA RESEARCHERS have found a potential vaccine against E. coli 0157:H7. Cattle, the source of the virulent microbe, would get the vaccine, causing them to make antibodies that strip the bacteria of proteins harmful to humans.
THE APPEARANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA OF A VERY DRUG-RESISTANT FORM OF TUBERCULOSIS SHOCKED AN AIDS CONFERENCE IN AUGUST. OF 53 PATIENTS WITH HIV WHO ALSO HAD THIS FORM OF TB, 52 DIED OF THE TB, ALONG WITH TWO HEALTH CARE WORKERS. THERE WAS NO TREATMENT.
MRSA, AN ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT FORM OF STAPH, IS SURGING IN THE U.S. VANDERBILT DOCTORS FOUND THAT 9% OF KIDS ARE NOW CARRIERS, A 900% INCREASE IN 6 YEARS.
