Friday, November 2, 2007

MRSA



MRSA Update

It's been discovered that MRSA somehow renders the body's immune cells defenseless. We all have cells in our body to fight bacteria, but MRSA attacks our germ fighting neutrophils in the blood and causes them to actually burst.

The neutrophils are basically a type of white blood cell. They are "called to action" when bacteria enters the body. Both white blood cell and neutrophil levels increase in numbers when we have to fight infection.

The neutrophils possess enzymes, contained in tiny sacs that "gobble" bacteria when the enzymes are released. Lower numbers of neutrophils in the body actually decreases our immune response. Neutrophil counts are decreased when viruses are present in the body also.

Since MRSA is so resistant to antibiotics, researchers are focusing efforts to find a way to neutralize the substance (peptides) in MRSA that destroys neutrophils. Another focus is in finding ways to boost immunity.

The news is interesting and drives home once again how important it is that we continue to help ourselves maintain healthy lifestyles.



MRSA Isolated in the Eye

A new study focused on isolating a potential source of community acquired MRSA reveals that MRSA has been cultured from the eye, eyelids and conjunctiva of people with no history of exposure to MRSA in the hospital. It has been defined as community acquired MRSA, or CA-MRSA.

The study was specifically designed to see if the MRSA was responsible for eye infections and how many incidences were resistant to antibiotics, and not hospital acquired. The study was conducted from 2000-2005. MRSA data was collected regarding patients who had been treated for eye infection. The majority of MRSA (50%) was found in the orbits of the eye, lesser percentages in the conjunctiva and eyelids.
Forty one percent of those infections were potentially resistant to antibiotic and community acquired.

The conclusion is that MRSA can be found in the eye area even when an outbreak is not present, making the area a harbinger of the bacteria.

Ophthalmologists will likely begin to see more patients with community acquired MRSA when performing surgery and in contact lens wearers.

The study was presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2007 Annual Meeting.

Ref: American Academy of Ophthalmology 2007 Annual Meeting: Scientific Poster PO293. Presented November 12, 2007.


About MRSA

MRSA - it's in all the news. What is it? It stands for Methicillin (a type of Penicillin) Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. You have probably heard the term "staph infection" in the past

Staphylococcus Aureus live on our skin. In fact, it's what's contained in the common "zit" (or pustule if you want to be technical). Staphylococcus is the offender when you get a boil.

When bacteria experience an overgrowth in your body, it can become dangerous because it takes control. Overgrowth occurs when bacteria become very strong, or when a person's immune system is compromised. When immunities are compromised the bacteria seizes the opportunity to take over. Overgrowth of bacteria also happens when normal bacteria in the body are out of balance. A good example is the female patient who develops a yeast infection from using antibiotics.

MRSA is becoming more resistant to antibiotic treatment. I was reviewing an article about MRSA from 2004. At that time, there was discussion about how it mutates. Infections from MRSA have been common in hospital settings, as many years back as I can remember. The more antibiotics we consume, the more difficult infections become to treat.

The most common way MRSA has been contacted in the past, is in the hospital. You can contact it in the community from places like computer keyboards, countertops, faucets, and other surfaces. The bacteria needs a point of entry, so if you have no broken skin or open wounds, and have healthy immunity, you wouldn't be likely to become infected. The recommended treatment for MRSA is with the antibiotic Tetracycline, unless it's severe, then intravenous antibiotics might be used.

Since I've devoted this blog to self help, this is a good time to discuss what you should do about the MRSA news. Wash your hands. Wash them at work; wash them when you get home. Use antibacterial soap.

Stay healthy. Eat foods that boost immunity, like fruits and fresh vegetables. Be smart about lifestyle choices. Stay home if you have a fever, cold or flu. We all want to be productive, and we're all "indispensable", but now is a good time to rethink how we go about our daily lives.

If anyone in your workplace should develop an infection, advocate for a thorough cleaning of all surfaces with whatever agent your local public health agency recommends. In fact, in my opinion, now would be a good time for most public places to put some good overall cleaning policies into effect: a little more than dusting and sweeping.

If you use public restrooms, wash your hands well. Throughout the ages, hand washing has been touted to stop the spread of germs. It was never as pertinent as it is now.


Links: (Updated Frequently)
From Pittsburgh
From the Washington Post
New Article from Forbes
The Times of India
"Wipe It Out" Campaign in the UK
Suggestions for MRSA Treatment from the UK 1/08 ◦
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