Antibiotics were hailed as the end of infections. There efficacy even prompted some in the medical field to say that no new medicines would be needed as we have triumphed over the Bacteria. Well, sadly this is not the case. Overuse where these antibiotics are not effective, like the common cold and incomplete use where the patient feels better so he quits taking them have created these resistant strains. Some Bacterias have evolved and ‘figured out’ how to defeat the anti-biotic by thwarting the very chemical structures that made antibiotics deadly to Bacteria. Most antibiotics work by disrupting the protein synthesis in the wall of the bacteria causing a physical breach of the cell or by disrupting the DNA replication and causing cell death. Some ‘Super Bugs are unaffected by the antibiotic. It happens like this: there are a thousand bacteria and in comes the antibiotic, 995 of them die. 5 live because they mutated to be unaffected by the medication and live and multiply lending their resistance to the next generation of bacteria. Most of these Multi Drug Resistant strains live in hospitals where they are picked up by the already weakened patient population. Then the medical staff is forced to use a drug of last resort like Vancomycin which is very hard on the body and must be administered by IV.
Best way to prevent the infections? Wash your hands often and try not to end up in the hospital.
Here are two very well written articles form Der Speigel on the above topic. So, wash your hands and have a read.
Part 1 Antibiotics Prove Powerless as Super-Germs Spread
Part 2 The Post Antibiotic Era
…excerpt:
A Foe We Helped Become More Flexible
This large-scale use inevitably leads to the spread of resistant bugs. Indeed, antibiotics offer ideal growth conditions to individual bacteria that have naturally become resistant through a small change in their genetic makeup. Simply put, they benefit from the fact that the antibiotics still kill off their competitors, the non-resistant bacteria.
In many cases, a genetic mutation isn’t even necessary to allow a resistant bacterium to develop. Bacteria can incorporate bits of genetic material from other pathogens. For example, for millions of years, the gene for ESBL resistance lay dormant in the ground, where it was part of a complicated ecosystem of bacteria, penicillin-producing fungi and plant roots. Again and again, the gene was incorporated by human intestinal bacteria — as useless ballast. It was only the large-scale use of antibiotics that provided the ESBL-forming bacteria with the opportunity to proliferate.
Recent studies show that quantities of antibiotics much smaller than previously thought can lead to the development of resistance. In retrospect, the uncontrolled dispensing of antibiotics has proven to be a huge mistake. “In the last 30 years, we have contaminated our entire environment with antibiotics and resistant bacteria,” says Jan Kluytmans, a microbiologist at Amphia Hospital, in the southern Dutch city of Breda. “The question is whether this is even reversible anymore. Perhaps we can prevent only the worst things from happening now.”…
Abandoned by Big Pharma
In reality, the search for new drugs should be getting easier rather than more difficult. In the 1990s, the large pharmaceutical companies spent several million euros searching for weaknesses in the genetic makeup of bacteria. But although the researchers were actually successful, the subsequently developed drugs never made the final leap into clinical use.
“In the end, the risks of antibiotic research were simply too great for companies,” says pharmacist Julia Bandow, who went into academia to continue studying antibiotics after working for the US-based pharmaceutical giant Pfizer for six years.
But without the large pharmaceutical companies, there can be little hope of progress. After all, testing a drug in human subjects takes years and costs millions. And, as Bandow says of her fellow academics, “We can’t do it alone.”
If pharmaceutical companies refuse to invest in the necessary studies, it’s critical for the government to step in. At the least, politicians could make the development of antibiotics more attractive, for example, by extending the time before patents expire so as to allow companies to earn returns on their investments for longer. But, so far, these are all nothing but ideas.
“At some point in the coming years,” says microbiologist Kluytmans, “there will be a disaster involving resistant pathogens with many casualties. Only then will something change.”
Tags: antibiotics, Bacteria, drug resistant bacteria, Health Care, mrsa
Very informative. And very scary.
Evil drug companies, force them to find a cure with no profit!
Better yet, just shut them down, use natural cures for infections.
Like leeches
Ah, a fresh new thread! It even smells new! No limericks or haikus about Michelle Obama’s panties here!
Iron Fist wrote:
Yet.
@ buzzsawmonkey:
Please nooooo!!!!!!!
@ buzzsawmonkey:
@ Prebanned:
I must agree with Iron Fist on this one. Please, do not scar me with this imagery again today. I already need therapy.
O. bama
Kinda like the way various kinds of welfare subsidies have created resistant strains of social pathology.
Ask your doctor if Fukitol™ is right for you!
@ buzzsawmonkey:
Definitely NOT drug-resistant strains.
@ Bumr50:
I don’t know. Their tolerance for drugs seems pretty high…
Iron Fist wrote:
need to make drugs legal somewhere.
Give out free drugs and food.
Bout half the people that live on my dirt road would pack up and head out.
Call it El DRUGado.
Peaceful Muslims riot in MAcedonia after some carnival actors mocked Islam:
Don’t call us violent or we’ll kill you! We are inviting this to happen over here by importing Mohammedans the way we are. We don’t need them bringing their 7th Century Ideology over here. There is no virtue in tolerating the intolerable.
This is a thorny issue. From a New York Times article:
“Only five of the 13 biggest pharmaceutical companies still try to discover new antibiotics, said Dr. David M. Shlaes, a consultant to the industry and the author of a new book “Antibiotics: The Perfect Storm.”
One reason is that antibiotics are typically taken for a week or two and usually cure the patient. While that makes them cost-effective for the health system, it also makes them less lucrative to drug companies than medicines for diseases like cancer or diabetes, which might be taken for months, or even for life, because they do not cure the patient.
“There’s this perverse disincentive against antibiotics because they work so well,” said J. Kevin Judice, chief executive of Achaogen.
Another factor is that new antibiotics are likely to be used only sparingly at first, to stave off the emergence of resistance. While that might be medically appropriate, it reduces the ability of a drug company to recoup its investment, said Dr. Barry I. Eisenstein, a senior vice president at the antibiotic maker Cubist Pharmaceuticals. Another factor discouraging investment, some experts say, is that the F.D.A. recently made it harder for new antibacterial drugs to win approval.”
Prebanned wrote:
LOL
I think we all agree the real leeches are the people that make those statements.
Here’s a solution: Everyone who wants to have any medical attention must sign an all-inclusive waiver similar to the one Microsoft makes you click-thru to install Windows on your computer. You can never sue the doctor or hospital even if they install something which crashes with the blue-screen of death just before you hit save on that important document.
Also saves all that money spent on malpractice insurance for doctors since, by definition, there won’t be any malpractice therefore no insurance.
buzzsawmonkey wrote:
There once was a thong from Chicago
That went were no men dare go
…..
VRE, or Vancomyocin Resistant Enterococcus always reminds me of the need for new antibiotics that are not in the pipelines.
Iron Fist wrote:
How about some juche?
@ Rodan:
Juicy!
buzzsawmonkey wrote:
No need to. I’ve been on the generic version, Phukitol, for years and all my parts still work.
@ Rodan:
@ Iron Fist:
PARTY!!!
I use a form of nano-silver called “Silver Biotics” by American Biotech Labs. It was recommended to me by a friend who is a retired nurse. It comes in gel form used for burns or cuts and scrapes. It also comes in liquid which is water like. It is a family owned business and they are in the process of getting FDA approval. I’ve used it in my eyes to clear up infections and just about everywhere else. There are no known side effects. I only use as needed. I would never be in a hospital without it.
No financial interest in this company, just great experience. The website has a lot of info.
@ huckfunn:
That Mexican sh*t ain’t regulated, so be careful!!
huckfunn wrote:
Wasn’t that developed in the Research Center of Phuque U?
song_and_dance_man wrote:
Yay, PARTAY! I love that vid and the tune.
Bumr50 wrote:
The Jaurez Juizz is dynomaite.
A timely thread. For about 2 weeks now, I have been dealing with an abscessed tooth. My jaw was swollen like a chipmunk with a walnut in its cheek. Very painful, too.
Dentist lanced the gum, drained part of the abscess, giving great relief, and put me on Clindamicin for 10 days. The pain and swelling mostly vanished, and I continued the full course of the drug. Friday, the last day of the Clindamicin, swelling reappeared, and some pain, although higher up in the gum than before. Must be some bug that the Clindamicin didn’t get, taking advantage of the void left by bugs it did get, I guess.
Well, I had some Flagyl, left over from a previous dental prescription. It seemed to stop the swollen area from expanding, and this morning the infection drained spontaneously. Pretty comfortable now, but I expect I will continue the Flagyl for a full week.
I know it’s not normally a good idea to self-medicate, but around here, you won’t find a dentist on the weekend, and it’s an hour road trip in any case. And the Flagyl I have was prescribed as a preventative against infection after dental work.
@ Alberta Oil Peon:
I just finished a course of antibiotics for an abscess, though not in the mouth. The doctor recommended i do what he told my son to do when he had MRSA…..put a thin sliver of potato on the abscess and tape gauze over it. The potato draws out the infection. It really does work too. Nasty slimy potato slice, but effective. How is that for weird???
I can’t verify if all the claims made in this vid are true but if so you’re really screwed.
And did you realize how much drug companies move their testing overseas to maximize profits, avoid regs, and fudge reporting to the FDA?
Deadly Medicine
@ eaglesoars:
Watch the movie The Constant Gardener.
yenta-fada wrote:
I am still using a colloidal silver dressing on peripheral wounds and nanosilver impregnated silver cloth on the worst of the blistering. To date and it’s been 2 weeks now, there is not one sign of infection. Also no side effects.
In NZ the Cardiac units use Manuka honey dressings for all open heart wound closure dressings. They have multiple grades of efficacy in Manuka (tea tree) honey. The highest concentrations of this type of dark honey are now used almost exclusively for wound dressings. They also use Manuka honey dressings in the US Canada and the UK as well.
@ huckfunn:
Yeah, I got a hoot from it the first time I saw it.
It tastes great on toast as well !
I did a competitive Intelligence job for a Big Pharma a few years ago.
It was Big Pharma versus Big Pharma at 50 paces.
I got caught quizzing former test subjects and nurses and one would have thought the gates of hell had opened.
These guys are VERY nasty types and take no prisoners.
NoThreat2U wrote:
why?
Aussie Infidel wrote:
Manuka honey is part of our family first aid kit (I get it from New Zealand). Veterinarians also use it for wound care. I also use it to treat inflammation between Molly the Beagle’s toes.
@ eaglesoars:
The perverse effects of over-regulation.
@ Guggi:
That some crazy stuff, if true. Some astute caller on Rush last week noted that if SCOTUS waits to rule on the Law until after the (R) nomination, and if the pick is Romney, they will be under less pressure since conservative Americans have nominated a candidate that enacted a similar law in MA., and the electorate for the most part have no problem backing two candidates who have the same agenda, when it comes to Health Care.
@ Da_Beerfreak:
Ah, thanks.
A good friend operating out of Geneva specialises in Big Pharma Competitive Intel research. He employs the best out of Euriopean Finishing Schools and Business Schools. I tell you true… I’d tell these ladies all my secrets if I had the chance. They all looked as i=f they just stepped out of a Playboy Centerfold. I id dcheck for staple marks! LOL
The also spoke at least 5 languages and had MBAs from the best of the best business schools as well as a VERY comprehensive background in Pharmacology.
You’d be amazed at what senior Pharma executives will give away for the price of evening of dining getting flattered and a good bonk!
LOL
@ eaglesoars:
The movie is basically about the very thing you mentioned….trial tests on uneducated subjects. There was no concern about the dangers of the medicine since these were impoverished tribal folk. Very good movie IMO.
@ Aussie Infidel:
Ok, wait. wouldn’t you have to be like 45 yrs old to get to that point?
Sometimes it’s good to be in the double blind Placebo group in these trials!
@ NoThreat2U:
This is John Le Carre, yes? Is this one of his anti-American diatribes?
BREAKING: Ron Paul wins the coveted Snoop Dogg endorsement. This should put Ron Dogg over the top.
Most trials go absolutely nowhere. The results are either nebulous or the side effects are such that it renders them useless. The majority of real world trials happen now in Russia where the Pharma firms have better control of trialists and nurses.
Many Western trials are so constrained by regulation and oversight that they are difficult. Not so much in Russia!
@ huckfunn:
Who’s next? Cheech and Chong?
@ eaglesoars:
I just read the back of the DVD, I had no idea it was a LeCarre story. I can’t really comment on the anti Americanism though since I haven’t watched the movie in quite some time.
Lunchtime!
Aussie Infidel wrote:
What’s up with the nurses part of this?
Later guys…. or will you all be asleep by then?
TIME ZONES….. THE BANE OF MY LIFE! LOL
song_and_dance_man wrote:
Just a rumor, but I heard Wavy Grave’s jet was seen flying into Ron Paul’s home town of Victoria.
@ huckfunn:
PIMF! Wavy Gravy.
eaglesoars wrote:
The nurses do most of the actual trialling in the field as well as the first line administration. Once the data gets digested Big Pharma slap VERY secure safeguards on the results.
Trials data leaks from the lowest levels…. trialists and nurses
@ Aussie Infidel:
got it, thank you. Go eat!
If I wanted processed Intel about a Big Pharma trial I’d have to have great legs and measure 38(E)-24-36 and know 50 ways to please my lover! Damnit I don’t qualify LOL
huckfunn wrote:
He has a jet? I thought he always took the Clown Car
NoThreat2U wrote:
After his Smiley series, John Le Carre let his anti-Americanism/capitalism stripes fly high. I just re-read the amazon summary and yep – that’s the genre. A very good movie Bad Medicine, with Sean Connery and Lorraine Bracco was along the same lines – amazonian jungle holding a cure for cancer under threat by loggers. The most subtle movie I’ve seen like that was The Piano – won at least one Oscar. Excellent movie but the propaganda filled every niche and crevice.
@ eaglesoars:
I liked the Sean Connery movie a lot.
NoThreat2U wrote:
I LOVED the scene where Bracco got high as a kite and was swinging from a rope over a river! I laughed my ass off. They’re both great actors and it was aa fun movie. But I always keep an ear/eye out for the brainwashing bits.
@ Aussie Infidel:
In my view, everyone ought to have nano-silver in the medicine cabinet for burns, infections, etc. Interesting to hear that it is helping you significantly. I have both the liquid and the gel.
I also keep Manuka honey +16 around, but end up just eating it. lol
@ eaglesoars:
That damn blue line that was painted on her face? And she didn’t even notice for quite some time. lol lol That was a really good movie. Sometimes you just gotta stop overthinking things. That’s what I do. I stick with the basic story and to hell with the message they are trying to put out.
@ eaglesoars:
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was excellent. I never read the book.
This new musical parody explores the many position “flip-flops” of Mitt Romney and his supporters.
“Flipper”!! LMAO!!
Bumr50 wrote:
You MUST read Smiley’s People. It’s the end of the story.
have to run an errand. bbl.
@ eaglesoars:
BBC TV productions are screamingly pro-Palestinian if you are in a position to notice. They criticize Israel as a matter of course. e.g. New Tricks, MI-5, their version of Law and Order. The PC diversity code is hardly subtle. A popular Brit mystery series here, Midsomer Murders, ended up getting rid of the producer because he refused to turn a small English village into a politically correct diverse population. You can’t tell stories unless they get the revisionist treatment. In “Merlin” Guinevere (sp) is black. She’s very miscast in the role as well. She’s nice enough, but not a person King Arthur and Lancelot would have been passionate about. No chemistry at all.
@ eaglesoars:
Hey. sigh.
@ Bumr50:
I don’t get Ann Coulter backing Romney.
Guggi wrote:
This is bullsh*t. Not the video Guggi but what the government wants to do. If anything will make states succeed from the this renegade health-care reform which basically is saying who is allowed to have medical care and who is just to die off this will be it. Already obamacare is affecting private insurance and doctor’s….to say the least I have heard many doctor’s b*tching about this. My doctor can no longer have a nurse draw blood from me in his office I have to go to the hospital to have my blood drawn which makes it twice expensive.
The old adage of, “Nothing is free” certainly applies here.
*spit* just watching that video made my blood pressure rise. Thanks for the link guggi.
yenta-fada wrote:
Is THAT what happened to MM? Dayum. I tried to watch MI-5. The accents made it too difficult to follow but I did see one episode that really nailed the jihadis.
But Downton Abbey? Hubby knows he’s not allowed to speak to me when it’s on. I’m addicted.
eaglesoars wrote:
Same thing at the House of Huck, which suits me just fine. Reminds me. What did you think about The King’s Speech? It’s been on Showtime every day for the past week. Great movie.
huckfunn wrote:
I haven’t been able to catch it yet. I’ve seen the last 10 minutes or so but not the entire film. From what I’ve seen, I’ll really enjoy it.
eaglesoars wrote:
Great flick. You’ve really got to see it.
@ huckfunn:
HEY HUCK! SHOW THIS TO THE WIFE!
Shirley MacLaine to join Downton Abbey as Lady Grantham’s mother
@ eaglesoars:
I told her and she’s concerned about the changing of an actress in a key role midway through a series. Or at least that’s my bone-headed male view of what she said. She likes Shirley McLaine. I think Shirley McLaine is a total knot head.
There you have it.
huckfunn wrote:
no no no! They’re not CHANGING an actress! They’re ADDING a character – Lady Grantham’s mother played by McLaine.
@ eaglesoars:
Well, I knew I’d screw something up. I need to stick to the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auctions.