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| elissam | Breakthrough for Bubble boy disease | 0 | Apr 22 2009, 7:47 PM EDT by elissam | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 22 2009, 7:47 PM EDT
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ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- For people born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), exposure to seemingly harmless germs can be deadly. But breakthroughs in stem cell research bring new hope to the search for a cure.
SCID is a severe genetic defect commonly known as "bubble boy disease. Individuals with SCID are extremely susceptible to germs and disease; even benign germs can be fatal. Patients must live in a hospital or in isolation until the disease is successfully treated. Previously, SCID patients required continuous treatment over their lifetime to prevent sickness and death. "Without treatment, these children generally die within months of birth," lead author Alessandro Aiuti, M.D., of the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy in Italy, told Ivanhoe. "Unfortunately, with this type of disease, the success rate is very low." Now, researchers believe stem cell transplants could effectively treat and potentially cure a form of SCID caused by a deficiency of the adenosine deaminase gene, or ADA-SCID. Researchers treated eight children with ADA-SCID, by removing autologous hematopoietic stem cells from the patient's bone marrow, combined stems cells with the ADA gene, then transplanted the stem cells back into the patient's body. All study participants are healthy, even six years after treatment. The stem cells integrated into the patients' marrow, and patients are now able to generate healthy blood cells. The children no longer need to be isolated to survive. Tests reveal the presence of antigen-specific antibodies, which help the immune system fight bacteria and viruses. Five patients had antibody levels high enough to discontinue treatment of supplemental antibodies. "Based on the experience of bone marrow transplant, this treatment will be life long," |
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| NORT88 | "Fighting a deadly superbug" | 4 | Apr 8 2009, 12:40 PM EDT by NORT88 | ||||
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Thread started: Mar 23 2009, 11:56 AM EDT
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Hey all!! I found a new news video about the proper techniques to help prevent the spread of MRSA and other bacteria by the medical staff of hospitals. I also found a You Tube video on Maggot Therapy to treat MRSA infections. However I posted that video only because of the IMPROPER techniques the Doctor exhibited during the procedure! Kinda scary I thought. These kind of improper techniques are a huge problem in hospitals, doctor's offices, and even labs. Just thought this might help to keep it in mind the next time you are in Lab and rub your nose with your glove!!
: ) They are posted on the Homepage and in section Microbes in the Media.
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| hkaitlin | Article in New York Times- "Ambulance Stethascopes May Pose Risk" | 7 | Apr 7 2009, 1:22 PM EDT by CJC44 | ||||
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Thread started: Mar 24 2009, 10:26 PM EDT
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ERIC NAGOURNEY | Vital Signs MAR. 17, 2009 Hazards: Ambulance Stethoscopes May Pose Risk Stethoscopes carried by ambulance crews are not always cleaned as often as they should be, and as a result they may be exposing some patients to drug-resistant bacteria, a new study reports. Researchers who looked at stethoscopes used by emergency medical services workers in New Jersey found that a significant number carried methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, bacteria known as MRSA that are resistant to standard drugs. Some of the ambulance workers could not recall the last time the instruments had been cleaned, said the researchers, whose report appears in the current issue of Prehospital Emergency Care. The study’s lead author, Dr. Mark A. Merlin of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said it was unclear how big a threat MRSA on a stethoscope posed to a patient. But as incidents of infection by the bacteria become more common, and with the possibility that it will become more resistant to antibiotics, it is important to reduce its spread, he said. Researchers asked ambulance crews arriving at an emergency department over a 24-hour period to let their stethoscopes be tested. They also asked when the instruments had last been cleaned. Of 50 stethoscopes tested, 16 had the bacteria, which a simple alcohol swab is usually enough to kill, the researchers said. “The concept of cleaning an entire ambulance after every patient is not practical,” they wrote. “Cleaning a stethoscope, however, is not labor-intensive, does not require much time, and does not require any special equipment beyond currently stocked items.”■
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| hkaitlin | Salmonella scare prompts pistachio recall | 0 | Apr 3 2009, 12:18 AM EDT by hkaitlin | ||||
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Thread started: Apr 3 2009, 12:18 AM EDT
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NEW YORK - The U.S. recall of pistachio nuts due to potential salmonella contamination widened as more snack makers and retailers removed their nuts from store shelves as a precautionary measure. PepsiCo Inc's North American snack division Frito-Lay recalled its unshelled pistachios in 1.75 ounce packages with sell-by dates between July 14, 2009 and December 29, 2009. The company said it has received no reports of illness related to the product, but is issuing the recall as a precaution. Frito-Lay is also recalling its bagged pistachios in Canada, where they are sold under the Munchies brand. The recalled Munchies nuts have sell-by dates between August 4, 2009 and December 15, 2009. Frito-Lay and its Canadian unit said their pistachios were supplied by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, the California grower and processor which issued a recall on Tuesday of selected lots of pistachios due to salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday that it was conducting genetic testing of samples to see if there were a link between pistachios and several illnesses reported by consumers.
The Western Pistachio Association said on Wednesday that its growers and processors are working to ensure the safety of their inventories and would keep testing shipments going forward. Another snack maker, John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc, recalled bulk packaged and small packages of roasted unshelled pistachios under its Fisher brand as a precaution. Ciao Bella Gelato said it recalled 3.5-ounce cups of its pistachio gelato since they contain diced pistachios supplied by Setton. Meanwhile, grocery chain Kroger Co widened the recall of its Private Selection shelled pistachios on Tuesday, adding other "sell by" dates. Separately, Kroger recalled 32-ounce jars of "Kroger Lite Mayo" sold in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio because they may be contaminated with salmonella. Copyright 2009 Reuters. Click for restrictions. |
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