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UCLA develops new model to predict the spread of a 'super-bug' in L.A. county jail
August 16, 2007Researchers at UCLA have developed a mathematical model that mimics a particularly nasty and ongoing outbreak in the Los Angeles County Jail (LACJ) of the flesh eating bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus.
Reporting in the September issue of Nature Reviews Microbiology and currently online, Sally Blower, a professor of biomathematics at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, and colleagues constructed a simple model of the outbreak in order to assess its severity, predict the consequences of a catastrophic outbreak in the jail, and suggest effective interventions to stop or control it.
Blower was intrigued by the outbreak in the LACJ of community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a "super bug" that's difficult to eradicate, and easy to catch through crowded conditions and less than optimal hygiene. When someone is infected, the bug can cause illnesses that range from minor skin infections, to severe ulcers on the skin, to life-threatening diseases.
A major risk factor for CA-MRSA has been identified as incarceration. While large outbreaks have been reported in jails around the country, the researchers choose the LACJ for two reasons-it is the nation's largest jail, housing some 165,000 inmates per year and 20,000 inmates at any given time, and it has a high rate of CA-MRSA-an outbreak was first reported in 2002 and continues to this day. To date, nearly 8,500 cases have been reported in the jail, and, said Blower, "Inmates, once they are released, are spreading the pathogen throughout the community as well."
With cooperation from the LACJ, the researchers compiled information that determined booking rates or inflow, duration of stay or outflow, the rate of transmission of the bug within the jail, and the three "states" the prisoners were in while imprisoned: not infected, asymptomatic but infectious (colonized bugs living on the skin), or infected and infectious (ulcers appearing on the skin).
The researchers used the data to establish the parameters of the disease and then built a mathematical model that established the extent of the outbreak, and suggested the best way to control the pathogen.
The research showed that the LACJ outbreak is extremely large but not catastrophic, but would have become catastrophic if inmates had been incarcerated for more than two to two-and-a-half months. If catastrophic, thousands of infected inmates would have been released each month. Their model also revealed that the outbreak was sustained because of a continuous inflow of colonized and infected individuals who had picked up the bug from the community and brought it into the jail, and not from within-jail transmission.
"And that's the value of such modeling," said Blower, "because one of the things it can do is help to pinpoint where the best point is for intervention which, in this case, is at the point of inflow. This model also shows that it is very likely that jails are "hot-spots" for contributing to the spread of CA-MRSA in the community". More complex models can be developed using the simple transmission model as a platform, so that additional quantitative insight can be gained into the outbreak dynamics of such nasty pathogens.
University of California - Los Angeles
A major risk factor for CA-MRSA has been identified as incarceration. While large outbreaks have been reported in jails around the country, the researchers choose the LACJ for two reasons-it is the nation's largest jail, housing some 165,000 inmates per year and 20,000 inmates at any given time, and it has a high rate of CA-MRSA-an outbreak was first reported in 2002 and continues to this day. To date, nearly 8,500 cases have been reported in the jail, and, said Blower, "Inmates, once they are released, are spreading the pathogen throughout the community as well."
With cooperation from the LACJ, the researchers compiled information that determined booking rates or inflow, duration of stay or outflow, the rate of transmission of the bug within the jail, and the three "states" the prisoners were in while imprisoned: not infected, asymptomatic but infectious (colonized bugs living on the skin), or infected and infectious (ulcers appearing on the skin).
The researchers used the data to establish the parameters of the disease and then built a mathematical model that established the extent of the outbreak, and suggested the best way to control the pathogen.
The research showed that the LACJ outbreak is extremely large but not catastrophic, but would have become catastrophic if inmates had been incarcerated for more than two to two-and-a-half months. If catastrophic, thousands of infected inmates would have been released each month. Their model also revealed that the outbreak was sustained because of a continuous inflow of colonized and infected individuals who had picked up the bug from the community and brought it into the jail, and not from within-jail transmission.
"And that's the value of such modeling," said Blower, "because one of the things it can do is help to pinpoint where the best point is for intervention which, in this case, is at the point of inflow. This model also shows that it is very likely that jails are "hot-spots" for contributing to the spread of CA-MRSA in the community". More complex models can be developed using the simple transmission model as a platform, so that additional quantitative insight can be gained into the outbreak dynamics of such nasty pathogens.
University of California - Los Angeles
Staphylococcus Current Events and Staphylococcus News RSSNew study finds MRSA on the rise in hospital outpatients
The community-associated strain of the deadly superbug MRSA-an infection-causing bacteria resistant to most common antibiotics-poses a far greater health threat than previously known and is making its way into hospitals, according to a study in the December issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
New imagining technique could lead to better antibiotics and cancer drugs
A recently devised method of imaging the chemical communication and warfare between microorganisms could lead to new antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral and anti-cancer drugs, said a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.
U.S. and European Experts Applaud Creation of New Transatlantic Task Force on Global Antibiotic Resistance Threat
Experts on both sides of the Atlantic applaud President Barack Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, representing the European Union (EU) Presidency, for establishing a transatlantic task force to address antibiotic resistance, an urgent and growing problem that threatens patient safety and public health worldwide.
Henry Ford Hospital study: A MRSA strain linked to high death rates
A strain of MRSA that causes bloodstream infections is five times more lethal than other strains and has shown to have some resistance to the potent antibiotic drug vancomycin used to treat MRSA, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.
Exploring the final frontier: Disease proposed as major barrier to Mars and beyond
New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that prolific virulence and growth of bacteria, coupled with reduced production of antibodies could limit future space travel.
Synthetic cells shed biological insights while delivering battery power
Trying to understand the complex workings of a biological cell by teasing out the function of every molecule within it is a daunting task.
How manuka honey helps fight infection
Manuka honey may kill bacteria by destroying key bacterial proteins. Dr Rowena Jenkins and colleagues from the University of Wales Institute - Cardiff investigated the mechanisms of manuka honey action and found that its anti-bacterial properties were not due solely to the sugars present in the honey.
Structure of antibiotic ramoplanin reveals promising mechanism
With the "last resort" antibiotic Vancomycin now plagued by the first signs of bacterial resistance, a scientific collaboration centered at Duke University has identified how a candidate successor antibiotic known as Ramoplanin A2 can kill pathogenic bacteria by interrupting how they form their cell membranes.
Genes key to staph disease severity, drug resistance found hitchhiking together
Scientists studying Staphylococcus bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), have discovered a potent staph toxin responsible for disease severity.
Researchers map how staph infections alter immune system
Infectious disease specialists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have mapped the gene profiles of children with severe Staphylococcus aureus infections, providing crucial insight into how the human immune system is programmed to respond to this pathogen and opening new doors for improved therapeutic interventions.
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No mercy for MRSA: treatment alternatives to vancomycin and linezolid.(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus): An article from: Medical Laboratory Observer by Dennis L. Wegner (Author) This digital document is an article from Medical Laboratory Observer, published by Nelson Publishing on January 1, 2005. The length of the article is 2712 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: No mercy for MRSA: treatment alternatives to vancomycin and linezolid.(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Author: Dennis L. Wegner Publication: Medical Laboratory Observer (Magazine/Journal) Date: January 1, 2005 Publisher: Nelson Publishing Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Page: 26(4) Distributed by Thomson... | |
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GIGANTIC Giant Microbes - Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) (15-20 Inch Plush Toy) by Giant Microbes NEW - GIGANTIC Microbes (15-20" plush doll) Plush Educational Toy - When staph drops by, visiting hours are over. |
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BD BBL Dehydrated Culture Media: Staphylococcus; Medium 110; 500g by BD Diagnostic Systems, Clinical Media; Microbiology; Dehydrated; BD; Staphylococcus Medium 110; Difco; 500g | |
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Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) GIGANTICMicrobes by GIANTMicrobes, Inc. Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) GIGANTICMicrobes - When staph drops by, visiting hours are over. This item is a GIGANTICmicrobes(R) (15-20" plush doll). GIANTMicrobes Original - GIANTMicrobes by Drew Oliver! [Product ID: GM-STAPH3] [SKU: GMUS-GG-0720] [UPC: 874665007724] |
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Biocence Antiseptic Multi-use Spray Mist by BGP LLC Biocence is a hospital and professional OTC herbal drug antiseptic which is fast acting to help prevent Meticillin - Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Biocence is designed for repeated and persistent use. For hand washing without water, Apply and Let Dry.TM - Biocence kills bacteria that causes infection and disease. Because none of the Biocence products are alcohol based it will not dry out the skin. Use for constant protection for face and body during work, sports, and when there is close contact with others. |
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Handle with Care: Preventing Food Borne Illness in Nursing Homes (An Informational Video for Medical Directors and Administrators) Also With: National Technical Information Service (Primary Contributor) Discusses nursing home safety techniques to prevent common food borne illnesses. Provides de tailed background information on diseases caused by salmonella, e. coli 0157, and staphylococcus. Illustrates issues with case examples. |
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X-Ray Cassette Bags by Chamco MRSA and infections are a growing concern. Sealable Zip-Lock style bags. Bags are 18" X 20", can use with most cassettes and CR Plates. |
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