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Strep Bacteria Resistant to New Antibiotic
Aaron Rowe writes "MSNBC and The Lancet medical journal have reported that the new oxazolidinone antibiotic Zyvox is ineffective against some forms of Staphylococcus aureus."
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Pharmacia Comments on Lancet Research Letter
PEAPACK, NJ (July 19, 2001) Pharmacia Corporation (NYSE: PHA) commented today on a letter* being published in the July 21 issue of The Lancet that reports the development of linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in one patient.
Pharmacia in vitro studies and laboratory studies conducted by other researchers have shown that linezolid-resistant S. aureus would develop infrequently. As a result of this research, it is presumed that resistance would likely only occur in the most extreme clinical conditions. These data have already been reported to the global medical community. No other cases of linezolid-resistant S. aureus have been reported, despite the fact that more than 80,000 patients have been treated worldwide with linezolid, marketed by Pharmacia as ZYVOX(tm) (linezolid injection, tablets and for oral suspension) in the US and 15 other countries.
One of the authors of the research letter, Robert Moellering, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, provided additional perspective to the case reported in the research letter. "Despite the discovery of this single report of resistant S. aureus, linezolid remains an important part of the physician's armamentarium for the treatment of infections, including those due to resistant bacteria and one that may allow patients to leave the hospital earlier."
"At each stage of the development and market introduction of ZYVOX, we have proactively shared our research and knowledge with physicians and regulatory officials around the globe," said Cameron Durrant, M.D., Vice President, Infectious Diseases, Global Prescription Business, Pharmacia Corporation. "We are interested in the experience of all patients treated with ZYVOX, including this specific patient, and are confident that the unmatched efficacy and convenient formulations of ZYVOX will continue to provide great potential benefit to patients."
Pharmacia's preclinical and clinical experience to date has defined the risk factors for development of resistance. These are:
- Indwelling prosthetic device
- Long-term therapy
- Inadequate dose
- Undrained abscess
The patient history described in the letter to The Lancet is generally consistent with these findings. Pharmacia continues to actively monitor for potential emerging resistance.ZYVOX comes from the first completely new class of antibiotics to reach hospitals in 35 years. ZYVOX attacks bacteria in a way unlike any existing therapies. ZYVOX attacks bacteria by stopping protein production at a very early point in the process that is different from any other antibiotic. Studies have shown that ZYVOX is effective against a broad range of Gram-positive bacteria including those that are resistant to other antibiotics.
ZYVOX is approved for adults in the treatment of nosocomial (i.e. hospital-acquired) pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, complicated and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible strains of designated organisms. ZYVOX is also approved for use in complicated skin infections and nosocomial pneumonia caused by certain sensitive and resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
ZYVOX is generally well tolerated. The adverse events reported for patients receiving ZYVOX and comparators in clinical trials were similar. The most common adverse events for patients treated with ZYVOX were diarrhea, nausea, headache and vomiting. Myelosuppression has been reported in patients receiving ZYVOX. Therefore, complete blood counts should be monitored weekly. Discontinuation of ZYVOX should be considered in patients who develop or have worsening myelosuppression.
Pharmacia (NYSE: PHA) is a top-tier global pharmaceutical company with a leading agricultural subsidiary. Pharmacia's innovative medicines and other products save lives and enhance health and wellness. Pharmacia's 59,000 people work together with many diverse stakeholders to bring these benefits to people around the world, and to create new health solutions for the future.
*Tsiodras S, Gold H, Sakoulas G, et al. Linezolid resistance in a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus. The Lancet 358 (July 21, 2001):207-208. Certain statements contained in these comments are "forward-looking statements" provided under the "safe harbor" protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements are anticipated financial results, financial projections, business prospects, future product performance, future research and development results, Expected regulatory actions and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on the information available, and the expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by the Company, at the time when the statements are made. However, because these forward-looking statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties and changes over time, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Among the many factors that may cause or contribute to actual results being materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, licenses or strategic initiatives that change the Company' structure or business; competitive effects from current and new products, including generic products, sold by other companies; price constraints imposed by managed care groups, institutions and government agencies; governmental actions to provide lower cost pharmaceutical products; the Company' ability to continue to discover and license new compounds, develop product candidates, obtain regulatory approvals and market new products; the Company' ability to secure and defend its intellectual property rights; the Company' ability to attract and retain management and other key employees; product developments, including adverse reactions or regulatory actions; social, legal and political developments, especially those relating to health care reform, pharmaceutical pricing and governmental and public acceptance of biotechnology; unusual seasonal conditions in agricultural markets; new product, antitrust, intellectual property or environmental liabilities; changes in foreign currency exchange rates or general economic or business conditions; changes in applicable laws and regulations; changes in accounting standards or practices; and such other factors that may be described in Companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Do you even lift?
These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.
Looking through my roomate's things, I find:
* Anti-bacterial deoderant
* Anti-bacterial shower soap bar
* Anti-bacterial toothpaste
* Anti-bacterial mouthwash
* Anti-bacterial liquid hand soap
* Anti-bacterial hand lotion (why?!)
Of course, what exactly is the anti-bacterial agent in these products? Is it a true antibiotic, or simply some kind of cell-killing agent like bleach?
I doubt that the super-expensive "magic bullet" antibiotics that we're afraid of germs getting immune to aren't in these products, so they're really contributing to adapted bacteria. Or so I'd guess.
According to my Russian wife, she claims most hospitals in Russia control Staph and other nasties using UV lamps placed in hallways and rooms. If the room or hallway is vacated and the doors are shut, the lamps automatically go on killing most of the bacteria without the risk of developing resistance. Other than potential risk of exposure which probably could be kept under control, I think it's a great idea and I'm wondering why aren't US hospitals using it.
-Steve
-- Making computers see, hear, and think... http://www.componica.com/
No, not all antibiotics are the same, and I hope I didn't sound like I was saying that resistence to one particular drug or class of drugs meant resistance to all of them. However, as the effectiveness of the drug used in these products declines, it will be replaced by one that still works.
...bronchitis.
Yes, over-prescribing is a huge deal. I realize I made it sound like it's largely antibiotic deoderant, my bad. I was just trying to get across that it's up to *us* to turn down antibiotics unless neccesary.
The real danger is over prescribing of effective antibiotics in unnecessary cases. How many times have you taken antibiotics for a cold? for the flu?
My mom is one of those people are generally try to avoid prescriptions, antibiotics and generally any drug unless the doc says that it's quite needed. It's a somewhat irrational fear, but grounded in fact. I've personally never taken antibiotics for a cold, flu, or brochitis (only had it once).
Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
Let's not overlook the most common use of anitbiotics in the US: Feed supplements for live stock. To get an idea of exactly why, look into the system of feedlots as described in _Fast_Food_Nation_. There's some other recent works in the NY Times critical of the beef industry worth reading. The short of it is that because we're raising cattle so contrary to how they evolved, the majority of cattle are susecptible to infections that they never used to get. To control this feedlot operators mix fairly alarming amounts of antibiotics into the feed they give the animals. Although no one's proven a conclusive link to livestock being fed antibiotics and the emergence of resistant bacteria, outfits like the CDC are very worried about the situation. Now I'm not a PETA type, but this alone makes me revaluate my eating habits in terms their long range affects. BTW, I picked up some free range beef recently, and man was that some good stuff. Alternatives exist even if they are more expensive.