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August 10, 2004

WATCH OUT BUGS: THE VACCINE IS ON THE WAY!

A little known fact is that hospitals can kill you. Truly -- they can.  People can and do get sick from infections caused by the bacteria (namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus gram-positive bacteria) lingering around the hospital.  Combine this with the fact that bacteria are becoming ever more resistant to antibiotics -- and you whip up a nasty brew of hospital funk.

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals is coming to the rescue.  According to a press release on the Pharmacy Times:

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals announced today that it has been granted U.S. Patent No. 6,756,361 entitled "Enterococcus Antigens and Vaccines" by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  The [patented] polysaccharides cover more than 85% of all enterococcal infection isolates from hospitals across the United States. The patent also covers the use of these antigens as vaccines, and methods for obtaining and detecting the antigens.

"Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are responsible for almost all enterococcal infections in hospitalized patients. The identification and isolation of these antigens is a significant contribution in our efforts to expand our approaches to preventing and treating deadly Gram-positive bacterial infections. For the first time, these antigens will allow us to induce protective immunity against these multiple drug resistant pathogens," stated Thomas H. McLain, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals. Mr. McLain continued, "The issuance of this patent has further strengthened the intellectual property position around our Gram- positive pipeline portfolio. We now have significant patent positions that cover the most significant bacteria causing hospital acquired Gram-positive infections namely Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus."

The patent didn't have any pretty pictures (a la Patently Obvious) so to the right is a electron microscope image of Enterococcus faecium (thanks to Dennis Kunkel who has one of the most extensive and complete libraries of scientific images available on the web) -- which, according to Dr Gary Kaiser, "The enterococci have become the second most common bacterium isolated from nosocomial urinary and wound infections, and the third most common cause of nosocomial bacteremia. Each year in the U.S., in fact, enterococci account for approximately 110,000 urinary tract infections, 40,000 wound infections, 25,000 cases of nosocomial bacteremia, and 1100 cases of endocarditis. Furthermore, the enterococci are among the most antibiotic resistant of all bacteria, with some isolates resistant to all known antibiotics."

Doesn't it just make you want to go in for that face-lift you have been wanting. A little nip here, a little tuck there and some Enterococcus faecium for good measure.

Posted by Douglas Sorocco at 06:32 PM.
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