I've been saying for a while now that the 'piggy MRSA*', known as ST398, is going to be a problem. Always listen to the Mad Biologist.
Last week, I was talking to someone who is monitoring MRSA in the New York area, and they've seen two cases of ST398 MRSA in hospitals. This really shouldn't come as a surprise since ST398 is sweeping through the swine population. The only question now is will ST398 simply replace the predominant MRSA strains, or will it add to the total number of MRSA infections and deaths.
Of course, those aren't mutually exclusive possibilities...
*MRSA is methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and is only reliably treated with vancomycin.
Update: I've had this confirmed by another person. Ugh.
More like this
I think I was a little too optimistic about MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in pigs staying in pigs and not spreading to humans.
The Charge of the Light MRSA Brigade
I'm sure everyone else thinks the big news today is the announcement by the Washington State Health department requiring hospitals to report MRSA cases to the state. I think the cool news is their on-line database. We'll get to that a bit later.
If you want the short version, Superbug: The Fatal Menace of MRSA is a must read. While I have a couple minor quibbles (more about those in a bit), they don't detract from either the importance or the style of this book.
THAT'll teach 'em to have pig races in the ICU...I don't think that counts as 'pet therapy'.
Or, "Never shake hands with pig farmer until you've seen them douse with mupirocin"
Or "See, I TOLD you it was a bad idea to have a pig for a pet"
If only it was that funny a situation.....
awwwww ... they're so cute!
Thank you very much for this useful article and the comments.
---------------
Leonard The Magazine Stundent at 9 Eylul University sohbet
Thanks Admin.