Attack of the superbug

Last week, in two e-Alerts (“Be AfraidBe Very Afraid – Parts I & II” 10/16 & 10/17/02) HSI Panelist, Allan Spreen, M.D., gave us a chilling update on the “superbug” scenario – the unfortunate reality that certain highly adaptive strains of bacteria might eventually learn to survive our most advanced antibiotics.

Then this week, as if on cue, I came across an item announcing that doctors have revealed that the drug-resistant superbug known as Staphlococcus aureus (SA) has resurfaced, and as a result, researchers are now working overtime, trying to come up with the next line of antibiotic defense.

Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit have tested the SA strain against two new antibiotics. Both quinupristin-dalfopristin (recently released), and daptomycin (still under development) killed almost 100% of the bacteria. And although this is fine for now, they described the situation as having only a “little level of comfort.” The concern, of course, is that SA will develop resistance to the two new drugs. After all, it’s not called a “superbug” for nothing.

David Snydman, a researcher at Tufts University School of Medicine, has studied daptomycin, which, unlike other antibiotics, doesn’t stop bacteria growth, but rather kills bacteria by puncturing the membrane of its cell. Snydman believes that daptomycin is our best chance to fight this aggressive superbug, but adds that if the bacteria figures out a way to cope with daptomycin, “we’re gonna have a major problem.”

And Dave’s not kidding.

If you happened to miss Dr. Spreen’s e-Alerts from last week, it would be well worth your while to go to the HSI web site (www.hsionline.com) where you can easily find them in the e-Alert archives. Dr. Spreen offers detailed advice about four highly effective, natural antibiotics. If the current superbug adapts to the new pharmaceutical antibiotics, Dr. Spreen’s commentary just might start to look like a blueprint for survival.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute