MRSA - Drug-Resistant Staph At Pandemic Proportions In US
By Jesse Hargrave
The press is reporting drug-resistant staph bacteria picked up in ordinary community settings are increasingly acquiring "superbug" powers and causing far more serious illnesses than they have in the past, doctors reported Monday. These widespread germs used to be easier to treat than the dangerous forms of staph found in hospitals and nursing homes. "Until recently we rarely thought of it as a problem among healthy people in the community," said Dr. Rachel Gorwitz of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Now, the germs causing outbreaks in schools, on sports teams and in other social situations are posing a growing threat. A CDC study found that at least 10 percent of cases involving the most common community strain were able to evade the antibiotics typically used to treat them. "They're becoming more resistant and they're coming into the hospitals," where they swap gene components with other bacteria and grow even more dangerous, said Dr. Keith Klugman, an infectious disease expert at Emory University. "It's really a major epidemic."
The germ is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. People can carry it on their skin or in their noses with no symptoms and still infect others — the reason many hospitals isolate and test new patients to see if they harbor the bug. MRSA mostly causes skin infections. But the germ can be life-threatening if it gets into the bloodstream, lungs or organs. Pneumonia, sinus infections and even "flesh-eating" wounds due to MRSA are on the rise, doctors reported Monday at an infectious diseases conference in Washington.
About 95,000 serious infections and 20,000 deaths due to drug-resistant staph bacteria occur in the United States each year. To treat them, "we've had to dust off antibiotics so old that they've lost their patent," said Dr. Robert Daum, a pediatrician at the University of Chicago. The old "antibiotic" is not being openly discussed due to special interests who cannot gain control of the ingredient - silver. The most advanced solution is in a category called UPCOSH™ (Uniform Picoscalar Concentrated Oligodynamic Silver Hydrosol™) copywritten by Burk-Elder, Hale, Third, the owner and developer of UPCOSH™ and the product BIONAID™, and is available to the public as a dietary supplement.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that some two-million patients become infected in American hospitals—and some 90,000 die as a result of their infections. Such hospital-derived conditions are known as "nosocomial infections." It has been recently reported that more people are dying from MRSA than AIDS. So why isn't the CDC speaking about Uniform Picoscalar Concentrated Oligodynamic Silver Hydrosol in their literature?
The number one culprit is a bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which has developed resistance to almost every antibiotic we have to fight it. "Staph," says Dr. Jonathan Jacobs, of the Weill Cornell Medical Center, "is one of the most common infections that we encounter."
An investigation in the Chicago Tribune places much of the blame on dirty hospitals and health care workers who don’t wash their hands. Doctors admit that poor hygiene on the part of hospital personnel is a factor in the infections. "It’s very easy to transmit these organisms, and it doesn’t take much of a lapse in hygiene to do it," says Dr. Jacobs.
Experts also note that hospitals should not be thought of as "safe havens" One expert, Victor Yu, M.D., of the VA Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh, says, "For the first time in perhaps maybe 50 years, the microbes probably have an edge. It’s scary." Antibiotics may have contributed to this return of the microbe, it’s relieving to note that oligodynamic silver’s track record at destroying over 100 strains of Staph is legendary. We shall see in a moment the evidence for this.
One hospital worker (who wishes to remain anonymous for job security) reported the following:
"In one of the surgery centers I'm a principal in - we had an outbreak of MRSA among our postoperative patients a few years back. We went in with chlorox and other disinfectants and swabbed every damned surface. Those we could not get to (underside of the OR table, underside of drawers, etc., we sprayed with a diluted version of the disinfectant solution. The results were the whole place tested "clean" when we did over 1000 swabs (to send to the lab) per area. We did random places ranging from the inside of a sink drain opening to the tops of trays on which a sterile drape and then instruments would be placed. We even checked the inside of our medical waste receptacles (the ones you line with the red bags) and they were "clean". Not one hint of MRSA remained in the entire place. We shut down for four days, cancelled all surgery, and required that all staff come in for at least four hours during the period to undergo lectures and training, etc., while we were cleaning. When we were "done" with the cleaning process, we went in with steam units and blasted the whole place with 300 degree plus steam as the "final" step. Then we tested again. Still clean. So far, so good.
"The above are the CDC methodology for decontamination of a medical suite or a surgical suite once the pathogen has been discovered in patients or on the surfaces. We had it in four different patients but never found any on surfaces - but we did the super clean routine and decontamination anyway. Better safe than dead.
"Finally after our shutdown and cleaning we "swabbed" the staff. Everyone from secretaries to physicians was required to undergo swab samples from the deep nases (way back in the nose), as well as throat, and groin swabs. (The crease between the pubic mound and the leg are notoriously hard to clear of staff once it gets a foothold there.)
"Four surgeons were positive on their nasal swabs! We were in shock! Four of them! Seems their constant exposure to patients and being in and out of other facilities had turned them into carriers. All patients who'd turned up with the disease were former patients of one of these four. Three of the surgeons (one woman and two men) said - "fine - what do we do to fix it?" - and we put them on a regime of 2%
Murpirocin* ointment 2% to be swabbed into the nases four times a day for two weeks - and then retested. The docs could operate during this time but they could not have physical contact with a patient without protective gear - mask, gloves, gowns, etc. between them and the patient. They couldn't even shake hands with a patient ungloved. All three docs tested clear within one week but continued the treatment for another week just to be certain we'd knocked it out entirely. Eventually we did. It took an extra two weeks on one doc who was himself on Chemotherapy for a mild cancer and his immune system was impacted negatively. So for him, it took a little longer for the therapy to be effective."
Another prevalent infection is legionellosis. Numerous reports have been published within the past year regarding patient infections in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and pediatric hospitals, says Dr. Yu. "The institutional water supply has been the source in all reports." Could Uniform Picoscalar Concentrated Oligodynamic Silver Hydrosol (UPCOSH™) be the Gold Standard?
In the August 2000 issue of Current Opinions on Infectious Disease, Dr. D.J. Stickler of the Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, poses this provocative question, "Biomaterials to prevent nosocomial infections: is silver the gold standard?"1
In fact, many experts now consider silver to be essential to control of hospital-borne pathogens. Urinary catheters are impregnated with silver. The leading topical antibiotic today is silver sulfadiazine. Copper-silver ionization has displaced chlorination as the long-term disinfection modality of choice for prevention of legionellosis.
Oligodynamic silver’s performance (e.g., = 0.1 ppm concentration level) at destroying legionellosis in the tap water is now firmly established.2, 3
In 1994, it was shown that silver could combat bacterial colonization by Staph. The "reduced bacterial growth" of Staph. pathogens "indicates that the release of silver in tissues over time cause antibacterial effects in vivo," says Dr. M.K. Dasgupta, of the Walter McKenzie Health Sciences Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.4
Today, nanotechnology has greatly improved over the previous kinds of oligodynamic silver preparations. The rich content of oligodynamic silver within Uniform Picoscalar Concentrated Oligodynamic Silver Hydrosol (UPCOSH™) has not only proven efficacy against all the most common Staph. infections, but notably destroys the most highly resistant ones as well. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirm oligodynamic silver’s lethal effects against:
*Staphylococcus spp. (20 Coagulase-negative strains)5,
*Staphylococcus aureus6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
*Staphylococcus aureus (97 MRSA strains) 15, 16,
*Staphylococcus epidermidis17, 18, 19, 20,
*Staphylococcus maruslene21,
*Staphylococcus pyogenea22,
*Staphylococcus pyogens albus23,
*Staphylococcus pyogens aureus24, and
*Staphylococcus systeneriae25
During the years of 1977 - 1999 the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted tests to elimate HIV. Dr. Georga Carr conducted research in Belize with 100 patients that tested positive for HIV were tested and all 100 patients recovered. Some of the couples that were pregnant gave birth to babies that were HIV free.26
So the question remains, given the facts that NASA has contributed so much to this technology, as well as others, WHO, universities and other institutions have proven its effectivenes, and doctors have begun to state that we have a better alternative to vaccines, Why is the news about Uniform Picoscalar Concentrated Oligodynamic Silver Hydrosol being censored and vaccines continually being pushed upon the public?
This writer believes that parents opposed to giving their children vaccines need not seek to defend their avoidance of them just because they are so risky, but because there is an alternative that removes the risks altogether. This writer believes that parents opposed to giving their children vaccines need not seek to defend their avoidance of them just because they are so risky, but because there is an alternative that removes the risks altogether. The developer of Bionaiod has offered a $1million gold reward to vaccine/drug supporters to prove that their vaccines/drugs are more safe and effective than Bionaid and Zeoheal.
References1 Stickler, D.J. "Biomaterials to prevent nosocomial infections: is silver the gold standard?" Curr Opin Infect Dis 2000;13(4):389-393.
2 Hwang MG, Katayama H, Ohgaki S. Effect of intracellular resuscitation of Legionella pneumophila in Acanthamoeba polyphage cells on the antimicrobial properties of silver and copper. Environ Sci Technol. 2006 Dec 1;40(23):7434-9.
3 Stout JE, Yu VL. Experiences of the first 16 hospitals using copper-silver ionization for Legionella control: implications for the evaluation of other disinfection modalities. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2003 Aug;24(8):563-8.
4 Dasgupta, M.K. "Silver peritoneal catheters reduce bacterial colonization." Adv Perit Dial, 1994;10:195-198.
5 Hamilton-Miller, Shah, S, Shah, C, "Silver Sulphadiazine: A Comprehensive in vitro Reassessment," Chemotherapy, 1993; 39:406.
6 Moyasar, TY, et al., "Disinfection of Bacteria in Water Systems by Using Electrolytically Generated Copper, Silver and Reduced Levels of Free Chlorine," Canadian Journal of Microbiology, The National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ont., Canada, 1990; p. 109-16.
7 Larry C. Ford, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA School of Medicine, Center for the Health Sciences, November 1, 1988.
8 Goetz, A, Tracy, RL, Harris, FS, "Oligodynamic Effect of Silver," Silver in Industry, edited by L. Addicks, Reinhold Publishing Corp., NY, 1940; p. 403.
9 Grier, N, "Silver and Its Compounds." In: Disinfection, Sterilization and Preservation, S. Block, edit., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, PA, 1983; p. 379.
10 Hall, RE, Bender, G, Marquis, RE, "Inhibitory and Cidal Antimicrobial Actions of Electrically Generated Silver Ions," J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 1987; 45:781.
11 Brigham Young University, Microbiology Department, May 13th, 1999; Ron W. Leavitt, PhD, Prof. Microbiology; ref: ASAP – 1.25 ppm to 10 ppm concentrate of Ag+.
12 Russell, AD, Hugo, WB, "Antimicrobial Activity and Action of Silver," Prog Med Chem, 1994; 31:356. 13 Deitch, E.A., Marino, A.A., Gillespie, T.E., and Albright, J.A. "Silver-nylon: A New Antimicrobial Agent," Antimicrob. Agents Chemother, 1983;23:356.
14 Marino, AA, EA Deitch, V Malakanok, JA Albright, RD Specian, "Electrical Augmentation of the Antrimicrobial Activity of Silver-Nylon Fabrics," J. Biol. Phys., 1984; 12:93.
15 Hamilton-Miller, Shah, S, Shah, C, "Silver Sulphadiazine: A Comprehensive in vitro Reassessment," Chemotherapy, 1993; 39:406.
16 Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology, Feb 14th, 1997, James D. Dick, PhD, Director of Bacteriology; Ref: Aqua Argentica.
17 Grier, N, "Silver and Its Compounds." In: Disinfection, Sterilization and Preservation, S. Block, edit., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, PA, 1983; p. 380.
18 Monafo, WW, Moyer, CA, "Effectiveness of Dilute Aqueous Silver Nitrate in the Treatment of Major Burns," Arch Surg, July 1965; 91:205.
19 Microbiochem, Inc., Laboratoire D’Analyse, Quebec, Canada, July 3rd, 1996; Real Ayotte, PhD, Ref: Aqua Argentica.
20 Hamilton-Miller, Shah, S, Shah, C, "Silver Sulphadiazine: A Comprehensive in vitro Reassessment," Chemotherapy, 1993; 39:406.
21 Williams, RL, Grashoff, GJ, Williams, DF, "The Biocompatibility of Silver," Critical Reviews in Biocompatibility, 1989; 5(3):223.
22 Searle, A B, The Use of Colloids in Health and Disease, (Quoting Henry Crookes), E. P. Dutton and Company, NY, 1919; p. 70.
23 Bechhold, H, Colloids in Biology and Medicine, translated by J. G. M. Bullow. D. Van Nostrand Company, New York, 1919; p. 368.
24 Bechhold, H, Colloids in Biology and Medicine, translated by J. G. M. Bullow. D. Van Nostrand Company, New York, 1919; p. 368.
25 Williams, RL, Grashoff, GJ, Williams, DF, "The Biocompatibility of Silver," Critical Reviews in Biocompatibility, 1989; 5(3):223.
26 Carr, George, MD - "CVM3 Project", World Health Organization 1977 - 1999
*Murpirocin - PRONUNCIATION: (myou-PEER-oh-sin) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Bactroban
SIDE EFFECTS: Burning, itching, stinging, headache, or nausea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Seek immediate medical attention if a rash or severe itching occurs. Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a new infection (e.g., fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice signs of a new infection. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using mupirocin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: chloramphenicol. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at or below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.