At Southwest Foundation, scientists run show - but research animals are essential stars

Article Abstract:

Approximately 3,500 nonhuman primates and 4,000 animals of other species are kept for research purposes at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio, Texas. Many of these animals are used in AIDS research, not only by the Foundation's 50 research scientists, but by outside pharmaceutical companies who 'rent' animals at a cost of between $50,000 and $100,000 per animal. The Foundation has a program of 'pensioning off' many of their animals. Animals whose usefulness as research subjects has passed, but who still have a substantial life expectancy, are maintained from a fund that is estimated to be sufficient to care for them until the year 2020. The animals are treated well and kept comfortable. There is an outdoor playground for the breeding colony and another playground is planned for the 'retired' animals. The baboons at the facility are used to study osteoporosis, neonatal medicine, and the effect of diet on arteriosclerosis. Another major area of research conducted at the Southwest Foundation involves studying opossums to evaluate the possible effects of sunlight on cataracts and certain skin cancers.

Care and treatment, Research, Case studies, Animal experimentation, Laboratory animals, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research

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Surgeons say cutting out some TB and MOTT may be the answer in multidrug-resistant infections

Article Abstract:

Surgical removal of tissue infected with tuberculosis (TB) or mycobacterium other than tuberculosis (MOTT) may save patients from years of living with illness and taking pills. The rise of drug-resistant TB and MOTT has created the need for other viable forms of treatment. Nine women with a form of MOTT disease underwent surgery and are now taking medication and living otherwise normal lives. Generally patients with this disease take antituberculous and antibiotic drugs for years, often with no signs of improvement. In another clinical trial, 90% of 125 patients with drug-resistant TB and MOTT who underwent surgery were cured. While not all TB and MOTT patients are eligible for surgery, it may significantly aid some patients for whom drug treatment has failed.

Surgery, Tuberculosis, Mycobacterial infections, Mycobacterium infections

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National Patient Safety Foundation studies systems

Article Abstract:

The American Medical Association has created a foundation to help reduce the number of medication errors and treatment errors that can put patients at risk. The non-profit National Patient Safety Foundation will consist of safety experts, consumer advocates, ethicists, physicians, employers, lawyers and insurers. Corporate sponsorship will contribute to the foundation's $2 million 1998 budget. The group will study safety interventions that have been adopted in other industries to prevent worker injury. An estimated 180,000 Americans die every year from injuries caused by medical treatment.

Safety and security measures, Prevention, Social policy, Hospital patients, Medication errors, Iatrogenic diseases, National Patient Safety Foundation

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