Conjugate vaccines hold hope for countering resistant pneumococcus

Article Abstract:

Scientists are rapidly trying to develop a conjugate vaccine against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium, often called pneumococcus, is responsible for many cases of pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media. In 1995, 25% of pneumococcal strains in the US were resistant to many antibiotics, up from 5% in 1990. Regional rates could be even higher. Doctors are concerned that the bacterium could pick up resistance to vancomycin, which would make pneumococcal infection impossible to treat. Hospitals can impose strict infection control procedures to protect hospital patients. The best hope for the general population is a conjugate vaccine that will stimulate children's immune systems sufficiently to protect them from infection. Such vaccines are in development but may not be effective against all strains.

Product development, Streptococcal infections, Prevention, Pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccines

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Investigators seeking new ways to stem rising tide of resistant fungi

Article Abstract:

Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are trying to develop new methods of fighting drug resistance among fungi. Life-threatening fungal infections were once rare and for that reason there are few drugs to treat them. The spread of AIDS has made severe fungal infections much more common and many fungi are becoming resistant to the commonly used drugs, which include amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine and the triazoles such as fluconazole and ketoconazole. Combining these drugs may help and boosting the patient's immune system is a promising technique.

Research, Drug therapy, Antifungal agents, Mycoses

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Studies explore impact of new pathogens: investigators report on metapneumovirus, SARS

Article Abstract:

Research on two viruses that were only discovered in 2001 and 2003 was discussed at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Human metapneumovirus (MPV) was discovered in 2001, but blood samples from 1953 tested positive for MPV. The virus that causes SARS was discovered in 2003 and is the subject of intense interest because it infected over 8,000 people and killed 774 between November, 2002 and July, 2003.

Conferences, meetings and seminars, Severe acute respiratory syndrome

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