Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Staph Strain Explodes Immune Cells

Part of puzzle explains infection's deadly punch

By Colleen Barry, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2007 4:30 AM CST

(Newser) – A key reason why a powerful strain of drug-resistant staph infections known as MRSA has proven so deadly is because it produces a compound that causes immune cells to explode, a new study in Nature concludes. The finding helps explain why MRSA, usually found in... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Associated Press (Source Grid »)

Compound targets immune cells critical to fighting bacterial infections
Reuters

Study abstract
Nature

Health

hospitals • staph infections • antibiotics • vaccine • immune system • drug resistant • MRSA

More Newser Stories

New Superbug Highlights Poor Hospital Hygiene

Deadly C. diff., aided by over-prescription of antibiotics, is on the rise

(NEWSER) - A deadly new superbug—beefed up by the over-prescription of antibiotics and spread by dirty hospitals and nursing homes—is raising concern in the medical community, MSNBC reports. The so-called C. diff is a mutated form of a benign bug typically transmitted in unsanitary medical facilities, especially bathrooms. Cases are on the rise, and the threat now rivals that of the headline-grabbing MRSA superbug, MSNBC notes. More»

Drug-Proof Superbug Turns Deadly

Antibiotic-resistant staph kills more Americans than AIDS

(NEWSER) - An antibiotic-resistant strain of staph kills more Americans each year than HIV, accounting for almost 19,000 deaths annually, the first national stats on the superbug reveal. The super-staph is treatable but can quickly lead to dangerous "flesh-eating" infections. "We really need to be on guard against these emerging organisms," one epidemiologist tells the Washington Post. More»

For Infections, Try Gator-cillin

Scientists probe reptile's impressive immune system

(NEWSER) - Scientists are trying to harness the power of alligator blood to fight disease, bacterial infections, and even HIV, Cox News reports. Proteins in the reptiles' blood have antibiotic properties thanks to the animals' long evolution and frequent exposure to bacteria; their exceptionally effective immune systems can fight off invaders without previous exposure. "It's pretty exciting," says one gator researcher. More»

Screening Isn't Slowing Staph: Study

Researchers back more cost-effective, targeted testing to catch superbug

(NEWSER) - Widespread screening of hospital patients for the drug-resistant staph bacteria MRSA doesn’t appear to reduce the number of infections, a new study finds. Swiss researchers screened more than 10,000 patients for the superbug when they were admitted to the University of Geneva Hospitals. Another 10,000 weren’t tested. The rates of MRSA infections were similar for both groups, the Chicago Tribune reports. More»

Superbug Strikes Gay Men

Resistant new strain of MRSA spreading fast

(NEWSER) - A new strain of the "flesh-eating" bacteria MRSA is spreading rapidly among gay men in Boston and San Francisco and there are warnings it could extend to a larger population, the New York Times reports. The drug-resistant strain seems to be spreading largely by sexual contact, but it can also be passed via skin contact or simply by touching a contaminated surface, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Staph Strain Explodes Immune Cells

Part of puzzle explains infection's deadly punch

hospitals • staph infections • antibiotics • vaccine • immune system • drug resistant • MRSA

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

New Superbug Highlights Poor Hospital Hygiene

Deadly C. diff., aided by over-prescription of antibiotics, is on the rise

Drug-Proof Superbug Turns Deadly

Antibiotic-resistant staph kills more Americans than AIDS

For Infections, Try Gator-cillin

Scientists probe reptile's impressive immune system

Screening Isn't Slowing Staph: Study

Researchers back more cost-effective, targeted testing to catch superbug

Superbug Strikes Gay Men

Resistant new strain of MRSA spreading fast

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?