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Source: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Viruslaced-dressings-may--halt.3932324.jp
Virus-laced dressings may halt superbugs
STITCHES and dressings laced with bacteria-killing viruses could help stop the spread of superbug MRSA in operating theatres, scientists said yesterday.
Researchers in Glasgow have developed a way of bonding infection-fighting agents to material such as nylon.
The tiny beads grow inside the bug-causing bacteria, then burst out to attack others, while leaving healthy cells alone. Sutures ? the thread used to stitch up wounds ? could host the viruses. Similarly, wound dressings impregnated with the agents would stop bacteria spreading.
Tests saw the devices kill 96 per cent of MRSA strains from patients in three hospitals.
Janice Spencer, from the University of Strathclyde, said: "Some bacteria-specific viruses ? called bacteriophages ? have been used in the past to help clear up infections, but their use died out when antibiotics became widely available."
The full article contains 139 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Last Updated: 31 March 2008 7:47 PM
Virus-laced dressings may halt superbugs
STITCHES and dressings laced with bacteria-killing viruses could help stop the spread of superbug MRSA in operating theatres, scientists said yesterday.
Researchers in Glasgow have developed a way of bonding infection-fighting agents to material such as nylon.
The tiny beads grow inside the bug-causing bacteria, then burst out to attack others, while leaving healthy cells alone. Sutures ? the thread used to stitch up wounds ? could host the viruses. Similarly, wound dressings impregnated with the agents would stop bacteria spreading.
Tests saw the devices kill 96 per cent of MRSA strains from patients in three hospitals.
Janice Spencer, from the University of Strathclyde, said: "Some bacteria-specific viruses ? called bacteriophages ? have been used in the past to help clear up infections, but their use died out when antibiotics became widely available."
The full article contains 139 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Last Updated: 31 March 2008 7:47 PM
