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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Allicin makes Antibiotics work better!
There is a report published in The Journal of Antibiotics (April 2007) that claims that Allicin is synergistic with Antibiotics.
Click here for to get the full article.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Hypochlorite solutions may be useful in managing CA-MRSA
A recent research report (December 2008) indicates that Bleach Baths may be useful in managing CA-MRSA outbreaks.
The researchers suggest that a five-minute soak in a bleach solution consisting of 2.5 mcL of bleach diluted into 13 gallons of water, or about one-half cup of bleach diluted into a 50-gallon standard tub filled one-quarter with water, could decrease CA-MRSA colonies by more than 99.9%.Click here for the full article.
Monday, October 20, 2008
3 New Ideas for preventing and treating MRSA recurrences
This article is dedicated to people who are suffering from multiple repeat MRSA skin infections.
My hope here is to point you to 3 new treatment ideas that may be helpful in your struggles.
First things first, you should at least be following this decolonization protocol (or some form of it) as found in this clinical trial decolonization study :
Drug: 2% Mupirocin Ointment (Bactroban, by prescription only)
If you live with a family, consider having the entire family follow the above protocol.
Okay, if you are following the above and still have getting recurrences, you may consider trying bacteriophages, probiotics (for the skin), and CLO2 bath.
For each section, I provide links where you can get more information and do your own research. You may also be able to contact the companies I listed below and see if they can provide you with more information.
I did not contact any of these companies. I was merely searching for alternative MRSA treatments and found that these may be helpful.
Bacteriophage
Bacteriophages are bacteria's natural predators. They destroy and kill bacteria such as MRSA. The downside is that you need to find the right bacteriophage that is specific to the bacteria that you want to kill, in our case, MRSA.
For more information on bacteriophages, watch this really interesting and informative BBC video, and go to this website for more information.
The idea here is to get a culture/swab of your MRSA bacteria and send it to the Clinic in Tiblisi, Georgia. Once they receive your culture, the Clinic will analyze and find the right bacteriophage that is specific to your MRSA strain. They could then prepare the bacteriophages (most likely in small glass vials as shown in the video) and send you a TBD (to be determined) supply of them. You would then administer the bacteriophages by putting it in your bath water, putting it in a spray bottle and spraying directly to infected skin areas, nose, etc.
The great thing about bacteriophages is that it is specific to a certain bacteria. Once it encounters the bacteria, it destroys the bacteria. In the process of killing the bacteria, the bacteriophages actually multiplies and grows (by feeding off of the it) until all the bacteria is destroyed. Once the bacteria is destroyed, the bacteriophages breaks down and goes away.
The take away point here is that it does not destroy good bacteria (or bad bacteria that it is not targeted for).
I have not contacted the clinic for additional information but I really believe it may be entirely possible to do everything via air mail and email and NOT actually have to phsyically fly over there to get treatment. The downside is it may be expensive and take a considerable amount of time (to mail things back and forth).
Probiotics
A company by the name of Gandenlabs, a subsidary Ganden Biotech has patented a method of using probiotics to help prevent bacteria infections on the skin.
Here is a link to their patent. In this patent, they disclose how to make a probiotic bath and probiotic lotions that help prevent skin infections.
The idea here is similar to the theory behind taking probiotics to prevent infections in your gut: You populate your skin with GOOD bacteria so that there will be no room for the BAD bacteria to grow.
Ganden has developed a strain of probiotics called GandenBC that is STRONGER than your typical probiotic.
They claim that their Bacillus coagulans
Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2)
Chlorine Dioxide is used to treat water by killing the harmful bacteria and virus. It is used by many outdoor enthusiasts who go camping and hiking.
One product that stood out is Klearwater:
From their website, it states that:
KlearWater active Chlorine Dioxide water treatment differs from all other available water treatments in several significant ways;
A) KlearWater is the world's only active, ready to use, Chlorine Dioxide water treatment. Chlorine Dioxide is recognized as one of the most effective methods of eliminating bacteria and viruses from water and surfaces.
B) KlearWater is relatively unaffected by temperature or the PH of the water being treated. It is less affected than other Chlorine Dioxide products because of its durable formulation.
C) KlearWater is multi-use; it can be used as a water treatment, an oral rinse, a surface cleaner and as an emergency wash for cuts, scrapes and blisters. This is an important consideration when packing light for an extended hike. Because of KlearWater's proprietary formula it is more durable than competing products allowing pathogen kills at lower concentrations.
You may have been suggested to try using a Bleach Bath to help prevent MRSA infections but I think that a Chlorine Dioxide Bath using KlearWater would work just as well without the harmful side effects of chlorine.
I think the approach here would be to fill your bath tub 1/3 full and put in the recommended dosage for the amount of water. I would then wait about 10-15 minutes before going into the bath.
Note: Chlorine Dioxide does not actually contain any chlorine.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I have not (yet) tried any of the above methods. Please do your own research and make sure that you are 100% comfortable with any approach before using it.
My hope here is to point you to 3 new treatment ideas that may be helpful in your struggles.
First things first, you should at least be following this decolonization protocol (or some form of it) as found in this clinical trial decolonization study :
Drug: 2% Mupirocin Ointment (Bactroban, by prescription only)
Apply ointment to the anterior nares twice daily for 5 days.
Drug: 4% Chlorhexidine liquid soap (Hibenclens, available at your local drug store) Bathe with liquid soap daily for 5 days.
Behavioral: Hygiene protocol Follow key hygiene tips indefinitely. Tips are:
- Throw out all lotions or creams that you dip your hands into and replace with pumps or pour bottles.
- Use liquid(pour or pump) soaps instead of bar soaps.
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer(with more than %60 alcohol) such as Germ-X or Purell.
- Do not share personal care items such as razors and brushes.
- Wash all sheets and towels in hot water. Wash sheets every week.
- Use towels and wash cloths only once before washing and do not share.
If you live with a family, consider having the entire family follow the above protocol.
Okay, if you are following the above and still have getting recurrences, you may consider trying bacteriophages, probiotics (for the skin), and CLO2 bath.
For each section, I provide links where you can get more information and do your own research. You may also be able to contact the companies I listed below and see if they can provide you with more information.
I did not contact any of these companies. I was merely searching for alternative MRSA treatments and found that these may be helpful.
Bacteriophage
Bacteriophages are bacteria's natural predators. They destroy and kill bacteria such as MRSA. The downside is that you need to find the right bacteriophage that is specific to the bacteria that you want to kill, in our case, MRSA.
For more information on bacteriophages, watch this really interesting and informative BBC video, and go to this website for more information.
The idea here is to get a culture/swab of your MRSA bacteria and send it to the Clinic in Tiblisi, Georgia. Once they receive your culture, the Clinic will analyze and find the right bacteriophage that is specific to your MRSA strain. They could then prepare the bacteriophages (most likely in small glass vials as shown in the video) and send you a TBD (to be determined) supply of them. You would then administer the bacteriophages by putting it in your bath water, putting it in a spray bottle and spraying directly to infected skin areas, nose, etc.
The great thing about bacteriophages is that it is specific to a certain bacteria. Once it encounters the bacteria, it destroys the bacteria. In the process of killing the bacteria, the bacteriophages actually multiplies and grows (by feeding off of the it) until all the bacteria is destroyed. Once the bacteria is destroyed, the bacteriophages breaks down and goes away.
The take away point here is that it does not destroy good bacteria (or bad bacteria that it is not targeted for).
I have not contacted the clinic for additional information but I really believe it may be entirely possible to do everything via air mail and email and NOT actually have to phsyically fly over there to get treatment. The downside is it may be expensive and take a considerable amount of time (to mail things back and forth).
Probiotics
A company by the name of Gandenlabs, a subsidary Ganden Biotech has patented a method of using probiotics to help prevent bacteria infections on the skin.
Here is a link to their patent. In this patent, they disclose how to make a probiotic bath and probiotic lotions that help prevent skin infections.
The idea here is similar to the theory behind taking probiotics to prevent infections in your gut: You populate your skin with GOOD bacteria so that there will be no room for the BAD bacteria to grow.
Ganden has developed a strain of probiotics called GandenBC that is STRONGER than your typical probiotic.
They claim that their Bacillus coagulans
- SURVIVABILITY Bacillus coagulans survive the manufacturing process and harsh stomach acids to reach the intestinal tract*
- SHELF STABLE Bacillus coagulans requires no refrigeration
- COLONIZATION Bacillus coagulans successfully colonizes the intestines*
- SAFETY 50-plus year history of safe use
- LACTIC ACID PRODUCTION Bacillus coagulans produces the preferred L+ optical isomer of lactic acid*
A water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion, cream, lotion, or gel, containing approximately 1×10
6 to 1×109 Bacillus coagulans spores/ml may be used. An exemplary topical gel is prepared by mixing together equal volumes of propylene glycol and water, 1% by weight hydroxypropyl cellulose (MW of 100,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons) and lyophilizedBacillus coagulans culture to a final concentration of approximately 1×106 to 1×109 Bacillus coagulans spores/ml of the combination, and allowing the stirred mixture to sit for 3 to 5 days to form a gel. Other formulations are also presented herein.The
Bacillus coagulans -containing emulsion, cream, lotion, or gel is applied to the area of the skin showing superficial skin infections (e.g., pustules, boils, abscesses, styes or carbuncles) or rash and gently rubbed into the skin and allowed to air-dry. Applications are at-least once per day, and preferably two to three times per day (e.g., morning and night), or after each washing of the infected area for those areas which are washed frequently (e.g., the hands or diaper area). Applications are continued until skin inflammation has subsided and the skin appears normal to the observer. In cases where scab formation has occurred in the infected area, once daily applications are continued until the scabs are no longer present.
Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2)
Chlorine Dioxide is used to treat water by killing the harmful bacteria and virus. It is used by many outdoor enthusiasts who go camping and hiking.
One product that stood out is Klearwater:
From their website, it states that:
KlearWater active Chlorine Dioxide water treatment differs from all other available water treatments in several significant ways;
A) KlearWater is the world's only active, ready to use, Chlorine Dioxide water treatment. Chlorine Dioxide is recognized as one of the most effective methods of eliminating bacteria and viruses from water and surfaces.
B) KlearWater is relatively unaffected by temperature or the PH of the water being treated. It is less affected than other Chlorine Dioxide products because of its durable formulation.
C) KlearWater is multi-use; it can be used as a water treatment, an oral rinse, a surface cleaner and as an emergency wash for cuts, scrapes and blisters. This is an important consideration when packing light for an extended hike. Because of KlearWater's proprietary formula it is more durable than competing products allowing pathogen kills at lower concentrations.
You may have been suggested to try using a Bleach Bath to help prevent MRSA infections but I think that a Chlorine Dioxide Bath using KlearWater would work just as well without the harmful side effects of chlorine.
I think the approach here would be to fill your bath tub 1/3 full and put in the recommended dosage for the amount of water. I would then wait about 10-15 minutes before going into the bath.
Note: Chlorine Dioxide does not actually contain any chlorine.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I have not (yet) tried any of the above methods. Please do your own research and make sure that you are 100% comfortable with any approach before using it.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Clue To MRSA Vaccine Is Bacteria's Sticky Glue
Link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/120997.php
Sticky glue secreted by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus could be the clue scientists have been searching for to make an effective vaccine against MRSA, medical researchers heard at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn meeting being held this week at Trinity College, Dublin.
Around one third of all people and many animals carry Staphylococcus aureus, which simply lives on most of us as a biofilm fairly harmlessly. Occasionally it causes minor spots on our skin, abscesses and soft tissue infections and some people can get infected over and over again. On much rarer occasions it causes severe and life threatening infections that are significant medical problems. Many of these infections are made worse by the biofilm component of the overall disease, which helps to protect the bacteria from antibiotics.
"If individuals get infections many times, even after they have been cured by antibiotics, it indicates that their bodies have not become immune to Staph bacteria," said Professor Gerald Pier from Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA.
Staph bacteria tend to grow in cellular communities, particularly on medical devices commonly used on patients, producing what are called biofilm type infections. The devices range from simple catheters placed into blood vessels to those used for blood access for patients on dialysis to artificial heart valves, knees and hips. All patients with these types of devices in them have an increased risk for Staph infections. Living in biofilms protects the bacteria from antibiotics, making treatment more difficult.
"To grow as a biofilm the bacteria must produce sticky factors, one of which is a type of complex sugar called PNAG. We are targeting this material as a possible vaccine, but natural exposure to the sugar compound does not result in most people and animals making an immune response that would protect them from attack by the bacteria or recurring infections," said Professor Pier.
By manipulating the sugar chemically the scientists have discovered that they can produce variant forms which can be used as vaccines by causing the right type of immune response, an approach that has already been shown to work successfully in animal studies.
"We now have a way to tip the balance for resistance to infection back towards humans by vaccination," said Professor Pier. "It is most likely that one or more forms of the vaccine will be prepared to test in humans to see which form is best to get the most desirable antibodies made."
In addition, the researchers have created an antibody with the desired properties to give to people if they have a high risk of getting a Staph infection, thus preventing infection. "This antibody is being manufactured to start tests in humans in about 12 to 18 months," said Professor Pier. "An effective antibody treatment for Staph infections could have a major benefit for anyone who enters a hospital or works in the community and is at risk of Staph infections."
Sticky glue secreted by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus could be the clue scientists have been searching for to make an effective vaccine against MRSA, medical researchers heard at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn meeting being held this week at Trinity College, Dublin.
Around one third of all people and many animals carry Staphylococcus aureus, which simply lives on most of us as a biofilm fairly harmlessly. Occasionally it causes minor spots on our skin, abscesses and soft tissue infections and some people can get infected over and over again. On much rarer occasions it causes severe and life threatening infections that are significant medical problems. Many of these infections are made worse by the biofilm component of the overall disease, which helps to protect the bacteria from antibiotics.
"If individuals get infections many times, even after they have been cured by antibiotics, it indicates that their bodies have not become immune to Staph bacteria," said Professor Gerald Pier from Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA.
Staph bacteria tend to grow in cellular communities, particularly on medical devices commonly used on patients, producing what are called biofilm type infections. The devices range from simple catheters placed into blood vessels to those used for blood access for patients on dialysis to artificial heart valves, knees and hips. All patients with these types of devices in them have an increased risk for Staph infections. Living in biofilms protects the bacteria from antibiotics, making treatment more difficult.
"To grow as a biofilm the bacteria must produce sticky factors, one of which is a type of complex sugar called PNAG. We are targeting this material as a possible vaccine, but natural exposure to the sugar compound does not result in most people and animals making an immune response that would protect them from attack by the bacteria or recurring infections," said Professor Pier.
By manipulating the sugar chemically the scientists have discovered that they can produce variant forms which can be used as vaccines by causing the right type of immune response, an approach that has already been shown to work successfully in animal studies.
"We now have a way to tip the balance for resistance to infection back towards humans by vaccination," said Professor Pier. "It is most likely that one or more forms of the vaccine will be prepared to test in humans to see which form is best to get the most desirable antibodies made."
In addition, the researchers have created an antibody with the desired properties to give to people if they have a high risk of getting a Staph infection, thus preventing infection. "This antibody is being manufactured to start tests in humans in about 12 to 18 months," said Professor Pier. "An effective antibody treatment for Staph infections could have a major benefit for anyone who enters a hospital or works in the community and is at risk of Staph infections."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Manuka Honey for Treating MRSA
Research has shown that Manuka Honey has been shown to be effective as a topical application for treating MRSA:
http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/contents.shtml
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/november/Molan/honey-as-topical-agent.html
Dr. Molan has been a leader and pioneer in Honey Research and came up with the concept of the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). They don't really know the exact "stuff" in honey that contributes to its antibacterial properties but they can compare the effectiveness of the honey against a known control substance. In this case, they compare the honey with phenol:
The UMF is a good way to standardize the Honey so you know what you are getting.
[1] Honey as a topical antibacterial agent for treatment of infected wounds, Dr. Peter Molan, PHD, December 2001
http://bio.waikato.ac.nz/honey/contents.shtml
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/november/Molan/honey-as-topical-agent.html
Dr. Molan has been a leader and pioneer in Honey Research and came up with the concept of the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). They don't really know the exact "stuff" in honey that contributes to its antibacterial properties but they can compare the effectiveness of the honey against a known control substance. In this case, they compare the honey with phenol:
New Zealand manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honey is sold with the activity of its phytochemical antibacterial component rated on a 'UMF' scale, with the 'UMF' number being the equivalent concentration of phenol with the same antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (i.e. UMF 15 = 15% phenol)[1]
The UMF is a good way to standardize the Honey so you know what you are getting.
[1] Honey as a topical antibacterial agent for treatment of infected wounds, Dr. Peter Molan, PHD, December 2001
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Allicin (Garlic) cures MRSA infection
MRSA Cure on the high street:
This is Allicin from Allimax. It usually comes in a pack of 30 (180mg) capsules but higher dose capsules are available as well.
You can buy it for about $24.99 for the standard 30 pack. Doing a quick math analysis,
you will need to take:
The cost of a four week treatment will be:
I will be eagerly looking for this publication when it comes out this month.
The new research, due to be published in the Journal of Alternatives in Natural Therapy in September 2008, will be welcomed by thousands of people affected by the superbug, from patients, doctors, nurses, community care workers and people due to be admitted into hospitals.
The patient study program followed 52 patients suffering from hospital acquired MRSA-infected wounds. MRSA infection was verified through swabbing and analysis in UEL laboratories. Patients were asked to take up to 1350mg of stabilised allicin capsules and some were asked to spray a stabilised allicin liquid or use a cream formulation on the infected area twice daily. All 52 case studies treated with stabilised allicin recovered fully from their MRSA infection. Many wounds healed between 4 and 12 weeks of starting treatment.
The paper also highlights in detail three case studies of patients with confirmed MRSA infections at multiple sites. All had been treated with a series of conventional antibiotics (oral, topical and intravenous) in hospital but were discharged when antibiotics proved to be ineffective.
This is Allicin from Allimax. It usually comes in a pack of 30 (180mg) capsules but higher dose capsules are available as well.
You can buy it for about $24.99 for the standard 30 pack. Doing a quick math analysis,
you will need to take:
- 1350mg/180mg = 7.5 capsules/day
The cost of a four week treatment will be:
- 7.5 capsules/day * 7 days/week * 4 weeks = 210 capsules
- 210 /30 = 7 packs
- 7 * 24.99 = $174.93
- 7.5 capsules/day * 7 days/week * 12 weeks = 630 capsules
- 630 /30 = 21 packs
- 21 * 24.99 = $524.29
I will be eagerly looking for this publication when it comes out this month.
Manuka Oil vs Tea Tree for MRSA
Research has shown that Tea Tree Oil is effective as a topical application for treating MRSA:
http://www.tto.bcs.uwa.edu.au/
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w98/teatrees.html
However, Manuka Oil appears to be 20-30 times more effective than Tea Tree Oil in killing MRSA and other types of bacteria:
source: http://www.manuka-nz.co.nz/article_info.php/articles_id/34/
WARNING: There are numerous products (soap, shampoo, creams, etc) on the market today that includes Tea Tree Oil but may not be effective in treating MRSA and actually increase MRSA antibiotic resistance.
Research shows that these products need to contain a minimum of 4% Tea Tree Oil to be effective in killing MRSA. Perhaps the required Manuka Oil concentration may be even less?
The good news is that it's easy to make your own shampoos and liquid soaps. TheTruthAboutTeeTree site provides a lot of good information about Tee Tree Oils and info how to make your own.
http://www.tto.bcs.uwa.edu.au/
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w98/teatrees.html
However, Manuka Oil appears to be 20-30 times more effective than Tea Tree Oil in killing MRSA and other types of bacteria:
source: http://www.manuka-nz.co.nz/article_info.php/articles_id/34/
WARNING: There are numerous products (soap, shampoo, creams, etc) on the market today that includes Tea Tree Oil but may not be effective in treating MRSA and actually increase MRSA antibiotic resistance.
Research shows that these products need to contain a minimum of 4% Tea Tree Oil to be effective in killing MRSA. Perhaps the required Manuka Oil concentration may be even less?
The good news is that it's easy to make your own shampoos and liquid soaps. TheTruthAboutTeeTree site provides a lot of good information about Tee Tree Oils and info how to make your own.
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