Major Breakthrough in Superbug Fight
British scientists fight against hospital super bug MRSA, a bacteria difficult to treat as it is resistant to most types of antibiotics.
Developing cleansing agent Byotrol has help to cut the levels of MRSA in hospitals with a cleaning product which was invented to stop mould growth in bakeries and fish factories.Byotrol, an antimicrobial technology, has a polymer based structure which enables it to kill bacteria days after being first applied unlike the conventional method used by the NHS gold standard bleach which stop working shortly after they dry. The polymer creates a surface tension effect which operates like a fly trap that literally tears apart the bacteria when they come into contact. The effect lasts for several days, according to the tests' data.
Dr Andy Dodgson, consultant microbiologist at the MRI who led the trial, said: "These are very impressive results. Our study has shown a reduction of one third in levels of MRSA in the ward when the new disinfectant was compared with the gold-standard NHS bleach-based cleaning agent. "The new disinfectant has a clear role to play in helping hospitals in the battle to control HCASIs. Cutting the level of pathogens on the wards rescues the risk to patients of picking up an infection. The demonstration of a residual antibacterial effect is a major new discovery which will be an additional weapon for the NHS in the fight against superbugs."
The study at Manchester involved four general medical wards and after a few weeks produced a significant drop in MRSA levels. It continued to outperform the standard bleach during the rest of the 11 months. The Manchester tests follow earlier ones at Glasgow Royal Infirmary which produced a 50 per cent fall in MRSA levels but over a shorter period.
A National Audit Office report this month found that 300,000 patients one in 12 contracts an infection in English hospitals every year despite a 120 million deep clean which took place in the NHS last year. A report by the British Medical Association estimated that Health Care Acquired Infections, (HCAIs) cost the economy up to 11 billion each year.