Deadly Superbugs Pose Greater Threat Than Previously Estimated
Drug-resistant germs sicken about 3 million people every year in the United States and kill about 35,000, representing a much larger public health threat than previously understood, according to a long-awaited report released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new estimates show that, on average, someone in the United States gets an antibiotic-resistant infection every 11 seconds, and every 15 minutes, someone dies.
Antibiotic Makers Struggle, Hurting War on Superbugs
One of America’s biggest antibiotics specialists, Melinta Therapeutics Inc., filed for bankruptcy in late December, citing slow sales growth and high costs. Other makers might soon face a similar fate, saying their cash will run out before the end of 2020. “We don’t know the fate of those drugs for our patients,” said CIMAR Director Helen Boucher, chief of infectious diseases at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. “As a physician, that’s my biggest concern.”
Heroic Motorized Molecules Drill Superbug Full of Holes
All manner of fancy ideas have been floated to kill the superbug, when what we’ve needed is a hero willing to go toe-to-toe with these pitiless, heavily-armored bacteria. And here it is: a seek-and-destroy motorized molecular drill that is activated by light to “spin at three million rotations per second” – and ruthlessly disembowel the enemy outright. Notably, the world’s first single molecule electric motor was developed at Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences in 2011.
W.H.O. Warns That Pipeline for New Antibiotics Is Running Dry
In two new reports, the global health agency says only government intervention can fix the broken market for new antimicrobial drugs. “We can’t have more companies going bankrupt,” said CIMAR Director Dr. Helen Boucher, an infectious disease specialist at Tufts Medical Center and a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. ” If the pipeline remains this anemic, that’s going to have real implications for our patients.”
Coronavirus Cases Are On The Rise In New England
The number of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts is climbing. CIMAR Director Dr. Helen Boucher, Chief of Geographic Medicines and Infectious Disease at Tufts Medical Center, joined WBUR’s Morning Edition host Bob Oakes to help put the numbers in perspective.
More Of Your Questions About The Coronavirus, Answered
CIMAR Director Dr. Helen Boucher, Chief of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Tufts Medical Center, and Dr. Joshua Barocas of Boston Medical Center and the Boston University School of Medicine joined WBUR to answer listener questions about COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus.
Health Expert Urges Parents to Minimize Play Dates Amid Coronavirus Fears
With schools shut down across the Bay State for the next three weeks in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus, parents are faced with the tough question of whether or not to let their kids socialize. CIMAR’s Dr. Helen Boucher is urging families to think small when it comes to playdates.
Food Delivery Safety During the Coronavirus Pandemic: What You Need to Know
CIMAR featured trainee, Dr. Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, has several tips including calling up any restaurant you plan on ordering from and asking specific questions about what they’re doing to deter the spread of coronavirus at all stages of the cooking and handling process.
Continue What We’re Doing as Long as Possible: CIMAR’s Dr. Shira Doron Says Social Distancing Must Continue
While some politicians, including the President, are looking to ease restrictions keeping people from work, CIMAR’s Dr. Shira Doron (an Attending Physician, Hospital Epidemiologist, and Antimicrobial Steward at Tufts Medical Center) says distancing needs to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic while medical professionals deal with a shortage of supplies.
Tufts Medical Chief of Infectious Diseases Discusses What Doctors are Doing to Fight COVID-19
CIMAR Director Dr. Helen Boucher discusses the training that goes into being an infectious diseases specialist, as well as what ID clinicians such as herself are doing to diagnose, treat, educate, and protect the public in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Tufts Researchers Find Link Between Dog-Human Antibiotic Resistance
- IDSA announces Tufts Medical Center Among Recipients of Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers of Excellence Designation
- CIMAR Featured in Spotlight on Research and Collaboration
- CIMAR Joins the Battle Against AMR with Collaborative and Brainstorming Workshop
- Tufts Summer Programs Provide Research Opportunities for Undergraduates