Wayne State Gets NIH Grant For Treatment Of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
DETROIT -- Researchers at Wayne State University recently received federal funding to look at new ways to treat an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The nearly $430,000 grant went to a team led by Michael J. Ryback, professor of pharmacy practice and director of the anti-infective research laboratory at WSU's Applebaum College of Pharmacy. It comes from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health.
The bacteria Enterococcus can cause infections that typically target the digestive tract or bowel; if the bacteria spread, an abdominal abscess or urinary infection could result. Enterococcus also can invade the bloodstream, leading to meningitis, pneumonia or endocarditis -- an infection of the heart valve. Typically the only people who become ill from this bacteria are the elderly and those who already have health issues, such as diabetes or chronic kidney failure. Enterococcus infections can be serious in these populations.
The bacteria are resistant to a number of antibiotics, but in the past, physicians were able to effectively treat Enterococcus infections with the drug vancomycin. However, during recent years, Enterococcus has become resistant to vancomycin treatment, and the new strain, known as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, is resistant to other antibiotics as well. It also is able to transfer its treatment-resistance abilities to unrelated bacteria such as MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
According to Rybak, daptomycin, a novel lipopeptide antibiotic, shows great promise as a new therapy for VRE infections.
"This research study aims to define the dose exposure breakpoint required for daptomycin to ultimately optimize patient response to treatment and prevent the emergence of resistance," he said.
Once Rybak and his team determine the optimal doses of daptomycin, the result will be greater bactericidal activity, prevention of resistance and preservation of daptomycin as a viable antibiotic for continued clinical use.
