 
Antibacterial detergents don't create superbugs - Microbiology
Today: May 2004 issue
21 May 2004
Research proves that use of antibacterial detergents in the home
and in hospitals can reduce the development of superbugs, according
to an article published in the May 2004 issue of Microbiology
Today, the quarterly magazine for the Society for General
Microbiology. Using antibacterial products, including disinfectants
and antiseptics, has been found to lessen the chance of infection
and as a result cut down on the use of antibiotics.
Modern over-use of antibacterial soaps and cleaners to control
bacteria in the home has been blamed for contributing to the rise
in resistant germs.
"But there is no evidence to back this claim", explains
Professor Peter Gilbert from the University of Manchester. "One
such biocide, Triclosan, has been accused of appearing in breast
milk and some fish products, yet it has been shown to be easily
broken down in the environment and given a clean 'bill of health'
by the European Union."
Microbes have long been associated with drugs and this issue
of Microbiology Today takes a look at the close relationship
that microbes have with a wide range of drugs - from antimicrobials
to narcotics. The introduction of antibacterial agents, chemical
disinfectants and antiseptics, had already made significant improvements
in public health, long before the famous discovery of penicillin
by Alexander Fleming in the 1920's. Later developments brought
antiviral and antifungal drugs, and studies of the immune system
highlighted the promise offered by host defence peptides. Now
genomics is helping in the quest for new cures for diseases.
Other features in the May 2004 issue of Microbiology Today
include:
· Antimicrobials - where next? (page 55)
· Antiviral drugs - a short history of their discovery
and development (page 58)
· New drugs by manipulating Streptomyces genes (page
64)
· Microbial narcotics (page 66)
· Host defence peptides (page 70)
· Structural pathogenomics (page 74)
· Cold rush for drugs? (page 112)
These are just some of the articles that appear, together with
all the regular features and reports of Society activities.
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