University of Sunderland and bioMérieux Collaborate in New Research Significantly Improving the Identification of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, a Major Cause of Death in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Researchers at the University of Sunderland’s Pharmacy School, Professor Paul Groundwater and Dr. Roz Anderson, in collaboration with Prof. John Perry of Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, Prof. Arthur James of Northumbria University and Sylvain Orenga of bioMérieux have discovered a new technique for the highly specific detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which primarily infects the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis. It is also a major cause of infection among patients with immune deficiencies, such as patients with AIDS and cancer or those suffering from burns.

Known as a “superbug”, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is very difficult to cure as it is highly resistant to antibiotics. Early detection makes a huge difference to a patient’s chances of survival and the research team’s discovery increases the accuracy and speed of detection of the bacteria to within 24-48 hours.

“bioMérieux is very proud to have participated in and supported this research that will help in the fight against Healthcare-Associated Infections, a strategic focus for our company,” declared Dr. Peter Kaspar, bioMérieux Corporate Vice President of R&D. “This discovery will enable bioMérieux to bring additional high-medical value tests to clinicians and positively impact patients’ treatment and their follow-up care,” he added.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa currently accounts for 16.5% of all hospital infections² . An estimated 28 % of people who have undergone transplant surgery are infected by the bacteria³ .

“These bacteria are really difficult to treat, and hospital staff need to know very quickly if someone has been infected. In our new diagnostic method a non-coloured compound reacts with an enzyme present in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and produces a very distinctive purple colour which indicates the presence of these bacteria. This technique works on 99% of the strains of this superbug," said Paul Groundwater, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Sunderland. “We hope our research will make a big difference in the survival rate of many thousands of vulnerable people throughout the world,” he concluded.

About Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of infection among patients with immune defects. It is tolerant to many detergents, disinfectants and antimicrobial compounds and is difficult to control in hospitals and institutional environments. It causes urinary tract infections, respiratory system infections, dermatitis, soft tissue infections, bacteremia, bone and joint infections, gastrointestinal infections and a variety of systemic infections, particularly in patients with severe burns and in cancer and AIDS patients who are immunosuppressed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is a serious problem in patients hospitalized with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and burns. The case fatality rate in these patients is near 50%.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa currently accounts for 10.1% of all hospital infections.

About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 70,000 children and adults worldwide. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections, obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

50% of cystic fibrosis patients will be infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and of those infected 50% will die .

About the University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland’s School of Pharmacy was established in 1921 and has grown to be regarded as one of the best in England. Teaching in pharmacy and pharmacology was described as excellent in the last Quality Assurance Agency review, and the School is making breakthroughs in several crucial areas of research, including drug discovery, formulation, pharmacology and analytical science.

About bioMérieux

Advancing Diagnostics to Improve Public Health

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for 45 years, bioMérieux is present in more than 150 countries through 38 subsidiaries and a large network of distributors. In 2007, revenues reached €1.063 billion with 84% of sales outside of France.

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software), which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Our products are used for diagnosing infectious diseases and providing high medical value results for cardiovascular emergencies and cancer screening and monitoring. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. bioMérieux is listed on Eurolist by Euronext. For more information, visit www.biomerieux.com.

University of Sunderland Contacts

Tony Kerr
+44 7748 334 768

Steve Heywood
+44 7748 334 709

University press office
+44 191 515 2691/2099
pressoffice@sunderland.ac.uk

bioMérieux Contacts

Media Relations

bioMérieux
Koren Wolman-Tardy
Tel: + 33 4 78 87 20 08
media@eu.biomerieux.com

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Tiphaine Hecketsweiler
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