This scanning electron micrograph depicts a grouping of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. These S. aureus bacteria are from one of the first isolates in the U.S. that showed increased resistance to vancomycin as well. Note the increase in cell wall material seen as clumps on the organisms' surface. (Photo by Janice Carr, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The rise of unstoppable germs
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Drug options are dwindling for doctors to treat certain types of infection. The biggest challenges come from evolution, science and economic factors that hinder the technology behind drug development.
Guests
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Brad Spellberg MD: Professor of Medicine at UCLA and a clinician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He is author of "Rising Plague"(sept 2009).
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Louis Rice MD: Chief of the medical service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and professor at Case Western Reserve University.
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