3 research outputs found
Spread of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR) including extensively drug resistant turberculosis (XDR TB), in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is an airborne pathogen that is easily transmitted from person to person. An intact immune system prevents the organism from causing disease in most individuals. In South Africa, the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has reached astronomical levels and is now fuelling the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. Drug resistant MTB strains combined with a weakened host immune system is a lethal combination. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) including extensively drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis is on the increase, with Tugela Ferry in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, reporting the largest cluster of XDR cases in the world. It is unknown whether a single clone of the drug resistant strain is circulating in this area or whether there are multiple strains at play. Using 2 complementary genotyping methods, we showed that the MDR strains present are the result of clonal spread associated with the F28 family, as well as de novo resistance which manifests as unique patterns. The XDR epidemic in Tugela Ferry is the result of clonal spread of a strain belonging to the F15/LAM4/KZN family
Increasing Drug Resistance in Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, South Africa
We expanded second-line tuberculosis (TB) drug susceptibility testing for extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from South Africa. Of 19 patients with extensively drug-resistant TB identified during February 2008–April 2009, 13 (68%) had isolates resistant to all 8 drugs tested. This resistance leaves no effective treatment with available drugs in South Africa
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Teixobactin Analogue
The
first synthesis and biological activity of a teixobactin analogue
is reported. Substitution of the unusual l-<i>allo</i>-enduracididine residue by the naturally occurring l-arginine
was achieved, and the analogue gave an activity trend similar to that
of teixobactin (against Gram-postive bacteria) and meropenem, which
was approved by the FDA in 1996. The synthetic route used allows for
the synthesis of the natural product as well as the development of
a program of medicinal chemistry