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46 ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE & STEWARDSHIP New Antibiotic Compound Proves Effective Against 2 WHO Priority Pathogens By Brian Zimmerman C anadian researchers created a new drug that targets the energy mechanisms of two of the 12 bacterial pathogens the World Health Organization identifies as capable of pos- ing the greatest risk to human health, according to a study published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. To develop the treatment, researchers first identi- fied a unique respiratory sodium pump that deliv- ers energy to at least 20 different types of bacteria cells and provided researchers with a new target for antibiotic treatment. Researchers then iden- tified a compound called PEG-2S that disabled the pump mechanism. In Chlamydia trachomatis, PEG-2S restricted the pump and hindered the growth and production of the bacteria. "The results from our collaboration are tremen- dously exciting," said Pavel Dibrov, PhD, a biology professor at the University of Manitoba in Winni- peg Canada and the study's lead author. "We are currently designing PEG-2S variations and hope to tailor PEG-based antimicrobials to each specif- ic NQR-containing pathogenic bacterium." The compound can target the energy pump of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa — two of the most dangerous bacterial pathogens in the world, as identified by the WHO. Further testing of PEG-2S in animals and humans is needed to fully assess the compound's efficacy and safety, according to the report. n Children's Hospital Colorado's New 'Handshake Stewardship' Program Led to 10.9% Decline in Antibiotic Use By Anuja Vaidya C hildren's Hospital Colorado in Aurora implemented a unique antimicrobial stewardship program, known as "handshake stewardship." The program resulted in a 10.9 percent drop in antibiotic use among inpatients from 2010 to 2014. The new program involves the following: • Fewer restrictions as well as less focus on pre-authorization typically found in antibiotic stewardship programs • A daily review — conducted by a pharmacist and physician — of every inpatient antibiotic prescription • Daily rounding by a pharmacist and physician team to moni- tor antibiotic usage and give advice in-person to every inpa- tient unit using antibiotics The program is known as "handshake stewardship" because it in- volves the personal contact and trust associated with handshakes. Researchers at Children's Hospital Colorado studied the effect of the program and published results in Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. The study includes a review of all antibiotics prescribed to inpatients between October 2010 and September 2014. Researchers found that "handshake stewardship" led to: • A 10.3 percent drop in antibacterial use hospitalwide • A 12.1 percent decrease in antifungal use hospitalwide • A 16.4 percent drop in antiviral use hospitalwide Overall, the hospital saw a decline in antimicrobial use of 10.9 per- cent. n Maple Syrup Extract Increases Antibiotic Potency By Brian Zimmerman R esearchers created a maple syrup ex- tract that enhances the effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics, according to a new study presented at the National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco in April. When mixing the maple syrup extract with the commonly used antibiotics ciprofloxa- cin and carbenicillin, researchers detected a synergistic reaction. e extract bolstered the antimicrobial properties of the drugs and proved effective in the laboratory setting against several bacterial strains, including E. coli. Combining the medicines and the extract allowed researchers to reduce the amount of antibiotics needed to be effective against these bacterial strains by 90 percent. Upon further investigation, the team discov- ered the extract increased the permeability of bacterial cells, suggesting the syrup extract allows the antibiotics to enter the interior of bacterial cells thereby increasing the efficacy of the drugs. "Native populations in Canada have long used maple syrup to fight infections," said Nathalie Tufenkji, PhD, a professor in the department of chemical engineering at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. "I've always been inter- ested in the science behind these folk medi- cines ... ere are other products out there that boost antibiotic strength, but this may be the only one that comes from nature." Dr. Tufenkji's team is currently testing the ma- ple syrup extract in mice. n