




Healthcare Industry News: methicillin-resistant
News Release - October 8, 2007
Dade Behring Receives FDA Clearance for Rapid-Result Gram Positive Microbiology Tests
Quicker detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria decreases chance of spreading serious infectionsDEERFIELD, Ill.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Dade Behring Inc. (NASDAQ:DADE ) has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use of its MicroScan® Synergies plus(TM) Gram-positive panels. The new technology used in the panels allows for rapid two-hour identification of bacteria and same-day test results for detecting certain antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause serious health threats in a hospital environment. Some of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may be identified on the same-day tested are:
- methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),
- Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), and
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most pressing public health issues. Antibiotic resistance prolongs illness in patients and puts them at a greater risk of death. It also increases the cost of health care resulting from more hospital admissions, longer hospital stays and the use of expensive antibiotics.
"Dade Behring feels strongly about addressing this global health issue and continues to develop automated microbiology tests that identify the latest antibiotic-resistant bacteria," said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO, Dade Behring. "By more quickly confirming the diagnosis of an antibiotic-resistant infection, physicians can treat patients and mitigate life-threatening infections from spreading to others in the hospital environment."
With the addition of Synergies plus(TM) Gram-positive panels, the Company now offers automated solutions for rapid identification and same-day detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, both for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This is especially important as more strains of bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. For example, in 1971, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported only two percent of staphylococcus infections as resistant to the antibiotic methicillin. This number increased to 22 percent in 1995 and nearly 63 percent in 2004, resulting in an increase in the use of the antibiotic vancomycin(1-3). The growing dependency on vancomycin led to the emergence of vancomycin-resistant S. aureus and enterococcus infections, posing a threat to health care environments and demonstrating a global trend that is expected to continue(1-3).
The introduction of these new MicroScan® panels secures Dade Behring's leadership position in automated identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, which is complemented by a worldwide reputation for quality and accuracy in the detection of emerging antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Dade Behring has nearly 60 MicroScan® panels of tests, with up-to-date antibiotics including overnight, rapid and specialty products. The Company was the first to offer an automated identification and susceptibility testing system cleared for improved detection of the emerging resistant bacterium vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA).
About Dade Behring
With 2006 revenue of more than $1.7 billion, Dade Behring is the world's largest company solely dedicated to clinical diagnostics. It offers a wide range of products, systems and services designed to meet the day-to-day needs of clinical laboratories, delivering innovative solutions to customers and enhancing the quality of life for patients. Additional company information is available on the Internet at www.dadebehring.com.
References
1. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Research report: The Problem of Antimicrobial Resistance. April 2006. http://niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/antimicro.htm (accessed August, 23, 2007).
2. Consumers Union. Press release: Groundbreaking Report Shows Alarming MRSA Infection rates at U.S. Hospitals. http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/2007/06/004646print.html (accessed August 24, 2007).
3. Silver Colloids. Publication: Antibiotic Resistance a Growing Problem. http://www.silver-colloids.com/Pubs/antibiotic-resistance.html (accessed August 24, 2007).
This press release may contain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward statements include information regarding the intent, belief or current expectation of the company and members of its senior management team, including, without limitation, expectations regarding prospective performance and opportunities and the outlook for the company's businesses, performance, opportunities and regulatory approval. In addition, the company is in the process of a major new product launch, which involves risks and uncertainties regarding product performance, costs of introduction and support, and customer acceptance. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the company.
Source: Dade Behring
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