The Pandora Report

Highlights in this slightly longer report include BioWatch in the (Los Angeles) news, bird flu in Cambodia, nixing Staph’s Nicking enzyme, West Nile at your next wine tasting, blue light is the new red light when stopping bacteria, TB lurking in bone marrow, developing a better antidote to cyanide, and a chandelier made of petri dishes which actually grows bacteria (hang it in the dining room for a truly meta dining experience). Happy Friday!

House investigators seek BioWatch documents

It was only a matter of time before the LA Times was going to weigh in on the new BioWatch contract – $3.1 billion is a lot of money. So in what came as a surprise to absolutely no one,  the LA Times had a piece yesterday discussing stonewalling on the part of BioWatch officials. Transparency and accountability are both critically important…I’m just going to end that sentence there. 

LA Times – “Leaders of a House committee probing BioWatch, the nation’s troubled system for detecting biological attacks, complained Thursday that administration officials had blocked them from seeing documents held by two senior federal scientists known to have been privately skeptical of the nationwide program…In a letter, the House Energy and Commerce Committee urged Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to produce the requested emails and other documents held by the scientists, who are based at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta…The scientists’ firsthand assessments of BioWatch are known to diverge from those voiced by representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, who have repeatedly denied the existence of any false alarms or other serious deficiencies.”

H5N1 Bird Flu Re-Emerges in Cambodia, 3 New Cases & 2 Deaths
H5N1, which is endemic to the region, has resurfaced in Cambodia. Two of the three cases were in children, and all three cases were thought to have developed following contact with raw poultry.

The Guardian Express – “The Cambodian Ministry of Health in conjunction with the World Health Organization announced in a joint press release that 3 new human cases of the Avian influenza H5N1 were reported near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Of the 3 cases, 2 have resulted in the death of the patients.Cambodia 1st reported an outbreak of the H5n1 influenza virus in December 2004, and also reported a major outbreak of the virus in March 2006 that lasted until November 2006.”

Scientists Unveil a Superbug’s Secret to Antibiotic Resistance
Scientists at UNC were able to prevent a specific enzyme (NES) from binding with an equally specific groove on the bacterial plasmid, thereby preventing the enzyme from nicking a specific strand of DNA which confers antibiotic resistance. Science. Easy to understand, impossible to summarize. 

Science Daily– ” Worldwide, many strains of the bacterium Staphyloccocus aureus are already resistant to all antibiotics except vancomycin. But as bacteria are becoming resistant to this once powerful antidote, S. aureus has moved one step closer to becoming an unstoppable killer. Now, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have not only identified the mechanism by which vancomycin resistance spreads from one bacterium to the next, but also have suggested ways to potentially stop the transfer.”

West Nile Virus Spreading Due to Mosquitoes in Orchards and Vineyards, Experts Warn

If you’ve been enjoying a nice glass of wine on one of Virginia’s beautiful orchards, then a) get back inside you maniac it’s 19 degrees outside and b) make sure you apply mosquito repellent. Apparently agricultural areas, in which diseases in horses and birds tend to be more prevalent, unsurprisingly also have more mosquitoes. More mosquitoes = greater likelihood of diease.

Science Daily – “Washington State University researchers have linked orchards and vineyards with a greater prevalence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes and the insects’ ability to spread the virus to birds, horses and people.The finding, reported in the latest issue of the journal PLOS ONE, is the most finely scaled look at the interplay between land use and the virus’s activity in key hosts. By giving a more detailed description of how the disease moves across the landscape, the study opens the door to management efforts that might bring the disease under control, says David Crowder, a WSU entomologist and the paper’s lead author.”

Bacteria-killing blue light used to stop infections

Blue light to the rescue! We’re going to go ahead and lead the clarion call here and say that all lights should officially be blue. Blue school lights, blue work lights, blue bathroom lights. Think how clean we’d all be. Possibly a little pale, but so clean.

Gizmag – “Over the past few years, blue light has allowed us to understand heart problems, control brain functions, and activate muscle tissue. Now, another biomedical function can be added to its list – because it’s known to have antimicrobial qualities, it’s been used to stop infections of the skin and soft tissues…In a proof-of-concept study, led by Dr. Michael R. Hamblin of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, an array of blue LEDs was used to treat infected burns on lab mice. More specifically, the blue light was used to selectively eradicate potentially-lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria in the animals’ skin and soft tissues.”

Tuberculosis Hiding in Bone Marrow Helps Deadly Bacteria Survive

As if TB, which affects over 2 billion people globally,  wasn’t hard enough to eradicate as it is, scientists have discovered that the bacteria causing the disease has been found in bone marrow.

Bloomberg – “Investigators writing today in Science Translational Medicine said they have uncovered the first evidence of tuberculosis nestled in mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow of people treated for the disease. The bacteria’s hideout in the self-renewing cells, where they capitalize on protection from the body’s own immune system, may explain how the germs survive. The next step is to find out how a re-infection is triggered, and then how to stop it, researchers said.”

Promising substance for better cyanide antidote for terrorist attacks

Not technically bio, but chem is a close enough cousin that we thought we’d include this piece. Scientists are developing a more effective antidote for cyanide, that bastion of Cold War spies and disgruntled office employees.

Homeland Security News Wire – “In an advance toward closing a major gap in defenses against terrorist attacks and other mass casualty events, scientists are reporting discovery of a promising substance that could be the basis for development of a better antidote for cyanide poisoning. An ACS release reports that their report, which describes a potential antidote that could be self-administered, much like the medication delivered by allergy injection pens, appears in the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.”

This Weeks Odd Piece: Bacterioptica

For the microbiologist with expensive taste – why not showcase your work in your dining room with this stylish conversation piece? Regale your guests with tales of culturing your favorite bacteria, while actually pointing at cultures of bacteria. Why should the food on the table steal the limelight (literally)? All kidding aside, the fixture itself is actually quite pretty.

Madlabs – “Bacterioptica breaks from design norms, a light fixture outfitted with petri dishes. Designed to be adaptive, not only in its form and mechanics, but more importantly, in the way it evolves. Bacterioptica is not your typical chandelier, just as no family is a typical unit of interactions. Its on/off switch does not control it. Bacterioptica is alive. It grows. It is itself a household organism. It is living and breathing the same air and bacteria we are.”

Highlights include the BioWatch contract, H5N1 research for everyone, antibiotic-resistance and the Brits, IBM destroying biofilm, and bacteria shoes. Happy Friday!

Draft Solicitation For BioWatch Gen-3 Program Released

BioWatch is in the news again, but not for the reasons you might think. DHS has sent out feelers regarding the contract, which is expected to come in around $3.1 billion over five years. We’ll let you know when the industry date is set.

“Perhaps the largest single contract competition at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2013 began Friday with the release of a draft announcement seeking support for the latest version of the BioWatch biological agent detection program. The draft request for quote (RFQ) stated that DHS will soon hold an industry day in Washington, DC, for contractors interested in bidding on the BioWatch Gen-3 Program. Preregistration will not be necessary but DHS has not yet identified a date for the industry day, the DHS Office of Procurement Operations said.”

Scientists lift moratorium on H5N1 research

We’ve spent quite a bit of time discussing the H5N1 controversy here at GMU Biodefense. The end of the moratorium, however, does not mean an immediate resumption of research – many labs are now in the difficult process of re-securing funding.

“International scientists have declared an end to a moratorium on research into mutant forms of the deadly H5N1 bird flu. Since influenza viruses are constantly changing, research is crucial, WHO’s Gregory Härtl told DW.

DW: ‘There has been this open letter in the journal Science and Nature that international scientists are going to lift their voluntary moratorium on certain research. First of all, what’s the reaction from the World Health Organization (WHO)? Is this a good or a bad thing?’

Gregory Härtl: ‘Well, certainly it’s to be expected. We convened a meeting with Dr Fouchier and Dr Kawaoka and others directly involved in this research a year ago, right at the time when this moratorium was announced. And the fact that they have desisted from doing any research on H5N1 for a year now – so twice as long as originally envisaged – has given the influenza and virology world a lot of time to sit back and look at what needs to be done in order to do this research in a surer environment and to do things that can help raise confidence all around.'”

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a genuine threat we must all fight

The UK is taking antibiotic-resistant bacteria very seriously, to the extent that they’re considering adding it to their list of civil emergencies. Much of the problem is considered to be the “broken” market model for developing new antibiotics.

“More people died of infections than cancer in 2010. This stark fact highlights the danger from rise in antibiotic resistance in bacteria, a danger the chief medical officer warned MPs about again this week. For billions of years, certain bacteria have produced chemicals that protect them from attack by other microorganisms. Some of these chemicals make up the antibiotics used in medicine today. Unfortunately, bacteria are survival experts and have developed ways of resisting the toxic effect of these drugs. In fact, most of the resistance that is around today developed many years ago, either in the local environment, or in people and animals. Global travel is a major contributor to the increasing spread of such bacteria, exacerbating previously manageable problems of resistance.”

IBM Creates Weapon to Destroy Drug-Resistant Bacteria

IBM – International Biofilm Masher? The tech giant has developed a hydrogel which is capable to destroying biofilms while leaving human cells unharmed.

“Biofilms — groups of microorganisms that adhere to a surface — can be a real problem. When bacteria form a biofilm, it’s difficult to treat since the cells are so densely packed. But now IBM has created a new substance that can break through biofilms such as plaque and drug-resistant bacteria, killing them while not harming humans. IBM Research and the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology created a antimicrobial hydrogel — a highly absorbent substance made from synthetic polymers — that annihilates bacterial biofilms on contact. IBM claims the hydrogel is 100% efficient in destroying biofilms. The gel forms spontaneously when heated to body temperature. It’s also biodegradable and non-toxic.”

Oddball piece: Suzanne Lee’s BioCouture: Fashion Grown From Bacteria

Designer Suzanne Lee is developing jewelry and clothing made entirely of bacteria. Yes bacteria. No we’re not sure about the market for bacterial scarves, but the idea is interesting.

“I’m not creating organisms myself—I’m thinking about what functionality can we introduce genetically, with a consumer application in mind. I have various scientists I work with. I go to them and say, “How can we get this quality?” You can program the biodegradability of it: “I want this to last three months,” or three years. If you can program that in, it answers sustainability issues around massive consumption.”

In case you missed it:

– Rise of superbugs threatens antibiotic crisis
– Flu Researchers Say: Let Us Get Back To Work Studying Risky Mutations
– Country isn’t prepared for deadly flu pandemic
– Viruses That Make Zombies and Vaccines

The theme of this special edition Pandora Report is medical countermeasures. Highlights include the 2012 Public Health emergency Countermeasure Enterprise Plan and Strategy (not as wordy as it sounds), raxibacumab’s approval to treat inhalation anthrax, new smallpox antivirals, and Emergent BioSolutions’ manufacturing an experimental influenza vaccine. Happy…er, Monday?

2012 HHS Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its 2012  Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) Implementation Plan and Strategy last month. This version updates the orginal 2007 version of the Strategy and Plan, by expanding “efforts needed to improve national capability and capacity to respond to major public health threats.”

HHS – “The U.S. Government has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of its citizens. The American people continue to face a host of national health security threats from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents and emerging infectious diseases. Under the leadership of HHS, the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasure Enterprise (PHEMCE) is the coordinating body for the federal agencies in charge of protecting the civilian population from potential adverse health impacts through the use of medical countermeasures, which are medicines, devices, or other medical interventions that can lessen the harmful effects of these threats. The 2012 HHS PHEMCE Strategy articulates the strategic direction and will guide policies and decisions for the end-to-end mission of the PHEMCE. The companion 2012 HHS PHEMCE Implementation Plan describes the activities and programs that HHS, in collaboration with its interagency partners, is undertaking over the next five years to increase MCM preparedness for national health security threats.”

FDA approves Raxibacumab to Treat Inhalational Anthrax

Although only just being officially approved, under a special licensing agreement the US government has been steadily adding raxibacumab to the Strategic National Stockpile for a few years now. The drug’s efficacy stems from its targeting of Bacillus anthracis‘ toxins, instead of the bacteria itself. Raxibacumab is also the first adrug to be approved under the two animal rule (which I know you’re all entirely familiar with…yes? oh here).

FDA – “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved raxibacumab injection to treat inhalational anthrax, a form of the infectious disease caused by breathing in the spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Raxibacumab also is approved to prevent inhalational anthrax when alternative therapies are not available or not appropriate. Raxibacumab is a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes toxins produced by B. anthracis that can cause massive and irreversible tissue injury and death. A monoclonal antibody is a protein that closely resembles a human antibody that identifies and neutralizes foreign material like bacteria and viruses. Anthrax is a potential biological terrorism threat because the spores are resistant to destruction and can be easily spread by release in the air.”

ST-246(R) to be Branded Arestvyr(TM)

Eradication has definitely not spelled the end to the smallpox debate. The argument generally falls along two lines A) As it’s eradicated, should we still be prioritizing its antivirals over other, more defined needs? Or B) As it’s eradicated, and therefore almost everyone under the age of 32 is entirely vulnerable, shouldn’t stockpiling antivirals be a top priority? SIGA clearly falls in the later camp.

Globe Newswire – “SIGA Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGA), a company specializing in the development of pharmaceutical agents to fight pathogens capable of use as bioweapons, today announced that its smallpox antiviral, previously known as ST-246®, would be branded as Arestvyr™ for all purposes, including commercial sales and seeking full marketing approval of the antiviral as a smallpox treatment. “We are pleased to announce use of the Arestvyr™ name for our proprietary smallpox antiviral treatment,” said Dr. Eric A. Rose, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SIGA. “ST-246 (Tecovirimat) is becoming increasingly better known around the world as we work to deliver two million courses of our treatment to the United States Government’s Strategic National Stockpile. Adopting the Arestvyr™ name is another step in our commercial-stage transformation. SIGA is also pleased to confirm that it has received payment of the $12.3 million milestone previously invoiced to the U.S. government under SIGA’s Strategic National Stockpile contract.”

Emergent licenses flu vaccine for new federal biodefense center

Just in time for our raging flu season (well not really, because as we all know vaccines take a good long while to produce), Emergent Biosolutions, our nation’s supplier of the current anthrax vaccine, is on the way to producing an experimental flu vaccine.

Gazette.net – “Back in June, Emergent BioSolutions, the Rockville biotech that sells the only approved anthrax vaccine to the federal government, won a federal grant worth up to $220 million to establish a new biodefense development and manufacturing center in Maryland. Late last week, the company announced that it acquired the license to manufacture and sell an experimental pandemic influenza vaccine to help meet its commitment under that grant. Under its deal with VaxInnate of Cranbury, N.J., Emergent said in a statement, it gains exclusive rights to the candidate, a recombinant vaccine that has the potential to be produced quickly and cost-effectively with high yields. VaxInnate will continue to develop the candidate under its current contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, while Emergent will produce it, using flexible manufacturing technology. Emergent also works with the federal authority to develop a second-generation anthrax vaccine.”

Will be out Monday! So sorry for the delay everyone, the flu epidemic which has swept the nation has swept the GMU Biodefense blog as well. Apparently writing about disease does not make one immune. Stay healthy and check back Monday morning.