Nymox develops methods of treating E. Coli contamination

Nymox Pharmaceutical's proprietary NXC-4720 product for the treatment of potentially fatal E. Coli O157:H7 contamination has applications beyond treatment of meat at the processing stage, according to Dr Michael Munzar, medical director of Nymox.

E. ColiO157 bacteria can not only contaminate meat products such as ground beef but also public water supplies that can become contaminated from run-off from cattle farming operations where there are cattle harbouring the deadly bacteria. 'There are a number of different avenues for addressing the public health problem posed by E. Coli O157:H7 contamination of food and drink products and of water supplies,' said Dr Munzar. 'One avenue is at the meat or food product processing stage. Studies of Nymox's NXC-4720 product have shown excellent results as a potential treatment at this stage. We are also testing the use of NXC-4720 as a potential treatment for E. Coli:H7 in cattle. Such a treatment would have the potential of both reducing E. coli contamination of processed meat, and also the environmental and public health threat caused by cattle shedding E. Coli:H7.' E. Coli:H7 bacterial contamination is a major public health problem throughout the world. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the US alone, 73,000 human cases occur every year as a result of E. Coli contamination of food and drink products and of water supplies. This type of E. Coliinfection can cause severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps and can lead to kidney failure, particularly in young children and in the elderly, with often serious long term and sometimes fatal results. E. Colicontamination also remains a serious problem for the meat packing industry. One United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) study estimated the direct and indirect costs of foodborne E. Coliinfections at over $650m per year. In 2002 alone, over 23 million pounds of meat were recalled in the US because of possible E. Colicontamination, affecting all sectors of the meat industry from large meat processors to local supermarkets and many consumers. On average, Americans consume over 65 pounds of beef per person per year. T +1 800 936 9669 info@nymox.com