RX: BIOCHIP.Tuberculosis is making a comeback, killing more young people and adults than any other infectious disease Infectious disease A pathological condition spread among biological species. Infectious diseases, although varied in their effects, are always associated with viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites and aberrant proteins known as prions. . Although it is curable cur·a·ble adj. Capable of being cured or healed. , it has become resistant to antibiotics. Too many people using too many antibiotics have encouraged the stronger strains to resist and multiply. So how does a doctor find the right medicine for a specific strain of TB? Argonne National Labs is working on the answer. Biochips can analyze biological reactions in seconds, and the right antibiotic can be prescribed pre·scribe v. pre·scribed, pre·scrib·ing, pre·scribes v.tr. 1. To set down as a rule or guide; enjoin. See Synonyms at dictate. 2. To order the use of (a medicine or other treatment). for an individual TB strain, saving time and money. Full scale testing of the biochips began in the fall of 1999. If they work for TB, they may work for AIDS and malaria malaria, infectious parasitic disease that can be either acute or chronic and is frequently recurrent. Malaria is common in Africa, Central and South America, the Mediterranean countries, Asia, and many of the Pacific islands. . |
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