LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com) (OTCBB:UNDT), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats and provider of counter-terrorism consulting and training services, reported today that its BSM-2000, airborne bacterial spore monitor is capable of detecting the deadly superbug, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). Reports indicate that C. difficile is responsible for 15,000 to 20,000 deaths per year.
Veterans Affairs hospitals have recognized the signs of C difficile, a contagious and potentially deadly bacterium. Although the illness is difficult to track, health officials estimate that in the United States the bacteria cause 350,000 infections each year in hospitals alone, with tens of thousands more occurring in nursing homes. While the majority of cases are found in health care settings, 20 percent or more may occur in the community. C. difficile is not a new illness, but it appears to be spreading at an alarming rate. The rate of C. difficile infection among hospital patients doubled from 2001 to 2005. The illness kills an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people annually.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported on several cases of pregnant and postpartum women who developed life-threatening C. difficile infections after being treated for minor infections. In some instances, a C. difficile infection can be treated only by emergency surgery to remove the patient's colon. Doctors say many patients report that they continue to suffer from regular bouts of diarrhea even after the infection is gone. About 20 percent of patients with the infection suffer a relapse, and C. difficile support groups have emerged on the Internet.
UNDT's BSM-2000 system bacterial spore monitor is an airborne monitor of bacterial spores that the Company has developed based on technology it licensed from NASA's JPL. "The BSM-2000's detection method for detecting anthrax can also be used for detecting C. difficile, which is also a spore forming bacteria," said Mr. Amir Ettehadieh, UNDT's Director of Research and Development. "The BSM-2000 can effectively and cheaply monitor an environment such has a hospital or nursing home for the presence of this superbug."
"The use of the BSM-2000 for detecting C. difficile opens up a tremendous market for UNDT," said Mr. Jacques Tizabi, UNDT's Chief Executive Officer. "Every hospital should be equipped with means of detecting this deadly and increasingly hypervirulent bacteria," he added.
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About Universal Detection Technology
Universal Detection Technology is a developer of monitoring technologies, including bioterrorism detection devices. The Company on its own and with development partners is positioned to capitalize on opportunities related to Homeland Security. For example, the Company, in cooperation with NASA, has developed a bacterial spore detector that detects certain biohazard substances. The Company is also a reseller of handheld assays used for detection of five bioterrorism agents, radiation detection systems, and antimicrobial products. For more information, please visit www.udetection.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievement in the future to differ materially from forecasted results, performance, and achievement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in the Company's plans or expectations.