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San Diego Scientist Finds 'Perfect Predator' To Save Husband's Life

Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson, co-authors of, “The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband from a deadly Superbug,” in an undated photo.
UC San Diego Health
Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson, co-authors of, “The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband from a deadly Superbug,” in an undated photo.
Promotional photo of the book cover for "The Perfect Predator" by Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson.
courtesy photo
Promotional photo of the book cover for "The Perfect Predator" by Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson.

'Perfect Predator' Book Event

Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson will discuss their book at a free, public event on Wednesday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Warwick's Books in La Jolla.

A scientist racing against time to save her husband who is dying from an antibiotic-resistant superbug. The answer lies in a long-forgotten therapy not used in modern-American hospitals.

It sounds like the plot to a fictional medical thriller. But it happens to be the life experience of Thomas Patterson, a distinguished professor of psychiatry and Steffanie Strathdee an epidemiologist, both at UC San Diego.

Patterson’s life was saved not by antibiotics but by the use of phage therapy, using a virus found in fecal matter that "eats" bacteria. Strathdee, Patterson's partner in world travel and life, researched and championed the use of the experimental treatment, and it worked.

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RELATED: San Diego Man Saved By Therapeutic Use Of Viruses

Strathdee and Patterson join Midday Edition Tuesday to talk about the new memoir, “The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband from a deadly Superbug,” they wrote about the experience.

Strathdee and Patterson will discuss their book at a free, public event on Wednesday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Warwick's Books in La Jolla.

San Diego Scientist Finds 'Perfect Predator' To Save Husband's Life
GUESTS: Steffanie Strathdee, co-author, “The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband From a Deadly Superbug.” Thomas Patterson, co-author, “The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband From a Deadly Superbug.” Subscribe to the Midday Edition podcast on iTunes, Google Play or your favorite podcatcher.