Bacteria sure are stubborn. Good news scientists are even more stubborn.
Scientists are developing a new solution to the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance by rendering bacteria ineffective as opposed to killing them which lessens selective pressures that allow for resistant strains.
In the U.S. antibiotic resistance is responsible for 23,000 deaths per year and as antibiotic misuse continues this number is sure to grow. In fact, for some infections, no antibiotic is able to combat the organism– a scary thought considering the rate at which a lot of bacteria developed resistance.
Dr. Shoham from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine treated mice with small molecules that inhibited Staphylococcus Aureus resistant to methicillin from producing and secreting toxins which allowed the treated mice to survive a sepsis infection. Only one-third of untreated mice were able to survive. This finding is significant as it may mean that resistant bacteria may not need to be treated with antibiotics in order to cure sepsis. Depending on the strength of a person’s immune system, those suffering from a MRSA infection may only need to take a dose of small molecules rather than an antibiotic to clear an infection.
Scientists have also started looking at insects for ways to combat antibiotic resistance. Who would have thought the creepy crawly bugs wandering inside your home could someday save your life– or rather the microbes that reside within their microbiota. Many of the microbes that live in insects compete with each for survival in a game of biochemical warfare. Whats their weapon? Natural antibiotics.
Specifically, the compound cyphomycin, which is found in Brazilian fungus-farming ants has been isolated and although it is far from being an FDA approved drug, there is hope that it may be useful to treat yeast infections. This opens the door for the discovery of other natural antibiotics found in species-specific insects.
far from being an FDA approved drug, there is hope that it may be useful to treat yeast infections. This opens the door for the discovery of other natural antibiotics found in species-specific insects.
MCRO 251 