Antibiotics have long been seen as the panacea for bacterial infections. But over the decades, countless pathogens have become resistant and become increasingly obsolete as a medical weapon. Researchers have now discovered a new type of antibiotic that is also effective against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria – these are pathogens that are particularly difficult to fight.
Antibiotics have long been considered the miracle weapon against bacterial infections. But over the decades, countless pathogens have become resistant and become increasingly obsolete as a medical weapon. However, researchers have now discovered a new type of antibiotic that is also effective against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, pathogens that are particularly difficult to fight.
An international research team involving the University of Basel has deciphered the antibiotic’s working principle using computer-based screening. It is a peptide compound called dynobactin, isolated from symbiotic bacteria of the roundworm.
According to the researchers, the peptide antibiotic dynobactin consists of a total of ten amino acids linked together in a dumbbell-shaped chain marked by two rings. In experiments with mice and bacterial cultures, it proved to be very effective. It effectively protected the rodents from fatal sepsis and was also found to be well tolerated.
WHO: Resistance ‘overlooked pandemic’
In 2019 alone, it is estimated that more than 1.2 million people worldwide died directly from an infection with an antibiotic-resistant pathogen. With nearly five million dead, such an infection was at least partially responsible for the deaths, an international group of experts reported in January. The WHO recently described the problem as an “overlooked pandemic”.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that hardly any new antibiotics have entered the market in recent decades. Even now, not all infections can be treated and sometimes even routine procedures become dangerous. The researchers therefore see their discovery as an important step in the development of new, effective medicines.
The germs that usually cause resistance problems are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The dreaded hospital germ MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, photo above) alone causes 100,000 deaths a year.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
