New drugs needed to halt superbugs, say scientists
Pastor Dale Morgan
New drugs needed to halt superbugs, say scientists*
Last Updated: 2:14am GMT 04/11/2007
Scientists are developing new drugs that will help fight superbug
bacteria by neutralising the poisons they produce.
The ground-breaking research could provide a vital tool for fighting
bacteria that are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
Drug-resistant bacteria are usually kept in check by "friendly bacteria"
that live in people naturally, but when patients are treated with
antibiotics they kill off these good bacteria, allowing the resistant
strains to take a foothold.
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The new class of drugs, however, do not kill off any bacteria. Instead
they "disarm" disease-causing bacteria by preventing them from releasing
the harmful toxins. This allows friendly bacteria to keep any resistant
strains under control.
Developed by scientists at the Institute for Animal Health, the drugs,
called virulence-blocking agents, have been shown to prevent harmful
bacteria such as salmonella from causing disease.
Dr Edouard Galyov, who led the research team, said: "These inhibitors
hold great promise, but a lot more research is needed to ensure they are
delivered to the relevant site and at the right time."