'Last resort' antibiotic pops bacteri... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,331 membersβ€’66,949 posts

'Last resort' antibiotic pops bacteria like balloons.

2greys profile image
2greys
β€’3 Replies

The findings, from Imperial College London and the University of Texas, may also reveal a potential way to make the antibiotic more powerful.

The antibiotic Colistin has become a last resort treatment for infections caused by some of the world's nastiest superbugs. However, despite being discovered over 70 years ago, the process by which this antibiotic kills bacteria has, until now, been something of a mystery.

Now, researchers have revealed that Colistin punches holes in bacteria, causing them to pop like balloons. The work, funded by the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust, and published in the journal eLife, also identified a way of making the antibiotic ;more effective at killing bacteria.

Colistin was first described in 1947, and is one of the very few antibiotics that is active against many of the most deadly superbugs, including E. coli, which causes potentially lethal infections of the bloodstream, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, which frequently infect the lungs of people receiving mechanical ventilation in intensive care units.

imperial.ac.uk/news/220653/...

eLife. Study Paper:

elifesciences.org/articles/...

Written by
2greys profile image
2greys
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
3 Replies
β€’
Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

It's impressive and humbling to know that so many scientists are beavering away to find ways of making our lives better. I like the picture o a popped bacterium.🎈🎈🎈

RoadRunner44 profile image
RoadRunner44

As a sufferer of bronchiectasis I was very interested to read this piece of research as I have been nebulizing Coliston for a number of years. It now looks highly likely that thanks to research an answer has possibly been found how to combine an old antibiotic like this one to deal with super bugs. Fantastic news. Thanks 2greys.

shouty profile image
shouty

I like the idea that I was told about Augmentin ( Co-Amoxiclav ). The Haemophilis Influenza bug I have has a protective coat that Amoxycillin alone can't break through but Co.A can . Was imagine a battering ram being used by mini men in Medieval costumes πŸ˜†

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

TB-like bacteria

Hi, I went to see my consultant today Wednesday. He told me that not only did I have pneumonia, but...
helingmic profile image
β€’

Keep taking the tablets

After last week's story that people should stop taking their abs when they feel better there has...
β€’

Bronchiectasis, Haemoptysis and infections

Hi lovely people, I wondered if any of you might have some info/input with regards to my situation,...
Yess1e profile image
β€’

CBD oil and chest infections

Does anyone have any experience of using CBD oil with recurrent chest infections? I've read that it...
kimmyb_83 profile image
β€’

Bronchiectasis, antibiotics and Phages

Hi, I am new here. I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis 18 months ago, have had various antibiotics...
Sabie2 profile image
β€’

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.