"Blinded" superbugs can't infect what they can't see - an alternative to antibiotics for burns infections

[AussieNeil]

"Antibiotics are amazing drugs, and they have saved countless lives since their discovery more than 80 years ago," says Dr. Anne-Marie Krachler, from the University of Texas Health Science Center and senior author on the new study. "But there is a challenge – the challenge of antibiotic resistance that has made many antibiotics ineffective. A material that targets virulence instead of killing bacteria could be a way to treat infections that are resistant to antibiotics."

The researchers may have found such a material in the form of a newly developed adhesion inhibitor molecule called Multivalent Adhesion Molecule 7 (MAM7). It works by hampering the activity of adhesive molecules that certain types of bacteria use to bind to cells and kickstart infections.

NewAtlas article: newatlas.com/blinded-superb...

Nature article: nature.com/articles/srep39341

Neil

Photo: Nature's artwork; borer tracks on bark

[neurodervish]

This is encouraging.

[sandybeaches]

I find this to be absolutely fascinating. The future implications for treating not only burn patients, but trauma victims or patients that have developed any type of wound infection, is enormous. Think of the day when patients won't have to be subjected to multiple antibiotics and their side effects to treat infection.

Thanks for posting the information.

Sandy Beaches