
via Nature
The number of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) cases is rising globally. But a newly discovered natural antibiotic — produced by bacteria from the lung infection in a cystic fibrosis patient — could help fight these infections.
Lab testing reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society shows that the compound is active against multi-drug resistant strains.
Starting with the famous first discovery of penicillin from mold, scientists have continued to search for natural sources of antibiotics. And as pathogens develop resistance to once-reliable medicines, the search has taken on a new urgency. By 2040, more than a third of all TB cases in Russia, for example, could show resistance to first-line drugs currently used to fight the disease, a recent report published in Lancet estimates. Among potential new drug sources are species of the bacterial genus Burkholderia that thrive in a wide range of habitats, from soil to the human lung. One way these microbes have adapted to these diverse environments is by making potent antibiotics to take out their competition. In light of the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria, particularly among TB strains, Gregory L. Challis, Eshwar Mahenthiralingam and colleagues wanted to see if Burkholderia might produce a promising anti-TB compound.
The researchers discovered that one species, Burkholderia gladioli, which was isolated from the sputum of a child with cystic fibrosis, produces an antibiotic called gladiolin. The compound belongs to the same structural class as etnangien, another antibiotic that has been investigated for its ability to jam bacterial cell machinery. But etnangien is highly unstable. The researchers found that gladiolin is much more stable than etnangien, and could therefore potentially be a better drug candidate. Lab testing also showed that gladiolin blocked the growth of four drug-resistant TB strains.
Learn more: Bacteria from cystic fibrosis patient could help thwart antibiotic-resistant TB
The Latest on: Antibiotic-resistant TB
-
The world is running out of antibiotics, WHO report confirms
on March 23, 2018 at 10:21 pm
There is an urgent need for more investment in research and development for antibiotic-resistant infections including TB.” The report identifies 51 new antibiotics and biologicals in clinical development to treat priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens ... […]
-
Could onions help fight against antibiotic resistant strains of diseases like TB?
on January 30, 2018 at 5:38 am
She told the BBC's David Amanor more about the research findings. […]
-
WHO report highlights lack of treatment options for antibiotic-resistant infections
on September 21, 2017 at 5:00 am
The report found few potential treatment options for antibiotic-resistant infections identified by WHO as posing the greatest threats to health, including drug-resistant tuberculosis, which kills around 250,000 people each year. Most drugs currently in the ... […]
-
World Health Org warns lack of stronger antibiotics is a ‘global health emergency’
on September 20, 2017 at 6:15 pm
For example, drug-resistant tuberculosis kills around 250,000 people each year. “Antimicrobial resistance is a global health emergency that will seriously ... in research and development for antibiotic-resistant infections including TB, otherwise ... […]
-
Isolation, collapsing lungs and spitting bans: three ways we used to treat TB, and still might
on September 15, 2017 at 9:53 am
It’s now believed this technique was effective because the TB bacteria require oxygen to survive, but the complications of such surgery could be disfiguring or even fatal. Thoracic surgery continues to be used to treat antibiotic-resistant TB today. […]
-
Bacteria from cystic fibrosis patient could help fight antibiotic-resistant TB
on June 23, 2017 at 5:06 am
This photomicrograph reveals Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria using acid-fast Ziehl-Neelsen stain; Magnified 1000 X. The acid-fast stains depend on the ability of mycobacteria to retain dye when treated with mineral acid or an acid-alcohol solution such ... […]
via Google News and Bing News