Attack on the Achilles' heel of bacteria

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Munich (Netdoktor.de) - Bacteria are true survivors. They develop defense mechanisms against antibiotics very quickly. But they have a weak point: their cell wall. This is so complex that bacteria cannot change their structure so easily in order to trick antibiotics here too. American researchers have now found a new active ingredient that destroys the bacterial cell wall.

Teixobactin is the name of the new active ingredient. Study author Kim Lewis and his colleagues from Northeastern University in Boston have already successfully tested the drug on mice. It worked against lung or blood infections, such as those caused by Staphylococcus aureus caused. This pathogen is known to become resistant to many antibiotics particularly quickly.

No resistance development so far

In the extensive series of tests carried out by the scientists, the bacteria have not yet developed any defense strategies against teixobactin. However, that doesn't mean that it will never happen. Because resistance usually only emerges when an active ingredient is used very frequently and over a long period of time in medicine and veterinary medicine. The chances that the pathogens need at least a while to arm themselves against teixobactin are good.

Treasure hunt in the ground

Incidentally, Lewis and his team owe their discovery to a new approach. Usually scientists try to grow antibiotic-producing bacteria in the laboratory. According to estimates, this only works for one percent of the microorganisms, most of which are overlooked in the laboratory method. That's why Lewis and his team grew the bacteria in their natural environment, the soil. This enabled the researchers to examine significantly more microorganisms. In total, they examined more than 10,000 strains of bacteria. 25 of them had the ability to produce antibiotics - including the promising teixobactin.

Not a new silver bullet

Even so, teixobactin is probably not the magic bullet that will solve the problem of antibiotic resistance forever. Because it only works against bacteria with a certain structure of the cell wall - so-called gram-positive bacteria. Intestinal bacteria such as pathogenic E. coli strains, for example, do not keep it in check.

At least five years of development

In a next step, the researchers now want to find a way to artificially produce teixobactin. This is easier than cultivating the demanding soil bacteria in the laboratory. The new active ingredient can then be tested on humans. However, it will be at least five years before the drug hits the market. (away)

Source: Lewis K. et al .: A new antibiotic kills pathogens without detectable resistance, Nature, 2015.

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