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Scientists say weakness in 'superbug' bacteria could herald new treatments Scientists say weakness in 'superbug' bacteria could herald new treatments
(about 2 hours later)
A weakness in the defences of "superbug" bacteria has been uncovered by British scientists, raising the prospect of new treatments to tackle infections that are resistant to antibiotics.A weakness in the defences of "superbug" bacteria has been uncovered by British scientists, raising the prospect of new treatments to tackle infections that are resistant to antibiotics.
The researchers have identified a weakness affecting the membrane The researchers have identified a weakness affecting the membrane
barrier that surrounds some of the most drug-resistant bacterial cells.barrier that surrounds some of the most drug-resistant bacterial cells.
The discovery, reported in the journal Nature, may pave the way to a newThe discovery, reported in the journal Nature, may pave the way to a new
generation of drugs that work by bringing down the defensive generation of drugs that work by bringing down the defensive
wall. wall.
At the heart of their findings is the way "gram negative" bacterial cells transport the barrier's molecular "bricks".At the heart of their findings is the way "gram negative" bacterial cells transport the barrier's molecular "bricks".
Professor Changjiang Dong, from the University of East Anglia's Professor Changjiang Dong, from the University of East Anglia's
(UAE) Norwich Medical School, said: "We have identified the path and (UEA) Norwich Medical School, said: "We have identified the path and
gate used by the bacteria to transport the barrier building blocks to gate used by the bacteria to transport the barrier building blocks to
the outer surface. Importantly we have demonstrated that the bacteria the outer surface. Importantly we have demonstrated that the bacteria
would die if the gate is locked.would die if the gate is locked.
"This is really important because drug-resistant bacteria is a "This is really important because drug-resistant bacteria is a
global health problem. Many current antibiotics are becoming useless, global health problem. Many current antibiotics are becoming useless,
causing hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.causing hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.
"The number of superbugs are increasing at an unexpected rate. This "The number of superbugs are increasing at an unexpected rate. This
research provides the platform for urgently needed new-generation research provides the platform for urgently needed new-generation
drugs."drugs."
Experts have warned that the rise of resistant bacteria around the Experts have warned that the rise of resistant bacteria around the
world poses a global threat greater than that of climate change. Bugs such as MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) are becoming increasingly immune even to antibiotics that are the last resort in treatment, adding risk to operations and procedures that should be routine.world poses a global threat greater than that of climate change. Bugs such as MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) are becoming increasingly immune even to antibiotics that are the last resort in treatment, adding risk to operations and procedures that should be routine.
In a report this year England's chief medical officer, Dame In a report this year England's chief medical officer, Dame
Sally Davies, warned that antibiotic resistant bacteria capable of Sally Davies, warned that antibiotic resistant bacteria capable of
causing untreatable infections posed a "catastrophic threat". She calledcausing untreatable infections posed a "catastrophic threat". She called
for urgent action worldwide to address the problem. for urgent action worldwide to address the problem.
"Gram-negative" bacteria, which include Escherichia coli (E coli) "Gram-negative" bacteria, which include Escherichia coli (E coli)
and the bugs that cause gonorrhea, cholera and Legionnaire's disease, and the bugs that cause gonorrhea, cholera and Legionnaire's disease,
are especially resistant to antibiotics. They can evolve a number of mechanisms to make them immune to drugs,are especially resistant to antibiotics. They can evolve a number of mechanisms to make them immune to drugs,
including reducing the permeability of their outer membrane. But if the membrane barrier falls the bacteria die. including reducing the permeability of their outer membrane. But if the membrane barrier falls the bacteria die.
Haohao Dong, another member of the UAE team, said: "The really Haohao Dong, another member of the UAE team, said: "The really
exciting thing about this research is that new drugs will specifically exciting thing about this research is that new drugs will specifically
target the protective barrier around the bacteria, rather than the target the protective barrier around the bacteria, rather than the
bacteria itself. Because new drugs will not need to enter the bacteria itself, we bacteria itself. Because new drugs will not need to enter the bacteria itself, we
hope that the bacteria will not be able to develop drug resistance in hope that the bacteria will not be able to develop drug resistance in
future."future."
The Press Association contributed to this reportThe Press Association contributed to this report