‘Game-changing’ antibiotic could be used as ‘last line of defence’ against superbugs

A study suggests that a ‘game-changing’ antibiotic could save millions of lives lost to superbugs worldwide each year.

 

In a breakthrough British scientists have developed synthetic versions of the compound teixobactin, the first new antibiotic to be discovered in decades.  In research led by the University of Liverpool, the man-made drugs were able to destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria in mice without harming healthy tissue.

 

It successfully eradicated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, which is resistant to several widely used antibiotics, in mice.  Researchers were also able to kill a wide range of microbes taken from human patients.

 

The rise of superbugs has stoked fears from scientists that we are approaching a post-antibiotic era where medical operations and common conditions become more dangerous as patients succumb to previously treatable bacterial infections.

 

However, researchers involved in the latest study say patients in the future may be treated with just one dose of teixobactin each day for systemic life-threatening resistant bacterial infections.

 

Dr Ishwar Singh, lead researcher and expert in antimicrobial drugs at Liverpool University, said the breakthrough was a significant step towards unlocking the full medical potential of teixobactin to tackle superbugs.

 

He said “Our ultimate goal is to have a number of viable drugs from our modular synthetic teixobactin platform which can be used as a “last line of defence” against superbugs to save lives currently lost due to AMR.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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