At last, scientists have discovered a new line of antibiotics that can combat drug-resistant bacteria and super bugs. The long search for this kind of antibiotic has finally come to an end. Teixobactin, the antibiotic that is resistant to resistance can kill a wide array of bacteria including MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and the bacteria that causes the world-wide health threat, Tuberculosis (TB).
The mentioned compound was derived from soil bacteria. It can kill bacteria and super bugs that can cause life-threatening infections. Its mechanism of action entails destroying the cell walls of the bacteria to prevent them from mutating into more resistant and potent forms.
It can prevent the bacteria to rebuild damaged cell walls that can lead to drug resistance. The problem with resistance is, when all antibiotics cannot treat the infection due to the microbes resisting the drug, it can lead to serious conditions like sepsis, progression of the disease and even death.
According to Kim Lewis, a microbiologist and professor from Northeastern University in Boston, most of the antibiotics available today were discovered about 20 years ago and with continuous mutation of the bacteria, most of these antibiotics might not work anymore.
In fact, the World Health Organization reports that new cases of multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis (TB) have been recorded. Other infections can also be contracted by individuals and these can be hard to treat especially if their mutations led to being resistant to first and second line of antibiotics.
"Teixobactin kills exceptionally well. It has the ability to rapidly clear infections," said Lewis. The scientists utilized a new device called diffusion chamber or iChip where the soil microbes were separated into individual chambers between semi-permeable membranes.
The group of scientists worked with a Massachusetts-based company, NovoBiotic and scientists from the University of Bonn. They were able to screen 10,000 soil bacteria and discovered 25 compounds. The most promising one is Teixobactin.
Prof. Lewis said, "Teixobactin's dual mode of action and binding to non-peptidic regions suggest that resistance will be very difficult to develop." They also found out that repeated exposure to the antibiotic did not cause resistant mutations.
"The properties of this compound suggest a path towards developing antibiotics that are likely to avoid development of resistance," concluded by the scientists.
