Scientists from the University of Bern convey developed a new nub for the handling of severe bacterial infections without antibiotics, which would preclude the evolution of antibiotic resistance
Ever since the evolution of penicillin close ninety years ago, antibiotics convey remained the gilt criterion inward the handling of bacterial infections. However, the WHO has repeatedly warned of a growing emergence of bacteria that prepare antibiotic resistance. Once antibiotics create no longer protect from bacterial infection, a mere pneumonia mightiness live fatal.
Alternative therapeutic concepts which Pb to the elimination of bacteria, but create non promote resistance are however lacking.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 squad of international scientists has tested a new substance, which has been developed past times Eduard Babiychuk together with Annette Draeger from the Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern inward Switzerland. This chemical compound constitutes a new approach for the handling of bacterial infections: the scientists engineered artificial nanoparticles made of lipids, "liposomes" that closely resemble the membrane of host cells. These liposomes deed every bit decoys for bacterial toxins together with and hence are able to sequester together with neutralize them. Without toxins, the bacteria are rendered defenseless together with tin post away live eliminated past times the cells of the host's ain immune system. The report volition live published inward Nature Biotechnology November 2nd.
Artificial bait for bacterial toxins
In clinical medicine, liposomes are used to deliver specific medication into the trunk of patients. Here, the Bernese scientists convey created liposomes which attract bacterial toxins together with and hence protect host cells from a unsafe toxin attack.
"We convey made an irresistible bait for bacterial toxins. The toxins are fatally attracted to the liposomes, together with ane time they are attached, they tin post away live eliminated easily without danger for the host cells," says Eduard Babiychuk who directed the study.
"Since the bacteria are non targeted directly, the liposomes create non promote the evolution of bacterial resistance," adds Annette Draeger. Mice which were treated amongst the liposomes afterwards experimental, fatal septicemia survived without additional antibiotic therapy.