The threat posed by antibiotic resistant superbugs could be tackled in the nick of time now the deadly bacteria’s ‘Achilles heel’ has been discovered by scientists.
Just months after the World Health Organisation claimed an alarming rise of drug- resistant bacteria posed a huge threat to the human race, researchers claim they have found a way to fight back.
Scientists have discovered the bug responsible for E.coli and MRSA builds up an impenetrable wall to keep out antibiotics.
They believe that drugs can be developed to stop bacteria building a protective barrier around cells, rather than attacking the bugs directly.
This would prevent bacteria from building up a resistance to antibiotics. Prof Changjiang Dong, whose research team at the University of East Anglia made the discovery, said: ‘This is really important because drug-resistant bacteria are a global health problem.
‘The number of superbugs is increasing at an unexpected rate, but this research provides the platform needed for urgently-needed new-generation drugs,’ he added.
Prof Mark Fielder, from the Society for Applied Micro- biology, called the findings ‘a welcome piece of news’.
‘If we fully understand the workings and construction of structures that help bacteria function we can hopefully exploit weaknesses and kill the organism,’ he said.
England’s chief medical off-icer, Prof Dame Sally Davies, warned last month that routine operations could be deadly in 20 years if we lose the ability to fight infections.