Antibiotics to combat deadly drug-resistant bacteria in the Intestine
The new antibiotic created by Flinders University researchers is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs. The bacteria are winning the war against antibiotics, as they have evolved to resist traditional treatments. This threatens decades of advances in modern medicine and is predicted to kill more than 10 million people before 2050. In order to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria, it is vital that scientists develop new, safe and effective antibiotics.
Clostridium difficilis infection (CDI), a potentially fatal infection of the large intestine, is most common among people who take antibiotics over a prolonged period of time. This includes Australia’s aging population. Dr Ramiz Boulos is adjunct research associate at Flinders and CEO of Boulos & Cooper Pharmaceuticals. He says that the fact CDI has become resistant to conventional antibiotics is alarming, and it highlights the need for more effective treatments.
The strains of CDI are increasing in severity and are more deadly. \”If there is an imbalance, it can grow and release toxins which attack the lining in the intestines leading to symptoms,\” says Boulos. In the last ten years different strains of C. difficile are linked to severe infections around the world. A particular strain of C. difficile is easily spread between people, and was responsible for major outbreaks in US and European hospitals. It’s alarming when you consider that CDI is the most common infection acquired by hospital patients in the Western Hemisphere and the leading cause of diarrhea in hospitals.
Source:
http://infowebbie.com/scienceupdate/fighting-deadly-drug-resistant-bacteria-in-intestines-with-new-antibiotic/
