POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTICS
Scientists from the
University of Bern have developed a novel substance for the treatment of severe
bacterial infections without antibiotics, which would prevent the development
of antibiotic resistance
Ever
since the development of penicillin almost 90 years ago, antibiotics have remained
the gold standard in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the WHO
has repeatedly warned of a growing emergence of bacteria that develop
antibiotic resistance. Once antibiotics do no longer protect from bacterial
infection, a mere pneumonia might be fatal.
Alternative therapeutic concepts which lead to the elimination
of bacteria, but do not promote resistance are still lacking.
A team of international scientists has tested a novel substance,
which has been developed by Eduard Babiychuk and Annette Draeger from the
Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern in Switzerland. This compound
constitutes a novel approach for the treatment of bacterial infections: the
scientists engineered artificial nanoparticles made of lipids, "liposomes"
that closely resemble the membrane of host cells. These liposomes act as decoys
for bacterial toxins and so are able to sequester and neutralize them. Without
toxins, the bacteria are rendered defenseless and can be eliminated by the
cells of the host's own immune system. The study will be published in Nature
Biotechnology Nov 2nd.
Artificial bait for bacterial toxins
In clinical medicine, liposomes are used to deliver specific
medication into the body of patients. Here, the Bernese scientists have created
liposomes which attract bacterial toxins and so protect host cells from a
dangerous toxin attack.
"We have made an irresistible bait for bacterial toxins.
The toxins are fatally attracted to the liposomes, and once they are attached,
they can be eliminated easily without danger for the host cells," says
Eduard Babiychuk who directed the study.
"Since the bacteria are not targeted directly, the
liposomes do not promote the development of bacterial resistance," adds
Annette Draeger. Mice which were treated with the liposomes after experimental,
fatal septicemia survived without additional antibiotic therapy.
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