About the episode
Antibiotic resistance is a major problem worldwide. That is why we are working hard to reduce unnecessary use and to better understand bacteria so that we can outsmart them with new treatments.
New research looks at the tricks of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This bacteria – also known as the hospital bacteria – is common in many people and in some cases causes skin infections or bloodstream infections.
Specifically, it was studied how exactly the bacteria release the toxins that ultimately make us sick. They found that two transport proteins play an important role in this. If those two proteins could be switched off, it would probably make the bacteria harmless, or at least less dangerous. Similar mechanisms can be found in other types of bacteria, which would mean that this approach would not all work for Staphylococcus.
If you use antibiotics and cells remain, there is a good chance that the remaining bacteria will reproduce again. Because these are often the bacteria that naturally do not respond to the drug, a population is created that becomes increasingly resistant.
According to the researchers, this new treatment – which does not kill the bacteria, but renders it harmless – would not cause the bacteria to reproduce selectively. And that makes it an interesting alternative to explore further.
Read more about the research here: Study reveals how drug resistant bacteria secrete toxins, suggesting targets to reduce virulence.
