Researchers analysing soil from Ireland long thought to have medicinal properties have discovered that it contains a previously unknown strain of bacteria which is effective against four of the top six superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics, including MRSA.
Antibiotic resistant superbugs could kill up to 1.3 million people in Europe by 2050, according to recent research.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes the problem as “one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today”.
The new strain of bacteria was discovered by a team based in Swansea University Medical School, made up of researchers from Wales, Brazil, Iraq and Northern Ireland.
They have named the new strain Streptomyces sp. myrophorea.
The soil they analysed originated from an area of Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, which is known as the Boho Highlands. It is an area of alkaline grassland and the soil is reputed to have healing properties.
The search for replacement antibiotics to combat multi-resistance has prompted researchers to explore new sources, including folk medicines: a field of study known as ethnopharmacology. They are also focusing on environments where well-known antibiotic producers like Streptomyces can be found.
One of the research team, Dr Gerry Quinn, a previous resident of Boho, County Fermanagh, had been aware of the healing traditions of the area for many years.
Traditionally a small amount of soil was wrapped up in cotton cloth and used to heal many ailments including toothache, throat and neck infections. Interestingly, this area was previously occupied by the Druids, around 1500 years ago, and Neolithic people 4000 years ago.
The main findings of the research were that the newly-identified strain of Streptomyces:
- Inhibited the growth of four of the top six multi-resistant pathogens identified by the WHO as being responsible for healthcare-associated infections: Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumonia, and Carbenepenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii
- Inhibited both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, which differ in the structure of their cell wall; usually gram negative bacteria are more resistant to antibioticsIt is not yet clear which component of the new strain prevents the growth of the pathogens, but the team are already investigating this.Professor Paul Dyson of Swansea University Medical School said:
“This new strain of bacteria is effective against 4 of the top 6 pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics, including MRSA. Our discovery is an important step forward in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Our results show that folklore and traditional medicines are worth investigating in the search for new antibiotics. Scientists, historians and archaeologists can all have something to contribute to this task. It seems that part of the answer to this very modern problem might lie in the wisdom of the past.”
Dr Gerry Quinn from the research team said:
“The discovery of antimicrobial substances from Streptomyces sp.myrophorea will help in our search for new drugs to treat multi-resistant bacteria, the cause of many dangerous and lethal infections.
We will now concentrate on the purification and identification of these antibiotics. We have also discovered additional antibacterial organisms from the same soil cure which may cover a broader spectrum of multi-resistant pathogens.”
Learn more: Bacteria found in ancient Irish soil halts growth of superbugs — new hope for tackling antibiotic resistance
The Latest on: Antibiotic resistance
[google_news title=”” keyword=”antibiotic resistance” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Antibiotic resistance
- High levels of resistant bacteria found in uncooked meats and raw dog food: ‘Red flag’on May 1, 2024 at 7:09 pm
Eighty-one percent of the meat samples and 87% of the dog food samples were found to contain E. coli (Escherichia coli) that was resistant to antibiotics. The raw chicken had the highest levels of the ...
- The State Of: Antimicrobial Resistanceon May 1, 2024 at 2:44 am
We take a look at the AMR field, looking at the past, present and future to give you a comprehensive overview of the research landscape.
- How does CRISPR edit antimicrobial-resistant bacteria?on May 1, 2024 at 2:27 am
Research has recently been presented highlighting the role that CRISPR-Cas technology can play in tackling antimicrobial resistance.
- Raw Meat for Pets: Possible Link to Antibiotic-resistant Bacteriaon April 29, 2024 at 10:28 pm
Study shows raw meat fed to animals causes antibiotic resistance to critical antibiotics, which can also be acquired by pet owners when feeding companion animals.
- Antibiotic Alternative Produced by Gram-Positive Bacteriaon April 29, 2024 at 10:15 pm
Due to increasing antibiotic resistance in pathogens causing infections, the development of new antibacterial substances is needed. Scientists are testing out a new group of substances produced by ...
- Antimicrobial resistance crisis: 'Antibiotics are not magic bullets'on April 29, 2024 at 10:26 am
Science X is a network of high quality websites with most complete and comprehensive daily coverage of the full sweep of science, technology, and medicine news ...
- Study reveals high levels of antibiotic resistance in meat sold for consumptionon April 28, 2024 at 10:28 pm
New research presented at the ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain (27-30 April) has found substantial levels of resistance to critically important antibiotics in meat sold for ...
- Antimicrobial resistance projected to kill 10 million people each yearon April 28, 2024 at 10:45 am
Dr. James Gill addresses antimicrobial resistance and its accelerating crisis, emphasizing the need for patient education.
- A vaccine to combat antibiotic resistanceon April 27, 2024 at 2:00 pm
A team of researchers at Michigan State University have outlined an approach to combating a prevalent public health issue: the development of treatment-res | Technology ...
- Cats And Dogs Can Spread Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs To Ownerson April 27, 2024 at 10:55 am
Transfer of bacteria between sick pets and their humans may be contributing to antibiotic resistance, according to new research.
via Bing News