In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers have discovered a new class of antibiotics that can kill bacteria resistant to most current drugs. The antibiotic, called zosurabalpin, is highly effective against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab), a bacterium classified as a “priority 1” pathogen by the World Health Organization due to its growing presence in hospitals.
“Zosurabalpin is a game-changer in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria,” said Jonathan Cox, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at Aston University. “It has the potential to save countless lives and revolutionize how we treat infections.”
Crab is a clinical challenge as it has a double-layered cell wall, a feature that microbiologists describe as “gram-negative”. This means that antibiotics need to cross two barriers to reach the vital machinery inside the cell. Zosurabalpin, however, is effective against Crab, even with its double-layered cell wall. Crab is known to cause infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, and bloodstream, potentially leading to sepsis, and is responsible for around 20% of infections in healthcare settings.
“Crab is a significant cause of infection in hospitals, particularly in people who are on ventilators,” said Dr Andrew Edwards, a senior lecturer in molecular microbiology at Imperial College London.
According to a report by Fox News, zosurabalpin was shown to be effective against a harmful bacteria that primarily affects hospital patients in animal studies. The antibiotic works by blocking a molecular machine called LptB2FGC, which transports the lipopolysaccharide toxin from the inside barrier to the outside one in Crab cells. This mechanism makes the toxin build up inside the bacteria, causing the cells to die. Essentially, zosurabalpin stops the bacteria from being able to deploy their weaponry, leading to their demise.
The Guardian reported that zosurabalpin defeated highly drug-resistant strains of Crab in mouse models of pneumonia and sepsis, and was being tested in human trials.
“This is a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria,” said Dr. Marc Siegel, a medical contributor for Fox News. “It’s a promising development that could lead to new treatments for patients suffering from infections that are resistant to current antibiotics.”
The discovery of zosurabalpin is a ray of hope in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria, which has become a major public health concern worldwide. The World Health Organization has warned that drug-resistant infections could kill 10 million people a year by 2050 if no action is taken.
Furthermore, the UK’s science committee has advocated for the development of bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics, recognizing challenges in clinical trials for phage therapies. This multifaceted approach underscores the urgency of finding innovative solutions to combat antibiotic resistance, a growing global health concern.
In the meantime, experts recommend taking steps to prevent the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, such as washing hands regularly, using antibiotics only when necessary, and getting vaccinated.
Reference
- Corbley, A. (2024, January 5). Scientists Hail new antibiotic that can kill Drug-Resistant Bacteria. Good News Network. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/scientists-hail-new-antibiotic-that-can-kill-drug-resistant-bacteria/
- Hassan, M. (2024, January 4). Superbug breakthrough as drug defeats deadly hospital bacteria. The National. https://www.thenationalnews.com/health/2024/01/04/superbug-breakthrough-eyed-as-drug-defeats-deadly-hospital-bacteria/
- Cox, J. (n.d.). New antibiotic zosurabalpin shows promise against drug-resistant bacteria – an expert explains how it works. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/new-antibiotic-zosurabalpin-shows-promise-against-drug-resistant-bacteria-an-expert-explains-how-it-works-220564
- Rudy, M. (2024, January 6). New antibiotic kills deadly, drug-resistant bacteria in ‘scientific breakthrough.’ Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/health/new-antibiotic-kills-deadly-drug-resistant-bacteria-scientific-breakthrough
- Geddes, L. (2024, January 3). Scientists hail new antibiotics that can kill drug-resistant bacteria. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/jan/03/scientists-new-class-antibiotic-kill-drug-resistant-bacteria
