An Advance in Antibiotics!

At a time where there has been a decrease in new antibiotic discoveries, scientists developed a successful method to search for new compounds.

Over 99% of the bacteria, or germs, growing in the soil have never been cultured or evaluated, since they are not biologically important in humans, animals, or plants. Using a novel extraction method, researchers have begun to look at these bacteria to see if they can produce new antibiotics.

They discovered a compound they called Teixobactin which is highly effective against many bacteria (but not all) and seems to work in a different way than current antibiotics. Even more impressive, it works against two very difficult bugs, Tuberculosis and MRSA.

No resistance has been reported (yet) and it seems that this may not occur quickly. And it is so far safe in mice.

The technique is very promising as is the new drug.