[Rneb]

New class of antibiotics

by Rneb on Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:50 pm

While not a "cure" for multiple myeloma, the discovery of a more potent antibiotic may change end of life Respiratory / Gut / Kidney infections for the immuno-compomised. A tool for the Practitioner to fend off reistant infections.

Thus the acute infections, that tend to take down a number of folks with Myeloma, may be controlled a bit more, with this recent discovery. Human trials are still needed, but this drug shows "promise". It also likely to be developed into an entire "Class" of antibiotics.( ie Cephalosporins)

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-new-antibiotic-teixobactin-20150106-story.html

Every little bit helps....

Excerpt:

Using soil from a grassy field in Maine and a miniaturized diffusion chamber, scientists have cultivated a microbe that could help tame the spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

When tricked into growing in a lab, the microbe makes a compound that kills strains of tuberculosis, MRSA and other deadly pathogens that are immune to even the most powerful drugs. Tests in mice showed that the newfound molecule is “exquisitely active against some very hard-to-deal-with bugs,” said Northeastern University microbiologist Kim Lewis, the senior author of a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

Experts said the discovery could lead to a new class of antibiotics for the first time in decades. If so, it would give doctors a much-needed weapon in the microbial arms race that has tilted in favor of bacteria.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: New class of antibiotics

by Nancy Shamanna on Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:26 am

This science news story was also reported on BBC News online (see below). The scientists used a really interesting method for isolating bacteria that could be producing new antibiotics. They cultured only one microbe onto a screen, that was put into a soil sample. Soil contains many microorganisms, and apparently most antibiotics have been discovered there, e.g. from fungi.

Resistance by bacteria to antibiotics is a growing concern, so it's good to know that new antibiotics are being developed.

Thanks Rneb for drawing out attention to this research story!

BBC News - Antibiotics: US discovery labelled 'game-changer' for medicine http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30657486

Excerpt:

The decades-long drought in antibiotic discovery could be over after a breakthrough by US scientists.

Their novel method for growing bacteria has yielded 25 new antibiotics, with one deemed "very promising".

The last new class of antibiotics to make it to clinic was discovered nearly three decades ago.

The study, in the journal Nature, has been described as a "game-changer" and experts believe the antibiotic haul is just the "tip of the iceberg".

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: New class of antibiotics

by Eric Hofacket on Fri Jan 09, 2015 6:24 pm

Besides the most promising, one which appears to maintain high potency and bacteria do not seem to be able to become resistant to, there are still 24 other new potential antibiotics. That is a lot of potential antibiotic candidates, considering the last new antibiotic to be developed was in 1987, as the BBC article stated.

The use of “Game Changer” in the title of the BBC article is appropriate.