The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is increasingly becoming one of the major scientific issues of modern times. However, several promising findings, in recent years, are beginning to show that there may be hope on the horizon.
Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat many bacterial infections. However, there are rising concerns about their overuse in recent years, which has resulted in some bacterial strains to become resistant to the drugs once used to kill them. This has meant that even some common conditions, such as a simple chest infection, are becoming harder to treat, as our arsenal against bacteria is becoming increasingly diminished. This, along with the emergence of the deadly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria strain is ultimately increasing our risk of mortality.
MRSA: A Superbug Warning
MRSA, is commonly known as a ‘superbug’: a strain of bacteria that has developed resistance to several types of widely used antibiotics. In fact, this particular strain of superbug can even thrive in the sterile environments often associated with hospitals; with one study showing that alcohol disinfectants have become ten times less effective at killing bacteria over a 19-year period.1 This means that alcohol sterilisation may no longer be the gold standard for hospital hygiene measurements, and there is an urgent need to step up the fight against MRSA superbugs.
The Fight is On
Fortunately, not all hope is lost. There are several promising findings in recent years, which could spell bad news to the superbugs.
In 2018, one study2 identified two Vitamin A-related compounds as potential superbug killers. New methods were used to modify these molecules to specifically target the bacterial cell membrane, leaving human cells unaffected. These compounds have demonstrated positive results in treating MRSA-infected mice without causing significant liver or kidney damage, and could also be potent in treating chronic infections in cystic fibrosis patients.
Another study in 2017,3 combined a virus’s targeting mechanisms with human antibodies, to create hybrid immune cells, which are able to hunt down and kill the superbugs. These hybrid cells act like GPS trackers for the immune system; attaching themselves to the bacteria and sending signals to the immune system to destroy them. Promising results were shown in MRSA-infected mice, and these have just been approved for safety and efficacy testing in humans.
Even more recently, a 2019 study4 has explored the idea of using the superbug’s own weapons against them. They found that the toxins released by MRSA upon infection of the host cell, would kill even the most robust microbes, and if isolation is possible, could be the ultimate MRSA antibiotic.- Animal testing on mice has shown promising results, with toxicity not occurring, even at a higher dosage.
A Call to Arms for Pharma Companies
Despite the rising concerns of antibiotic resistance, drug companies are still reluctant to invest vast amounts into research and clinical trials. In response to this, the NHS is launching a trial for a drug funding scheme called ‘pay for usefulness.’ This scheme encourages pharma companies to develop antibiotics, by pre-paying companies for medicines according to their usefulness within the NHS.
Conclusion
With the emergence of superbugs like MRSA, antibiotic resistance has become one of the most alarming global issues to date. Several studies have shown the emergence of novel techniques in a hope of ending the life of the superbugs, however, despite the positive findings in these studies, the lack of investments from drug companies means that potential drugs might not be able to be introduced to the market. Global action is needed to bring the antibiotic resistance issue to public attention; otherwise, antibiotic resistance will soon surpass cancer and becomes the number one biggest global killer.
By Charmaine Wang
