By chance they create an antibiotic capable of eliminating “intractable” bacteria.

Two million people currently die from infections that available antibiotics can no longer respond to. If this situation is not reversed, it is estimated that they will be 10 million in 30 years. This fact, added to a piece of news known in the last few hours, opens up a new path of hope in improving treatment for the infected.

Is that a group of researchers from American scientific institutions has created a new antibiotic that acts against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms considered “untreatable” without causing bacterial resistance, so its use would reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases that are difficult to treat with existing drugs, reported the University of California at Santa Barbara.

antibiotic resistance, or antimicrobial resistance (AMR)it occurs when disease-causing organisms have the ability to mutate over time, adapting so that they can survive exposure to drugs that could previously kill or control them.

The World Health Organization considers AMR to be one of the major threats to public health worldwideas it is the cause of 1.27 million deaths annually, with low- and middle-income countries being the hardest hit.

The authors of the research – published in the eBioMedicine journal – reported that the development of the new drug took place while a class of synthetic small molecules called conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs) were being designed, which would be used to electrically charge the cell phones of American soldiers when they were in combat.

The project was managed by Professors Michael Mahan, David Low, Chuck Samuel and their research team, Douglas Heithoff, Scott Mahan, Lucien Barnes and Cyril George. Other collaborators include professors Guillermo Bazan (UC Santa Barbara) and Andrei Osterman (Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute).

In that research they discovered something better: some of these compounds, if placed in bacterial membranes with the aim of functioning as electron carriers, could also inhibit the growth of bacteria. In light of this discovery, the scientific team considered that these trace electrolytes could be used as possible antibiotics.

michael mahanone of the authors of the study, explained that although most of these chemicals can be “highly toxic to human cells similar to bleach”, they found one that was not. This was used in tests with transgenic mice with septicemia, in which it achieved “kill all bacterial pathogens”.

Fantastic compound was identified as COE2-2hexyl. It has shown broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Also, a low level of bacterial resistance has been observed after prolonged exposure to the drug. This is because, unlike penicillin, this antibiotic has a specific mechanism of action, as it can interrupt multiple bacterial functions at the same time.

“This class of antibiotics has potential like a new versatile therapy for antimicrobial-resistant pathogens,” said lead researcher Charles Samuel. The scientists stressed that more studies are planned to determine the drug’s safety and efficacy before it is used as a medical treatment.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

• It is a mechanism by which germs modify themselves and evade the effect of antibiotics and cause these drugs to lose their effectiveness.

When does antibiotic resistance occur?

• When used in diseases that do not require them (colds and colds, for example).

• When used without the advice of a healthcare professional.

• When doses and duration of treatment are not met.

What consequences does it bring?

• More difficult infections to treat.

• Complicated infections.

• Increased mortality.

What can we do as patients to improve this situation?

• Know that colds, flu, bronchitis, and most sore throats aren’t treated with antibiotics.
• Do not self-medicate.
• Don’t use or share extra antibiotics.
• Don’t take antibiotics that have been prescribed for someone else.
• Purchase antibiotics only with a prescription
• Respect the dose, frequency and duration of treatment, even if you feel better.
• Respect the vaccination schedule.
• Wash your hands often.