New Antibiotic discovery

Uberhaus · January 07, 2015, 05:04:43 PM

Some good news today. A potential antibiotic has been discovered at Northeastern University.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30657486

"Tests on teixobactin showed it was toxic to bacteria, but not mammalian tissues, and could clear a deadly dose of MRSA in tests on mice"

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus is the bacteria that has been sticking around hospitals and causing very nasty infections.

This is great news as diseases are becoming very resistant and resistance can be passed on even between very different species.

Martok · January 07, 2015, 06:07:38 PM

Good news indeed. Thanks for sharing, Uberhaus.

LongBlade · January 07, 2015, 08:49:47 PM

Thanks, Uber.

I read the headline and a single para on the discovery but didn't see the fine print against MRSA specifically.

Great news.

Uberhaus · January 07, 2015, 09:06:08 PM

You're both welcome. The fine print for MRSA is in the third section with the header: Bacteria.

I wonder if there will be a possibility for allergic reactions like with penicillin or cephalosporin?

Gusington · January 07, 2015, 09:23:04 PM

Great stuff! My in-laws Rottweiler had MRSA years ago and was at death's door from it. A really intense regimen of more traditional antibiotic saved him. This would make treatment easier, it sounds like.

Labbug · January 07, 2015, 10:49:16 PM

Working on an agar plate and in mice is one thing and does show promise but working in humans is another issue all together. It will take years of development to get it on the market and available for human use. Only one in ten or eleven drugs that begin the development process ever get to market.

bbmike · January 08, 2015, 06:24:12 AM

Thanks for posting! It sounds like possible they have discovered a new way of finding even more antibiotics down the road. That would be really nice.

Uberhaus · June 07, 2025, 08:49:14 PM

Read this article from the Beeb on cures for superbugs and who would have thunk scatology would also be a potential cure. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyge290l4xo

QuoteUK doctors are attempting to clear dangerous superbug infections using "poo pills" containing freeze-dried faeces.

The stool samples come from healthy donors and are packed with good bacteria.

Early data suggests superbugs can be flushed out of the dark murky depths of the bowel and replaced with a mix of healthy gut bacteria.

It is a new approach to tackling infections that resist antibiotics, which are thought to kill a million people each year.

bobarossa · June 08, 2025, 09:56:32 AM

I wonder if this was an accidental discovery. They have been using poo pills for years to treat various intestinal ailments. I have IBS and have wondered it it would help me but my gastro retired before I could bring it up (Too lazy to find a new gastro).

Uberhaus · June 25, 2025, 07:13:03 PM

Quote from: bobarossa on June 08, 2025, 09:56:32 AMI wonder if this was an accidental discovery. They have been using poo pills for years to treat various intestinal ailments. I have IBS and have wondered it it would help me but my gastro retired before I could bring it up (Too lazy to find a new gastro).

Sorry for such a late reply. I hope this answers your question regarding discovery.

QuoteThe idea of poo-pills isn't as far-fetched as it might seem. Faecal transplants – also known as a trans-poo-tion - are already approved for treating severe diarrhoea caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria.

But scientists noticed hints that faecal transplants for C. difficile also seemed to get rid of superbugs.