2023-11-03 01:03:02
New Antibodies Discovered for Treatment of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Infections
As antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to pose a global threat to healthcare systems, researchers have made a breakthrough in the treatment of infections caused by the hospital germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A team of scientists from the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), the University Hospital of Cologne, the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research in Braunschweig, and the University Hospital of Hamburg-Eppendorf have discovered antibodies that offer a new approach to combating acute and chronic infections with P. aeruginosa.
The study, which was published in the scientific journal Cell, highlights the urgency for new therapeutic approaches to treat infections with multi-resistant bacteria like P. aeruginosa. This bacterium is particularly feared due to its numerous resistance mechanisms, which can lead to complicated lung infections and dangerous blood poisoning, especially in critically ill patients. In addition, P. aeruginosa can colonize organs such as the lungs, causing progressive tissue damage.
To develop new therapies against P. aeruginosa, the researchers isolated and characterized highly effective antibodies from immune cells of cystic fibrosis patients who are chronically infected with the bacterium. This approach, similar to the development of antiviral therapies, involved extracting immune cells from patients and isolating antibodies that can effectively inhibit the virulence of P. aeruginosa.
The antibodies discovered in the study work by blocking an important virulence factor in the bacterium known as the type III secretion system. In cell culture and animal models, the antibodies demonstrated effectiveness comparable to classic antibiotics. Importantly, these antibodies can work on highly resistant bacteria, unlike many traditional antibiotics.
The findings of this study have promising implications for the treatment of infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria. The researchers plan to further develop the antibodies and conduct clinical trials to assess their efficacy in acute and severe P. aeruginosa infections. Moreover, the antibodies could potentially be used in passive immunization to protect high-risk patients, such as those in intensive care units or individuals with cancer, from P. aeruginosa infections.
This collaborative research effort between multiple German institutions, including the DZIF and University Hospital of Cologne, highlights the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in combatting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Future studies will investigate the applicability of this antibody approach to other bacterial pathogens.
The discovery of these antibodies represents a significant step forward in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, offering new hope for effective treatment options and the preservation of our healthcare systems.]
#Neutralize #resistant #bacteria #antibodies