Could deadly superbugs like MRSA be defeated by ‘friendly bacteria’ living in our noses?

July 27, 2016

Lugdunin is almost as potent as the strongest-known drugs for superbugs
Could become the new weapon in the war against antibiotic resistance
Minor infections become deadly after finding ways of evading the drug
Nose is one of the most popular places for many different types of bacteria

Steve Connor For The Daily Mail

Published:
12:00 EST, 27 July 2016

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Updated:
12:00 EST, 27 July 2016

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An antibiotic able to wipe out MRSA and other hard-to-beat bugs has been hiding right under our noses.

German researchers have shown a germ that lives naturally in the human nose makes a powerful antibiotic.

In fact, lugdunin, as it has been called, is almost as potent as the strongest-known drugs.

A germ that lives naturally in the human nose makes a powerful antibiotic, according to German scientists

This could make it a much-needed new weapon in the war against antibiotic resistance, which has seen once minor infections become deadly after finding ways of evading the drugs.

With no new type of antibiotic hitting the market for some 30 years, experts have warned healthcare could soon be dragged back into the 19th century.

Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, has described an ‘apocalyptic scenario’ in which, in just 20 years’ time, routine operations such as hip replacements become deadly because minor infections can’t be treated.

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The University of Tubingen researchers analysed bacterial samples from the human nose for bugs that naturally make antibiotics.

While the idea of looking in the nose might seem odd, many bacteria and fungi naturally make antibiotics to keep themselves safe, and most that we use today have their roots in nature.

And because it is wet, dark and sticky, the nose is a popular hiding place for many different types of bacteria.

The tests revealed that a bacteria called Staphylocccus lugdunensis makes a chemical that is able to kill a range of bacteria, including the deadly MRSA hospital superbug.

Importantly for any company thinking about producing a new drug, the journal Nature reports that the bacteria did not develop resistance to the compound.

The research, unveiled at the ESOF science forum in Manchester paves the way for a new antibiotic pill.

In fact, lugdunin, as it has been called, is almost as potent as the strongest-known drugs to treat MRSA

Another option is a probiotic treatment, packed with ‘friendly’ Staphylocccus lugdunensis bacteria.

Researcher Andreas Peschel said: ‘We talk about probiotics when yoghurt is supposed to change your intestinal microbiota, why not move the concept to other parts of the body?

‘Of course one would have to consider this very carefully.’

‘What we are trying to understand is why certain persons are colonised by these bacteria and why is it the nose and not other parts of the human body, and what are these bacteria doing there — why they are going there.

‘If we understand these things we may find new ways of eradicating these bacteria, preventing their spread, preventing new infections and even finding new therapeutics because we are in desperate need for new antibiotics.’