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IPFS News Link • Science, Medicine and Technology

Scientists sniff out new antibiotic - inside the human nose

• https://www.theguardian.com, Nicola Davis

Nose-dwelling microbes produce an antibiotic which kills the hospital superbug MRSA, scientists have discovered. The finding suggests that the human body might harbour a rich variety of bacteria that could be harnessed in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing cause for concern, with experts warning of an impending "apocalyptic" situation in which patients die following routine surgery because of infections that can no longer be treated. Among the superbugs of concern are strains of Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, that are resistant to a number of antibiotics.

Now scientists say they have discovered a bacterium lurking in the nose that fights MRSA by producing its own antibiotic. 

Andreas Peschel, co-author of the study from the University of Tübingen, described the discovery as "totally unexpected", as most antibiotics in use have come from soil bacteria. 


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