Yale University finds a way to combat the antibiotic resistance of modern-day bacteria. Apparently, the strategy of using tick protein with existing treatments can stop the growth of immune methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. Basically, the protein improves the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Foremost, antibiotic resistance means bacteria have adapted to the current medicines used to fight them. Due to continuous treatments, these viruses got used to the cure until they are not affected anymore. Per Futurity, it has actually become a major problem in health that is rapidly worsening.

On the other hand, MRSA is a primary example of such immune bacterium that triggers fatal infections. For one, it secretes a protective outer layer, a biofilm, to block healing agents from gaining access to its core. Now, the tick protein alters the biofilm.

Otherwise known as IAFGP, the Yale University experts combined the protein with a molecule also derived from it. Additionally, antibiotics currently used to treat MRSA and other antibiotics that are not standard treatment were added to the mixture. It was later tested to mice and flies, Yale News reported.

In the study, the mixture improved the ability of the new antibiotic to fight the bacteria. Dr. Erol Fikrig, the Chief of the Infectious Disease Section at Yale School of Medicine, said in previews press statements that the addition of three different antibiotics to the tick protein makes the cure more potent. In the same manner, adding the protein to drugs not used in today's treatment makes the latter more effective as well.

While it is not yet proven with humans, it paves the way for tackling medicine-resistant bacterial infections. MRSA usually causes ailments affecting the skin, lungs, and blood. The study, supported by the John Monsky and Jennifer Weis Monsky Lyme Disease Research Fund and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, was first published in the journal "Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy". Other authors include Nabil Abraham, Lei Liu, Kirsten Murfin, Brandon Jutras, Timur Yarovinsky, Erica Sutton, Ali Acar, Christine Jacobs-Wagner, and Martin Heisig.

Topics Yale University, Antibiotics