A new group of antibiotics can bust drug-resistant bugs
- Scientists have discovered new antibiotics to fight deadly bacteria such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus that threaten public health.
- University of Notre Dame researchers have discovered the new class called oxadiazoles which has shown promising treatment
- of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureusis) in mouse models.
- The oxadiazole inhibits a penicillin-binding protein, PBP2a, & biosynthesis of the cell wall that enables MRSA to resist other drugs which is a bacterium.
- There was only one antibiotic for MRSA that could be taken orally & after the research oxadiazoles are also effective when taken orally.
- MRSA is a global public-health problem because of its resistance to antibiotics & presently only 3 drugs are effective as treatments.
- The researchers have understood the mechanisms to devise strategies to develop compounds against MRSA.
Exams Perspective:
- Oxadiazoles
- MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureusis)
- Resistance to antibiotics