Researchers from the US and Germany have discovered a new type of antibiotic. This is the first new antibiotic for about 30 years.
A new antibiotic was found in the bacteria, but it was not possible to single out it up to now. The bacterium is in the soil and is called teixcobactin (teixcobactin). It used to be unknown that this kind of bacteria can produce an antibiotic.
Tests in mice have shown that a new antibiotic is very effective against different types of bacteria, among them the bacteria MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Scientists also argue that using this antibiotic can treat tuberculosis. Gilles van Wezel, a microbiologist from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, expects that this type of antibiotic will "blow up" the market in the next ten years, depending on its development in the coming years.
The first antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 and since then more than 100 of its derivatives have been found, but a new class of antibiotics has not been found since 1987. The appearance of antibiotics also led to the development of resistance in humans and animals.
However, the new discovery allows us to hope that many new antibiotics can be found to fight bacterial infections.
Most importantly, scientists believe that bacteria will not be able to develop resistance to teixobactin for at least 30 years, due to its multiple methods of attack.
A source:biomedia.rf