Understanding Drug-Resistant Bacteria

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Researchers have discovered a common bacteria, P. aeruginosa, can 'switch on' production of molecules to fight against white blood cells.

The University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark found that the bacterium P. aeruginosa uses a communication system called quorum sensing (QS) to detect approaching white cells.

P. aeruginosa causes chronic infections and clumps together a biofilm, which is resistant to antibiotics and the host immune response. Researchers say they must interrupt the quorum sensing to stop the building of the shield to be able to treat the bacteria.

“The ultimate goal is to eradicate the present day's antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are involved in the bulk of chronic infections," Michael Givskov, of the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the study, was quoted as saying. “Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious emerging health problems in the world today. More than 70 percent of the disease-causing bacteria are resistant to at least one of the currently available antibiotics."

Givskov believes this study could lead to providing vital information that will help researchers design better antimicrobials.

SOURCE: Society for General Microbiology's journal Microbiology, November 2009

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