Scientists Identify Evolutionary Gateway Helping Pneumonia Bacteria Become Resistant to Antibiotics
Published:01 Nov.2023 Source:University of Sheffield
This significant breakthrough in understanding how antibiotic resistance occurs will allow scientists to better predict which strains of pneumonia will become highly resistant in the future, giving them time to put control measures in place to help save patients' lives.
Pneumonia is a very serious infection and the third leading cause of death in the UK population. Often these infections are caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pneumoniae). Antibiotics are given to patients to kill the bacteria, however the bacteria are finding ways to become resistant and this resistance threatens patient treatment in the long-term.
The Sheffield team discovered mutations called pde1 act as an evolutionary gateway through which the S.pneumoniae cells start to become resistant to antibiotics.
Lead author, Dr Andrew Fenton from the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield, said: "Pneumonia is a dangerous and deadly infection and effective treatment with antibiotics is essential for patient care. However, the effectiveness of antibiotics is increasingly under threat as the bacteria which cause pneumonia become resistant to antibiotic treatment over time.