Many bacteria, including MRSA, have mesh-like cell walls that use enzymes to stick together. These enzymes are targets for the antibiotics penicillin and methicillin. In recent years, scientists have discovered that MRSA uses a special cell wall enzyme to develop resistance to antibiotics. In a new study, a team from the University of Sheffield has shown that there is another way for the superbug to survive.
It turns out that an additional defense mechanism allows MRSA to multiply in the presence of antibiotics. “The discovery not only reveals a vulnerability of the superbug, but also demonstrates an alternative way for bacteria to divide. These results provide new insights into the fundamental principles underlying bacterial growth and division,” the authors commented.
They are now working on developing inhibitors to block the new target. Further studies will show the potential benefits of this strategy for other infections.
Previously, other scientists presented an antibiotic that destroys all resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and also restores the bacteria's sensitivity to existing antibiotics.
