Add news
News Every Day |

Oyster ‘blood’ holds promise for combating drug-resistant superbugs: new research

Superbugs that are resistant to existing antibiotics are a growing health problem around the world. Globally, nearly five million people die from antimicrobial resistant infections each year. The annual toll of antimicrobial resistant infections is expected to rise by 70%, with an estimated 40 million deaths between now and 2050.

To address this, researchers must discover new antibiotics and agents that improve the efficacy of existing antibiotics.

Hope may come from a surprising source: oysters.

In new research published today in PLOS ONE, we show that antimicrobial proteins isolated from oyster hemolymph (the equivalent of blood) can kill certain bacteria responsible for a range of infections. The proteins can also improve the efficacy of conventional antibiotics against problematic bacteria species.

Robust, resistant bacteria cause common infections

Pneumonia is an acute infection of the lungs, commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. It is the leading cause of death among children under five years of age, and a common cause of hospitalisation and death in older people.

Upper respiratory tract infections, such as tonsillitis, are also common. In fact, they are the most frequent reason children are prescribed antibiotics.

Persistent skin and throat infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes can lead to the development of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

The high prevalence of these bacterial infections and overuse of antibiotics have contributed to the evolution of drug-resistant bacteria. This makes these infections difficult to treat.

The formation of biofilms compounds the problem.

Biofilms are populations of millions of bacterial cells embedded in a self-secreted substance that sticks to surfaces. They protect bacteria from the host’s immune system – and from antibiotics. Almost all bacterial infections involve biofilms.

Because of this, new antibiotic treatments that can inhibit, disrupt or penetrate biofilms are very valuable.

Sydney rock oysters from aquaculture in the Richmond River, New South Wales.

Kirsten Benkendorff

Oysters as a source of new antimicrobial agents

Over 90% of antibiotics we currently use are derived from nature. The same is true for over 65% of antibiotics under recent development.

In the search for new antimicrobial drugs, researchers will usually start by looking at organisms that produce antimicrobial chemicals for self defence.

Oysters are exposed to high concentrations of diverse microorganisms in their natural marine environment. Because of this, they have evolved strong immune defences. For example, they rely heavily on antimicrobial proteins and strings of molecules known as peptides in their hemolymph (blood) to protect them from infection.

Research over the past few decades has found that oyster hemolymph contains antiviral and antibacterial proteins and peptides. These are active against a range of human and marine pathogens.

Oysters, along with other molluscs, plants and animals, have a long history of use as traditional medicines to treat infectious diseases.

In traditional Chinese medicine, various preparations from oysters are recommended for treating symptoms of respiratory infection and inflammatory conditions. Oysters have also played a significant role in the health of Indigenous people in Australia for millennia. This provides useful clues for drug discovery.

Our latest research confirms that antimicrobial proteins in the hemolymph of Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) are particularly effective at killing Streptococcus spp. bacteria.

The proteins were also effective at inhibiting Streptococcus spp. biofilm formation and could penetrate biofilms that had already formed.

Extracting hemolymph from a Sydney rock oyster.

Kate Summer

Boosting the drugs we have

To improve how well currently available drugs work, they are increasingly combined with antimicrobial peptides and proteins.

These peptides and proteins can disrupt bacterial cell membranes, helping conventional antibiotics reach their targets more easily. Many of these proteins and peptides can also boost the host’s immune system, making treatment even more effective.

We tested Sydney rock oyster hemolymph proteins for activity against a range of bacterial pathogens in combination with different commercially available antibiotics. At very low concentrations, the proteins improved the effectiveness of antibiotics between two- and 32-fold.

The results were particularly promising for Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus (also known as “golden staph”, a primary cause of drug-resistant skin and bloodstream infections) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a major problem for immune-compromised patients with cystic fibrosis). There were also no toxic effects on healthy human cells.

The hemolymph proteins of Sydney rock oysters are able to kill Streptococcus spp. bacteria embedded in biofilms, as well as improve the efficacy of conventional antibiotics against a range of bacteria species.

Kate Summer

What next?

Overall, oyster hemolymph proteins hold promise for future development as an antimicrobial therapy. They can kill pathogens embedded in biofilms, work in synergy with conventional antibiotics, and are non-toxic.

However, more work is needed, including testing in animals and clinical human trials.

Sustainable supply of the proteins for research and medical use is an important consideration, but this is helped by the fact Sydney rock oysters are commercially available.

The results of this work present an opportunity for pharmaceutical and aquaculture industries to collaborate with researchers on new, more effective antibiotics development.

Kate Summer, Postdoctoral research fellow, Southern Cross University and Kirsten Benkendorff, Professor, National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Game News

Atomfall surpasses 1.5 million players to become Rebellion's most successful game launch in 32 years

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

The Ashton Jeanty Bears Smoke Just Got Even Thicker

Will AI ever cure cancer? The multibillion-dollar race to bring the first AI-discovered drug to market

Creating and sharing deepfakes through tools such as OpenAI is now a crime in New Jersey—punishable by up to 5 years in prison

Here’s more of what you’ll see through Meta’s $1,000 smart glasses

Ria.city
Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "4 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...






Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "4 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...


Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "4 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...

Read also

Owner of Perry restaurant found guilty of sexual battery, victim speaks exclusively to News 4

CFOs Embrace Zero Trust Architectures as Back Offices Go Headless and Distributed

Markets plunge with S&P 500 down 6% and Dow down 2,200 as their worst crisis since COVID deepens

News Every Day |

Reds avoid being no-hit, score runs, still lose again to Brewers

Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

It was close, though!

The Milwaukee Brewers took at a no-hitter into the 7th inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night, with Gavin Lux eventually smacking a 2-out single into CF to keep that measure of futility off their ledger for the time being.

The Reds, you’ll recall, entered play on Friday having lost a trio of consecutive games by the score of 1-0, their shutout streak in single-run games the first such instance in Major League Baseball history since the 1960 Philadelphia Phillies. They even ran that to some 35 innings during Friday’s game...

...but the Reds scored a run on Friday! Two, even! An 8th inning rally saw Christian Encarnacion-Strand launch a deep fly ball to the warning track in left-center to plate a run via sac fly while Jeimer Candelario followed with an RBI-single down the RF line. That cut into an existing 3-0 Milwaukee lead, leaving the Reds trailing 3-2 with the 9th inning left to play.

Was there a run-scoring inning streak to be found in the 9th?

No.

Reds lost, 3-2, and fell to 2-6 on the season - once again tied for last place in the National League Central.

Tony Graphanino

Box score & WPA chart via FanGraphs

Other Notes

  • Numerous members of the team’s coaching staff were sent back to the team hotel in Milwaukee prior to the game tonight due to illness, including manager Terry Francona. Matt McLain was also a late scratch with a ‘hamstring’ issue, though he did show up in the 9th inning for a pinch-hit appearance (thankfully).
  • Saturday’s matchup between these two clubs will feature Brady Singer and Elvin Rodriguez starting for their respective clubs, with first pitch set for 7:10 PM ET. It’ll be on FanDuel Sports Ohio, but it’s also being broadcast on FS1 nationally.
  • Tunes.
Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Ria.city
Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "4 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...






Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "4 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...


Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "4 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...

Read also

Authorities identify father, 2 sons killed by Pennsylvania Amtrak train

Match Preview: Birmingham City vs Barnsley

Navy seizes 400,000 litres of stolen crude in Delta operation

News, articles, comments, with a minute-by-minute update, now on Today24.pro

News Every Day

Will AI ever cure cancer? The multibillion-dollar race to bring the first AI-discovered drug to market

Today24.pro — latest news 24/7. You can add your news instantly now — here


News Every Day

Darts star leaks World Championship payslip as he reveals long list of ‘deductions’ left him with just £5,200 winnings



Sports today


Новости тенниса
Владимир Сидоренко

Игрока в пинг-понг Сидоренко дисквалифицировали за оскорбление женщины-судьи



Спорт в России и мире
Москва

«Формула-1»: Как автоспорт стал платформой для мировых брендов



All sports news today





Sports in Russia today

Москва

В Махачкале пройдет легкоатлетический пробег


Новости России

Game News

Как создать нового аватара и добавить его в свою семью в inZOI


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Russian.city

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this


Москва

Жители Подмосковья смогут проверить здоровье в парках Подмосковья в выходные


Губернаторы России
Фёдор Шаляпин

«Не для работы создан я»: почему Прохор Шаляпин стал кумиром молодежи


"Ъ": с экс-губернатором Куйвашевым проводят следственные действия

Когда слово объединяет: ГПМ Радио приглашает на «Тотальный диктант»

Правонарушителя ранили в ходе перестрелки с полицией в Москве

Тайская зараза. Загадочный сепсис унёс жизни Паши Техника и Анны Евсюковой


На надгробной табличке Бедроса Киркорова поправили дату смерти

«Не для работы создан я»: почему Прохор Шаляпин стал кумиром молодежи

VK Fest 2025: Баста, L'One и BLIZKEY рассказали что происходит за кулисами фестиваля

Менеджер Артиста. Менеджер по работе с артистами.


Сафин впервые высказался о сотрудничестве с Андреем Рублевым

Странный спорт – Медведев пошутил о теннисе

Хьюстон (ATP). 1/4 финала. Бруксби сыграет с Ковачевичем, Юбенкс встретится с Накашимой, Тиафу – с Микельсеном

12-е место в мировом рейтинге WTA, нелюбовь к России и нетрадиционная ориентация Касаткиной


Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this


Победит сильнейший. Какие растения смогут пережить заморозки 5–6 апреля

«Авторадио»: 32 года вместе со слушателями

Ученица гимназии № 1 Балашихи — победитель чемпионата «Абилимпикс»

ТОП-5 лазерных устройств для татуажа в 2025 году: что нужно знать?


Домодедово рассказал туристам о новых рейсах: 42 внутренних и 40 международных маршрутов

Росавиация: ограничения на полеты отменили во Внуково, Домодедово и Жуковском

В Google изложили план разработки безопасного ИИ человеческого уровня

Борис Фартуна - о жизни в Челнах, «КАМАЗе» и чемпионской гонке РПЛ


Администрация Трампа поручила Пентагону подготовиться к войне с Китаем, пока Пекин подтверждает связи с Москвой

СЕНСАЦИЯ! РАСКРЫТ ПЛАН ЯПОНИИ ПО ЗАХВАТУ США И... РОССИИ? МОЖНО УЛУЧШИТЬ ПЕРЕГОВОРЫ! Новости. В.В. Путин, Дональд Трамп. Россия, США, Европа могут улучшить отношения и здоровье общества?!

РПЛ. «Локомотив» примет «Зенит», «Краснодар» сыграет с «Акроном», ЦСКА — «Динамо» М

На северо-востоке Москвы демонтировали 50 домов по программе реновации


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


Путин в России и мире
Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine



Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Персональные новости Russian.city
Эстрада

На сцене Театра Эстрады пройдёт Музыкальный фестиваль «Ровесники Победы»



News Every Day

Will AI ever cure cancer? The multibillion-dollar race to bring the first AI-discovered drug to market




Friends of Today24

Музыкальные новости

Персональные новости