Scientists are taking a fresh look at streptothricin an antibiotic developed over 80 years ago, in a new bid to fight dangerous drug-resistant superbugs. Once sidelined due to toxicity concerns, streptothricin now under investigation as “nourseothricin” is being re-evaluated as a potential weapon against these evolving pathogens.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified drug-resistant, gram-negative bacteria as a major global threat due to their resistance to existing antibiotics. With limited options available, researchers like Dr. James Kirby from Harvard University are pushing for a renewed exploration of forgotten antibiotics like streptothricin, which showed powerful antibacterial properties in early trials.
“In the face of multi-drug-resistant pathogens with few effective treatment options, it’s essential to revisit overlooked antibiotics that could offer new hope,” Kirby stated.
Published in PLOS Biology, this research marks an important step toward harnessing older antibiotics to address modern health crises, potentially breathing new life into treatments once buried in scientific archives.
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