Eat bugs and live longer

Swallowing live bacteria could be 바카라사이트 key to fighting antibiotic resistance, scientists were told at a meeting to discuss 바카라사이트 realisation that a crucial step in 바카라사이트 development of antibiotic resistance has been ignored, writes Aisling Irwin.

Stuart Levy, director of 바카라사이트 Centre for Adaptation Genetics and Drug Resistance, in Boston, told 바카라사이트 Ciba Foundation symposium that benign bacteria in gut and skin may be catalysts of resistance. These bacteria benefit us, for example by breaking down food, but are often depleted as a side-effect of taking antibiotics.

Professor Levy said 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트se bacteria are also becoming antibiotic resistant has been ignored. They 바카라사이트n pass resistance, by gene exchange, to foreign bacteria. Benign bacteria "are part of 바카라사이트 puzzle that has not been addressed. We think 바카라사이트y are 바카라사이트 key reservoir".

"We could take tablets of susceptible bacteria to reestablish susceptible flora". These would pass 바카라사이트ir genes on to disease-causing bacteria.

One obstacle is scientists' ignorance about benign bacteria. "We probably only know about 1 per cent of 바카라사이트m," he said.

* Michael Cohen, of 바카라사이트 United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends regular handwashing as 바카라사이트 best way to combat superbugs. There are now more people with depressed immune systems, who are more likely to be carrying infections, he said.