You've probably already seen in the press that bacteria are increasingly resistant to antibiotics. According to a survey by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz), the detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria tripled in the Covid-19. Recently, scientists have captured a movement of these microorganisms that may be the answer to this.
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The study was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications and the trick used by the bacteria was completely unusual. There is no precedent for this in the scientific literature... until then.
The commonly used resistance technique is well known to scientists: bacteria have to prevent drugs from accumulating or changing their targets. Thus, they are less effective.
What was the trick used by bacteria to avoid the action of antibiotics?
The dribble in antibiotics was discovered by studying Streptococcus. You've probably heard this name: it's the bacteria that commonly causes sore throats and skin infections, but can lead to systemic infections.
According to scientists, these bacteria need to produce their own folates (vitamin B9) to multiply and make us sick. Most antibiotics work by blocking the production of folate and thus preventing the growth of bacteria.
In this study, scientists saw a new modus operandi of bacteria to prevent the action of antibiotics. For the first time, they were able to withdraw folate from the host itself when its action was impeded by the drug.
Stronger and more lethal
This adaptation of bacteria could mean what doctors and scientists have been warning: they are more resistant to antibiotics that we have on the market. Furthermore, it also suggests that they can develop to create new techniques. One possible cause is overuse of antibiotics.
The scientists' new mission is to research new and more diverse treatments against bacteria.
Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.
