Due to the increased use of antibiotics in recent years, many types of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics. This makes it increasingly difficult for us to get rid of bacterial infections. To discover new antibiotics we have to go back to nature. A study by a microbiologist at the University of Tübingen in Germany is proof of this. They have conducted research into bacteria in the nose of a human being.
Just like on the rest of the body, there are several types of bacteria in the nose. Special focus has been placed on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureuss), which is generally not harmful. In some cases, however, it can happen that the bacteria is harmful. The researchers then looked for another bacterium from the same family, namely the S. lugdunensis. This was added to the artificial nose environment in the lab. It turned out that the added bacterium deS. aureuss bacteria. This same experiment was performed in an (artificial) open wound. This also showed that the S. lugdunensis bacterium caused the S. aureussbacteria was eliminated.
The research also showed that the conditions in the nose are far from optimal for bacteria, for example there is little food for them. Still, the bacteria seem to like being there. Based on these findings, it is very likely that bacteria can also be found in other parts of the body that can act as antibiotics.
This form of antibiotics also carries risks. In fact, all types of antibiotics do cause resistance. The bacteria can get used to everything and start protecting themselves over generations. In addition, using other bacteria to get rid of a particular bacteria is also risky. In the example mentioned, the S. lugdunesis bacteria as well-known symptoms, including infections of the heart, joints and skin. However, there are also bacteria that pose less of a threat and could possibly be used as antibiotics.
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