Scientists Introduce New Antibiotic to Combat Drug-Resistant Superbugs

Researchers have developed a modified version of darobactin, an antibacterial compound, which shows effectiveness against drug-resistant bacteria like E. coli in animal trials, SciTech Daily reported yesterday.

This advancement comes amid rising concerns over antibiotic resistance, as many current treatments have become less effective. The study, published in ACS Infectious Diseases, highlights the urgent need for new antibiotics.

In trials, the modified darobactin, known as D22, demonstrated significant antibacterial activity. In zebrafish embryos, it effectively cleared Acinetobacter baumannii infections, and in mice, it limited Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth. Notably, multiple doses of D22 completely eradicated E. coli in severe abdominal infections.

The research coincides with the World Health Organization’s World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, emphasizing the critical nature of developing new treatments. The findings suggest D22 could be a promising candidate for future clinical trials, potentially offering a novel approach to combat antimicrobial resistance.