Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee (IITR) researchers have developed a technique that may help antibiotics to act effectively and to eradicate the bacteria that becomes resistant to drug uses.
Efflux pumps – A system that acts as tiny motors to flush out the antibiotic from the cells is used by the Bacteria that becomes resistant to drug uses. As a result, the drug is unable to reach its target, which aids the bacteria to survive even in the presence of an antibiotic.
According to the study, published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, IITR researchers revealed the discovery of a molecule named “IITR08027”. The molecule disrupts the proton gradient responsible for energising the efflux pumps and thus slows down the outflow of antibiotics.
“Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens has been one of the major issues that plagues the health care sector today. According to an estimate, about 1,900 people die every day due to antibiotic resistant infections, which amounts to about 70,000 deaths per year,” said Ranjana Pathania, Associate Professor at the varsity.
“Since this molecule rejuvenates the activity of fluoroquinolones against resistant bacterial pathogens, its clinical use could be a medically as well as an economically beneficial move,” he added.
