New antibiotic found in common soil could tackle drug-resistant infections
Scientists just discovered a powerful new antibiotic, premethylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a common soil bacterium.
It's over 100 times stronger than an older antibiotic and can kill tough drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA and VRE at tiny doses.
The new antibiotic didn't trigger resistance in bacteria
Unlike some antibiotics that quickly lose their punch, this one didn't trigger resistance in bacteria after nearly a month.
Researchers have also figured out how to make more of it for further testing, hoping it might be safe enough for real-world use someday.
Millions of lives at stake
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global problem, with millions of lives at stake over the next few decades.
With so few new antibiotics being discovered lately, finding something this promising gives hope for better ways to tackle stubborn infections down the line.