A path-breaking technique that will potentially help reverse drug resistance as well as enable existing antibiotics to act effectively has been developed by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. Bacteria that become resistant to drugs use efflux pumps, which act as tiny motors to flush out the antibiotic from the cells. As a result, the drugs are unable to reach their targets, which helps the bacteria survive even in the presence of antibiotics.

Representational Image, Source: Laboratory Equipment

In the study, published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, the researchers reported the discovery of a molecule — named IITR08027 — which disrupts the proton gradient that is responsible for energising the efflux pumps and thus slows down the outflow of antibiotics. Further, IITR08027, when used in combination with fluoroquinolones — antibiotics like ciprofloxacin commonly used to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections — allows the drugs to kill the bacterial cells, thereby effectively tackling the antibiotic resistance problem.

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Ranjana Pathania, Associate Professor at IIT Roorkee, said,

Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens has been one of the major issues that plagues the healthcare 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. 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.

The study found that the IITR08027 molecule is also effective against multi-drug-resistant clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii. Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most prevalent pathogens, which has developed strategies to counter existing antibiotics, especially fluoroquinolones.

With inputs from IANS.

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