Nasal Antibiotics Could Provide Vital Weapon Against Life Threatening Superbugs

A new antibiotic called Lugdunin has been discovered thriving the noses of a few select people. According to Bernhard Krismer, professor on Tübingen University, the new substance can help to fight resistant bacteria.

Usually, antibiotics are produced only by soil bacteria and by fungal cultures. Until now it was not known that human microflora can be a source of antimicrobial substances.

“Particularity of Lugdunin is that it is produced by a substance that lives inside a human. In addition to Staphylococcus lugdunensis, source of Lugdunin, Lugdunin is a totally new structure, new class of biologically active substances,” explains Krismer.

It cannot be excluded that with time bacteria will be able to become stable and against Lugdunin. Over the course of a month, scientists injected Lugdunin into cells, and while they didn’t die, they did develop tolerance and resistance.

Currently, researchers at Tübingen University are conducting first stage trials to see if the antibiotic can be turned into a medicine.

“I think we are in the right direction,” says Krismer. “Aa after we inject Lugdunin in cells, we do not see any negative effect.”

But the development of antibiotics requires decades, and not several years.

Each year, thousands of people die from infections, which are caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. Experts say that in the nearest future, more people will die from these bacteria then from cancer.