Scientists have been looking for some novel approaches to combat the nasty superbugs. A new study uncovers that antibiotic resistance of the pathogenic microorganisms can be deteriorated by exposing them under blue light.
To overcome this continuously rising issue, several scientists are trying to find the solutions in unfamiliar places, such as bacteria surviving on the insects, and slimy coated surface of fish. While other scientists have been seeking some effective results against pathogens by using several combinations of existing drugs (antibiotics) in an appropriate ratio. Some researchers are focusing to develop novel technologies that will eradicate these fatal pathogens.
Recently, a team of researchers from Boston University, Massachusetts and Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, found the potential effect of blue light. The outcomes of the study conducted by them are published recently in the journal Advanced Science.
Throughout the study, the researchers specifically aimed at the most common antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria—Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is highly resistant to methicillin. In most of the cases, these infections can be treated successfully, but in severe cases, MRSA infections can lead to demises.
Researchers have identified a golden pigment in S. aureus, known as staphyloxanthin (STX) that protects the bacterial strain from the attack of immune cells in the body. To reduce the pigment levels, the scientists tried a process known as photobleaching.
During the research, the researchers coincidently found that if methicillin-resistant S. aureus were photobleached using blue light, STX pigment could be ruptured softening the bacterial membrane, and ultimately increasing its susceptibility against antibiotics.
Through photobleaching, the highly resistant bacteria became vulnerable to even mild antiseptics.
The researchers tested this approach on in-vitro cultured bacteria, MRSA infected immune cells, S. aureus augmented as a biofilm, and wound infection created in mice.
The strong advantage of this technology is its simplicity in eradicating such type of bacterial infections.