Scientists are reengineering viruses to fight antibiotic resistance

Scientists are reengineering viruses to fight antibiotic resistance

4 years ago
Anonymous $yQ5BfQaAxy

https://thenextweb.com/syndication/2020/01/27/scientists-are-reengineering-viruses-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance/

The world is in the midst of a global “superbug” crisis. Antibiotic resistance has been found in numerous common bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, gonorrhea, and salmonellosis, making them difficult – if not impossible – to treat. We’re on the cusp of a “post-antibiotic era,” where there are fewer treatment options for such antibiotic-resistant strains. Given estimates that antibiotic resistance will cause 10 million deaths a year by 2050, finding new methods for treating harmful infections is essential.

Strange as it might sound, viruses might be one possible alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. Bacteriophages (also known as phages) are viruses that infect bacteria.