The treatment that could 'eliminate' deadly superbugs for good

A team of Australian scientists may be one step closer to eradicating at least two deadly superbugs, using “innovative” technology that moves away from traditional antibiotics.

But now next-generation, light-activated nanotech, developed by the University of South Australia and detailed in Pharmaceutics, has proven to do what traditional antibiotics increasingly can’t.

Methicillin Resistant Golden Staph Staphylococcus Aureus Mrsa — Golden staph is considered one of the deadliest superbugs in the world. (BSIP via Getty)

Image showing thedifference between microbes (golden Staph) incubated with the treatment with and without light activation. The left-hand side showing complete eradication of bacterial colonies — Image showing thedifference betweenmicrobes (golden Staph) incubatedwith the treatmentwith and withoutlight activation. Theleft-hand sideshowing completeeradication ofbacterial colonies. (Supplied)

Lead researcher, Dr Muhammed Awad, told 9news.com.au the technology showed a 99.9 per cent kill rate against the bacteria.

“Our photodynamic technology harnesses the energy of light to generate highly reactive oxygen molecules,” he said.

“These molecules can actually attack the bacteria cells at different target sites at the same time, which prevents it from developing a specific resistance mechanism.

“In addition, these nano-carriers actually deliver the photo-active drug inside the communities of bacteria, inside their protective bio-films, which is what makes it difficult for antibiotics to kill.

“Basically, it bombards the bacteria with an all-over attack.”

Both Golden staph and pseudomonas aeruginosa are transmissible, common bacteria, that are found on skin.

A map generated by WHO for a 2019 report on antibiotic resistance, tracked the prevalence of resistant staph infections. — A map generated for a 2019 report on antibiotic resistance, tracked the prevalence of resistant staph infections worldwide.. (Supplied)

Patients in hospitals are deemed more at risk of picking up potentially life-threatening bacterial infections. (9News)

However should they get into the blood stream they can cause sepsis and potentially death.

“Patients in hospitals – particularly those with wounds or catheters, or those on ventilators – have a higher risk of getting these bacteria, and while antibiotics may help, their extensive use has led to waves of microbial resistance, often making them ineffective,” Awad said.

It’s hoped the new technology will be a game-changer for people being treated in hospitals around Australia.

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“This technology is very promising for people with localised infections, such as, chronic wounds, sinusitis, and patients with Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs),” he said.

“What we’re hoping from this technology is we’ll hopefully develop a spray, or a gel, that can be applied to the infected area and then we can shine a light on it.”

As part of their next steps researchers will develop pre-clinical models before moving to clinical application and testing.

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