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Using natural enzymes to kill MRSA is a significant breakthrough in medical science

Using natural enzymes to kill MRSA is a significant breakthrough in medical science

MRSA Action UK believe that the first viable alternative to antibiotics to treat MRSA and MSSA is a great advance toward fighting antibiotic resistant superbugs.

Using natural enzymes from viruses to target Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria, that causes MRSA and MSSA, and taking a targeted approach is the best way to reduce the use of antibiotics.

Researchers believe the likelihood of the bug developing a resistance to the new drug is 'very limited', but we should view this with caution and still use this therapy judiciously. Using viruses to fight infection, known as phage therapy, is not new but has not been widely tested, so the positive outcomes from these clinical trials should encourage further discovery in this area of biotechnology.

While targeting MRSA and other strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics, Staphefekt’s make up means it leaves 'good' bacteria unharmed – important in the case of long-term use.

MRSA, or meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a potentially deadly bacteria which causes serious infections of the skin, blood, lungs and bones. Across the EU and USA the death toll runs to nearly 50,000 a year, inducing healthcare costs of around £14billion, according to the World Health Organisation.

MSSA is also a significant threat to health, although responsive to meticillin, there are more cases in our UK hospitals and in the community, and is proving challenging in healthcare. There were 14,962 bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus between September 2013 and September 2014 according to Public Health England figures, 9% were resistant to meticillin. This is a small proportion of all infections caused by Staphylococcus, as these figures do not include urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, surgical site infections, skin, soft tissue and other infections, such as heart, lung and bones.

This new treatment has the potential be of significant benefit to patients and help to reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance if used prudently. For patients who have not responded well to antibiotics and whose condition often reoccurs the treatment could be particularly beneficial, as the effects of the infection can be debilitating and life changing, so we welcome this development.