Researchers from New Haven, Conn.-based Yale University recently discovered that a virus called a bacteriophage found in a Connecticut pond may be used to fight antibiotic resistance.
The virus has the ability to attack the common multi-drug resistant organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause deadly infections in humans, according to Paul Turner, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale.
"We have been looking for natural products that are useful in combating important pathogens," said Dr. Turner. "What's neat about this virus is it binds to something the organism needs to become pathogenic, and backs it into an evolutionary corner such that it becomes more sensitive to currently failing antibiotics."
Ultimately, the researchers believe the bacteriophage can be used with antibiotics to treat patients with severe burns, surgical wounds, cystic fibrosis and other immune system-compromising conditions.
Click here to read the full study in Scientific Reports.
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