Antibiotic Acting Like A “Trojan Horse” Might Be Useful Against Superbugs, New Research Reveals

Antibiotic Acting Like A “Trojan Horse” Might Be Useful Against Superbugs, New Research Reveals
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According to some scientists, a new antibiotic that behaves like a “Trojan horse” might be useful against superbugs (antibiotic-resistant bacteria), at least in clinical trials. The new medicine, called Cefiderocol and produced by Shionogi Inc, is tricking bacteria by binding with iron and entering the cells of these microorganisms where it starts to destroy the hosts.

Superbugs are a severe problem, worldwide, triggered, primarily, by the reckless use of antibiotics.

As reported by the new study published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases and carried out on about 420 patients with either kidney or urinary tract infections, the new “Trojan horse” antibiotic is a promising and reliable future solution against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs.

“During an acute infection, one of our innate immune responses is to create an iron-poor environment. In response, bacteria increase their iron intake,” said Dr. Simon Portsmouth, the leading author of the study.

The “Trojan horse” antibiotic is taking advantage of the superbugs need for iron

The new antibiotic, Cefiderocol, binds to iron molecules in the body and, in this way, can enter into the cells of the superbugs undetected. Once it has entered the bacteria cells, the drug is doing its job which is to destroy the microorganisms. That’s why it has been dubbed as the “Trojan horse” antibiotic after the giant wooden horse used by ancient Greek soldiers to sneak into the city of Troy.

“This important study offers hope for a new antibiotic that could potentially be an alternative to treating them, but we are not there yet,” also added Professor Serge Mostowy from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Even more, according to the new study on this “Trojan horse” antibiotic known as Cefiderocol, the drug is safe and 100 percent tolerable. Now, the scientists plan for more extensive clinical trials to finally estimate the potency of the new medication against superbugs.


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