Novel Antibacterial Compound from Soil to Treat Tuberculosis

Highlights

• Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Drugs used for tuberculosis are becoming resistant to the bacteria.
• Antibacterial compound obtained from soil can be a new drug lead for treating tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an infectious disease. Antibacterial compounds present in the soil can provide new treatment options for tuberculosis, finds a recent study from the University of Sydney. The research team along with University Professors Richard Payne, and Warwick Britton from the Sydney have found a new compound which can be translated as a drug lead for tuberculosis.

The study findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.

It was estimated that around 10.4 million cases of tuberculosis and 1.4 million deaths being recorded in 2015. Tuberculosis is found to have more number of deaths than any other infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS.

The commonly used drugs for tuberculosis are becoming increasingly resistant to the tuberculosis bacteria. Around 480,000 cases are found to be unresponsive to the two major drugs. More than 250,000 tuberculosis deaths are from drug-resistant infections.

Antibacterial Compound from Soil
The compounds from soil were found to prevent the growth of other bacteria. The research team was able to synthesize compounds with structural variations. These compounds are potent and are referred as ‘Analogues.’

These analogues are found to be effective killers for tuberculosis.

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Professor Payne, said, "These analogues inhibit the action of a key protein needed to build a protective cell wall around the bacterium."

"Without a cell wall, the bacterium dies. This wall-building protein is not targeted by currently available drugs."

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The analogues are found to be effective in killing the TB-causing bacteria which is present inside the macrophages.

These findings can help to create a new TB drug. Further testing and studies are required for treatment.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. TB infections are contagious and can spread mainly through air. People with a weak immune system are more prone to tuberculosis.

Symptoms of tuberculosis

• Bad cough
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Night Sweats
• Coughing of blood

Drugs like isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and streptomycin are used for the treatment of tuberculosis. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis does not respond to the standard drug treatment. The new discovery of antibacterial compound from soil can help to develop treatment for tuberculosis.

References

1. 10 facts about tuberculosis - ( http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/tuberculosis/10_en.html )
2. Tuberculosis - ( https://medlineplus.gov/tuberculosis.html )

Source-Medindia