Revolutionary Therapy for Hypervirulent Bacteria: Latest Breakthrough in Bacterial Infection Treatment

In a recent study published in Cell Reports Physical Science, Fleeman demonstrated the potential of an antimicrobial peptide from cows for treating untreatable infections caused by the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae. While the bacteria is typically harmless when found in the intestines, it poses a threat to health when it enters other parts of the body.and can lead to pneumonia, urinary tract, and wound infections. Those most vulnerable are the elderly and individuals with underlying health conditions like diabetes, cancer, kidney failure, and liver disease. However, even younger adults and those without other health issues can still get urinary tract and wound infections from bacteria that cannot be effectively treated with current antibiotics.

The CDC has stated that antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a growing global health risk. According to a 2019 study, nearly 5 million people worldwide died from drug-resistant infections that year.

Eumoniae is particularly dangerous because it has a 50% death rate without antibiotic therapy. These bacteria become more resistant to drugs when they form a biofilm, which is a group of microorganisms that stick together and are embedded in a protective slime. Recent studies have revealed that 60-80% of infections are linked to bacteria biofilms, which enhance their resistance to drugs. According to Fleeman, “It’s like a coat that bacteria put around itself.” Her research focuses on finding ways to remove this protective coat and expose the bacteria so that it can be eliminated by the body’s immune system or antibiotics that are currently unable to penetrate the biofilm.Fleeman’s research has revealed that peptides produced by cows can effectively eliminate K. pneumoniae. She found that these peptides disrupt the sugar connections that hold the slime together, likening it to cutting a chain-linked fence. This causes damage to the slime structure, allowing the peptide to enter and destroy the bacteria that were previously protected. Fleeman stated, “Our research has shown polyproline peptide can penetrate and begin to break the slime barrier down in as little as an hour after treatment.”dvantage – once it penetrates the protective slime barrier, studies have demonstrated that it is more effective at killing bacteria than antibiotics typically used as a last resort for treating untreatable infections. Peptides eliminate bacteria by creating holes in their cell membrane, leading to rapid death, as opposed to other antibiotics that hinder growth from within the cell.

The peptide could also be utilized as a topical treatment for a variety of purposes, particularly in the military, to treat open wounds in the field. “Bacteria multiply every 30 minutes, so quick action is necessary,” Fleeman explains.

The next stage of her research will aim to uncover the biology behind this.The peptide’s effectiveness is being studied, along with the possibility of combining it with other drugs for better results. The research is being funded by a three-year National Institutes of Health Pathway to Independence R00 grant, now in its second year. The study began as a K99 award at the University of Texas at Austin and is now continuing at UCF, where the researcher is currently based. Fleeman emphasizes the importance of ongoing research into resistant infections due to the serious threat they pose to public health. She points out that antibiotic resistant bacterial infections are projected to become the leading cause of human deaths by 2050. The focus of her work is on preparing for and preventing this potential crisis.Seeking a solution in the face of an impending post-antibiotic era, where common antibiotics may no longer be effective, putting at risk various medical advancements such as cancer therapy and organ transplants that rely on effective antibiotic treatments.