Study warns about antibiotic: it could reveal untreatable bacteria

02:00 a.m

Monday, October 28, 2024

A recent study showed that an antibiotic commonly prescribed for liver patients may increase the risk of infection with dangerous, untreatable bacteria.

An international team of researchers at the University of Melbourne (Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity) found that the antibiotic called rifaximin, which is often used for patients with liver disease, can lead to the appearance of a species that the called antibiotic resistance. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE).

The study confirmed that the use of “rifaximin” contributes to resistance to “daptomycin”, one of the last effective antibiotics against VRE infection.

The study highlights the importance of understanding the negative effects of antibiotic use, which reinforces the need for responsible use of these drugs in the medical field.

The study, which lasted 8 years, was based on several areas, including microbiology and bioinformatics. Using genomics techniques, researchers were able to identify changes in the DNA of daptomycin-resistant bacteria that were not present in susceptible strains.

Laboratory tests and clinical studies have shown that the use of “Rifaximin” leads to these changes and shows resistant strains.

Dr. Glenn Carter, lead researcher of the study, said: “We have confirmed that “Rifaximin” contributes to increasing resistance to “Daptomycin” in ways that the hospital has never seen before, and it is that is what we are currently investigating”.

Dr. Adriana Turner, the main author of the study, explained that “Rifaximin” promotes changes in the enzyme “RNA polymerase” within bacteria, which leads to increased regulation of a new group of genes that affect the cell membrane and contributes to resistance to bacteria. “Daptomycin.”

Assistant Professor Jason Kwong, an infectious disease physician, noted two key points: “Doctors should be careful when treating VRE infections in patients taking rifaximin, as affect the effectiveness of daptomycin. “

Professor Benjamin Howden, Director of the Public Health Laboratory, also confirmed that this study will help to ensure the continued effectiveness of “daptomycin” as a treatment for VRE infections in hospitals, especially in the patients most at risk.

The study was published in the journal Nature.