SUPERBUGS, or drug-resistant infections, are projected to cause more than 39 million deaths between now and 2050.
This means that, on average, over three people are expected to die from antibiotic-resistant infections every minute.
Scientists focused on the gut to kill superbug infections[/caption]
But now UK doctor are attempting to clear the number of dangerous superbug infections by using pills containing freeze-dried faeces.
The “poo pills” contain stool samples from health donors, packed with good bacteria.
And the idea comes from previous data that suggests superbugs can be flushed out of the bowel and replaced with a mix of healthy gut bacteria.
Dr Blair Merrick, who has been testing the pills at St Guys and Thomas’ hospitals, said the focus is on the bowels which are “the biggest reservoir of antibiotic resistance in humans”.
The bowel is considered a significant reservoir for these resistant bacteria, and from there they can cause trouble in places such as the urinary tract or bloodstream.
Dr Merrick added: “So there’s a lot in ‘can you get rid of them from the gut?”
Currently, people with recurrent illness caused by hard-to-treat bacterium Clostridium difficile can be offered faecal transplants.
Scientists noticed they also had the potential to get rid of superbugs.
In a new study, published in the Journal of Infection, researchers focused on 41 patients who had an infection caused by drug-resistant bacteria in the past six months.
They were given pills made from faeces which people had donated to a stool bank.
Each stool sample was tested to ensure it didn’t contain and harmful bugs.
Undigested food was removed, and then it was freeze dried into a powder.
The powder, contained inside a pill, can then pass through the stomach unharmed and reach the intestines, where it then dissolves.
Twenty of the participants were given three sets of capsules on three consecutive days, while the rest received placebo pills.
For those who took the capsules , the donor bacteria was detectable in their gut flora a month later.
Dr Merrick told the BBC: “It’s very exciting. There’s a real shift from 20 years ago, where all bacteria and viruses were assumed to do you harm; to now where we realise they are completely necessary to our overall health.”
To help avoid getting superbugs, the NHS recommends practising good hygiene – wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating, after using the toilet, and after coughing or sneezing.
Use antibiotics responsibly – avoid taking antibiotics for viral infections like colds or the flu, as they won’t work.
Even if you feel better, finish all of your prescribed medication to ensure the infection is fully treated.
And don’t share antibiotics – sharing can be harmful and can lead to resistance.
Also, take preventative measures when travelling – choose food from reliable sources, and ensure food is properly cooked and handled, avoid drinking water that may be contaminated, and make sure you are up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations before travelling.
How superbugs develop and spread
A SUPERBUG is a microorganism, often a bacterium, that has become resistant to multiple antibiotics.
This resistance develops because the bacteria can adapt and evolve, making it difficult or impossible to treat with standard antibiotics.
People can get superbugs in several ways…
Antibiotic resistance
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics lead to bacteria adapting and developing resistance to the drugs.
Spread through contact
Superbugs can spread from person to person, especially in healthcare settings where there is close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.
Travel
People can become colonised with superbugs while travelling and then spread them when they return home.
Animal agriculture
Antibiotic misuse in animal agriculture contributes to the emergence of superbugs.
