A new study conducted at Western University revealed previously unknown mechanisms for the development of bacterial resistance.

It turned out that interaction at the molecular level between bacteria of the species Burkholderia cenocepacia, which often cause serious infections in patients with immunodeficiency, helps organisms develop resistance to the drugs used against them.

The results of the work were published on the PLOS ONE website.

Doctor M. Valvano and the lead author of the study Dr. Omar El-Khalfavi demonstrated that the most resistant bacteria in the population "share" with the less stable relatives special substances that increase the stability of the entire colony of bacteria.

These small molecules, which are amino acid derivatives, protect against not only sensitive B antibiotics. cenocepacia, but also other pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli. All these organisms pose a threat to patients with low immunity.

Doctor Valvano, professor of microbiology and immunology at the Shulikha School of Medicine and Dentistry at the Western University, says: "Our study revealed a new mechanism of bacteria antibiotic resistance, which is based on chemical" communication "between bacterial cells with the help of special protective molecules. This opens the way to the development of fundamentally new drugs that will block the effects of protective molecules, thus inhibiting the resistance of bacteria ".

Dr. El-Halfavi enthusiastically responds to the results of the new study. He says that "these small molecules can be used and synthesized by virtually any bacteria, with a small exception, so we can talk about the universal chemical language of microorganisms that are understood by virtually all species".

Scientists believe that today the most important practical issue is the development of ways to suppress these molecules, which will help fight fatal resistant infections.

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