A new naturally occurring antibiotic called, kanglemycin A is effective against drug-resistant tuberculosis
As drug resistant tuberculosis emerges as an increasingly bigger challenge in achieving TB free world, a new antibiotic has shown promise in the fight.
Researchers have identified that a naturally occurring antibiotic, called kanglemycin A – related to the antibiotic rifampicin – is active against rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The findings of their study have been published in the journal, Molecular Cell.
Tuberculosis is among the top 10 causes of worldwide deaths and the leading global infectious disease killer. India accounts for 27% TB cases – the highest in the world. TB kills an estimated 480,000 Indians every year and more than 1,400 every day. India also has more than a million ‘missing’ cases every year.
Globally, about 600,000 cases of MDR-TB emerge each year, claiming 240,000 lives. Of these some 70,000 are in India
Globally, about 600,000 cases of MDR-TB emerge each year, claiming 240,000 lives. Of these some 70,000 are in India alone. In 2017, the number of notified cases of MDR-TB was 20,500. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) define MDR TB as TB caused by an organism that is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, the two most potent TB drugs. These drugs are used to treat all persons with TB disease.
However, many strains of the Tuberculosis-causing bacteria – Mycobacterium tuberculosis – have developed resistance to it.
Professor Nikolay Zenkin, from Newcastle University’s Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, who led the international study said, “Treatment of TB involves a cocktail of antibiotics administered over many months, and resistance to several key antibiotics is becoming a major public health problem around the world. Our findings are very exciting and the first step towards developing a new, effective drug treatment for patients with rifampicin resistant TB to prevent fatalities in the future.”
