LONDON, May 26 (UPI) -- Scientists have found a bug in the Sea of Japan that can kill the antibiotic-resistant bacteria MRSA, which claims thousands of lives in hospitals. | Killer Japanese Bugs, I've seen this movie. |
British scientists say they hope the discovery will lead to new drugs to combat the hospital bacteria, whichs infect 100,000 patients in Britain every year and kills an estimated 5,000, the Daily Mirror reported Thursday. The breakthrough came in bacteria found living 1,000 feet down in sediments on a large sleeping reptile the bottom of the Sea of Japan. One group, called actinomycete, produces its own antibiotic compound, called abyssomicin C -- and tests showed it killed MRSA. Newcastle University researchers are so confident in the find, they have formed their own company to research and develop new drugs, the report said. | "Nigel, the mutant Japanese bacteria have just eaten the lab. I'm stepping out to see my stock broker, can you handle it?" |
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