A team of researchers from Cal State Fullerton have made a promising discovery in the fight against Acinetobacter baumannii, a superbug commonly found in hospitals. This bacterium is known for its resistance to many antibiotics and is a significant threat to vulnerable patients with weakened immune systems. The team, led by antibiotic-resistance researcher María Soledad Ramírez, tested different strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to see their effectiveness in preventing the growth of A. baumannii.
In their study, the researchers found that one particular strain, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL 2244, was successful in not only inhibiting the growth of A. baumannii but also causing the bacteria to die. These findings have been published in Scientific Reports, offering a new possible solution for treating infections caused by this superbug.
Lactic acid bacteria have shown potential as a treatment option for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this study, the researchers investigated different LAB strains and their ability to fight against carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) through various tests, including studying the genetic response of the bacteria. The results demonstrated that Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL 2244 has the ability to combat A. baumannii effectively.
According to Ramírez, these findings could represent a new alternative for the treatment of A. baumannii infections, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapies. However, further exploration and research are necessary to fully develop this potential treatment option.
The co-authors of the published paper include Nicholas Salzameda, chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry at CSUF, as well as undergraduate students Briea Gasca and Nardin Georgeos. Gasca, who has been working closely with Ramírez for the past year, expressed her excitement about being a co-author on this significant research paper. She believes that this research opportunity has been instrumental in expanding her knowledge, honing her laboratory skills, and fueling her passion for a career in science.
Cecilia Rodriguez, a visiting scholar from Argentina, also played a crucial role in the project. Rodriguez, an assistant researcher at CONICET-CERELA (Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos), provided expertise in working with lactic acid bacteria and supplied the LAB strains for the study. Her contributions included conducting RNA extraction experiments and assisting in writing the paper.
Ramírez emphasized the importance of research in developing new and effective antibiotics to combat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. The discovery of LAB as a potential treatment option for CRAB infections provides additional options for addressing these challenging and difficult-to-treat infections.
The team’s work holds great promise in the fight against hospital superbugs like A. baumannii. With further research and development, this new treatment approach could potentially save millions of lives worldwide by offering an effective solution to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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