New antimicrobial peptide kills strains resistant to existing antibiotics
Resistant strains of E. coli and Staph finally meet their match
This article is weird.
It reports a new anti microbial approach, which is great, then goes on to suggest “The clavanin-MO peptide could also be embedded in surfaces such as tabletops to make them resistant to microbial growth, as antimicrobial coatings for catheters, and in ointments to treat skin infections” – which is pure insanity.
Biological systems are probabilistic, they evolve resistance in proportion to the opportunity for exposure.
If we want to prevent resistance developing, then we minimise exposure.
We certainly don’t put it on general surfaces.
Just another example of where economic incentives and economic thinking are directly opposed to the interests of human beings.
It is easy to prevent biofilms developing on surfaces like tables, keep them clean and dry.
Don’t, EVER, waste a precious effective strategy against microbes by exposing them to it generally.
Evolution works by semi-random chance. It requires exposure.
To retain effectiveness we MUST limit exposure.
We have lost the effectiveness of most anti-microbials by introducing them to the feedstocks of factory farmed animals. That makes great sense from the perspective of a drug company trying to make profits by selling more product. It makes no sense from the perspective of human beings trying to stay ahead of microbial evolution and have an effective suite of tools to use against microbes that manage to evade our natural personal defence systems.
To me this is like saying – “Look we have found this amazing new treasure. And look we are going to destroy it as quickly as possible for short term profit.”
INSANITY!!!
Ted Howard NZ's Blog 