Drug-Resistant Superbugs May Be Eradicated By IBM Hydrogel

Drug-Resistant Superbugs May Be Eradicated By IBM Hydrogel

Since drug-resistant superbugs cannot be easily stopped, infections acquired in hospitals are one of the top five causes of deaths in the US.

An antimicrobial hydrogel was developed recently by IBM in collaboration with the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. The hydrogel supposedly has the capability of stopping these drug-resistant superbugs that cause diseases such as MRSA.

IBM Research made the announcement together with its project partner. They indicated that the hydrogel can get past the contaminated bio-film and eradicate the drug-resistant superbugs in a short period of time. The hydrogel is biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic. Due to this, it is designed for use in US hospitals that have been beleaguered by infection issues.

Antimicrobials are typically used in household cleaners such as bleach and alcohol. However, they have been ineffective in combating drug-resistant superbugs that cause killer diseases such as MRSA. Ordinary disinfectants are also not meant to be used in biological conditions.

However, the antimicrobial hydrogel is designed to be used with creams and similar therapeutics that are used in healing. It is applied directly into areas contaminated by the drug-resistant superbugs. The positive charge of the antimicrobial hydrogel will attract the negative charge of microbial membranes. Membrane disruption will result to the eradication of the drug-resistant superbugs. This method will prevent any resistance that the superbug may have on the hydrogel.

While it remains uncertain how the development will be applied in the hospital setting, studies like these are designed to start commercial manufacturing of drugs that may soon fight of drug-resistant superbugs.

Posted by George Daniels on Friday January 25 2013, 4:29 AM EDT. Ref: CNET. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0