Bacteria from healthy cats would help make antibodies with healing properties for our skin, according to a study
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himBacteria from healthy cats would help make antibodies with healing properties for our skin, according to a study
A new study has shown how the presence of a cat in our apartment can stimulate the production of particular antibodies in our body, which could prove useful in the treatment of infections. One such approach is called batterioterapia and it consists of using “good” bacteria known to offer various health benefits and to protect us from the action of “bad” bacteria (ie pathogenic bacteria).
In this case, the researchers used bacteria from cats against the pathogen Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), difficult to treat because it is resistant to methicillin: this pathogen is often found in pets and can proliferate if they are sick or injured, even jumping to the human species. The results of the study suggest that the "good" bacteria in cats offer substantial protection against MRSP: coexistence with a healthy cat is enough to offer humans good protection against the pathogen, which can cause eczema and other skin irritations. - another great reason to adopt a cat in our apartment.
The researchers created a "catalog" of bacteria normally found in cats and dogs, and made them proliferate alongside the MRSP: this allowed them to identify a species called Staphylococcus felis, capable of blocking the growth of the MRSP - a real biological warfare machine in contrasting this pathogen.
The effectiveness of S, felis is incredible - i say researchers. - It is strongly capable of killing the pathogenic bacterium, because it attacks it from several sides (according to a strategy called "polypharmacy"). This makes it very attractive as a therapy. In addition to this, the bacterium is particularly effective against antibiotic resistance: it produces four different antimicrobial peptides that work together to destroy the MRSP.
Certainly a lot of research still needs to be done to develop medical treatments based on these bacteria, but if it is possible to transform this natural element into a drug, the possibilities of medical application would be endless. For example, it could be translated into a spray, cream or gel, to allow for quick and easy application to the skin.
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Source: eLife
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