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posted by martyb on Saturday December 29 2018, @09:02PM   Printer-friendly
from the don't-bug-me! dept.

Researchers analysing soil from Ireland long thought to have medicinal properties have discovered that it contains a previously unknown strain of bacteria which is effective against four of the top six superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics, including MRSA.

[...] They have named the new strain Streptomyces sp. myrophorea.

The soil they analysed originated from an area of Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, which is known as the Boho Highlands. It is an area of alkaline grassland and the soil is reputed to have healing properties.

The search for replacement antibiotics to combat multi-resistance has prompted researchers to explore new sources, including folk medicines: a field of study known as ethnopharmacology. They are also focusing on environments where well-known antibiotic producers like Streptomyces can be found.

One of the research team, Dr Gerry Quinn, a previous resident of Boho, County Fermanagh, had been aware of the healing traditions of the area for many years.

Traditionally a small amount of soil was wrapped up in cotton cloth and used to heal many ailments including toothache, throat and neck infections. Interestingly, this area was previously occupied by the Druids, around 1500 years ago, and Neolithic people 4000 years ago.

[...] The main findings of the research were that the newly-identified strain of Streptomyces:

  • Inhibited the growth of four of the top six multi-resistant pathogens identified by the WHO as being responsible for healthcare-associated infections: Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumonia, and Carbenepenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii
  • Inhibited both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, which differ in the structure of their cell wall; usually gram negative bacteria are more resistant to antibiotics

It is not yet clear which component of the new strain prevents the growth of the pathogens, but the team are already investigating this.

Journal Reference:
Luciana Terra, Paul J. Dyson, Matthew D. Hitchings, Liam Thomas, Alyaa Abdelhameed, Ibrahim M. Banat, Salvatore A. Gazze, DuĊĦica Vujaklija, Paul D. Facey, Lewis W. Francis, Gerry A. Quinn. A Novel Alkaliphilic Streptomyces Inhibits ESKAPE Pathogens. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2018; 9 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02458


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  • (Score: 5, Interesting) by Unixnut on Sunday December 30 2018, @09:13AM (1 child)

    by Unixnut (5779) on Sunday December 30 2018, @09:13AM (#779927)

    I read it as pointing out that ancient humans may have stumbled upon these sites, and then occupied it. Druids realised the soil had healing powers and therefore started healing people with it, resulting in the legends of Druids being sorcerers capable of curing illnesses.

    I guess the article hints that maybe it wasn't just a bunch of hand-wavy placebo effects from the Druids, and that other ancient Druid/healer locations may also hold secrets for improving the state of health/medicine.

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  • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Sunday December 30 2018, @11:06AM

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Sunday December 30 2018, @11:06AM (#779937) Journal

    I read it as pointing out that ancient humans may have stumbled upon these sites, and then occupied it. Druids realised the soil had healing powers and therefore started healing people with it, resulting in the legends of Druids being sorcerers capable of curing illnesses

    Ok, point taken.
    Whether or not this makes the things 'interesting' falls into a personal choice then (as opposed to a causal relation that helps identifying other places where soil with antibiotic properties may exist; that would have been objectively interesting).

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