Turning Bacteria Against Themselves

Antimicrobial resistant infections, account for at least 1.27 million human deaths each year. Their development is said to be putting humans in danger of returning to a pre-antibiotics era. For example, antibiotic resistant bacteria can cause intractable lung infections. A particular bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, produces a biofilm, restricting antibiotic access. Infections with this bacterium can result in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP), killing about 12.5% of people who develop the condition. Many people with serious Covid or Influenza infections now finish up in hospital on ventilators, putting them at risk of developing VAP. Barcelona's Centre for Genomic Regulation has been trialling using genetically-modified (GM) bacteria to counter infections with antibiotic resistant micro-organisms (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/19/gm-bacteria-could-combat-antibiotic-resistance-study-suggests). The study found that, mice with intractable lung infections, were twice as likely to survive, if they were treated with GM versions of the bacteria. The GM treatment punctured holes in the bacteral walls, improving antibiotic access. It's possible that GM bacteria will overcome the defenses of agents in antimicrobial resistant infections. It may well be possible to use them to treat a variety of intractable lung infections, including VAP.