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New penicillin booby-traps bacteria

A modified form of penicillin can potentially kill bacteria resistant to antibiotics, using the very enzyme that can disable the drug.

 

References:

Smyth, T.P., et al. 1998. S-aminosulfeniminopenicillins: Multimode b -latamase inhibitors and template structures for penicillin-based b -latamase substrates as prodrugs. Journal of Organic Chemistry.

 

Further Readings:

Brooks, A.C. 1994. Middle ear infections in children. Science News 149(Nov. 19):332.

Seachrist, L. 1996. Infections making a deadly comeback. Science News 149(Jan. 20):38.

Seppa, N. 1997. Antibiotic resistance falls in Finland. Science News 152(Sept. 6):157.

Smaglik, P. 1997. Proliferation of pills. Science News 151(May 17):310.

Travis, J. 1996. Biological warfare. Science News 149(June 1):350.

Wu, C. 1997. Antibiotics better in Paris. Science News 151(Jan. 25):60.

 

Sources:

Timothy P. Smyth
University of Limerick
Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences
National Technological Park
County Limerick
Ireland

From Science News, Vol. 154, No. 17, October 24, 1998, p. 266.
Copyright Ó 1998 by Science Service.

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