Australian researchers claim to have superbug killer

World Today

Australian researchers claim to have superbug killer

Reseachers recently discovered the first known superbug in the U.S. resistant to all known medications. But an Australian pharmaceutical company now says it may have a solution.

But, some experts still remain skeptical.

CCTV’s Greg Navarro has this report.

Superbugs, or antibiotic resistant bacteria are becoming an increasing concern for hospitals around the world.

But ExecutiveCchairman of Recce Limited., Dr. Graham Melrose and his grandson said they the answer to a growing problem.

“We have found that it kills all germs, it continues to kill germs, it does not produce superbugs and it kills superbugs,” Melrose said.

Melrose said the key to his antibiotic is that it is synthetic or man made, instead of the traditional naturally occurring antibiotic, usually grown from bacteria.

But Jock Harkness, who heads the microbiology department at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital is skeptical.

“I don’t think it matters if it is synthetic or not – if it is a mechanism from preventing the bacteria multiplying – it will wipe that bacteria out – but a lot of them have innate resistance,” Harkness said.

Doctors said the problem is that bacteria is highly resilient, and the more it is exposed to antibiotics, the higher the chance it will find ways to survive.

Melrose has bypassed Australia and gone straight to the U.S. to seek initial approval.