Cannibal bacteria vs Pathogens (video abstract, HD)

Summary

A groundbreaking study by Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham explores a novel approach to combat multi-drug-resistant bacteria using *D. bacteriovorus*, a predatory bacterium. The research focuses on its ability to target and eliminate *Shigella flexneri*, a pathogen responsible for food poisoning. Successful experiments in zebrafish demonstrated that *D. bacteriovorus* works safely and effectively in conjunction with the host's immune system. While results in animal models are promising, further research in higher vertebrates is needed before clinical trials in humans. This innovative method could one day offer a new defense against dangerous bacterial infections.

Takeaways

• 😀 Multi-drug-resistant bacteria are a growing concern, prompting the need for creative solutions to fight infections.
• 😀 Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham have formed a corporate research group to explore innovative solutions using a predatory bacterial species.
• 😀 The predatory bacterium *Delavit Brio* was tested to fight *Shigella flexneri*, a bacterium responsible for millions of cases of food poisoning and deaths annually.
• 😀 *Delavit Brio* successfully destroyed *Shigella* in early lab tests and showed potential in animal models using zebrafish larvae.
• 😀 In the zebrafish model, *Delavit Brio* was shown to kill *Shigella* without harming the fish, proving it to be a safe option.
• 😀 *Delavit Brio* targets and invades *Shigella* bacteria, consuming them from the inside and using their energy to grow and replicate.
• 😀 Zebrafish larvae, with their own innate immune system, were used to study the interaction between *Delavit Brio* and *Shigella*, offering insights into its potential in living organisms.
• 😀 The research found that *Delavit Brio* could clear *Shigella* infections even in the presence of a functioning immune system, potentially complementing the body's defense mechanisms.
• 😀 While the experiments showed success with *Shigella*, the next step is testing *Delavit Brio* against other types of gram-negative bacteria.
• 😀 Future research will need to explore whether *Delavit Brio* can work on other bacterial infections and in higher vertebrates like mice before human clinical trials can begin.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the research conducted by Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham?

The main goal of the research is to explore creative solutions to fight multi-drug-resistant bacteria, specifically by using a predatory bacterium called *Delftia acidovorans* to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens like *Shigella flexneri*.

What is *Shigella flexneri*, and why is it significant in this research?

*Shigella flexneri* is a bacterial species that causes food poisoning and is responsible for over 1 million deaths annually. It is a significant pathogen in the research because of its high resistance to antibiotics, making it a target for alternative treatments like the predatory bacterium *Delftia acidovorans*.

How does *Delftia acidovorans* work to combat bacterial infections?

*Delftia acidovorans* is a predatory bacterium that attaches to the surface of harmful bacteria like *Shigella*, invades them, consumes their contents, and then grows and divides, using the energy and mass from the prey bacteria to replicate. This process ultimately kills the harmful bacteria.

What role did zebrafish play in the experiment?

Zebrafish larvae were used as a model organism to test the effects of *Delftia acidovorans*. One group of fish was infected with *Shigella*, and the other was infected with both *Shigella* and *Delftia*. The zebrafish model allowed researchers to observe how the predatory bacterium worked in a living organism with a fully functional immune system.

What were the results of the zebrafish experiment?

The experiment showed that *Delftia acidovorans* successfully killed *Shigella* bacteria without harming the zebrafish. The fish's immune system was able to clear the predatory bacterium over time, suggesting that *Delftia* could work synergistically with the immune system to fight infections.

What did the researchers learn about the safety of *Delftia acidovorans* in the zebrafish model?

The researchers found that *Delftia acidovorans* was safe to use in the zebrafish model. The fish did not get sick or die from the exposure to *Delftia*, and the bacterium was ultimately cleared from the fish's system by the immune cells.

What makes *Delftia acidovorans* an interesting option for fighting multi-drug-resistant bacteria?

*Delftia acidovorans* is interesting because it can target and kill gram-negative bacteria like *Shigella*, which are often resistant to conventional antibiotics. This makes it a potential alternative treatment for multi-drug-resistant infections that are difficult to treat with traditional methods.

How does the immune system of the zebrafish affect the effectiveness of *Delftia acidovorans*?

The presence of the zebrafish's innate immune system enhances the effectiveness of *Delftia acidovorans*. While *Delftia* can still work without an immune system, the immune cells in the fish, such as macrophages and neutrophils, help clear the bacterium more effectively and may contribute to the overall success of the treatment.

What are the next steps for the research involving *Delftia acidovorans*?

The next steps include testing *Delftia acidovorans* in higher vertebrates, such as mice, to better understand its safety and effectiveness before considering human clinical trials. Researchers also aim to investigate whether the bacterium can target other types of bacterial infections.

What is the broader implication of using *Delftia acidovorans* in combating bacterial infections?

The broader implication is that using a predatory bacterium like *Delftia acidovorans* could offer a new approach to fighting multi-drug-resistant infections. This method might be especially useful for treating bacterial infections caused by resistant pathogens, such as *E. coli* and *Salmonella*, which are difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics.