Scientists in the UK have isolated bacteria-hunting viruses from the poop of various endangered species at a local zoo, including lemurs and wild pigs.
to conventional antibiotics. And since viruses tend to be picky about their hosts, phages are considered harmless to humans.The Sheffield researchers believe they’ve found phages that can target bacteria known to cause or worsen lingering foot wounds, or ulcers, in people with diabetes. These ulcers are ain diabetes, affecting about 15% to 25% of patients. They’re difficult to clear up with antibiotics and can sometimes lead to hospitalization or even outright amputation of the affected limb.
“Despite the smell, it turns out that the fecal matter of endangered species could hold the key to killing infectious bacteria that are otherwise resistant to antibiotics,” said researcher and molecular microbiologist Graham Stafford in afrom the university.
“It’s a delight that endangered species are contributing to such a positive and powerful purpose,” he said. “It provides an ever stronger reason to conserve endangered animals. The biodiversity they harbor potentially includes new cures for a range of infectious diseases and we believe this is the tip of the iceberg in this area.”
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