There wasn’t much that could weaken Superman once he got going. Between his tenacity and strength, Clark Kent in all his glory was a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, superbugs — bacteria that can fend off antibiotics — share many of the same qualities.
Luckily, scientists believe they may have found superbugs’ kryptonite.
In a new study from the Baylor College of Medicine, scientists have developed a drug, dequalinium chloride, or DEQ, that slows down bacteria’s ability to develop resistance to antibiotics, helping extend their effectiveness. Currently, the drug has been tested on laboratory cultures and animal models — but functions as a proof-of-concept drug for slowing bacterial evolution.
Typically, bacterial resistance to antibiotics is due to gene mutations that occur in the bacteria during infection. DEQ would essentially pump the brakes on bacterial replication, reducing the speed at which new mutations form. The slower the mutations, the longer pre-existing solutions like antibiotics can remain effective.
Not only did DEQ slow the bacteria’s stress response, but the bacteria developed no resistance to DEQ. The researchers got their results using low levels of the drug.
If the drug can be safely used in humans, thus becoming superbugs’ own kryptonite, human health would get a huge boost in the global battle against antibiotic resistance.
DEQ may never give us the strength to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but developing a drug that may someday ward off one of this century’s most devastating health issues? Even a superhero like Clark Kent would approve.