Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center for the first time discovered antibodies that can destroy several microorganisms at once. Monoclonal antibodies recognize lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the surface of various microbes. A limited number of antibodies is sufficient to control a wide range of microorganisms in mice. The results of the specialists were published in the American journal Immunology.
What results were obtained during the study?
More than 1/3 of all people are colonized by Klebsiella pneumonia, which is mainly located on the nasal mucosa and intestines. In healthy people, rod bacteria are harmless.
Klebsiella pneumonia is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium and a common cause of nosocomial infections. Annually, 400,000-600,000 people in Russia suffer from infectious diseases received at the hospital. Approximately 10,000 to 15,000 die from the effects of the disease.
Typically, an antibody eliminates only one subset of bacteria and does not provide protection against other microbes. In new studies, scientists first noticed that the immune system forms antibodies that neutralize other microorganisms.
Specialists received antibodies against bacteria from healthy people. New protein compounds protected immunocompromised patients from various subgroups of Klebsiella pneumoniae. They also recognized and destroyed certain types of yeast and viruses.
Who needs antibodies the most?
All microorganisms have mannose, to which antibodies against Klebsiella can attach. The fact that the immune system creates “universal antibodies” against other microorganisms was not known.
Hospital infections are often caused by antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia. In high-risk groups, for example, in patients with a weakened immune system, antibodies can also be used prophylactically.
The ability to detect various pathogens is critical for debilitated people. In a patient with acute sepsis - bacterial toxemia - quick treatment is required.
It has already been proven that antibodies are effective in initial studies. In mice, antibodies neutralized various subgroups of Klebsiella. However, more research is needed to demonstrate the clinical utility of antibodies in humans.
Does antibiotic resistance grow every year?
Resistance to antibiotics increases every year. At the European level, gram-negative pathogens continue to be a problem.
Data from 372 hospitals were analyzed by scientists in 2016. In relation to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), adverse data are observed. An increase in pathogen prevalence has been described for several years. The share of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Russia has not practically changed and is close to the Central European one.
The highest antibiotic resistance is observed in patients infected with E. coli. The resistance situation in Europe has improved significantly for Klebsiella pneumonia, but has worsened with other bacteria.
The situation in Russia over the past 4 years for most combinations of antibiotics is relatively unstable. An increase in the prevalence of types of bacteria that do not respond to drugs can increase the incidence in the next 10 years.
To reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance, scientists are calling for the rational use of antibiotics.
A recent scientific review shows how successful even relatively simple measures can be. Thanks to training and feedback discussions, the amount of unnecessary antibiotics in some studies has decreased to 80%. If rational use of antibiotics is achieved, the prevalence of infectious complications will decrease significantly.
A “universal” antibody is undergoing further clinical trials. However, the uncontrolled use of drugs with a new mechanism of action can also lead to disastrous consequences. The emergence of "superbacteria" significantly complicates the treatment of patients. Therefore, scientists are also developing methods to prevent the uncontrolled use of antibiotics.
