Recent research showed that there might be better way to kill bacteria than using antibiotics. Scientists were able to manipulate existing viruses so that they would effectively kill bacterial cells without harming other non-pathogenic cells.

The research showed that a certain type of virus can effectively fight against ear infections caused by bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is a species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria as it has a protective biofilm wrapped around it. However now with one dose of Biophage-PA, containing a virus that selectively attacks P. aeruginosa, patients can be successfully cured.

To understand how viruses can be used against bacteria, one must know how viruses attack a host cell. In a viral attack, the virus attaches to the host cell’s surface and starts to inject its genetic material into the cell. The genetic material is then transcribed by the host cell. The virus’s gene is then rapidly replicated. A protein coat and an envelope are formed around each of the viral genetic material and thousands of new viruses are formed. Lastly the host cell bursts open. The newly formed viruses escape and start to attack the surrounding cells.

Bacteria were found to be able to develop resistance against antibiotics. As their genetic material can be transferred from one cell to another, bacteria can gain resistance against certain drugs easily. However, viral attack is completely different from the way antibiotics work. What act inside the bacterial cell are not chemical compounds, but DNA and RNA molecules. Therefore the above mentioned method is possibly an effective measure to fight against bacterial infections in the future.

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Reference: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227054.500-viruses-could-treat-antibioticresistant-bugs.html