Giant pandas may aid in fighting drug-resistant bacteria

NANJING: Giant pandas may be the source of a new antibiotic, according to scientists at Nanjing Agricultural University in China. The Telegraph reported that a compound called cathelicidin-AM found in the giant panda’s bloodstream has the ability to kill bacteria and fungi. The naturally-produced antimicrobial was able to kill bacteria in just one hour, compared to typically-used antibiotics which could take up to six hours.
It was also shown to be affective against standard and drug-resistant bacteria strains. The antibiotic may have evolved to help stop infections in giant pandas. There are just 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. Diminishing natural habitat, low reproductive rates and climate change have all lowered the population.
The good news is that the giant panda antimicrobial can be made synthetically in the laboratory. Researchers analyzed the animals’ DNA and were able to isolate a small molecule called a peptide. The discovery could prove important especially at a time when many officials are warning about the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

(Courtesy: The Telegraph)