New antibiotic that attacks MRSA found in ocean microbe

[muriel_volestrangler]

A completely new and unusual antibiotic compound has been extracted from a marine microorganism found in sediments off the coast of California.

The discovery of genuinely novel antibiotics is rare, and experts say resistance to the drugs poses a grave threat to human health.

US scientists say the new compound, called anthracimycin, seems to be effective against MRSA and anthrax.

Details appear in the German journal Angewandte Chemie.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23523507

[LiberalEsto]

1. This is another excellent reason to fight species extinction

You never know if a spotted owl or other creature or plant might hold the key to curing any number of diseases.