THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been found in a study that Suramin can help to fight against mycobacteria, which cause diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy, by gaining antimicrobial resistance.

This was discovered by Dr Krishna Kurthakoti, a scientist and researcher at the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology (RGCB). Suramin is a World Health Organization-approved injectable drug currently used to treat trypanosomal disease. The study was published in the scientific journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

Some bacteria become resistant to the drug and makes treatment difficult. The finding is that in such cases Suramin can overcome the situation. Combined use of suramine in antibiotic therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of mycobacterium smegmattis (leprosy) and mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis). There are two types of pathogens and resistance can also be provided in two ways.

'Antimicrobial resistance is a global health problem. The study indicates the need to find new antibiotics.', saidDr. Chandrabhas Narayana RGCB Director