As
bacterial infections are becoming increasingly resistant to existing
antibiotics, the University of Illinois has released promising research
regarding the dual use of multiple drugs, including those used to treat parasitic
infections and cancers. In fighting their intended diseases, many FDA-approved drugs also kill bacteria, work as uncouplers to destroy bacterial energy
production and, in some cases, inhibit enzyme production and disrupt the cell
membrane. Testing has primarily focused on the treatment of tuberculosis and
staph infections. The researchers are also investigating tweaking the biology
of certain drugs that are metabolized within the cell (eg. Heartburn drugs) to
create an added level of uncoupling and, ultimately, cell death of bacteria.
