Scientists have discovered a new class of antibiotic that can kill drug-resistant superbugs, including CRAB (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii), which is at the top of WHO's list of priority pathogens.
Zosurabalpin works by targeting the LPS transport system in Gram-negative bacteria like A. baumannii, inhibiting their growth and causing toxicity inside cells that leads to death.
Scientists have discovered a new class of antibiotic that can kill drug-resistant superbugs, including CRAB (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii), which is at the top of WHO's list of priority pathogens. Zosurabalpin works by targeting the LPS transport system in Gram-negative bacteria like A. baumannii, inhibiting their growth and causing toxicity inside cells that leads to death. The drug has shown promise against CRAB and other hard-to-treat bacteria like E. coli, reducing levels of bacteria in mice with CRAB-induced pneumonia and preventing death from sepsis caused by the bacteria.
Zosurabalpin is a new antibiotic that has shown promise against highly drug-resistant bacteria
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative bacteria that causes serious infections in the lungs, urinary tract and blood
CRAB (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii) was at the top of WHO's list of priority pathogens in 2017
Zosurabalpin is now in phase 1 clinical trials to assess safety, tolerability and pharmacology of the molecule in humans
The public health threat of antimicrobial resistance remains a huge one globally due to lack of effective treatments for Gram-negative bacteria like CRAB
Zosurabalpin is an extremely promising development for treating CRAB and other hard-to-treat bacteria like E. coli
The modified molecule will work only against specific bacteria it is designed to kill, but this method of modifying molecules could be better for overall health as many broad-spectrum antibiotics are known to kill good bacteria in gut and on skin
Accuracy
Acinetobacter baumannii is resistant to carbapenem antibiotics and kills a large percentage of people with an invasive infection
Drug discovery that targets harmful Gram-negative bacteria is a longstanding challenge due to difficulties getting molecules across bacterial membranes
Zosurabalpin inhibits Acinetobacter baumannii growth by preventing large molecules from moving to outer membrane, causing toxicity inside cell and death of cell itself
The antibiotic was effective against more than 100 CRAB clinical samples tested in the study
Zosurabalpin reduced levels of bacteria in mice with CRAB-induced pneumonia and prevented death from sepsis caused by the bacteria
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that Zosurabalpin works by disrupting the bacteria's ability to maintain its protective membrane and killing it. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as Zosurabalpin also kills a bacterial strain known as CRAB which has become resistant to other types of medication. Secondly, the article states that Acinetobacter baumannii belongs to a class of bacteria called Gram-negative bacteria which are difficult to kill because their outer membrane prevents most antibiotics from working. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as Zosurabalpin works by disrupting the protective membrane made of lipopolysaccharide and killing it. Thirdly, the article states that CRAB is classified as a priority 1 critical pathogen by the WHO in terms of urgent need for new treatments. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as CRAB has been known to be resistant to antibiotics since at least 2007 and there are already several drugs available on the market that can treat it.
The article states that Acinetobacter baumannii belongs to a class of bacteria called Gram-negative bacteria which are difficult to kill because their outer membrane prevents most antibiotics from working. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as Zosurabalpin works by disrupting the protective membrane made of lipopolysaccharide and killing it.
The article states that CRAB is classified as a priority 1 critical pathogen by the WHO in terms of urgent need for new treatments. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as CRAB has been known to be resistant to antibiotics since at least 2007 and there are already several drugs available on the market that can treat it.
The article states that Zosurabalpin works by disrupting the bacteria's ability to maintain its protective membrane and killing it. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as Zosurabalpin also kills a bacterial strain known as CRAB which has become resistant to other types of medication.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority by citing the World Health Organization (WHO) and Dr. Andrew Edwards as experts in their fields. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the threat of superbugs and how they can turn back the medical clock. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of CRAB bacteria being resistant to antibiotics but susceptible to Zosurabalpin.
The WHO has warned that we are heading for a 'post-antibiotic era' and that common infections, such as chlamydia, will become killers without immediate solutions. (appeal to authority)
Zosurabalpin works by disrupting the bacteria's ability to maintain its protective membrane, killing it. (dichotomous depiction)
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the new antibiotic Zosurabalpin and its potential to treat CRAB-like infections. The author uses language that deifies the drug and portrays it as a heroic solution to a global crisis. For example, he describes Zosurabalpin as 'the first new antibiotic developed to treat CRAB-like infections since 1968' and says its discovery could turn back the medical clock. The author also quotes experts who praise Zosurabalpin and describe it as a game changer, without providing any counterbalancing opinions or evidence of potential drawbacks.
Dr Andrew Edwards describes Zosurabalpin as a game changer without providing any counterbalancing opinions or evidence of potential drawbacks
The author quotes Dr Michael Lobritz, head of infectious diseases and early development at Roche, who says Zosurabalpin could turn back the medical clock
Zosurabalpin is described as 'the first new antibiotic developed to treat CRAB-like infections since 1968'
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
John Ely Senior has a conflict of interest on the topic of CRAB (Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii) as he is reporting for Roche and the World Health Organization (WHO), both organizations have financial ties to pharmaceutical companies that may benefit from new antibiotics.
John Ely Senior reports on CRAB, a drug-resistant superbug, which could lead to increased sales of antimicrobial drugs. Roche and the World Health Organization (WHO) are both involved in researching and developing these drugs.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of drug-resistant infections as they mention Roche and Zosurabalpin which are companies that produce drugs used to treat these types of infections.
Zosurabalpin targets the LPS transport system in Gram-negative bacteria like A. baumannii
Acinetobacter baumannii belongs to a class of bacteria called Gram-negative bacteria which are difficult to kill because their outer membrane prevents most antibiotics from working
Zosurabalpin inhibits Acinetobacter baumannii growth by preventing large molecules from moving to outer membrane, causing toxicity inside cell and death of cell itself
Drug discovery that targets harmful Gram-negative bacteria is a longstanding challenge due to difficulties getting molecules across bacterial membranes
Zosurabalpin reduces levels of bacteria in mice with CRAB-induced pneumonia and prevents death from sepsis caused by the bacteria
The public health threat of antimicrobial resistance remains a huge one globally due to lack of effective treatments for Gram-negative bacteria like CRAB
Zosurabalpin is an extremely promising development for treating CRAB and other hard-to-treat bacteria like E. coli
The modified molecule will work only against specific bacteria it is designed to kill, but this method of modifying molecules could be better for overall health as many broad-spectrum antibiotics are known to kill good bacteria in gut and on skin
Accuracy
Zosurabalpin works by disrupting the bacteria's ability to maintain its protective membrane, killing it
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that zosurabalpin has already shown promise against one of the greatest bacterial threats to human health when it hasn't been approved for use yet. Secondly, they claim that this discovery could potentially lead to novel treatments for other Gram-negative pathogens without providing any evidence or information about these potential treatments.
The drug combats carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, a tricky human pathogen that most antibiotics can't touch.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the World Health Organization has identified CRAB as a priority 1 critical pathogen without providing any evidence or citation for this claim. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by stating that zosurabalpin is either effective against CRAB or it will eventually be resistant to it, when in fact there may be other factors at play. The article also contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric with phrases such as
The carbapenem-resistant strain of A. baumannii, nicknamed CRAB, has been identified as a priority 1 critical pathogen by the World Health Organization.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the new antibiotic discovery and its potential to combat a highly drug-resistant bacterium. The author uses language that dehumanizes the bacteria by referring to it as 'tricky' and 'impervious', which could be seen as inflammatory or sensationalist.
The drug combats carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, a tricky human pathogen that most antibiotics can't touch.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the discovery of a new antibiotic that shows promise against highly drug-resistant bacteria. The authors are affiliated with Roche Pharma Research & Early Development and have conducted clinical trials for zosurabalpin. They also mention the World Health Organization (WHO) and hospital-acquired infections, which could be areas of conflict of interest.
The article discusses clinical trials for zosurabalpin, an antibiotic developed by Roche Pharma Research & Early Development. If this drug is successful and gains regulatory approval, it could provide a significant financial boost to the company.
The article mentions that the authors are affiliated with Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, a company involved in drug discovery and development. This could create a potential conflict of interest if they have financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry or stand to benefit from the success of their research.
Zosurabalpin is a new antibiotic developed by Harvard University and Roche Pharma Research to treat CRAB
The compound has a unique method of action that crosses the bacterial membranes to kill the bacteria
Drug discovery that targets harmful Gram-negative bacteria is a longstanding challenge due to difficulties getting molecules across bacterial membranes
Zosurabalpin reduced levels of bacteria in mice with CRAB-induced pneumonia and prevented death from sepsis caused by the bacteria
The public health threat of antimicrobial resistance remains a huge one globally due to lack of effective treatments for Gram-negative bacteria like CRAB
Antibiotic resistance happens when germs evolve enough that they are able to survive encounters with drugs designed to kill them, leading to more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections and over 35,000 deaths each year in the US alone
Zosurabalpin is an extremely promising development for treating CRAB and other hard-to-treat bacteria like E. coli
The modified molecule will work only against specific bacteria it is designed to kill, but this method of modifying molecules could be better for overall health as many broad-spectrum antibiotics are known to kill good bacteria in gut and on skin
Accuracy
Acinetobacter baumannii belongs to a class of bacteria called Gram-negative bacteria which are difficult to kill because their outer membrane prevents most antibiotics from working
Scientists hope that by uncovering the mechanism of how Zosurabalpin works, further new medications for superbugs could be developed
Former chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies claimed in 2016 that the threat of antibiotic resistance is as severe as terrorism
Concerns have repeatedly been raised that medicine will be taken back to the 'dark ages' if antibiotics are rendered ineffective in the coming years
There have only been one or two new antibiotics developed in the last 30 years and existing drugs becoming less effective is a serious lack of new drugs in the development pipeline
Without antibiotics, C-sections, cancer treatments and hip replacements will become incredibly 'risky'
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that a new antibiotic has been developed to target deadly drug-resistant bacteria when in fact it only mentions one type of bacteria and does not mention any new antibiotics.
The goal of the research was to identify and fine-tune a molecule that could cross the double membranes and kill the bacteria.
How naturally occurring viruses could help treat superbug infections
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an example of a false dilemma fallacy. The author presents the idea that there are only two options for treating Acinetobacter baumannii infections: either use broad-spectrum antibiotics or do nothing. However, this is not true as there are other treatment options available such as zosurabalpin which has been developed by the researchers.
The author states that CRAB accounts for about 2% of infections found in US hospitals and causes up to 20% of infections in intensive care units worldwide. However, this is not true as there are other treatment options available such as zosurabalpin which has been developed by the researchers.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the new antibiotic zosurabalpin and its potential to treat CRAB infections. The author uses language that dehumanizes those who have contracted CRAB infections by describing them as 'serious' and 'deadly'. Additionally, the author describes Acinetobacter baumannii as a formidable bacteria that is difficult to eliminate, which may create an impression of hopelessness for readers. The article also uses language that emphasizes the importance of zosurabalpin in treating CRAB infections and its potential to save lives.
Acinetobacter baumannii accounts for about 2% of infections found in US hospitals. It's more common in Asia and the Middle East and causes up to 20% of infections worldwide.
The antibiotic considerably reduced levels of bacteria in mice with CRAB-induced pneumonia, and prevented death of mice with sepsis brought on by the bacteria.
The pathogen is so difficult to eliminate
The public health threat of antimicrobial resistance remains a huge one globally due to a lack of effective treatments.
Zosurabalpin inhibits the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii by preventing the movement of large molecules called lipopolysaccharides to the outer membrane, where they're needed to maintain the membrane's integrity. This causes the molecules to accumulate inside the bacterial cell.
Zosurabalpin is now in phase 1 clinical trials to assess safety, tolerability and pharmacology
Zosurabalpin was effective against more than 100 CRAB clinical samples that were tested
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Amanda Musa has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. She is affiliated with Roche Pharma Research and Early Development which may have a financial stake in drug discovery for antibiotic resistance.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Amanda Musa has conflicts of interest on the topics of antibiotic resistance and drug discovery as she is affiliated with Roche Pharma Research and Early Development which is involved in these fields.
The article also mentions that Amanda Musa's employer is involved in clinical trials for new antibiotics, which further supports the idea that they have a vested interest in the development of these drugs.
The article mentions that Amanda Musa's employer, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, has a vested interest in the development of new antibiotics to target drug-resistant bacteria. This suggests that there may be conflicts of interest between her professional affiliation and her reporting on this topic.
