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Komodo dragon blood could help in AMR fight
komodo dragon
Komodo dragon saliva contains at least 57 species of bacteria that are thought to help kill their prey, but the Komodo itself appears to be resistant to the bacteria.
Scientists identify antimicrobial activity in lizard’s blood

Antimicrobial substances discovered in the blood of Komodo dragons could help with the development of new drugs for treating antibiotic resistant infections, scientists say.

A study published in the Journal of Proteome Research describes antimicrobial protein fragments that appear to help the lizards resist deadly infections.

Komodo dragon saliva contains at least 57 species of bacteria that are thought to help kill their prey, but the Komodo itself appears to be resistant to the bacteria.

Researchers from the College of Science at George Mason University identified and sequenced 48 potential cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) - an essential part of the innate immune system - in the blood of Komodo dragons. All but one of these were derived from histone proteins, which are known to have antimicrobial activities.

Eight were synthesised and tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Seven out of eight showed significant potency against both bacteria and the eighth was only effective against P. aeruginosa. The researchers conclude that Komodo blood plasma contains a host of potentially viable antimicrobial peptides that could lead to new treatments.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.