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Bacteria develop resistance from rivals - study
The overuse of antibiotics may not be exclusively responsible for antibiotic resistance.

Research works to tackle antibiotic resistance

The overuse of antibiotics may not be exclusively responsible for antibiotic resistance, according to new research.

The study by the University of Basel found that bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics from their competitors.
Writing in Cell Reports, researchers show that some bacteria inject a toxic cocktail into their rivals leading to cell lysis and death.

Researchers also found that if the released material contains certain drug-resistant genes, the specific resistance can be bestowed upon the new owner. As such, the antibiotic is no longer effective and the bacteria can reproduce.

“Some of these toxic proteins kill the bacterial competition very effectively, but do not destroy the cells,” explained Professor Marek Basler, who led the research. “Others severely damage the cell envelope, which leads to less of the attacked bacteria and hence the release of its genetic material.”

In the study, the researchers analysed the drug-resistant bacterium Acinetobacter baumanni - a typical hospital germ that originated during the Iraq war. The bacteria is also known as the ‘Iraq bug’ because it was spread by American soldiers returning home from combat.

The team found that the emergence and spread of multidrug resistance could be attributed - amongst other things - to the skills of certain bacteria. First, the bacteria combat their rivals by injecting them with toxic proteins - or effectors - using the type VI secretion system (T6SS), a poison syringe. Second, they are able to uptake and reuse the released genetic material.

In the model Acinetobacter baylyi, a close relative of the Iraq bug, Professor Basler’s team identified five differently acting toxic effectors.

“For the bacteria it makes absolute sense to produce not only a single toxin, but a cocktail of various toxins with different effects,” Basler explains. “This increases the likelihood that the rival can be successful and in some cases also lysed to release their DNA.”

Professor Basler added that the T6SS 'can also be found in other pathogens such as those which cause pneumonia or cholera'.

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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.