Antibiotic could halt deadly listeria

Superbugs thought to be resistant to a powerful antibiotic may be susceptible to treatment after all, research has found.

The food poisoning bug Listeria was shown to respond to an antibiotic even though the bacteria carry genes that should make it highly resistant.

Scientists say the antibiotic called fosfomycin should be reconsidered as a treatment for life-threatening listeria infections.

Early laboratory tests indicated fosfomycin fails to kill listeria because the bacteria carry a gene that enables it to break down the drug. However, further studies found the drug was effective at killing listeria in infected cells in the lab and in mice.

Genes that are only activated when the bacteria infect the body cancel out the effects of the drug-destroying gene, researchers at the University of Edinburgh found.

The findings suggest fosfomycin could prove to be a useful treatment for life-threatening listeria cases despite these bacteria testing resistant based on laboratory tests.

Listeria infection, or listeriosis, is the most lethal foodborne disease known and is often fatal. It is caused by eating contaminated foods such as soft cheeses, smoked salmon, pates, meats and salads. The infection is particularly deadly for those with weak immune systems, such as older people and newborns.