The discovery of antibiotic-resistant superbugs has heightened scientists’ interest in developing novel treatment strategies for bacterial infections. One such strategy comes in the form of 'backstabbing bacteria,' which are engineered to target and kill disease-causing bacteria.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is one such bacterium that causes severe intestinal infections, especially in children. EPEC adheres to the intestinal wall, destroying its integrity and leading to symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland genetically modified a harmless strain of E. coli to express a protein that specifically binds to EPEC’s pili, structures on its surface that help the pathogen adhere to the intestinal wall. By binding to the pili, the modified E. coli prevents EPEC from attaching and colonizing the intestines.

In mouse models of EPEC infection, treatment with the modified E. coli significantly reduced the severity of the infection and accelerated the recovery of the animals. The harmless E. coli strain competed with EPEC for attachment sites, essentially outnumbering and crowding out the pathogenic bacteria.

This pioneering approach offers a potential new weapon against antibiotic-resistant infections. Backstabbing bacteria, by targeting specific pathogens without harming beneficial gut flora, could revolutionize the treatment of bacterial infections and reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Moreover, the technology could be adapted to target other bacteria, expanding its applications to a wide range of infections. In a world facing the specter of antibiotic resistance, backstabbing bacteria represent a ray of hope in the fight against deadly superbugs.