Researchers have found that blood from Australian oysters can help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Australian oysters could help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- A protein, present in their blood, increases the effectiveness of antibiotics when combined with these treatments.
- Further research is needed.
Pearls are not the most valuable thing oysters could offer to humans, according to researchers at Australia’s Southern Cross University. By studying Saccostrea glomerata, specimens endemic to their region, they discovered that their blood could help fight super bacteria and enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Their work was published in the journal PLOS OneJanuary 21, 2025.
Oyster: the protein destroys the protective barrier of bacteria
By examining the hemolymph (the equivalent of blood in molluscs) of these Australian oysters, the team noticed a protein capable of killing the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniaewhich mainly causes pneumonia, and Streptococcus pyogenesresponsible for strep throat and scarlet fever. Tests conducted on cell cultures have shown that combining this protein with antibiotics improves treatment effectiveness against pathogens between two and 32 times.
“The results were particularly promising for Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus (also known as ‘Staphylococcus aureus’, a leading cause of drug-resistant skin and blood infections) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a major problem for immunocompromised patients with cystic fibrosis)said co-authors Kirsten Benkendorf and Kate Summer in their popular article published in The Conversation.
How does protein manage to fight resistant bacteria? It prevents the formation of the biofilm that pathogens form to defend themselves against the immune system or antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistance: two dozen oysters for one dose
Biologist Kirsten Benkendorf estimated that about two dozen oysters would gather enough hemolymph to provide an active dose of the protein to a person. However, do not rush for the baskets of this mollusc also called Sydney rock oyster.
“I certainly wouldn’t suggest people eat oysters instead of taking antibiotics if they have a serious infection”said the researcher Guardian. Given current knowledge, it is not certain that the protein with anti-bacterial properties is effective when ingested. Indeed, unlike many antibiotics, it can be broken down by the digestive system.
More research is needed to determine how to best use the protein as well as to understand how it works. Furthermore, since the work presented today has only been carried out on cell cultures, its effectiveness must also be evaluated on living organisms via tests on animals and humans.
