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Engineered nanoparticles could be used to treat bacterial meningitis
01 Jul 2009
Meningitis patients could be treated more effectively thanks to the development of novel peptide nanoparticles.
Scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore, said the nanoparticles are capable of finding and destroying bacteria and fungal cells which are responsible for fatal infections such as meningitis.
Study leader Yivan Lang explained that the engineered nanoparticles are highly effective at killing microbes.
"Our treatment damages the structure of the pathogen and literally breaks it apart," he explained.
Brain infections such as meningitis are among the leading causes of death, learning disability and hearing loss.
The nanoparticles contain a membrane-penetrating component which lets them pass through the blood brain barrier to the areas of the brain that require treatment.
This, the researchers hope, will offer an improved treatment among patients with brain infections, particularly as the brain membrane is impenetrable to most antibiotics.
Bacterial meningitis is more serious than viral meningitis and often results in brain damage and even death.
Click here to visit the Meningitis Quick Guide
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