Mark Enright from Imperial College London, who led the research, said: “The number of hospital acquired infections is increasing and this is causing major problems for healthcare professionals. AQ+ could prove to be of tremendous importance in fighting hospital infections as not only is it extremely potent against MRSA, but is also effective against other types of bacteria.”

After clinical trials the researchers hope the compound will be used in gels for hand washing in hospitals, to treat infections on the skin and also to eradicate MRSA (previously resistant only to methicillin, but now multiple resistant) from patients and staff carrying the bacteria.

After clinical trials the researchers hope the compound will be used to treat infections, in gels for hand washing in hospitals and also to eradicate MRSA from patients and staff carrying the bacteria.

Enright adds: “AQ+ could prove particularly useful as it is effective across all different types of bacteria tested including those which are currently resistant to antibiotic treatment, such as MRSA.”

The active ingredient of AQ+ is the molecule 8-Hydroxyquiniline (8-H). 8-H works by coating the bacteria cells, starving the bacteria by inhibiting the uptake of metals that they need to survive.

The researchers found that AQ+ killed all bacterial strains when used at a concentration of 10 per cent and was able to inhibit their growth at a 0.5 per cent concentration. Further detailed analysis of a subset of bacterial strains showed that 99.9 per cent were killed by a 0.5 percent concentration within six hours.

SOURCE: IC Press Release