Antibiotics and antimicrobials remain an important health topic. The world is running out of suitable compounds. This is a combination of the misuse of antibiotics (such as adding the drugs to farm animal feed); the rise of antimicrobial resistance by certain pathogens (so that many infections that were commonly treatable are no longer so, with enhanced problems of multi-drug resistance); and mis-prescribing by doctors, especially by viral infection.
There are difficulties in finding new candidate substances as the basis for active ingredients for a new generation of antimicrobials. This is partly the product of a lack of research in recent decades, where research has not proven cost-effective for pharmaceutical companies. Governments and universities have stepped in to bridge the gap, although the research imperative is very much a race against time. These issues are explored in depth in Digital Journal’s new essential science column.
As part of the hunt for possible antibiotics, researchers are looking to see what men who sport beards are carrying among the layers of hairs. This unlikely search was recently featured on a BBC television program called Trust Me I’m a Doctor. Here one medic noted, squeamishly, “Some beards contain more poo than a toilet” (although this might not be too bad – see the ‘related news’ segment below). More importantly, another speaker, Dr Adam Roberts spoke about new research and whether the bacterial species can produce natural antibiotics.
The program featured some interesting experiments. Tests on the beards of random men found more than 100 types of bacteria. These were cultured for 4 weeks, as part of a study carried out specially for the program. It was discovered many of the bacteria competed for space and killed each other as an antibiotic would. Of greatest interest was the relatively common, and mostly harmless, skin-associated bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis. Some types of this organism were found to capable of out-competing and killing an antibiotic-resistance form of Escherichia coli. This was due to the excretion of a toxin.
To find suitable bearded subjects, presenter Dr. Chris van Tulleken walked the streets of Camden Town (in London), to search for suitable and willing subjects. The research was mainly for fun and to educate the viewing public. The findings may possibly trigger further research; although given the cost of purifying and testing a new candidate antibiotic, further screening studies would be required.
In related news, and in support of beards, a 2014 study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, found those who sport beards have lower levels of pathogenic beards than those who are clean shaven (see: “Bacterial ecology of hospital workers’ facial hair: a cross-sectional study.”) This was from a rather small study, but interesting nevertheless for those who sport beards to present an argument to the clean shaven.
In making the case for ‘good science’, this journalist should declare that although he has grown a beard at varying intervals, he has been clean shaven for the past three years.
