Gram-negative bacteria are the bane of health care workersâ existence.
Theyâre one of the most dangerous organisms to become infected withâand one of the hardest to treat. But new research from the University of Georgia suggests a component of bacteriaâs cell walls may hold the key to crushing the antibiotic-resistant microbes.
The reason Gram-negative bacteria are difficult to kill is their double cell membranes, which create an almost impenetrable shield of protection. This shield blocks antibiotics from entering, preventing medications from doing their job of destroying the bacteria. Meanwhile, toxic molecules, known as lipopolysaccharides, on the surface of the bacteriaâs outer membrane provoke a potentially deadly immune response.