Japanese Sequence Genome of Virulent Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus

Reuters 21apr01

LONDON - Japanese scientists have completed the genetic sequence of one of the most virulent bacteria, which could pave the way for new medicines to fight drug-resistant superbugs.

Makoto Kuroda, Professor Keiichi Hiramatsu and a team of researchers from Juntendo University in Tokyo sequenced two strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of deadly infections caught in hospitals.

The medical journal The Lancet on Friday published the sequence of the two strains of the organism, which are resistant to meticillin and vancomycin -- antibiotics considered the last line of defense against resistant bacteria.

Hiramatsu and his colleagues said the sequencing of the 2,600 genes of the bacteria was expected to reveal new secrets about the deadly infections.

``Without that knowledge we wouldn't be able to develop a new strategy to counter the infections caused by staph-aureus,'' said Hiramatsu, a professor of bacteriology.

The researchers believe their work could lead to the development of new drugs in the next five years.

``I think that this is a beginning of a logical way of developing antibiotics and vaccination. I think there is... hope,'' he added.

Dr. Dlawer Ala'Aldeen, of University Hospital of Nottingham in central England, praised the ground-breaking research in a commentary in the journal.

``The report...is a major contribution to the understanding of the molecular evolution of antibiotic resistance in this important pathogen,'' he said.

The researchers have identified up to 70 potential targets for the design of new drugs and vaccines. The sequence also reveals genes that have been acquired from other organisms, including humans.

The bacteria have antibiotic-resistant moveable pieces of genetic material which, the scientists said, have the potential to spread between species.

In addition to providing new information about infections, the genomes could also give researchers new clues about other diseases with unknown causes.

Ala'Aldeen said the research would allow scientists to study the mechanisms underlying drug resistance and deadly infections caused by superbugs.

Scientist have also mapped the genetic blueprint of other bacteria as well as the fruit fly, worm and humans.