Combatting Superbugs With Nanocapsules

Scientists have uncovered a novel antibiotic-free approach that could help prevent and treat one of the most widespread bacterial pathogens, using nanocapsules made of natural ingredients.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterial pathogen carried by 4.4 billion people worldwide, with the highest prevalence in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Although the majority of infections show no symptoms, if left untreated the pathogen can cause chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers and is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. In 2017, the World Health Organisation included H. pylori on its list of antibiotic-resistant "priority pathogens" – a catalogue of bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health and that urgently need new treatments. Current treatments involve multi-target therapy with a combination of antibiotics, but this has promoted the emergence of resistant strains.