Vancomycin: Study
A study led by the University of Birmingham recently found that vancomycin, a commonly used antibiotic for diarrhea, could effectively treat a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) linked to autoimmune liver disease.
- It is a glycopeptide antibiotic used to treat severe but susceptible bacterial infections such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
- It is commonly used to treat infections in the bloodstream, skin and soft tissues, heart valves (endocarditis), bones, joints, and certain intestinal infections like difficile-associated diarrhea.
- However, it may cause some serious side effects, including damage to hearing and kidneys. These side effects may be more likely to occur in elderly patients.
- Vancomycin will not work for colds, flu or other viral infections.
- It works by interfering with the bacterial cell wall synthesis.
- Bacterial cells have a rigid outer layer called the cell wall, which provides structural support and protects the cell from bursting.
- Vancomycin binds to specific components in the cell wall, preventing the formation of a stable cell wall structure.
- As a result, the bacterial cell becomes weak and more susceptible to damage, leading to its death.
