Uh-oh! Overusing antibiotics in farming has accidentally made some bacteria super strong against our immune system. Scientists at the University of Oxford found that a drug called colistin, which was used to make pigs and chickens grow faster, has turned some E. coli* into superbugs. Even though colistin is banned now, this research shows we should be careful with other similar drugs, called antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).

AMPs are like our body’s superhero team, fighting off infections as a first line of defense. But when bacteria become resistant to these superhero drugs, it could weaken our immune system. The researchers say that we need to be extra cautious when developing new drugs in this class, as they might accidentally help bacteria become even stronger.

So, while the world is looking for new antibiotics to fight superbugs, we should make sure we don’t accidentally create more of them. Let’s hope we can find a way to keep our superhero immune system strong without giving the bad guys an edge!

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.84395

*Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. While many strains of E. coli are harmless and even beneficial for maintaining a healthy gut, some strains can cause illness, such as food poisoning or urinary tract infections. These harmful strains of E. coli can produce toxins that lead to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. In severe cases, E. coli infections can even result in kidney failure or death.