Peptide nanoparticles could offer improved meningitis treatment

01 Jul 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

Doctors could soon be able to treat bacterial meningitis more effectively thanks to engineered nanoparticles.

Scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore, have developed novel peptide nanoparticles to be used against drug-resistant bacteria and fungal infections.

These nanoparticles are capable of searching out and destroying bacteria and fungal cells responsible for fatal infections such as meningitis.

Study leader Yivan Yangsaid that the treatment "damages the structure of the pathogen and literally breaks it apart".

"These nanoparticles can easily enter bacteria, yeast or fungal cells and destabilise them to cause cell death," the expert explained.

"For example, the nanoparticles cause damage to bacteria cell walls and prevent further bacterial growth."

The nanoparticles are able to pass through the blood brain barrier and into the areas of the brain requiring treatment, which could offer an improved treatment to conventional antibiotics.

Bacterial meningitis is usually caused by Haemophilus influenzae type-B, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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