A new class of antibiotic

Gram negative bacteria such as E coli, Pseudomonas, Neisseria, Chalmydia and Yersina are characterised by cell envelopes made up of peptidoglycan cell wall. This outer membrane protects the bacteria from antibiotic, detergents and lysosomes. Antibiotic resistance continues to challenge us; this membrane is relatively impenetrable. There has not been a new antibiotic class for these organisms discovered since the 1960s. Imai Y, et al [Nature 2019 doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1791-1] have looked to the nematode world and focused on good old Photorhabdus symbionts of entomopathogenic nematode microbiomes. They have discovered a new antibiotic which they have called darobactin. It is active against gram negative bacteria. Their study suggests that bacterial symbionts of animals contain antibiotics that are particularly suitable for development into therapeutics. This is an exciting development.

Virtual reality

Lucina has been fascinated by the development of virtual reality technology and its role in distraction for pain relief in practical procedures.

Han SH, et al [JAMA Pediatr. 2019;173(11):1026–1031. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.3000] have looked at the effect of virtual reality education for paediatric patients on anxiety during chest radiography? This prospective randomised clinical trial was conducted in a tertiary academic hospital in the Republic of Korea. They examined 112 children, aged between 4 and 8 years, who were randomised to simple verbal instruction (control group) or 3 …