XDR TB, an extremely drug resistant strain of TB, has a death rate as high at 100% because it is able to fight off the most commonly used medicines. However, a few weeks ago, scientists have finally discovered a cure for this deadly strain. Two FDA-approved drugs, Clavulanate and Meropenem, work together to overpower the enzyme that usually protects the TB bacteria from antibiotics and then kills the bacteria itself. In 13 different tests, the XDR TB bacteria was killed by the drugs in less than two weeks. Scientists are planning to take their testing beyond the lab, and run some trials on humans. Normally, it takes two years to treat someone with drug resistant TB, so if this process proves successful, it will save the lives of countless people around the world.
Source: Times of India
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