Treat acne with a virus

Scientists in the US have found that they can use phages - viruses that can kill bacteria - to treat adolescent acne, according to the Daily Mail.

Propionibacterium acnes (P bacteria) normally remain on human skin. However, the number of these bacteria increased significantly during puberty, causing inflammation of the skin and causing acne.

Acne in minors has been able to be treated more effectively

Antibiotics can effectively treat acne. However, due to the emergence of resistant strains of P bacteria, more effective treatments are needed.

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of California (USA) studied the genomes of 11 phages - viruses that attack and kill bacteria.

Subjects of study are adolescents without and having acne.

Scientists took phage and P bacteria from objects and separated them. Then, they sequenced the genome of phage.

They found that the DNA (the molecule that carries the coding information) of the phages was 85% identical.

All phages contain a gene that makes proteins called endolysins . This protein can kill bacteria that cause acne.

Dr Graham Hatfull from the University of Pittsburgh in the US, who conducted the study, said: "Research results show that it is possible to treat acne with new methods. Accordingly, phages or magnetic components. Phage can be used to kill acne-causing bacteria '.