Use gallium metal to cure lung infections

According to the journal Science Translational Medicine, American scientists at Washington University have proposed antibiotic therapy that uses gallium metal. Initial tests in patients with severe and persistent lung infections suggest that this is an effective treatment.

Once inside the bacterium, metal gallium completely breaks down the pathogen's activity - (Photo: Washington University).

The idea of ​​scientists is simple: metal-absorbing bacteria are 'disguised' as they are food. Once penetrating inside the bacteria, gallium metal completely disrupts the pathogen's activity. This technique has been tested on the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing infection of the lungs, urinary tract and wounds.

Gallium is like iron. Iron itself is extremely important for bacterial activity. Pathogens absorb iron and use iron in infected bodies. Gallium, like its "Trojan horse" , easily invades the bacteria and then destroys the bacterial DNA production system. Without this system, bacteria cannot reproduce.

However, bacteria develop low resistance to gallium. Scientists claim to be able to enhance the therapeutic effect by combining gallium with existing antibiotics. As a result, just one dose of gallium can cure lung infections.