Preliminary data indicates that scientists may have identified a new approach that may be effective in reducing the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium responsible for most staph infections. The approach entails blocking the bacterium's pigment formation, as the carotenoid pigment appears to act as an antioxidant which blocks the effect of reactive oxygen molecules the immune system uses to kill bacteria.

Researchers had speculated that blocking pigment formation in staph could restore the immune system's ability to thwart infection. While perusing a magazine on microbial research, Eric Oldfield, Ph.D., of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign read how in 2005 University of California, San Diego researchers knocked out a gene in staph's pigment-making pathway to create colorless-and less pathogenic-bacteria.

Because the approach reduces the virulence of the bacteria by stopping pigment production, it may not cause selective pressures on the population, which can lead to antibiotic resistance. It also targets only S. aureus, possibly reducing side effects.

Source: NIGMS