Researcher Discovers New Anthrax Treatment

A University of Okalahoma scientist has discovered a drug that stops the growth of anthrax bacteria, the Associated Press reported Saturday (see GSN, Dec. 20, 2005).

Microbiologist Jimmy Ballard introduced an inhibitor, which is used to fight cancer, while studying the effects of anthrax on human cells. He found that the drug stopped the growth of anthrax as well as the growth of human cells, and discovered a protein on anthrax that the inhibitor targets.

Ballard said anthrax shows no resistance to the inhibitor. He added that the finding could lead to treatments for other bacteria.

The microbiologist now plans to work on an anti-anthrax drug, which should be available in the next two years, according to AP (Associated Press/Shawnee News-Star, Dec. 31, 2005).

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