Scientists detect bacteria defence

A mechanism by which bacteria cells became resistant to antibiotics has been identified for the first time by scientists.

It is hoped the detection of the previously unobserved mutation in a strain of salmonella could lead to the development of smarter therapies and drugs.

The problem of antibiotic resistance has been described as a “ticking time-bomb” by the British government’s chief medical officer. University of Birmingham researchers found a strain of salmonella contracted by a patient was able to develop resistance to the commonly used antibiotic drug ciprofloxacin.