Zoo animal faeces contain bacteria-fighting viruses that could stop infections and prevent 7000 amputations in Britain each year, scientists believe.
Experts from Sheffield University have been hunting for viruses called bacteriophages, which burrow into bacteria and hijack their biology.
The team examined faecal matter from a number of animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park which contained phages capable of killing the bacterial species that cause foot ulcers. “So far we have managed to find antibacterial viruses from Guinea baboon, giraffe, lemur, Visakan pigs and our favourite, the cuddly binturongs, and are working hard to develop these into viable treatments for patients whose next option is the loss of a toe, foot or leg.”Phages are the most common biological entities in nature, having been shown to effectively fight and destroy drug-resistant bacteria.
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