Unique Virus Attacks Dormant Bacteria, Offering New Treatment Possibilities

The newly discovered virus, Paride, targets and eradicates dormant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, presenting a potential breakthrough in phage therapy.

• Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a unique virus, named Paride, that can infect and kill dormant bacteria, a trait previously thought to be impossible.
• Paride targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that can cause severe respiratory diseases like pneumonia and is often found in the human body.
• The virus is believed to use a specific molecular key to wake up dormant bacteria and then hijack the cell’s multiplication machinery for reproduction.
• In combination with the antibiotic meropenem, Paride was able to completely eradicate a bacterial culture, demonstrating a promising synergy between phages and antibiotics in treating bacterial infections.
• The discovery of Paride's unique capability to target dormant bacteria presents a potential breakthrough in phage therapy and offers new perspectives on treating bacterial infections, especially those involving dormant bacteria.

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