A Harmless Skin Virus Can Be Used As Treatment For ACNE

The virus called a phage, is naturally built and kill bacteria propionibacterium acne, scietists believe. Experts at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and University of Pittsburg found 11 different versions of virus in this phage family family that this quality. They plan to test in the laboratory to see harness it as a therapy. Harnessing a virus that naturally preys on the bacteria that cause pimples could offer a promising new tool against the physical and emotional scares of severe acne. Leading scientist of the current work Professor Robert Madiln said, :" acne affects millions of people, yet we have few tyreatments that are both safe and affective." Acne is caused when hair follicles get blocked with oily substance called sebum, which the body makes to stop the hair and skin from drying out. Normally hasrmless bacteria such as propionibacterium acne, that live on the skin can contaminate and infect the plugged follicles. Phages appear to counteract this. When scientists sequenced the DNA coding of the phages they found that as well as sharing most of their genetic material the virus all had some key features in common. All carry a gene that produce a protein called endolysine- an enzyme thought to destroy bacteria by breaking down their cell walls. And unlike antibiotics, which kill many types of bacteria ene good ones that live in our gut, phages are programmed to target only specific bacteria. Co worker Dr Jemmy Kim, director of UCLA clinic for Acne, Rosacea and Aethetics, said:" antobiotics such as tetracycline are so widely used that many acne strains have developed resistance, and drugs like Accutane, while effective can produce risky side effects, limiting their use." Acne is a common condition that afects upto 8 in 10 individuals, aged between 11 and 30 in UK, and at present there is no 'cure' for the skin disease.