An international research team led from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has identified a biological mechanism that may help disarm antibiotic-resistant bacteria and promote healing in chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers.

• Discovery: Scientists found that the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis impedes wound healing via oxidative stress, and that neutralising this effect with the antioxidant enzyme catalase restored skin cell migration and repair.
• Clinical potential: The findings suggest that wound dressings infused with catalase could enhance healing of infected chronic wounds and reduce complications such as amputations.
• Research context: The work, published in Science Advances, offers a potential therapeutic strategy as antibiotic resistance continues to challenge treatment of chronic infections.
  

This summary is based on a news article published by The Straits Times.