Forgotten Virus Found To Kill Superbugs—Scientists Stunned By Hidden Weapon

India.com

03-05-2025

Zee Media Bureau
May 03, 2025
A strange virus scientists once brushed off as a mere curiosity has now been found hiding in plain sight. Shockingly, it may help wipe out deadly, drug-resistant bacteria.
Called telomere phages, these viruses infect bacteria—but instead of harming humans, they may help "good" bacteria destroy dangerous ones.
Until recently, scientists thought these phages only had a unique way of replicating DNA. But now, they've discovered something far more powerful.
Researchers in Australia found telomere phages lurking inside Klebsiella, a harmful bacteria known to cause pneumonia and resist antibiotics.
It turns out these phages aren't rare—they're everywhere. Scientists discovered them across thousands of Klebsiella strains, even in water samples.
These phages produce special toxins called telocins. These toxins act like targeted weapons, allowing good bacteria to kill off rival, drug-resistant ones.
This could mark a major turning point in the war against antibiotic-resistant infections. Nature may have already created a smart bacterial control system.
Scientists now aim to figure out how these toxins are released and how they sneak into enemy bacteria. This discovery could lead to powerful new treatments. Read Next Story