An etherealgirl's Adventures in Cyberland

Thursday, August 18, 2005

crocodile antibodies may aid human immune system

Crocodile blood may yield powerful new antibiotics.

Initial studies of the crocodile immune system in 1998 found that several proteins (antibodies) in the reptile's blood killed bacteria that were resistant to penicillin, such as Staphylococcus aureus or golden staph, Australian scientist Adam Britton told Reuters on Tuesday. It was also a more powerful killer of the HIV virus than the human immune system.

"If you take a test tube of HIV and add crocodile serum it will have a greater effect than human serum. It can kill a much greater number of HIV viral organisms," Britton said from Darwin's Crocodylus Park, a tourism park and research center.


found via Pentacle Magazine online

Posted by etherealfire :: 7:24 AM :: 0 Comments:

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