Potential new class of antibiotics takes on flesh-eating infections

Streptococcus pyogenes

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Peptide-mimicking compounds target bacterial cell walls

A new family of compounds that display activity against multidrug-resistant gram-positive pathogens could represent a new class of antibiotics. One compound in particular, known as PS757, also appears to be effective against skin and soft tissue infections, including necrotising fasciitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes).