Cat petting has this effect? ​​Bacteria on cat skin may treat human skin infections

Raising cats has become an important part of the lives of many young people, and "petting cats" is a new way of relaxation and entertainment.

Some people worry that petting a cat may transfer cat dirt to themselves, but a recent study by the University of California, San Diego, found that unique bacterial strains extracted from cat skin can be used to treat skin infections in animals and humans.

There are more than 100 different types of bacteria colonizing human skin, which play an important role in skin health, immunity and anti-infection. However, there are also bad bacteria. One type of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is a "superbug" caused by the abuse of antibiotics. It continues to endanger our health. Simply put, we have no good way to kill them.

The researchers collected some bacteria from the skin, nasal cavity, oral cavity and perineum of cats and dogs, cultured them in the MRSP environment, and determined their antibacterial activity against MRSP.

After screening the Staphylococcus isolates, the researchers discovered a feline Staphylococcus felis with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that could inhibit MRSP and a variety of Gram-positive pathogens.

The study found that S.felis has four genes that encode four different antimicrobial peptides, which can naturally produce a variety of antimicrobial agents, any of which can resist MRSP alone, and the combined attack is more lethal. Among them, S.felis C4 is the most significant, with low cytotoxicity and broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory effects.

Using bacteria to fight bacteria can be considered human wisdom.

After reading this article, are you ready to play with your cat?

DOI: 10.7554/eLife.66793