Fungus-Farming Ants Might Hold the Secret to Fighting Drug-Resistant Microbes

Some species of ant harbor symbiotic bacteria that produce fungus-killing antimicrobial compounds.

By Nathaniel Scharping
Sep 26, 2019 4:22 PMApr 17, 2020 9:22 PM
Leafcutter-Ants
Leafcutter ants carry vegetation to their nests. The species farm fungi for sustenance. (Credit: Ivan Kuzmin/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

In 2017, a woman in Nevada died from a fairly common bacterial infection, Klebsiella pneumoniae. Her death wasn’t the product of medical oversight or inattention; rather, it came despite it. Her infection proved resistant to every antibiotic drug doctors threw against it, NPR reports. They ultimately exhausted 26 different drugs — the bacteria was resistant to every single one.

Antibiotic resistance is high on scientists’ list of concerns worldwide. The proposed solutions are numerous, and they sometimes come from unexpected places. Case in point: One group of scientists from Europe says we should look to the ants.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.