University of Bristol and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute researchers have sequenced the genome of a newly emerging superbug commonly known as Steno.

The bacteria has strains that are resistant to all available antibiotics. It flourishes in moist environments, and can form a “biofilm” on hospital catheters or ventilation tubes that protects the bacteria and makes it difficult to sterilize equipment.

Having the genome should help researchers combat these properties. By finding which proteins cause it to stick to surfaces, they can develop biochemical compounds that interfere with this interaction.

There are approximately 1,000 reports of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia blood poisoning in the UK each year, with a mortality rate of about 30%.

University of Bristol News Release