A PolyU research team led by Prof. Chen Sheng, Chair Professor of Microbiology, Member of the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, and Head of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, has discovered two novel approaches for the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant superbugs Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP). These approaches could significantly reduce mortality among infected patients. The research findings have recently been published in two prestigious journals, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy under Nature and Journal of Infection.

In summarising the research findings, Prof. Chen said, “We are glad that, only five years after we discovered the CR-hvKP strain, our studies have been able to identify two promising therapeutic options that may be used individually or in combination to combat the growing threat of Klebsiella pneumoniae. It should be noted that prompt treatment will reduce mortality and the spread of the pathogen.”

He also added, “We plan to validate our findings in clinical trials in the near future, and we believe our research efforts will eventually benefit patients and significantly reduce the mortality rate of CR-hvKP infected patients.”

The studies that generated the research findings described in the two publications were funded by the Theme-Based Research Scheme and the Research Impact Fund from the Research Grants Council. The studies were also supported by the PolyU State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery. In addition, part of the research was conducted at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), and one of the studies was conducted in collaboration with Dr Guan YANG of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health at CityU.