Milk of the devil: Marsupial milk could aid fight against antimicrobial resistance

The milk from Tasmanian Devils could be an important factor in the fight against antibiotic resistance.  

The animal, commonly seen as the wild and voracious Taz from the animated show Looney Tunes, was discovered to have a peptide called cathelicidins contained within its milk.

Australian researchers, led by Sydney University PhD student Emma Peel, tested 25 multi-drug resistant bacteria such as MRSA and Enterococcus against the peptides and found that the bacteria died when exposed. The researchers also tested six different types of fungal strains against the peptides and found similar results.

The scientists turned to the animal because of its unique development from birth. Tasmanian Devils are born prematurely and because of this don’t have a fully developed immune system. They are raised in their mother’s pouch, an environment with high levels of bacteria which should kill the young because of their underdeveloped immune system.

The fact that the young don’t get sick in the pouch was the first sign for the scientists that something interesting might be happening.

Other marsupials also contain the peptides, warranting further investigation into animals such as koalas and wallabies.

Antibiotic resistance is a serious health threat. Earlier this year the UN held a meeting on the threat of the issue which is estimated to kill 10 million people every year by 2050.

In the 1990s the Tasmanian Devil was exposed to a deadly facial disease that spread across 95% of Tasmania and killed over 70% of the species. Whilst the animal is still at threat to the disease, it seems to have developed its own resistance to devil facial tumour disease. The Guardian reports that the species appeared to have evolved a resistance towards the disease, prompting research into its uses against human cancer.