- Tuberculosis is a deadly infectious disease that kills many people.
- Doctors often treat tuberculosis with the antibiotic rifampicin daily.
- Some bacteria have become resistant to rifampicin in many places.
- Scientists tested rifampicin together with a second new compound.
- The second compound attacks the bacteria in a different way.
- In laboratory tests the drug pair killed resistant bacteria.
- In an animal model the two drugs worked much better.
- Researchers plan to make a stable medicine from the probe.
Difficult words
- tuberculosis — A serious disease that affects the lungs.
- infectious — Can spread from one person to another.
- antibiotic — A medicine that kills bacteria and stops infections.
- resistant — Not killed by a medicine or treatment.
- compound — A chemical substance made for research or medicine.
- laboratory — A room where scientists do tests and experiments.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever taken antibiotics?
- Do you know the name of any antibiotic medicine?
- Would you like to work in a laboratory?
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