It’s a mucky job but someone has to do it!

Scientists at the University of Leicester are hoping the collection of poo from tigers, elephants, giraffes and other exotic animals, could contain the secret to finding new medical treatments.

Although a waste product to the animals, hidden amongst it are thousands of phages which are potentially capable of fighting bacterial infections – many of which are now becoming resistant to antibiotics. 

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria are on the rise, posing a serious global health threat. These superbugs render common treatments ineffective, leading to harder-to-treat infections and increasing mortality rates. Without swift intervention, AMR bacteria are predicted to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. 

Phages are naturally occurring viruses that only target bacteria and have huge potential to fight against life-threatening infections. 

Now, thanks to the team in The Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research at the University, who got in touch with West Midlands Safari Park (WMSP) and Dudley Zoo with this unusual request, it’s hoped scientists can harvest a whole new host of phages for medical use.

Dr Andrew Millard, who co-leads the centre, said: “Bacteriophages are naturally occurring viruses in the environment around us and can be found where bacteria occur in high numbers – making animal faeces a perfect place to look. 

“We weren’t too sure how our request would be received at first, but once we explained the science, WMSP and Dudley Zoo were more than happy to accommodate us and support our research.”  

Richard Brown, senior curator for Dudley Zoo said: “With plenty of poo easily at hand daily from more than 160 different exotic animal species on site, we were more than happy to help with this worthwhile research project. 

“We hope our small contribution from Dudley will be invaluable to health efforts worldwide. We look forward to discovering the results.”

Katie McDonald, Research and Conservation Officer at WMSP, said: "This is a very unusual opportunity for us. The kind of research we normally take part in relates to animal welfare or the conservation of biodiversity.  It is fantastic that just by picking up poo, which our keepers do every day, we can contribute to the development of vital medical treatments."
Prof Martha Clokie, co-director of the University’s centre added: “It sounds funny but we can’t wait to get our hands on the animal poo so that we can begin the work of looking for new phages. Our hope is to reach our target of 10,000 for our bio-bank within the next two years and this could really help us to achieve that. 

“We hope this highlights how animal conservation may also provide useful therapeutics, which may be used in the future to treat animals that also get infections.

“The bio-bank or repository of phages is vital to the creation of new treatments for Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) to skin, along with intestinal and respiratory infections among others. They’re a realistic and viable alternative to antibiotics and give researchers from home and abroad the chance to develop their understanding and assist in identifying the most effective phages for future treatments. Not only that but it also gives us the ability to look at how multiple phages interact with one another.” 

Experts from the centre have provided evidence to the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee Inquiry on the potential for phages to be used in medicine and to the Government’s UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance which now specifically names phages as alternatives.