MRSA (methecillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) is responsible for around two thousand deaths in UK hospitals each year. There are many thousands more all over the world as this amazingly resilient superbug takes hold.

New treatments are constantly being developed but the bug always seems to be one step ahead of the anti-biotic.

Vancomycin and glycopeptides have been used as a main line of resistance against this virulent killer bug but it just goes on developing new strains and these powerful anti-biotics have now become ineffective.

As soon as a new treatment is developed the infection alters slightly and is able to fight against the new antibiotics.

Researchers are testing an ingredient which comes from garlic and it is proving useful in the battle to eradicate this super bug.

Nasal sprays , cream and soaps have been developed that contain allicin which is the ingredient that gives garlic its smell. Trials have started to test these products out and it is hoped that they will prove to be successful in halting the spread of infection .

It is no surprise that garlic has this effect. It has been used as a medicine, or medication for centuries. First records from the Sumerians mention the use of garlic . Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks and Romans used it to halt the spread of infection and as a disinfectant during surgery..

The Greek poet Homer mentions in the ‘Illiad' that garlic can be used to treat ‘147 different wounds'. Pliny, the Roman physician mentions 62 diseases that can be helped by the taking of garlic.

Results of the current research are due to be published next year, so lets hope that they are successful.