Researchers have discovered that proteins found in oyster blood have bacteria-killing properties and can boost the effectiveness of some common antibiotics whose use has been negatively affected by the global rise in drug resistance.

Superbugs that are resistant to existing antibiotics are a growing health problem around the world. Globally, nearly five million people die from antimicrobial resistant infections each year. The annual toll of antimicrobial resistant infections is expected to rise by 70%,

Oysters could play a role in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria on a global scale in the future. A protein that appears to kill bacteria is found in the blood of the Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata).