Recent studies revealed that alligator blood may hold the key to fighting antibiotic-resistant infections such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Researchers at McNeese State University in Louisiana announced during the American Chemical Society conference, that their study on alligator blood could lead to finding treatments for infections caused by ulcers, burns and even drug-resistant "superbugs."

Apparently, alligators can suffer serious injuries during fierce territorial battles but heal quickly despite contact with bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Although in its early stages, the research showed that protein found in blood extracted from American Alligators can successfully destroy 23 strains of bacteria.

"We're very excited about the potential of these alligator blood proteins as both antibacterial and antifungal agents," said study co-author Dr. Mark Merchant, a biochemist at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La, who hit up on the idea of studying alligator blood after noticing the creatures have a remarkable ability to resist infection, despite living in swamp water teeming with bacteria and often losing limbs in territorial tussles.

"There's a real possibility that you could be treated with an alligator blood product one day."

Additionally, the blood also managed to deplete and destroy a significant amount of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. However, there is no guarantee that the blood will work in humans, since it has only been tested in the laboratory.

"We need new antibiotics. Anything like this is a step forward," said Dr. Stuart Levy, a professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, who's an expert in antibiotic-resistant infections and is familiar with the new study. "But there are hurdles that this kind of antibiotic poses that others might not."

Previous studies conducted by other scientists including some at the University of Georgia in Athens and the University of Florida in Gainesville, had already showed that alligators have a particularly strong immune system which can protect them against fungi, viruses, and bacteria without being previously exposed to them.

The experiment involved capturing the alligators, their jaws taped shut and blood drawn from the jugular vein. Advanced tests on their blood showed that tiny amounts of proteins extracted from the disease-fighting white blood cells killed a wide range of bacteria, including hospital superbug MRSA and food poisoning bugs E coli and Salmonella.

Chemists are now working to identify the exact chemical structures of the anti-microbial proteins and determine which proteins are most effective at killing different microbes. The alligator blood extract may contain at least four promising substances, they estimate.