A new chemical compound that mimics the body's ability to fight bacteria could help target hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA and C.difficile.

The compound, which could be added to detergents or used as a coating for hospital equipment, is able to trap and release the gas nitric oxide - which is also produced by our own immune systems to kill bugs.

Previously, harnessing the gas has proved difficult because it dissipates into the atmosphere within seconds of being released from storage. The new compound is able to trap the gas, which is released only when the compound gets wet.

Now researchers have been able to use the compound to kill off a range of bacteria including antibiotic-resistant bugs such as C…