Bacteria’s Deadly Thirst: A Dangerous Hunger for Human Blood
Imagine tiny enemies lurking within us, not just waiting for an opportunity to strike, but actively seeking out a specific food source – our blood! A recent scientific breakthrough has revealed a surprising behavior in some harmful bacteria: they are attracted to the liquid part of our blood, called serum, and use it as a food source.
Researchers at Washington State University, led by Dr. Arden Baylink, dubbed this phenomenon “bacterial vampirism.” Their findings, published in the journal eLife, shed new light on how certain bacteria cause potentially life-threatening bloodstream infections.
How Bacteria Hunt for Blood:
The study identified specific bacteria – Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Citrobacter koseri – as particularly drawn to human serum. These bacteria are concerning because they are a leading cause of death for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition that can cause internal bleeding, creating a pathway for the bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
Using a specially designed microscope system, the researchers simulated bleeding by introducing tiny amounts of human serum. They observed a remarkable response: the bacteria swiftly navigated towards the serum source, reaching it in less than a minute! This rapid movement suggests a strong attraction to the blood components.
The Power of Smell (Sort Of):
While bacteria don’t have a nose to smell, they possess specialized protein receptors that act like sensors. The research team discovered that Salmonella has a specific protein receptor, called Tsr, which allows it to detect and swim towards the serum. Using a technique called protein crystallography, they were able to visualize the Tsr protein interacting with a specific amino acid in blood called serine. This suggests that serine might be one of the key chemicals that attracts and fuels these bacteria.
The Future Fight Against Bloodstream Infections:
Understanding how bacteria “hunt” for blood offers valuable insights for developing new strategies to combat bloodstream infections. Researchers believe that by targeting the bacteria’s ability to detect and utilize blood components, they can develop drugs that block this process. This could lead to improved treatments and potentially save lives, particularly for those susceptible to such infections, like individuals with IBD.
This discovery highlights the ongoing battle against harmful bacteria. By unraveling their complex behaviors, scientists can develop better tools to protect our health.
Credit this information by : https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2024/04/16/deadly-bacteria-show-thirst-for-human-blood/
