Certain deadly bacteria exhibit a behaviour dubbed “bacterial vampirism,” where they actively seek out and consume human blood, as uncovered by a group of Researchers. This phenomenon, detailed in a recent study published in eLife, sheds light on the mechanisms behind bloodstream infections and opens doors for innovative treatment strategies.
UNRAVELING THE ATTRACTION TO HUMAN BLOOD
Led by Washington State University scientists, the study unveils the magnetic pull of human blood’s liquid component, serum, on bacteria such as Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Citrobacter koseri. These findings illuminate how these pathogens navigate toward blood’s nutritious serine content, providing crucial insights into the dynamics of bloodstream infections.
INSIGHTS INTO LETHAL BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS
Professor Arden Baylink, from WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, highlights the severity of bloodstream infections, emphasizing their potential lethality. The study identifies the bacteria’s ability to detect chemical cues in human blood, underscoring the urgency of understanding and combating these infections, particularly in populations vulnerable to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
SIMULATING INTESTINAL BLEEDING: A MICROSCOPIC PERSPECTIVE
Using the innovative Chemosensory Injection Rig Assay, researchers replicate intestinal bleeding in controlled laboratory settings. This technique allows them to observe the rapid response of disease-causing bacteria, as they swiftly navigate toward injected human serum, mirroring the conditions of bloodstream infections.
DECIPHERING BACTERIAL SENSORY MECHANISMS
The study delves into the molecular intricacies of bacterial detection, pinpointing Salmonella’s unique protein receptor, Tsr. Through protein crystallography, scientists visualize the intricate interaction between Tsr and serine, unravelling the key role of this amino acid in bacterial attraction to human blood.
IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE TREATMENTS
Ph.D. student Siena Glenn underscores the potential of this research in developing targeted interventions against bloodstream infections. By disrupting bacterial sensing mechanisms, novel drugs could mitigate the risk of infections in IBD patients, offering hope for improved health outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
PAVING THE WAY FOR NOVEL THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES
The discovery of bacterial vampirism represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of bloodstream infections. Armed with these newfound insights, researchers are poised to develop innovative therapies that disrupt bacterial attraction to human blood, offering renewed hope in the fight against lethal pathogens.
