During the study, researchers found the bacteria seemed especially drawn to serine, an amino acid found in human blood that is also a common ingredient in protein drinks.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A research team led by Washington State University has discovered a phenomenon in which some of the world’s deadliest bacteria feed on human blood.
During the study, researchers found the bacteria seemed especially drawn to serine, an amino acid found in human blood that is also a common ingredient in protein drinks.
“We learned some of the bacteria that most commonly cause bloodstream infections actually sense a chemical in human blood and swim toward it.” Researchers found at least three types of bacteria – Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli and Citrobacter koseri – are attracted to human blood.
The researchers determined that salmonella has a special protein receptor called Tsr, which enables bacteria to sense and swim toward the blood.
The researchers believe serine is one of the chemicals from blood that the bacteria can sense and consume.
“By learning how these bacteria are able to detect sources of blood, in the future we could develop new drugs that block this ability.
These medicines could improve the lives and health of people with IBD who are at high risk for bloodstream infections,” Glenn said.
In a phenomenon they dubbed “bacterial vampirism,” researchers discovered that some bacteria are drawn to the liquid portion of blood because it contains nutrients they can consume. “.
The results of this study, the researchers believe, may lead to new developments in the treatment of bloodstream infections in humans.
A common ingredient in protein drinks, serine is an amino acid that is present in human blood and appears to be particularly attractive to the bacteria that were studied.
Oregon’s Portland. (KOIN) – Researchers at Washington State University have uncovered a phenomenon where some of the deadliest bacteria on the planet feed on human blood.
The phenomenon known as “bacterial vampirism” was discovered by the researchers, who discovered that the bacteria are drawn to the liquid portion of blood because it contains nutrients that they can consume. “.
The results of this study, the researchers believe, may lead to new developments in the treatment of bloodstream infections.
A common ingredient in protein drinks, serine is an amino acid that is present in human blood and appears to be particularly attractive to the bacteria that were studied.
According to Arden Baylink, a professor at WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the study’s corresponding author, “bloodstream infections caused by bacteria can be fatal.”. It was discovered that certain bacteria that are frequently responsible for bloodstream infections are able to detect a chemical in human blood and will actively seek out the carbon. “.
Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Citrobacter koseri are three of the bacteria that researchers have discovered are drawn to human blood.
According to the university, these bacteria can also cause inflammatory bowel diseases, which are the leading cause of death for their victims. Additionally, bleeding from the intestines can serve as a gateway for the bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
The group injected minuscule amounts of serum and watched bacteria travel to the site to replicate intestinal bleeding using a powerful microscope made by Baylink.
According to WSU, the disease-causing bacteria react quickly—it takes them less than a minute to locate the serum.
Salmonella, the researchers found, possesses a unique protein receptor known as Tsr that allows the bacteria to sense and move toward blood. The chemicals in blood that the bacteria can detect and eat, according to the researchers, include serine.
“We may be able to create new medications in the future that prevent these bacteria from detecting blood sources by understanding how they do so. “Those with IBD who are at high risk for bloodstream infections may find that their lives and health are improved by these medications,” Glenn said.
A grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and WSU allowed for the publication of the study in the journal eLife.
Zealon Gentry-Lear, Michael Shavlik, Michael Harms, and Tom Asaki, a mathematician from WSU, were among the scientists who contributed to the study.
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