While studying the occurrence of bloodstream infections, scientists at Washington State University (WSU) revealed that some deadly bacteria turn to a chemical substance in human blood and feed there.
Research leader Siena Glenn pointed out that three deadly food-borne bacteria named salmonella, escherichia coli and citrobacter koseri target human blood, and said that these single-celled microorganisms, which show “bacterial vampireism”, tend to human blood “like a vampire”.
Noting that bacteria can enter the bloodstream through cuts in the digestive system, especially in people with intestinal diseases, Glenn stated that they can detect the substance in human blood in as little as 1 minute.
Glenn said that after learning how bacteria reach blood sources, appropriate drugs can be developed and that thanks to these drugs, people especially at risk of bloodstream infections can be healthier.
The results of the relevant research were published in the scientific journal “eLife”.
(AA)
