A common bacterium called P. Aeruginosa can shield itself against the body’s defence mechanisms, writes the US science website Sciencedaily.com <\/p>\n
A research collaboration between Danish and US researchers, including a scientist from the University of Copenhagen, has discovered how the bacterium resists attack.<\/p>\n
The bacterium, which causes many hospital-acquired infections as well as chronic lung infections in those with pre-existing conditions such as cystic fibrosis, uses a communication system called quorum sensing (QS) to detect approaching white cells. <\/p>\n
It forms a biofilm which spreads over the lungs like a slime. The bacterium ‘warns’ other bacteria in the biofilm. In response, the bacteria increase their production of molecules called rhamnolipids. <\/p>\n
These sit on the surface of the biofilm to form a shield that destroys any white blood cells that encounter it.
\nThis means that the biofilm is resistant to antibiotics and the body’s immune response.<\/p>\n
Researchers say they must interrupt the quorum sensing to stop the building of the shield to be able to treat the bacteria. <\/p>\n
Professor Michael Givskov from the University of Copenhagen, who led the study, believes there are significant clinical benefits from the finding. <\/p>\n
\u00bbThe ultimate goal is to eradicate the present day\u2019s antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are involved in the bulk of chronic infections,\u00ab he says.<\/p>\n
\u00bbAntibiotic resistance is one of the most serious emerging health problems in the world today. More than 70 percent of the disease-causing bacteria are resistant to at least one of the currently available antibiotics,\u00ab he adds.<\/p>\n
luci@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
University of Copenhagen researchers have found a bacterium that ‘switches on’ production of molecules to kill white blood cells and beat the body’s immune system. The finding could help in the fight against antibiotic resistance<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":24305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science","expression-news_article"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n