Scientists have discovered a potentially lethal “vampire” bacteria that has an insatiable appetite for human blood.
The infectious organisms are drawn to blood, much like sharks. This newly-discovered phenomenon, dubbed “bacterial vampirism” involves bacteria, including E coli, seeking out and feeding on human blood.
Researchers believe their findings could enhance the health and lives of individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases. The study, led by a team from Washington State University (WSU), found that these bacteria are attracted to serum, the liquid part of blood rich in nutrients they can consume as food.
READ MORE: All 61 E.Coli infected supermarket items in UK listed as experts warn ‘do not eat these’
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.
(Image: Getty Images)
One chemical they seemed particularly interested in was serine, an amino acid present in human blood and commonly used in protein drinks. These findings, published in the eLife journal, offer fresh insights into how bloodstream infections occur and potential treatment methods.
Professor Arden Baylink, the study’s corresponding author from WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, warned: “Bacteria infecting the bloodstream can be lethal. We learned some of the bacteria that most commonly cause bloodstream infections actually sense a chemical in human blood and swim toward it.”
Professor Baylink and study lead author Siena Glenn identified at least three types of bacteria – Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli or E coli, and Citrobacter koseri – that are attracted to human serum.
Experts have sounded the alarm that certain bacteria are a top killer for those battling inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which affects roughly one per cent of folks out there. IBD sufferers often deal with gut bleeding, creating a perfect storm for these nasties to slip into the bloodstream.
(Image: Getty Images)
The boffins, including Prof Baylink, whipped up a nifty high-powered microscope setup dubbed the Chemosensory Injection Rig Assay to mimic gut bleeding. They injected tiny bits of human serum and watched in awe as the bacteria made a beeline for it in under sixty seconds.
The study gang figured out that Salmonella has a crafty protein receptor known as Tsr, which lets the bugs home in on and swim towards serum. They even got down to the nitty-gritty using protein crystallography to spy on the atoms of this protein mingling with serine.
Turns out, serine might just be the blood chemical these bacteria sniff out and munch on. WSU doctoral student Ms Glenn chimed in: “By learning how these bacteria are able to detect sources of blood, in the future we could develop new drugs that block this ability.”
She went on to say: “These medicines could improve the lives and health of people with IBD who are at high risk for bloodstream infections.”
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.