Navigation Links
Bacteria use host's immune response to their competitive advantage

Millions of bacteria live within the recesses of our noses and upper respiratory tracts, waiting for a chance to infiltrate and infect. But long before these bacteria break through our immune defenses, they must first compete against other bacterial species to colonize the mucus-lined surfaces of our noses.

Competition between two common nose bacteria involves some interesting trickery, according to a new study in PLoS Pathogens. "We're looking at how bacteria use their host, and we've found that the presence of one species leads to the elimination of another," says Jeffrey Weiser, coauthor of the study and professor of pediatrics and microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine.

In a mouse model, Haemophilus influenzae--a common bacterium that infects children--stimulates the immune system to send out specialized white blood cells that attack its competitor, Streptococcus pneumoniae--a leading cause of pneumonia. "It is striking that the host's response can so completely eliminate the competitor," says Weiser.

The findings also demonstrate how antibiotics and vaccines that target one microbe might inadvertently alter the competitive interactions among other species present.


Citation: Lysenko ES, Ratner AJ, Nelson AL, Weiser JN (2005) The role of innate immune responses in the outcome of interspecies competition for colonization of mucosal surfaces. PLoS Pathogens 1(1): e1.


Source:Public Library of Science

Page: 1

Related biology news :

1. Bacteria collection sheds light on urinary tract infections
2. Solution to Pollution: New Bacteria Eats Toxic Waste
3. The Bacterias guide to survival
4. UF Researchers Map Bacterial Proteins That Cause Tooth Loss
5. Bacterial genome sheds light on synthesizing cancer-fighting compounds
6. Where Bacteria Get Their Genes
7. Bacteria feed on smelly breath (and feet)
8. New insight into autoimmune disease: Bacterial infections promote recognition of self-glycolipids
9. Say what? Bacterial conversation stoppers
10. Bacteria are key to green plastics, drugs
11. Researchers Discover Ancient Origins Of Tuberculosis-causing Bacteria
Post Your Comments:

Breaking Biology News(10 mins):
Breaking Biology Technology: