Researchers from UC Davis have discovered how the bacteria Salmonella enterica - a common cause of food poisoning - fosters its own growth inside the human intestine
Salmonella is frequently in the news as a source of food poisoning outbreaks, usually from eating poorly cooked or unhygienically prepared eggs or meat. Salmonella infection, known as salmonellosis, causes diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Although most people recover after several days, it may be fatal, especially in the elderly, infants, and people with an impaired immune system.
"We have discovered Salmonella's cunning trick that allows it to quickly take over and outgrow the beneficial microbes in our intestine," Nature quoted Andreas Bdumler as saying.
When people ingest Salmonella, it invades the surface of the intestine. Our immune system responds by producing oxygen radicals to kill the bacteria. Although some Salmonella bacteria are killed by this response, many more benefit: the oxygen radicals create a sulfur compound called tetrathionate, which Salmonella are able to use instead of oxygen forrespiration - which helps it live and reproduce.
Source:Medindia
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