Competing Microbes
Sergei Yolkin
2010
______________________________
Scientists from Oxford University established that harmless microbes compete with other members of the microflora for the same niche. Competitive interaction between microbes promotes the acquisition of virulence characteristics, which can endanger the host organism. The authors of the publication focused their attention on the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which lives in the human nasal air passages without causing any harm. Approximately two out of five people on the planet are carriers of these bacteria, without knowing it. The scientists, led by Sam Brown of Oxford University, tried to find out what makes the bacteria in some cases become harmful and cause such severe diseases as pneumonia, bacteraemia (blood poisoning bacteria), septicaemia, and meningitis. Scientists believe that their work could lead to new and more effective drugs and antibiotics.
22 June 2010
Sergei Yolkin
RIA-Novosti
Voices from Russia 
You must be logged in to post a comment.