Deadly Bacteria Found to Actively Seek Human Blood
Recent studies reveal that certain bacteria, including Salmonella and E. coli, can detect and move toward human blood, a discovery that could lead to new treatments for bloodstream infections.
- Researchers at Washington State University have discovered that deadly bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Citrobacter koseri exhibit a behavior termed 'bacterial vampirism' by actively seeking out human blood.
- These bacteria are particularly attracted to serine, an amino acid in blood, which they use as a nutrient source.
- The phenomenon is a significant cause of bloodstream infections and sepsis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, who are prone to intestinal bleeding.
- Advanced microscopy techniques allowed scientists to observe bacteria moving toward blood in under a minute, showcasing their rapid response to blood presence.
- Future treatments could target this blood-detection mechanism to prevent infections in high-risk individuals, offering a new approach to managing severe infections.
ScienceDaily 
Newsweek 