Virus that Infects Bacteria Turns Immune Response Away

     from P. aeruginosa, Study Shows

 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most common bacteria found in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, uses a virus to go unnoticed by the host immune system, a new study shows … Treatment with a vaccine designed to help the immune system detect the virus was found to significantly reduce P. aeruginosa’s ability to infect mice, suggesting it might represent a new way to treat CF patients … The study, “Bacteriophage trigger antiviral immunity and prevent clearance of bacterial infection,” was published in the journal Science … P. aeruginosa, dangerous for CF patients, is also common in diabetic ulcers, bedsores, and burn wounds. At the moment there is no approved vaccine against these bacteria, and they are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics …The World Health Organization categorized P. aeruginosa as one of the most dangerous pathogens to human health … “I see this every day in my clinical practice,” Paul Bollyky, MD, PhD … read more