By Stephen Beech via SWNS Potentially deadly "vampire" bacteria with a thirst for human blood have been discovered by scientists. They say infectious organisms make a beeline for blood - just like sharks. Bacteria, including E coli, seek out and feed on human blood, in a newly discovered phenomenon researchers are calling “bacterial vampirism.
” They say their findings could improve the lives and health of people with inflammatory bowel diseases. The American team, led by Washington State University (WSU) scientists, discovered that the bacteria are attracted to the liquid part of blood, or serum, which contains nutrients they can use as food. One of the chemicals the bacteria seemed particularly drawn to was serine, an amino acid found in human blood that is also a common ingredient in protein drinks.
The findings, published in the journal eLife , provide new insights into how bloodstream infections occur and could potentially be treated. Study corresponding author Professor Arden Baylink, of WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine , said: “Bacteria infecting the bloodstream can be lethal. “We learned some of the bacteria that most commonly cause bloodstream infections actually sense a chemical in human blood and swim toward it.
” Baylink and study lead author Siena Glenn found at least three types of bacteria - Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, or E coli, and Citrobacter koseri - are attracted to human serum. They said these bacteria are a leading cause of death.
