Bacteria use 'invisibility cloak' to evade human immune system
Washington, Feb 24 (UNI) Bacteria use an 'invisibility cloak' to hide from human immune system, scientists at the University of York have shown.
The multidisciplinary research team has been studying how bacteria capture the molecule used to make the 'cloak', called sialic acid, the Science Daily reported today.
''This novel enzyme, as well as other steps required for the formation of the 'invisibility cloak' that we have discovered, now offers the chance to develop novel antimicrobials against these bacteria, '' said Dr Gavin Thomas, who led the research.
It is an 'invisibility cloak' which means that bacteria like Haemophilus influenzae, a common cause of ear infections in children, can move about the body without the risk of being attacked by the immune system.
The
researchers
have
now
discovered
an
enzymatic
activity
that
helps
in
the
more
efficient
capture
of
sialic
acids
released
from
our
cell
surfaces.
As
well
as
using
the
sialic
acid
to
make
the
'invisibility
cloak'
other
bacteria
use
similar
methods
to
capture
sialic
acid
as
a
simple
food
source,
so
are
literally
eating
us
from
the
inside!
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