Researchers from UC Davis have discovered how the bacteria Salmonella enterica - a common cause of food poisoning - fosters its own growth inside the human intestine.

"We have discovered Salmonella's cunning trick that allows it to quickly take over and outgrow the beneficial microbes in our intestine," Nature quoted Andreas Bdumler as saying.
When people ingest Salmonella, it invades the surface of the intestine. Our immune system responds by producing oxygen radicals to kill the bacteria. Although some Salmonella bacteria are killed by this response, many more benefit: the oxygen radicals create a sulfur compound called tetrathionate, which Salmonella are able to use instead of oxygen for respiration - which helps it live and reproduce.
"This gives Salmonella a tremendous advantage over the gut bacteria that must grow by fermentation," said Sebastian E. Winter.
Additionally, it stimulates an inflammatory response in the intestine, causing the severe diarrhea and vomiting that is the body's attempt to rid itself of the pathogenic bacteria, at the same time enabling Salmonella's spread.
Finding that tetrathionate is important in human Salmonella infection opens up new avenues for research in finding an effective treatment for salmonellosis.
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The findings are published in the Sept. 23 issue of the journal Nature.
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