Bacteria In Urinary Infections Make Burglar’s Tools

Bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) make more tools for stealing from their host than friendly versions of the same bacteria found in the gut, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Washington have found. The tools, compounds called siderophores, allow the bad bacteria to steal iron from their hosts, making it easier for the bacteria to survive and reproduce.

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Filed under: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses on February 25th, 2009