Calcium induces a switch from the acute (green) to the chronic virulence state (red) of the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (Image: University of Basel, Biozentrum)
The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a life-threatening pathogen in hospitals. About ten percent of all nosocomial infections, in particular pneumonia, are caused by this pathogen. Researchers from the University of Basel's Biozentrum, have now discovered that calcium induces the switch from acute to chronic infection. In 'Nature Microbiology? the researchers have also reported why antibiotics are less effective in fighting the pathogen in its chronic state. One of the most serious pathogens is the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa , which frequently causes hospital infections and is notoriously difficult to treat owing to its multi-resistance to antibiotics. Although P. aeruginosa is responsible for a range of different infections in humans, it is the leading cause of chronic lung infections in immune-compromised patients. Calcium induces acute to chronic virulence switch.
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