Pathogenic bacteria in the gut of dominant vultures

2014/11/26 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Mikrobiologia

Analyzing the microorganisms in the gut of vultures, researchers have found that lethal bacteria predominate in their intestines for the rest. According to researchers, these microorganisms and gastric acids explain the ability of vultures to eat rotten meat.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Roskilde (Denmark). Specifically, two species of American vultures have been investigated that, despite the abundance of microorganisms in the peak area (more than 500 species), presented in the intestine many fewer species (76 on average). In addition, the latter include two types: Clostridia and Fusobacteria. Both are dangerous pathogens for most living, but do not harm vultures. Conversely, these bacteria have a similar function to that of our probiotics and help them eat rotten meat.

The research has been published in the journal Nature Communications and researchers have advanced research to find out why these bacteria do not harm vultures: because vultures have developed immunity to bacteria and their toxins or because bacteria have lost malignant genes.