A group of genes makes the microorganism harmful

2002/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Genetika
• Mikrobiologia

The ‘malignant’ variety of Enterococcus faecalis causes serious problems in hospitals due to intestinal infections that cause patients, while the non-pathogenic bacterial variety has beneficial effects on the intestines. Now, researchers at the University of Oklahoma in the US discover that the key is in a group of genes. In fact, antibiotic-resistant bacteria contain in DNA a group of 150 genes that apparently turn the bacteria into pathogen.

Researchers hope that research will allow the administration of effective drugs against dangerous bacteria. The knowledge of the pathogenic genes will allow the development of specific drugs against the proteins that produce them. In this way, the drug does not affect the beneficial variety.