Australian scientists have uncovered the cause of the lethality of a rare bacterial infection.

New research from the Australian National University could lead to the best treatment options for the rare but extremely deadly types of bacterial infections that cause gas gangrene, sepsis, botulism and tetanus. An article about this was published in the journal. Science Immunology.

prof. The research of Xi Ming Man and his group focused on the bacteria family Clostridiaceae. “We understand how individual members of this family of bacteria work, but we’ve been interested in how others that haven’t been adequately studied yet can cause infections,” said Professor Man. “Fortunately, doctors encounter this group of bacteria relatively rarely – fewer than a thousand cases are recorded per year in the United States. However, some are associated with bacteria of the species. Clostridium septicumThis would kill four out of five infected patients within a few days. That’s an incredibly high death rate.”

the group found this Clostridium septicum can quickly kill cells by releasing a toxin that makes holes in their surface. All this signals a danger to the immune system, but when natural defenses begin to kick in, it does more harm than good to the patient. “The purpose of the immune system is good – it tries to fight bacteria – but infected cells also die,” says Professor Man. – When bacteria spread in large numbers, there are too many dying cells in the body, which can lead to sepsis and shock. That’s why patients die so quickly.”

Although few treatment options are currently available, it is hoped that a new study will help reverse this situation and give future patients a better chance of recovery. This hope has to do with the ability to neutralize the toxin with the right drugs and block the very strong response of one’s own immune system to this toxin. A similar bacterium, clostridium, can also be fatal to sheep and cows, so any new treatment or vaccine will also be used to save livestock.