https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-05- ... teria.html
by Australian National University
New research from The Australian National University (ANU) could lead to better treatment options for a rare but very lethal type of bacterial infection.
Professor Si Ming Man and his team say their latest research focuses on the family of bacteria that causes things like gangrene, sepsis and tetanus.
"While we understand a select few members of this family of bacteria, we were interested in what the others were doing to cause infection," Professor Man said.
"Thankfully, this group of bacteria is rare—less than 1,000 cases a year in the US.
"But one in particular we looked at for this study, Clostridium septicum, kills four out of five people who get it within two days. It's incredibly lethal."
The team discovered Clostridium septicum can rapidly kill cells by releasing a toxin that acts "like a hammer" punching holes in the surface of the cell.
This sends a danger signal to the immune system, but when our body swings into action it can actually cause more harm than good.
"The intention of the immune system is good—it's trying to fight against the bacteria—but the infected cells also explode and die," Professor Man said.
"When the bacteria spreads and you have lots of dying cells all over the body that's when it can lead to sepsis and shock. That is why patients die very rapidly."