good bacteria fights infections

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Submitted by Kathleen Blanchard RN on 2010-06-15

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Scientists have discovered how good bacteria in the body behave to boost the

immune system and fight infection. Bacteria that flourish in the human body have

long been known to help boost immunity, and now researchers know how it

naturally happens.

Bacteria can cause harm while others help human health and fight against

infection. The skin, respiratory tract and digestive system contain bacteria

known as commensal bacteria that perform a variety of functions including

boosting immunity. Bacteria in the digestive system, of which there are 500 to

1000 different species, are an example of good bacteria that naturally help

fight infection.

A study from researchers at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of

Medicine, led by L. Knight, PhD, studied spores from a type of

bacteria found in the digestive tract from the Bacillus species. When bacteria

make spores from their own DNA it is in response to stress – such as infection

from bacteria and virus. When the researchers exposed an immune fighting blood

cell, called a B-lymphocyte to the spores they found the lymphocytes increased

in numbers to defend the body against infection.

They also found out that the spores and lymphocytes bind together to fight

infection. The binding of spores to molecules on the immune fighting cells

triggers division and reproduction of B-lymphocytes to help conquer infection.

The researchers suggest the discovery about how good bacteria fight infection

could lead to novel ways to treat individuals with weakened immune systems. Dr.

Knight warns research would take years, but now scientists know more about how

good bacteria naturally fight infection.

Journal of Immunology 2010: doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1000155