Cannibalistic Cells May Help Prevent Infections
Salmonella, the causative agent of salmonellosis, causes many of the intestinal infections and food-related illnesses reported in the U.S. About 600 people die each year as a result of these infections, accounting for roughly 30 percent of all reported food-related deaths. It is particularly dangerous among the elderly.
The new findings, available online and in an upcoming issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are among the first to demonstrate that a process called autophagy (pronounced “aw-TAH-fah-gee”) prevents harmful bacteria such as Salmonella from becoming successful pathogens. The findings also suggest that decreases in autophagy — such as those that occur in the elderly and in certain patients with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder — may lead to abnormalities in the way the intestinal tract deals with bacterial infections…. (more @ ScienceDaily)
