Get the latest Science News and Discoveries

Deadly bacteria show thirst for human blood - EurekAlert


<p>Some of the world&#39;s deadliest bacteria seek out and feed on human blood, a newly-discovered phenomenon researchers are calling &ldquo;bacterial vampirism.&rdquo; Researchers have found the bacteria are attracted to the liquid part of blood, or serum, which contains nutrients the bacteria can use as food. One of the chemicals the bacteria seemed particularly drawn to was serine, an amino acid found in human blood that is also a common ingredient in protein drinks. The research finding, published in the journal eLife, provides new insights into how bloodstream infections occur and could potentially be treated.&nbsp;</p>

None

Get the Android app

Or read this on Eureka Alert

Read more on:

Photo of EurekAlert

EurekAlert

Photo of human blood

human blood

Photo of Deadly bacteria

Deadly bacteria

Related news:

News photo

Breakthrough in benzofuran synthesis: New method enables complex molecule creation - EurekAlert

News photo

A single atom layer of gold – LiU researchers create goldene - EurekAlert

News photo

Most massive stellar black hole in our galaxy found - EurekAlert