Microbiology experts recently conducted a study about a certain superbug. The main interest of the research was to know what induces the aggressive characteristics of these bugs and the relation between the organisms, and the composition of the matter in question that seemingly triggered it.
Based on previous studies, the superbugs are powered by sugar contents found in many foods produced across the United States - trehalose. This ingredient could be found in many processed foods, including chewing gum and nutrition bars.
Trehalose and Clostridium difficile
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: In this photo illustration, products containing high sugar levels are displayed at a supermarket on April 8, 2016, in Melbourne, Australia. The World Health Organisation's first global report on diabetes found that 422 million adults live with diabetes, mainly in developing countries. Australian diabetes experts are urging the Federal Government to consider imposing a sugar tax to tackle the growing problem.
The affirmation of the effects of trehalose could open a widescale study of the ingredient and other food compositions that are not suspected of posing any harm to public health.
The trehalose components are linked to two relative strains under the bacterium Clostridium difficile. The organism is notorious for causing colitis, severe diarrhea, dysfunctional organs, and death.
The superactive bug was also observed to have natural protection against antibiotics. The rich presence of trehalose in hospitals is acknowledged in the medical community. However, the sudden rise of cases connected to the bacterium was still recent, and timelines gathered by the experts matched the unexpected presence of the dead bugs in many places.
In a previous report by EurekAlert, Baylor College of Medicine expert Robert Britton said that trehalose became part of the massive food industry in the country by the year 2000. According to the expert, the content could be found in various food choices, including ice creams, sushi cuts, and even fresh vegetables.
Britton explained that after three years on the food market, trehalose was reported to cause several cases of diseases. The recorded incidents gradually rose as years passed, with experts pointing out additional factors of the illnesses. However, Britton's team stuck to their theory that sugar trehalose was the key ingredient.
Superbug-Related Deaths in the United States
Two of the Clostridium difficile lineages specified by Britton and their colleagues were the strains known as RT027 and RT078. Under observation, the strains were discovered to have the capacity of feeding significant amounts of trehalose sugar in a series of low dosages.
The Clostridium difficile strains were so adopted with the trehalose sugar that they could eat a volume a thousand less than they usually consume. ScienceAlert reported that even if the sugar supply is little, the superbugs are being supplied with extensive energy, made possible through the onset genetic makeup they contain in their systems.
The data was tested through an experiment that involved mice. In the investigation, the authors provided low doses of RT027 strain to the subjects. When supplied with trehalose, the death rate in the group presented high data due to the poisonous toxins relayed by the sugars. The result was imminent even if the number of bacteria was low.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded Clostridium difficile as one of the surging 'Antibiotic Resistance Threats' across the country in 2017. CDC stated that the bacteria caused 223,900 cases of hospitalization and 12,800 deaths. It led the disease to earn its spot along the major health threats recognized by the international health agency. The study was published in the journal Nature, titled "Dietary trehalose enhances virulence of epidemic Clostridium difficile."
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