C. diff infections are triggered by two toxins the bacterium produces. Both toxins are difficult to block and prior investigations from the same clinical team have revealed the nature of how they infect and kill cells. The group’s most recent findings, published in Nature Microbiology, include the discovery that the bacteria require zinc to unleash the damaging toxins. The researchers suggest using treatments that target the bacteria’s zinc-binding enzymes could block the effects of the toxins and prevent infection from taking root.
The paper details the researchers’ use of a highly focused X-ray to discern the crystal structure of the C. diff toxins, which led them to the zinc revelation.
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