This scanning electron microscope (SEM) picture exhibits a mouse pores and skin an infection brought on by Streptococcus pyogenes (pseudocolored purple). The bacterium, often called flesh-eating micro organism, has aggressively invaded the tissue (blue), inflicting in depth injury and destruction. The picture highlights the severity of necrotizing pores and skin infections and the devastating impression of bacterial invasion on host tissues. Credit score: Wei Xu, Ph.D. assistant professor of biomedical sciences on the Marshall College Joan C. Edwards College of Drugs
A brand new research printed in Nature Communications reveals a novel method to mitigating tissue injury brought on by Streptococcus pyogenes, the flesh-eating bacterium chargeable for extreme infections similar to necrotizing fasciitis. The analysis highlights how disrupting bacterial metabolism can assist the physique higher tolerate an infection and heal extra successfully.
The research was led by Wei Xu, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biomedical sciences on the Marshall College Joan C. Edwards College of Drugs, and colleagues at Washington College College of Drugs and Central China Regular College.
The staff found that S. pyogenes manipulates the physique’s immune response by its cardio mixed-acid fermentation course of, which produces metabolic byproducts—similar to acetate and formate—that impair immune cell operate, delay bacterial clearance and sluggish wound therapeutic.
By inhibiting this bacterial metabolic pathway with a pyruvate dehydrogenase inhibitor, the staff efficiently diminished tissue injury in a mouse mannequin of necrotizing pores and skin an infection.
PDH is required to advertise ulcer development and late-stage an infection. Credit score: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57348-x
These findings recommend that reprogramming bacterial metabolism might function a novel therapeutic method, not solely to enhance host tolerance but in addition as a possible adjuvant remedy alongside antibiotics. This technique might improve the effectiveness of present remedies, notably in extreme infections the place antibiotic resistance or extreme irritation worsens affected person outcomes.
“This study sheds light on how bacterial metabolism influences the immune system,” Xu stated. “By understanding these interactions, we can develop new treatment strategies that protect tissues, enhance antibiotic efficacy and improve patient outcomes.”
Extra data:
Wei Xu et al, Reprogramming cardio metabolism mitigates Streptococcus pyogenes tissue injury in a mouse necrotizing pores and skin an infection mannequin, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57348-x
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Inhibitor blocks flesh-eating micro organism’s metabolism, decreasing tissue injury in infections (2025, March 17)
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