Whether dangerous staphylococci survive in the nose depends on what other bacteria are present - and how they obtain iron. A research team led by Simon Heilbronner, Professor of Microbiology at LMU's Biocenter, has investigated how various bacteria that colonize the nasal cavity deal with the lack of iron there and interact with each other. The study was recently published in The ISME Journal, and the results show that the composition of the microbiome influences how well multi-resistant staphylococci can thrive in the nose.
This opens avenues for the targeted suppression of potentially dangerous germs via nasal probiotics, without the need for antibiotics. We share our body with countless microorganisms. They inhabit our gut, our skin, and body orifices such as our mouth and nose.
The composition of this microbiome has a major influence on our health. While certain germs can be useful, others harm us. Staphylococcus aureus falls into the latter category: "Antibiotic-resistant staphylococci can hide unnoticed in the microbiome of healthy people," explains Simon Heilbronner.
This is the case for one third of all humans. As long as the bacteria stay in the nose, we do not notice them. But if they reach our blood stream - after surgery, for example - they can cause serious illnesses.
These infections are acutely life-threatening, and the bacteria are developing resistance even to antibiotics of last resort. Multi-resistant hospital bugs are increasingly problematic and develop i.