These bacteria show promise in healing chronic wounds
Researchers may soon look to bacteria that were first discovered in poop as a way to help in the quicker healing of chronic wounds. For instance, an open wound serves as the ideal little breeding ground for bacteria. However, not every microbe is harmful. Alcaligenes faecalis is one beneficial bacteria; it got its name from the fact that it was first discovered in poop.
How can something found in poop be beneficial to heal wounds? Scientists claim that, despite the bacteria’s seeming absurdity, it has been quite helpful in accelerating the healing of chronic wounds, particularly in diabetics.
As explained here, people with diabetes often struggle with persistent wounds because their bodies’ natural wound-healing mechanisms tend to malfunction. Chronic wounds heal substantially more slowly as a result of this. These injuries can even result in painful infections since they are so hard to treat. However, by introducing beneficial bacteria, we can encourage natural healing.
This latest discovery was also made by the researchers by accident. When researching the microbiome of these chronic wounds, scientists discovered A. faecalis. They initially believed it might have been a random bystander in the mix. However, as the bacteria began to colonize the wounds, they discovered that the wounds appeared to heal considerably more quickly.
Researchers found that diabetic mice with wounds produced keratinocytes, a crucial skin cell involved in wound repair, that moved faster. It appears that the production of those faster-moving cells is caused by these beneficial bacteria.
To precisely understand why A. faecalis has shown to be so beneficial and profitable in healing chronic wounds, more research is still required. However, a study that was published in Science Advances demonstrates that it can outcompete some extremely harmful bacteria.
