Nigeria — Ekhbary News Agency
A team of researchers has identified a previously unknown species of bacteria in patients suffering from noma, a neglected tropical disease that causes fatal facial disfigurements in children. This 'astonishing' discovery offers hope for developing improved ways to prevent, detect, and treat the condition.
Surprising Find in Patient Samples
The study involved analyzing microbial communities in the mouths of 19 children with noma in Nigeria. Utilizing modern genetic analysis techniques, scientists revealed a disturbed microbial environment with lower levels of beneficial bacteria and significantly increased presence of other strains. Further deep analysis uncovered a new, undescribed species of Treponema bacteria in most of the patient samples. Professor Adam Roberts, a senior author, described the finding as a "great reveal" and expressed his astonishment.
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New Avenues for Treatment and Prevention
Re-analysis of older samples confirmed the presence of this Treponema bacteria, currently named Treponema A, in other noma cases. The team is now investigating whether this bacterium causes noma wounds or colonizes them. In the future, researchers hope to develop a test for children with gingivitis that detects Treponema A. This could enable early detection and prophylactic antibiotic treatment to prevent the disease's progression, reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance associated with current treatments and potentially leading to preventive interventions using probiotics.
