Urinary tract infections steal from hosts' defense arsenals - Humans have known for centuries that copper is a potent weapon against infection. New research shows that the bacteria that cause serious urinary tract infections "know" this, too, and steal copper to prevent the metal from being used against them. Blocking this thievery with a drug may significantly improve patients' chances of fighting off infections, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Reference: Nature Chemical Biology, 2012; (10.1038/nchembio.1020)
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David Bradley
Slinn Pickings
ChemSpy.com is owned and operated by science journalist David Bradley. Additional chemistry news updates are posted by chemist Robert Slinn CChem MRSC MPhil with the tag: Slinn Pickings.
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2 Comments
I’ve heard that garlic tablets/eating raw garlic can help a urinary tract infection? Has anybody else heard this/found out that it was true? Thanks.
No. It’s not true. Eating raw garlic will not help a urinary tract infection.