NewScientist’s Andy Coghlan (2 July 2016, paywall) reports how little guys have … littler guys:
PARASITIC bacteria that are entirely dependent on the larger bacteria they infect have been discovered in human saliva. The tiny cells have gone undetected for decades, but appear to be linked to gum disease, cystic fibrosis and antimicrobial resistance.
The finding suggests that many other forms of parasitic bacteria could exist and be living inside us – we just hadn’t been able to detect them until now.
“This microbe is clearly the tip of the iceberg,” says Roland Hatzenpichler of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
CF?
We might find that these species have an important role in human diseases. McClean’s team has found high concentrations of the new bacterium’s DNA in people who have gum disease or cystic fibrosis.
And also drug resistance. Although these conclusions have to be extremely tentative and contingent, but it makes for some fascinating thoughts.
