University of Buffalo researchers have discovered several biomarkers that can accurately detect a hypervirulent strain of Klebsiella pneumonia bacteria (K. pneumonia), which leads to sudden life-threatening complications.
Based on the theory that hypervirulence of the bacteria is due to genes present on a large virulence plasmid, the researchers went on to find that genes producing siderophores can act as biomarkers.
In addition, higher concentrations of siderophores were found to predict hypervirulence. These biomarkers were validated in a mouse infection model.
