MODIFIED bacteria could form a living barrier against would-be invaders such
as HIV and TB, say researchers in Italy. They have shown that a bacterium
altered to produce antibodies can cure thrush.
Vaginal thrush is caused by the yeast Candida albicans. Although it
can be treated with antifungal drugs, the disease often flares up repeatedly in
susceptible women. Candida also causes mouth infections and can be
life-threatening in people with AIDS.
Luciano Polonelli at the University of Parma and his colleagues had made an
antibody that mimics the action of a toxin that kills a wide range of bacteria
and…
