Researchers from John Hopkins University (USA) has discovered a bacterium that could be implicated in the development of colon cancer. The study is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Scientists say that “Bacteroides fragilis, which can cause gastroenteritis, and boxes that are located in the intestines of children and adults around the world, is also responsible for some cases of this tumor.Higher levels of vitamin D in blood are associated with a lower risk of colon cancer

For the study, the bacteria were infected with various mutant mice a gene called APC, which is related to tumor development. Within a short time, animals had diarrhea and inflammation of the colon. In one week, the diarrhea disappeared but the swelling persisted and formed small tumors. A month later, the mice had developed cancer.

On the other hand, another group was treated mouse with a nontoxic strain of the same bacteria and the result was that the mice did not develop diarrhea or no tumors. The authors believe that the bacterium causes an inflammation of low level but persistent in the digestive tract. Thus, over time, the genetic material in epithelial cells may be damaged and cause tumor development.

Source: http://www.diariosalud.net/content/view/18162/413/

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