Trehalose, a naturally occurring sugar found in fruit juice, cakes, and chewing gum, among other sweet delicacies, was once thought to have life-extending properties. However, recent research suggests that the once-beneficial ingredient may be contributing to the spread of a harmful superbug called Clostridium difficile.
The bacteria C. difficile is capable of causing life-threatening diarrhea, toxic megacolon (abnormal dilation of the large intestine associated with shock, fever, or abdominal pain), colitis, organ failure, and, in severe cases, death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half a million people were infected in 2011. More than 29,000 individuals died within the first 30 days of being diagnosed, with 15,000 deaths connected directly to the infection
Things got significantly worse in 2013. C. difficile's threat level was classified as urgent by the CDC, which listed the bug as one of the top three drug-resistant bacteria.
Scientists began digging deep because they didn't know what was triggering the infection. Researchers previously blamed antibiotics for the illness, arguing that antibiotic abuse and overuse had rendered the infection antibiotic-resistant.
Scientists from Baylor College of Medicine in Texas examined two strains of C. difficile in the hopes of solving the mystery once and for all, only to discover that both variants were using trehalose (a common sugar additive used in sweeteners) as their primary energy source - in other words, they were feeding off of it.
RT027 and RT078 are the C. difficile lineages. When the scientists looked at the genomes of these two strains, they discovered DNA sequences that allowed them to thrive on modest levels of trehalose sugar. Because of their genetic make-up, these bacteria require 1,000 times less trehalose than other C. difficile strains.
The strains were feasting, and - like the Incredible Hulk - they were getting stronger and stronger with each mouthful.
When the researchers discovered that trehalose was linked to the infection, they decided to put their theory to the test on mice by modifying their diets. In the end, researchers discovered that mice fed trehalose died at a higher rate. That is, the Hulk-like bacteria grew stronger with each trehalose intake.
Scientists highlight that the bacteria is not new, but it has become the most prevalent illness acquired in hospitals in the last 15 years.
While trehalose is generally seen to be safe, this study presents a case for more investigation, especially since public health officials are concerned about the growth in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
An essential contribution of this study is the understanding that what we earlier thought was a totally safe sugar for human consumption can have unforeseen implications.
The findings were published in Nature.
