A NEW study by researchers from Curtin University could provide important insights into the treatment of gallstone disease.
The research – published in the journal Scientific Reports, combined earth and medical sciences to study human gallstones, their chemical and bacterial composition to determine how bacteria may assist their survival.
Lead author Sureyya Kose said while previous research had indirectly associated bacteria with gallstone formation, the new research went a step further.
“We were able to make in-roads into identifying the genes that bacteria harbour and which enable them (stones) to survive in the human gallbladder,” Ms Kose said.
“We identified a number of genes in those bacteria, mostly associated with the known pathogen Klebsiella.”
Ms Kose said Klebsiella were frequently associated with stress responses, multi-drug resistance and the formation of protective layers called biofilms which were created by bacteria.
She said the formation of biofilms was a growing concern due to their ability to provide resistance to antibiotics.
“This protective measure by strong pathogens like Klebsiella may provide the glue that initiates gallstone formation.”
Co-author Marco Coolen said research was conducted using a combination of bacterial genetics and cholesterol analysis.
“Our findings are a step forward to developing methods for fighting these bacteria and helping to combat gallstone disease and infections,” Associate Professor Coolen said.
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