New bacteria found in the nose

Based on the research results, a Belgian team has developed a new spray for sinusitis and is testing it in 20 people.

Like large and crowded neighborhoods, bacterial communities support and interact with each other when existing within the human body.

The gateway helps identify bacteria 'qualities'

Many of them are beneficial bacteria. For example, intestinal bacteria help digest food, bacteria on the tongue - skin help the body fight invading pathogens. Microbiologists from Antwerp University in Belgium recently discovered a group of beneficial bacteria in the nose.

To conduct the study, a team of researchers led by microbiologist Sarah Lebeer (Antwerp University) investigated the bacteria in the nose of 100 healthy people. The researchers then compared the bacteria they found with hundreds of patients with chronic rhinitis and sinusitis.

According to Sciene Magazine, the results show that of the 30 common bacteria the group discovered, a prominent group has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, called Lactobacillus . According to data published in Cell Reports, the amount of Lactobacillus in healthy human noses is 10 times more abundant than in those who have it.

Microbiologist Maria Marco, at UC Davis - The University of California, who was not involved in the study, judged this work as an important gateway to identifying the 'quality' of bacteria in the body. There have been many other similar studies but this is the first in-depth work and has such detailed results.

Scanning microscopic images of the Lacticaseibacillus casei AMBR2 strain from the nose showed long fimbriae, spike-like shape, allowing bacteria to attach to the cell surface in the nose. (Photo: Cell Reports).

The mechanism of action of Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus usually thrives in areas where oxygen is poor. So microbiologist Sarah Lebeer was surprised that they were in an organ that breathed air.

However, when we looked deeper into this bacterium, the team discovered a special strain in the human nose. They have special genes called catalases that help to safely neutralize oxygen. Lactobacillus has adapted to this environment.

Under the microscope, Lactobacillus has tiny chunks like a bun, called fimbriae, which anchor bacteria to the inside surface of the nose. According to Ms Lebeer, the hairs bind to the receptor on the skin cells in the nose, causing the cell to close like a door. If fewer cells are open, the allergens and harmful bacteria are harder to penetrate inside the nose.

Even so, the ability of Lactobacillus to protect and fight the disease in the nose of healthy people still needs to be checked and proven again. Lebeer admits that this step is quite difficult because it cannot be tested on animals to infer human results because of different nose structures.

The results of Lactobacillus in the nose is a prerequisite for a special team to treat sinusitis. (Photo: Healthline).

Initially, the team created a "probiotic-containing nasal spray" with a strain of Lactobacillus selected in the special formulation. This drug is used by more than 20 healthy volunteers. At the same time, the team is also studying the challenges that the method might face.

The next step for the team is to better understand fimbriae and whether Lactobacillus's ability to withstand oxidative stress is the key to beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. Also, identify the antibacterial molecule that the strain produces in addition to lactic acid. Ultimately, the team's goal is to develop probiotics-based therapies to improve the symptoms of patients with sinusitis.

Some bacteriologists, meanwhile, expressed conflicting views about the results of Lactobacillus found by the Belgian team.

According to Jens Walter, a microbiologist at Cork University (Ireland), the mouth is also home to millions of Lactobacillus. And they can 'fly' off their noses through sneezes.

The results of the initial study may be accurate, but Mr. Walter expressed the view that he wants to see more such studies to reinforce the benefits and capabilities of Lactobacillus.