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WasabiSteak t1_iujm7cp wrote

Reply to comment by CynicalDarkFox in How do white blood cells know in which direction there is a bacteria? by Enocli

Maybe they're not "selfish" in the GI tract, but I don't think they would behave once they get into the bloodstream.

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Jimmy_Smith t1_iujz6c0 wrote

These are called opportunistic pathogens. They may normal gut bacteria like e. coli, but when it enters the bloodstream or travels up your urethra to your kidneys they will kill you.

Now some of these bacteria may stay put either because they are inhibited by competing bacteria which is why some research focuses on transplating gut microbiome, but sometimes bacteria wait until they have enough around for a massive attack through quorum sensing.

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tedivm t1_iuk9uu7 wrote

>but sometimes bacteria wait until they have enough around for a massive attack through quorum sensing.

How does that work?

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