Study discovers bacterial pathway

Scientists have discovered how bacteria try to neutralise the effect of white blood cells.

Bacteria try to cancel their effect in the immune system by producing enzyme arginase.

This enzyme degrades a vital infection-fighting free radical produced by white blood cells, the study by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reported.

Bacteria that do this are dangerous for people with low immune systems, such as people with HIV/Aids or cancer, who can get chronic infections.

Head of the research team Dr Peter Murray warned: "The bacteria designed to live inside the cell are highly adapted to their environment."

After submitting the study to Nature Immunology, the research team want to conduct more research into the immune system.

People with HIV/Aids have a T-cell count, which is important to determine how many disease-fighting cells are in patients' immune systems.

An estimated 33 million people are living with HIV/Aids, according to charity Avert.

News brought to you by Global Health TV, covering the issues of health in the developing world.