Scientists discover how nature controls the level at which `superbug` E.coli clones evolve to take over the human gut
(World News Science)

A `superbug` clone of E. coli has evolved to prevent itself from becoming so dominant that it could potentially wipe out the bacteria from existence, scientists led by the University of Birmingham have discovered. The researchers investigated how and why a clone of E. coli called ST131 - dubbed a `superbug` because it is resistant to multiple drugs - has become the major cause of drug resistant E. coli infections, but not so dominant that it has wiped out other clones that do not have multi-drug resistance. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of bacteria common in human and animal intestines, and forms part of the normal gut flora - the bacteria that exist in the bowel. There are a number...