FOOD INFECTIONS | They’ll discover why scavengers never get infected: could this apply to humans?
Eating rotten meat causes serious health problems and even death in the vast majority of animals. scavengersOn the contrary, they devour decaying food without experiencing any problems.which raises questions about the mechanisms that protect them from disease.
Scientists have studied this feature that makes scavengers immune to potentially lethal bacteria, viruses and toxins. They are convinced that These animals keep the “secret” of fighting infections.
A recent scientific study by ecologist Daniel Blumstein brings together decades of research to shed light on physiological and behavioral adaptation who protect these animals and explore how this knowledge can be applied in human and veterinary medicine.
Exposure to pathogens is inherent in the diet of scavengers, which includes everything from birds such as vultures to insects, reptiles and some mammals. Various theories have tried to explain how these species cope with this problem.
The eight main hypotheses analyzed by Blumstein and his team include: behavioral strategies such as using urine for disinfection, speed of food consumption, avoiding meat that is in the stage of decomposition, and behavior like washing food. At the physiological level, adaptations include an extremely low stomach pH, a specialized microbiome, and a strong immune system..
Although they also hunt, hyenas are scavengers. / Pixabay
“We found no evidence that urine use, baldness, fast feeding, or washing food reduce the risk of disease in scavengers,” Blumstein said. There was evidence, although only partial, supporting physiological adaptations such as a highly acidic digestive system and specialized immune defenses.
Bacterial balance
The stomach pH of species such as vultures can be low enough to destroy most pathogens present in decomposing meat.. Previous research suggests that selection of genes associated with stomach acid secretion was key to the evolution of these birds.
Additionally, in some species, such as the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans), this characteristic may also be related to the need to quickly digest large quantities of food, given the uneven distribution of its nutritional sources.
He gut microbiome This also plays a decisive role. In the case of vultures, bacteria present in their diet, such as Clostridia and Fusobacteria, are effectively controlled in their digestive system. Some studies have shown that these birds’ gut microbiomes are less diverse than their skin microbiomes. An adaptive bacterial balance predominates in the intestines, suppressing the growth of pathogens..
Flies, beetles and ants are usually the first to get to the carrion. / Pixabay
Although behavior plays an important role in the lives of scavengers, many popular hypotheses about their benefits in disease prevention have not been scientifically confirmed. For example, it has been suggested that bald heads makes it easier for vultures to clean up after feeding, reducing exposure to bacteria. False: This characteristic has more to do with thermoregulation than hygiene.
Likewise, speed when eatingproposed as a strategy to prevent bacterial spore formation, may be a reflection of competition for resources rather than a defense mechanism against pathogens. Therefore, this hypothesis is also excluded.
Alternatives to Antibiotics
Avoiding foods that are in an advanced stage of decomposition appears to be an effective strategy.. It has been proven that some species of vultures use a keen sense of smell to detect carrion and prefer fresh carcasses.
This behavior contrasts with that of other species, such as some snakes, which prefer more decayed meat. It appears that their saliva has developed adaptations to neutralize toxins produced during decay.
The mechanisms that allow scavengers to survive in highly polluted environments are already known. significant practical implications. In a world where antibiotic resistance poses a growing threat to global health, Adaptations from these species may inspire new infection control strategies..
Example: The extremely low pH of the stomach could serve as a model for developing treatments or technologies that eliminate foodborne pathogens. Moreover, structural differences in Toll-like receptors (TLRs, proteins that are part of the innate immune system) of vultures may be replicated in vultures. enhance the immune response in humans and animals.
Study on griffon vultures (Plaster fulvus) found that these receptors have particularly high expression in key immune defense organs such as the small intestine and kidneys.
Crows are among the scavenger birds. / Pixabay
The scavenger microbiome is also a promising source of antimicrobial compounds.. Bacteria present in your digestive system can be used to develop new food preservatives or even alternatives to antibiotics.
Despite progress, there are still many unanswered questions about mechanisms to protect scavengers. Blumstein emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary research combining genetics, microbiology and ecology to evaluate these adaptations across species.
Future research may focus on exploring the biomimetic applications of these adaptations: Scavengers can inspire innovative solutions to global health and food security problems..
Reference Study: https://meridian.allenpress.com/jwd/article/53/3/577/194424/A-Systematic-Review-of-Carrion-Eaters-Adaptations.
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Environment Department contact: Crisisclimatica@prensaiberica.es