A study by scientists from Stanford University actually points that the much-explored human body still holds forth a few secrets. According to the study appearing in the Internet version of the journal for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the stomach's acidic milieu is home to several bacteria that were hitherto unknown.
The scientists stumbled on the discovery after studying genetic matter from the stomachs of 19 volunteers, wherein they noted the evidence of 128 types of bacteria. Ironically, many of them are unknown and unseen in the stomach earlier with at least 10 percent being completely new to medical science.
When the ulcer causing bacteria H.pylori was discovered, it opened up the possibility of the inhospitable acidic environment of the stomach being home to more such bacterial forms. Now it appears that there is an entire thriving community of them. But it has been a good 20 years since Helicobacter pylori came to be known and in the many studies since it has been unclear whether the range of microorganisms could be wider.
One such specimen discovered is related to one of the Earth's hardiest living organisms, Deinococcus radiodurans that is said to thrive in the most lethal radioactive environs. The discovery of its stomach-based relative has now caused them to wonder about its ability to withstand radiation.
David Relman, microbiologist and immunologist at Stanford University said, "This thing could be a totally different and novel bacteria”. Relman is excited about the prospect of the new bacteria's close relative being “famous for being incredibly radio-resistant”, leading to the possibility of this one too being so. However, this bacterial type is also seen in animal feces.
Alongside the “novel” bacteria they identified types otherwise seen in the mildly acidic mouth and esophagus. They also noted the presence of H. pylori in all the 19 volunteers whereas conventional tests suggested only 12 of them had it. However, the team led by Dr. Elisabeth Bik believes that a larger study is needed to identify the microorganisms and their relationship to their supporting humans in terms of gender, race or ethnicity.
Jeffrey Gordon of the Center for Genome Sciences at the University of Washington (St. Louis) unrelated to the study noted, "We are at a period of time that's very exciting, where we can have a much more transcendent view of ourselves as life forms". That according to him makes humans "superorganisms" comprising of human cells and microbial cells wherein the former are outnumbered by the latter.
But it would appear that these natural microbial ecosystems maybe threatened by the increasing use of antibiotics that actually lead poor digestion. Also the gentle balance between human and microbial cells goes awry to lead to illness and could play a role in the development of chronic diseases in the likes of diabetes, Alzheimerism or rheumatoid arthritis. With this study however it appears that beneath the known there exists a whole hidden world within the body that could provide clues to preserving health in the longterm.
