Silencing bacteria can actually worsen heart infections, study reveals
Medical Xpress
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A groundbreaking study from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has turned conventional wisdom on bacterial communication upside down. The research challenges the long-held belief that blocking bacteria's ability to communicate—often seen as a way to combat infections—is always beneficial. Instead, the study reveals that disrupting bacterial communication can actually lead to worse clinical outcomes, particularly in severe heart infections caused by certain bacteria.
The scientists focused on a bacterium responsible for a dangerous heart infection, investigating how its communication mechanisms contribute to disease progression. They discovered that silencing bacterial communication disrupted the formation of biofilms—sticky layers of bacteria that adhere to surfaces—which are often associated with chronic infections. However, this disruption also triggered an overactive immune response in the host, exacerbating inflammation and worsening the infection's severity. This finding contradicts previous assumptions and highlights the complexity of bacterial behavior.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/23/2026