A harmless strain of E. coli bacteria may be becoming more dangerous, according to a new study published in Nature Microbiology. The study found that the harmless strain is undergoing a process called “adaptive divergence” that is making it more capable of causing disease. This finding has serious implications for public health, as many people carry harmless strains of E. coli in their bodies, and the potential for them to become dangerous could be a cause for concern.

Researchers discovered that the harmless strain of E. coli had developed mutations that had made it more likely to cause disease. The mutations gave the bacteria the ability to survive in harsher environments, and they had become more resistant to antibiotics. This means that if the bacteria were to enter the human body, it could be more likely to cause infection.

The study is a warning that harmless forms of bacteria can become dangerous over time, and that we should be vigilant in monitoring these strains. It also highlights the need for proper hygiene practices to prevent the transmission of bacteria.

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source: Phys.org