Worms freeload on bacterial defence systems: New study presents the first example of a multicellular organism modifying its defences to freeload from protection afforded by another species (2024)

Scientists have untangled a sensory circuit in worms that allows them to choose whether to spend energy on self-defence or rely on the help of nearby bacteria, a new study in eLife reveals.

The paper describes a novel sensory circuit that, if also conserved in humans, could be used to switch on defence mechanisms and improve health and longevity.

Bacteria, fungi, plants and animals all excrete hydrogen peroxide as a weapon. In defence, cells use enzymes called catalases to break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. But it is not known whether this mechanism is coordinated across different cells.

"We speculated that coordinating these hydrogen peroxide cell defences based on environmental cues would be beneficial because it would save the energetic cost of protection," explains lead author Jodie Schiffer, a graduate student at Northeastern University, Boston, US. "We used the worm Caenorhabditis elegans to study whether the brain plays a role in this coordination by collecting and integrating information from the environment."

Schiffer and her team found 10 different classes of sensory neurons in the worms that could positively or negatively control peroxide resistance. Among them was a pair of neurons that sense taste and temperature and caused the largest increase in peroxide resistance, which the team decided to study further.

To determine how the neurons transmit messages to tell the worm to change its peroxide defence mechanisms, the team set out to identify the hormones involved. They found that when the worms lacked a hormone called DAF-7, it doubled peroxide resistance. In a process of gene elimination, they established that the neurons release DAF-7, which in turn signals through a well-known communication pathway, via cells called interneurons, to coordinate with defence systems in the intestine. Together, these control the worm's peroxide resistance.

As worms can be exposed to peroxides through food, and those with faulty DAF-7 hormones have feeding defects, the team next explored whether feeding directly affects peroxide defenses. They placed worms that had never been exposed to peroxides on plates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria -- their preferred snack -- and then measured peroxide resistance. They found that worms grown on plates with the most E. coli were most resistant to peroxides. By contrast, worms grown without E. coli for only two days had a six-fold drop in peroxide resistance. Worms with a mutation that slows down their eating also had lower peroxide resistance. Taken together, these results suggest that the presence of E. coli was important for peroxide resistance.

To test this, they looked at whether the bacteria can protect worms from the lethal effects of peroxides. They exposed worms to high amounts of hydrogen peroxide that would normally kill them. In the presence of a mutant E. coli that cannot produce the hydrogen-peroxide-degrading catalase enzyme, the worms were killed, whereas in the presence of wild-type E. coli, they were protected.

"We have identified a sensory circuit in the worm's brain that helps them decide when it is appropriate to use their own defences and when it is best to freeload on the protection given by others in the environment," concludes senior author Javier Apfeld, Assistant Professor at Northeastern University. "Because sensory perception and catalases also determine health and longevity in other animals, it is possible that sensory modulation could be a promising approach for switching on defence systems that could improve health and increase lifespan."

Worms freeload on bacterial defence systems: New study presents the first example of a multicellular organism modifying its defences to freeload from protection afforded by another species (2024)

FAQs

What bacteria looks like a worm? ›

While most bacteria are spheroidal or rod-shaped, spirochetes are extremely long and thin—they look like tiny worms. Because of their wormy shape, the spirochete cell membrane is highly curved in one direction (perpendicular to the cell axis) but nearly flat in the other (parallel to the cell axis).

What does hydrogen peroxide do to worms? ›

For worms, hydrogen peroxide can be harmful because it can cause extensive cellular trauma, including damaging proteins, DNA, and other molecules in the body. In fact, certain strains of bacteria produce hydrogen peroxide that can kill C. elegans after being eaten.

Why worms are present in our intestine? ›

Causes of intestinal worms

One way to become infected with intestinal worms is by eating undercooked meat from an infected animal, such as a cow, pig, or fish. Other possible causes leading to intestinal worm infection include: consumption of contaminated water. consumption of contaminated soil.

How many types of worms are there? ›

There are at least 20,000 species, or kinds, of worm. They are not all related. In fact, they belong to several different animal groups. Some well-known groups of worms are flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms.

How are worms different from bacteria? ›

Parasites are part of a large group of organisms called eukaryotes. Parasites are different from bacteria or viruses because their cells share many features with human cells including a defined nucleus. Parasites are usually larger than bacteria, although some environmentally resistant forms are nearly as small.

What are earth worms and bacteria examples of? ›

Most decomposers are microscopic organisms, including protozoa and bacteria. Other decomposers are big enough to see without a microscope. They include fungi along with invertebrate organisms sometimes called detritivores, which include earthworms, termites, and millipedes.

What does hydrogen peroxide do to pests? ›

Hydrogen peroxide, well known as an ingredient in disinfectant products, is now also approved for controlling microbial pests on crops growing indoors and outdoors, and on certain crops after harvest. This active ingredient prevents and controls bacteria and fungi that cause serious plant diseases.

What does hydrogen peroxide do to bugs? ›

Bugs don't like hydrogen peroxide, making it an excellent repellant to protect your plants. Additionally, the extra oxygen in the solution effectively kills the eggs and larvae from insects that have taken up residence in your plants.

Does hydrogen peroxide help with bugs? ›

Another quick and affordable hack is to use hydrogen peroxide as a bug repellent. Spraying your patio furniture and outdoor plants with hydrogen peroxide keeps adult bugs away and can also eliminate any insect eggs before they hatch.

Do all humans have worms? ›

It is estimated that around 80% of both adults and children have parasites in their gut. People can be infected with these parasites in a number of ways. The most common route is through the faecal oral route.

What worms are found in human gut? ›

Types of intestinal worms include tapeworm, hookworm, liver fluke, threadworm, Ascaris, which causes ascariasis, and Trichinella, which causes trichinosis. Other common parasites are Giardia lamblia, which causes beaver fever, and Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebic dysentery.

Should I deworm myself? ›

Deworming is not always necessary, but is recommended for children who live in endemic areas once a year when the prevalence of soil-transmitted parasitic worms in the community is over 20% and twice a year when the prevalence of soil-transmitted parasitic worms in the community is 50%.

What are 3 examples of worms? ›

Of these, three common types of worms are: the flatworm, the roundworm, and the segmented worm.

What are the 3 main types of worms? ›

Worms can be divided into three main groups - flatworms, segmented worms and roundworms, most of which have a long, soft body with no true legs.

What are the three types of worms and give one example of each? ›

An example of a roundworm is a hookworm. Segmented worms have a segmented body that contains organ structures in each segment. Segmented worms are also known as annelids and have two openings as part of their digestive tract. Earthworms are an example of segmented worms.

What is the relationship between the worms and bacteria? ›

The bacteria live and feed on mucus produced by the worm but they also serve as a source of food and vitamins for the worm. To learn more about this symbiotic relationship, researchers sequenced the bacteria's genome, or studied their genes.

How do worms help bacteria? ›

Decomposition and soil organic matter

Earthworms do this by eating organic matter and breaking it down into smaller pieces allowing bacteria and fungi to feed on it and release the nutrients. Earthworms are also responsible for mixing soil layers and incorporating organic matter into the soil.

What bacteria do worms carry? ›

9 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that the worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, carries a food source, the bacteria Escherichia coli, along with it as it tunnels through the rotting fruit and soil in which the worms and bacteria both naturally dwell.

What are 5 examples of parasitic worms? ›

Below are the most common types of parasitic worms that infect humans and are not usually visible to the naked eye.
  • Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) ...
  • Tapeworms (Taenia solium) ...
  • Roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides) ...
  • Roundworms (Wuchereria bancrofti) ...
  • Roundworms (Trichinella ) ...
  • Flatworms (Fasciola hepatica)
Jul 21, 2020

What are worms and give any two examples? ›

Internet worms, Instant messaging worms, Email worms, File sharing worms, Internet relay chat (IRC) worms are different types of worms. 12.

What are four examples of worms? ›

Worms are members of several invertebrate phyla, including Platyhelminthes (flatworms), Annelida (segmented worms), Nemertea (ribbon worms), Nematoda (roundworms, pinworms, etc.), Sipuncula (peanutworms), Echiura (spoonworms), Acanthocephala (spiny-headed worms), Pogonophora (beardworms), and Chaetognatha (arrowworms).

How do you use hydrogen peroxide for pests on plants? ›

Mix up a solution of 1 part pure hydrogen peroxide (with no additives) to 4-5 parts water. Mix well and water the plant, making sure to thoroughly drench all parts of the soil. The hydrogen peroxide will fizz; that's what kills the larvae and the eggs. Repeat in 2 weeks for a larger pot; in 7-10 days for a small pot.

Can I spray my house plants with hydrogen peroxide? ›

It also breaks down into the soil and releases extra oxygen that helps the plant grow new, healthy roots. Before you use hydrogen peroxide on your plants, you'll need to dilute it. Mix one part of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a watering can or spray bottle.

What does hydrogen peroxide do to bacteria? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is responsible for certain bactericidal effects observed in biological systems, such as growth inhibition of one bacterial species by another and killing of invading microorganisms by activated phagocytic cells.

Is hydrogen peroxide good for killing bacteria? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is another antiseptic, or disinfectant, that kills viruses and various forms of bacteria. But it needs more time than rubbing alcohol does to kill germs. It needs up to 5 minutes to do its job.

Does vinegar stop bugs? ›

Vinegar is one of the best ingredients to make a pest control spray out of. It is effective in repelling ants, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and many others. Creating a mix is quite simple. What's best is that it is safe for humans and pets.

Do bed bugs hate hydrogen peroxide? ›

Hydrogen peroxide, like bleach, can kill bed bugs.

Is vinegar a good bug spray? ›

Both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are a good base for an insect repellent, as they deter flies and, combined with specific essential oils, will deter mosquitoes and ticks as well. Oils that have excellent repellent properties include geranium, lemongrass, citronella, rosemary and lavender.

Why do humans not get worms? ›

The human immune system is better equipped to recognize the worms in their immature state. The human body creates an inhosbitable place for the maturation and completeion of the heartworm cycle, unlike dogs.

Where do humans get worms? ›

Worms are mainly spread in small bits of poo from people with a worm infection. Some are caught from food. You can get infected by: touching objects or surfaces with worm eggs on them if someone with worms doesn't wash their hands.

What are the red worms in my poop? ›

Ascariasis worm

Ascariasis (as-kuh-RIE-uh-sis) is a type of roundworm infection. These worms are parasites that use your body as a host to mature from larvae or eggs to adult worms. Adult worms, which reproduce, can be more than a foot (30 centimeters) long.

Does constipation cause pinworms? ›

Worms in the stool are not commonly associated with most typical causes of constipation, but uncommonly, both pinworms or ascaris worms may be found in the stool. If you notice worms in the stool, seek medical attention to determine the cause and treatment.

How common is worms in humans? ›

Intestinal worms (also known as soil-transmitted helminths) affect more than 1.7 billion people worldwide including more than 1 billion children, according to the World Health Organization. The three most common intestinal worms are hookworm, ascaris (roundworm), and trichuris (whipworm).

How do you get rid of worms in humans naturally? ›

Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects. Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.

How often should I deworm my self? ›

When infected with worms, it should be dewormed periodically, for adults and children over 2 years old should be dewormed 2 to 3 times a year, ie every 4 to 6 months.

What happens when I deworm myself? ›

Deworming treatment can have some mild side effects such as - dizziness, nausea, headache, and vomiting. New Delhi: Deworming is essential for children's health and well-being. It is a prophylactic measure to prevent children from worm infestation.

What happens if you don't deworm yourself? ›

Worm infestation can also lead to death.

On the surface, deworming looks like a non-threatening affair, but a lack of it can actually be fatal for you. It is mostly our daily, unhygienic habits that lead to worm infestation.

What are 3 parasitic worms? ›

Nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flatworms) are among the most common helminths that inhabit the human gut. Usually, helminths cannot multiply in the human body. Protozoan parasites that have only one cell can multiply inside the human body.

What are 3 characteristics of all worms? ›

All worms are bilaterally symmetrical, meaning that the two sides of their bodies are identical. They lack scales and true limbs, though they may have appendages such as fins and bristles. Many worms have sense organs to detect chemical changes in their environments, and some have light-sensing organs.

What is the most common worm in humans? ›

Pinworms are also called “threadworms.” They're the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the U.S., and one of the most common in the world. They're thin and white, and about one-quarter to one-half inch long -- about as long as a staple.

What is the most common parasitic worm? ›

E. vermicularis, commonly referred to as the pinworm or seatworm, is a nematode, or roundworm, with the largest geographic range of any helminth. It is the most prevalent nematode in the United States. Humans are the only known host, and about 209 million persons worldwide are infected.

What are the 5 characteristics of earthworm? ›

The main characteristic features of an earthworm are:
  • Long, cylindrical and segmented body.
  • It is a hermaphrodite, having both male and female sex organs.
  • It has a hydrostatic skeleton.
  • It has a central and peripheral nervous system.
  • The setae present in the epidermal pits help in locomotion.
Dec 13, 2020

Why are worms important in vermiculture? ›

Worm castings provide a variety nutrients helpful to promote plant growth and in a form readily available for plant uptake. The biology of the worm's gut facilitates the growth of fungus and bacteria that are beneficial to plant growth.

What are the three 3 ecological categories of earthworms? ›

Marcel Bouché defined a widely used earthworm classification based on three ecological categories (epigeic, anecic and endogeic) at the beginning of the 1970s.

What are the two types of parasitic worms? ›

When it comes to parasitic infection, flatworms and roundworms are the likely culprits. These two types of parasitic worms can be found in a variety of habitats. They're not always visible to the naked eye.

What virus is shaped like a worm? ›

Filamentous bacteriophage is a family of viruses (Inoviridae) that infect bacteria. The phages are named for their filamentous shape, a worm-like chain (long, thin and flexible, reminiscent of a length of cooked spaghetti), about 6 nm in diameter and about 1000-2000 nm long.

What is mucus that looks like worms? ›

During enemas and colon hydrotherapy sessions, some people experience a flushing of what's believed to be a buildup of mucus. This buildup of mucus, which is sometimes referred to as mucoid plaque, actually closely resembles what others believe is the “rope worm.”

What else looks like a worm? ›

The millipede is a dark brown, worm-like creature with up to 400 very short legs.

What parasite looks like earthworm? ›

Ascariasis, hookworm and whipworm are parasitic worms. They're known as soil-transmitted helminths (STH) because the infection spreads through contaminated soil. Ascaris, sometimes abbreviated as A., is the group of worms that cause ascariasis. The worm looks like the common earthworm.

Why are viruses different from worms? ›

The primary difference between a virus and a worm is that viruses must be triggered by the activation of their host; whereas worms are stand-alone malicious programs that can self-replicate and propagate independently as soon as they have breached the system.

How is a worm different from other viruses? ›

In brief: Viruses and worms both cause damage and copy themselves rapidly. The main difference is how they self-replicate, with viruses requiring the help of a host and worms acting independently. Unlike viruses, worms can replicate and spread without any human activation.

How do virus and worms compare what are the different kinds of viruses? ›

Major Differences between Virus and Worm. The virus is a malicious program attached to the executable files so that it can spread from one system to another. A worm is a program made up of malicious code that replicates itself and propagates itself from device to device using a network.

Why is my poop yellow mucus like jelly? ›

Mucus in stool is normal but when you see a lot of white or yellowish mucus, it means you may have a GI problem, like a stomach bug, IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac, or other issue. It's important to make sure something in your diet isn't causing it and see a doctor to look for an underlying intestinal issue.

Why am I pooping mucus? ›

Larger amounts of mucus in stool, associated with diarrhea, may be caused by certain intestinal infections. Bloody mucus in stool, or mucus accompanied by abdominal pain, can represent more serious conditions — Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and even cancer.

Is white mucus normal to poop? ›

Small amounts of mucus in the stool is normal. However larger amounts of mucus in their stool, may indicate irritable bowel disease (IBD) or other medical conditions. Research from 2020 states that mucus and mucus barriers in the gut are crucial in maintaining a person's gut health.

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