Lung bacteria “feign pregnancy” to avoid detection

Disease-causing bacteria in the lung evade the body’s immune system by pretending the lungs are pregnant, according to University of Dundee research presented today at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Madrid.

A new study, funded by the British Lung Foundation and the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office, has revealed that people with two common lung diseases – COPD and bronchiectasis – produce Pregnancy Zone Protein (PZP) in their lungs when they have a chest infection.

 

For the full article, please see here:

https://www.dundee.ac.uk/news/2019/lung-bacteria-feign-pregnancy-to-avoid-detection.php