Long-term social dynamics drive loss of function in pathogenic bacteria

Source abstract

Significance Laboratory experiments show that bacteria have surprisingly complex social lives: Like humans, they can cooperate but also cheat each other. Cooperation could benefit bacteria causing infection by coordinating attack and producing toxins in a collective effort. But can cheaters, exploiting the work of others, affect the outcome of infection? We show that populations of bacteria causing chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients contain cheaters that freeload to the point where cooperation no longer pays off by not producing a compound that helps them steal iron from blood. Bad news for bacteria but good for us if we can find ways to meddle in their social lives.