[thedoc (OP)]

Microbial warfare is constantly happening all around us, and often humans can reap the benefits if the right bacteria are fighting our corner. One such species, Photorhabdus luminescens, harbours a secret weapon...it glows...  

Read the article then tell us what you think...

[thescienceofacne]

Sweet!

[Nathan]

To say that Photorhabdus luminescens is harmless in humans is completely false. Not only is it capable of infecting people, it can cause severe infections. I am aware of at least 12 published case reports of known Photorhabdus luminescens infections several of which required intensive hospital care and one where there was colonization identified in a patient's sputum.

You need to be more careful about what you publish. The facts on Photorhabdus luminescens are easily discovered using a simple Google query.

[Biotech14]

Nathan,

There are publications that specifically say Photorhabdus luminescens is linked to these infections; however, this is not the case. Upon genetic squencing, these cases were actually caused by a newly identified species of Photorhabdus, Photorhabdus asymbiotica. P. asymbiotica is also luminescent when cultured in the clinical laboratory. The nematode host carrying this bacteria was recently (< 2 years ago) discovered in Austrailia.