Bacterial toxin that kills macrophages may trigger ulcerative colitis

A newly identified bacterial toxin kills crucial immune cells in the gut, potentially explaining the onset of ulcerative colitis. Researchers found aerolysin, produced by Aeromonas bacteria, in most ulcerative colitis patients' samples. This toxin destroys macrophages, immune cells vital for gut defense. The discovery in mice suggests targeting this toxin could offer a new treatment for ulcerative colitis, moving beyond broad immune suppression.