A virus-derived enzyme can destroy the membrane structures that protect bacteria

Bacteria in the gut have been shown to cause the severe side effects associated with treating blood diseases with genetically dissimilar, and thus immunologically incompatible, blood stem cells (allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation). An enzyme derived from viruses that infect these bacteria demonstrates potential for eradication therapy. A previously unknown enzyme can kill the bacteria that cause graft-versus-host disease in the treatment of blood disorders.