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White blood cells in birds (1 Viewer)

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A specialised white blood cell found in birds can destroy an infection thought to cause hundreds of thousands of human deaths a year, scientists claim.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that can cause a fatal infection in people with weakened immune systems - particularly those with advanced HIV.

Birds are known to carry the fungus, with experts puzzled why the birds themselves do not appear to become ill.

Research has found a blood cell called a macrophage can block its growth.


Article here
 
Don't want to be a killjoy but basically everything more advanced than a sponge has something similar to a macrophage and all vertebrates have them. Their job is engulfing and killing microorganisms so it is not really news.
 
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