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A new study suggests that people who have a certain helpful microbe, or probiotic, in their gut may be less likely to have harmful "staph" germs.
Staph is short for Staphylococcus aureus. It's a very common germ. Staph usually doesn't cause problems. But it can cause boils, pneumonia, and other infections.
A floating market in Thailand selling fruits and vegetables, which are a possible source of probiotic Bacillus spores. izzetugutmen/iStock/Thinkstock
Antibiotics usually cure staph infections. But some staph germs are resistant to treatment. These infections can be deadly.
NIH-funded researchers have been studying whether probiotics can help prevent staph infections. Bacillus bacteria are often found in probiotic products. Bacillus are found on vegetables harvested from the ground....