‘Astonishing’ discovery could help save children from deadly disfiguring condition

The “astonishing” discovery of a new bacterium could open the door to better ways to prevent, detect and treat a fatal and disfiguring childhood disease, researchers hope. Noma, which is fatal in 90% of cases without treatment , begins as a sore on the gums but goes on to destroy the tissues of the mouth and face. It mainly affects young, poor and malnourished children, and has been called the “ face of poverty ”. Those that survive are left with lifelong scarring and disfigurement. …