RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

Bacteria in disguise cause problems for cystic fibrosis sufferers

August 31, 2001

Bacteria that cause infections in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients avoid detection by changing their appearance according to Cardiff University researchers speaking today, Thursday 13 September 2001, at the bi-annual meeting of the Society for General Microbiology at the University of East Anglia.

"Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, which cause life-threatening infections in 70% of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, repeatedly adapt themselves during long-term infection. They produce large quantities of slime and change the structure of their cell wall to avoid detection and escape the lethal effects of antibiotics " says Dr Eshwar Mahenthiralingam of the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University, UK.

CF patients also face life-threatening infections caused by Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria, which are extremely difficult to identify and control. B. cepacia complex bacteria account for approximately 6% of infections in CF patients nationally, although some treatment centres have many more infected patients. They are intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics and infections caused by these bugs are rarely cured.

"We have found that the B. cepacia complex is made up of at least seven closely related species, initially called genomovars I to VII, which cause infections of varying severity. Genomovar III appears to be the most pathogenic species isolated from CF patients 70% of all B. cepacia complex infections and it also has the ability to replace infections caused by other genomovars. If we can correctly identify which species is causing an infection then this will have implications for treatment." Says Dr Mahenthiralingam.

Dr Mahenthiralingam says, "Both P. aeruginosa and B. cepacia complex bacteria are highly resistant to antibiotics and by dissecting their biology we are learning new information about how bacteria resist killing by these therapies. This research will reduce the impact of hospital acquired infections on the health service and also greatly inform the CF community on the risks associated with infection by these bacterial species."

Society for General Microbiology

Related Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News Articles

Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News RSS

Plasma produces KO cocktail for MRSA
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and other drug-resistant bacteria could face annihilation as low-temperature plasma prototype devices have been developed to offer safe, quick, easy and unfailing bactericidal cocktails.

Knockouts in human cells point to pathogenic targets
Whitehead researchers have developed a new type of genetic screen for human cells to pinpoint specific genes and proteins used by pathogens, according to their paper in Science.

First-ever blueprint of a minimal cell is more complex than expected
What are the bare essentials of life, the indispensable ingredients required to produce a cell that can survive on its own?

Factors from common human bacteria may trigger multiple sclerosis
Current research suggests that a common oral bacterium may exacerbate autoimmune disease. The related report by Nichols et al, "Unique Lipids from a Common Human Bacterium Represent a New Class of TLR2 Ligands Capable of Enhancing Autoimmunity," appears in the December 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

Exposure to both traffic, indoor pollutants puts some kids at higher risk for asthma later
New research presents strong evidence that the "synergistic" effect of early-life exposure to both outdoor traffic-related pollution and indoor endotoxin causes more harm to developing lungs than one or the other exposure alone.

New study finds MRSA on the rise in hospital outpatients
The community-associated strain of the deadly superbug MRSA-an infection-causing bacteria resistant to most common antibiotics-poses a far greater health threat than previously known and is making its way into hospitals, according to a study in the December issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Researchers establish common seasonal pattern among bacterial communities in Arctic rivers
New research on bacterial communities throughout six large Arctic river ecosystems reveals predictable temporal patterns, suggesting that scientists could use these communities as markers for monitoring climate change in the polar regions.

Biologists discover bacterial defense mechanism against aggressive oxygen
Bacteria possess an ingenious mechanism for preventing oxygen from harming the building blocks of the cell.

Saving the single cysteine: new antioxidant system found
We've all read studies about the health benefits of having a life partner. The same thing is true at the molecular level, where amino acids known as cysteines are much more vulnerable to damage when single than when paired up with other cysteines.

Beyond sunlight: Explorers census 17,650 ocean species between edge of darkness and black abyss
Census of Marine Life scientists have inventoried an astonishing abundance, diversity and distribution of deep sea species that have never known sunlight - creatures that somehow manage a living in a frigid black world down to 5,000 meters (~3 miles) below the ocean waves.

More Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News Articles

	A Field Guide to Bacteria (Comstock Book) by Betsey Dexter Dyer (Author) Pocket-guide to observing bacteria without a laboratory or fancy equipment. Presents all the major taxonomic groups of bacteria in a useable, accessible format for amateur naturalists who may or may not have access to a microscope. Includes ideas for planning field trips to explore bacteria in their natural environments. Illustrated, some color. Softcover, hardcover available.
	Ein-O Science BioSigns Bacteria by Tedco The hands on cell and microbiology models provide magnified and cross section details. The set includes Virus, Bacteria, Plant Cell, White Blood Cell, Red Blood Cell and Animal Cell. Ein-O's I Know Guides and storage box are included. Consider using these models with a display of your own making - featuring the intricacies of cell structure, comparing and contrasting differences, investigating functions & interactions, or describing the efforts of modern medicine... a neat Science Fair Project. Virus - This hands-on interactive model provides magnified and cross-sectioned detailing of a Virus. Animal Cell - This hands-on interactive model provides magnified and cross-sectioned detailing of an Animal Cell. White Blood Cell - This hands-on interactive model provides...
	Bacteria (Discovery Channel School Science) by Lynn Brunelle (Author), Barbara Ravage (Author), Lynn Brunelle (Editor), Barbara Ravage (Editor), Gareth Stevens Publishing (Editor)
	Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World by Jessica Snyder Sachs (Author) Making Peace with Microbes Public sanitation and antibiotic drugs have brought about historic increases in the human life span; they have also unintentionally produced new health crises by disrupting the intimate, age-old balance between humans and the microorganisms that inhabit our bodies and our environment. As a result, antibiotic resistance now ranks among the gravest medical problems of modern times. Good Germs, Bad Germs addresses not only this issue but also what has become known as the “hygiene hypothesis”— an argument that links the over-sanitation of modern life to now-epidemic increases in immune and other disorders. In telling the story of what went terribly wrong in our war on germs, Jessica Snyder Sachs explores our emerging understanding of the symbiotic...
	60 Minutes - Superbug (November 11, 2007) Airdate 11/11/07 MRSA is a superbug, a staff infection that has moved out of hospitals and nursing homes and is now infecting healthy people, sometimes killing them. That's because once the MRSA infection gets into the blood stream, it is largely resistant to antibiotics. For now, the best medicine is prevention. What does this mean? Scrubbing down school desks? Hosing down team locker rooms? Sending infected kids home? Lesley Stahl reports. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.
	Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (Snyder, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria) by Larry Snyder (Author), Wendy Champness (Author) This landmark volume provides the single most comprehensive and authoritative textbook on bacterial molecular genetics. Perfect for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses, the text presents the latest research on the subject in a clearly written and well-illustrated style. It provides descriptive background information, detailed experimental methods, examples of genetic analyses, and advanced material relevant to current applications of molecular genetics. While providing a deep understanding of bacterial molecular genetics, the material is integrated with biochemical, genomic, and structural information to broaden understanding. The approach centers on the most-studied bacteria, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. In addition, examples from other bacteria with...
	Magic School Bus World of Germs Science Kit by Young Scientist Club The World of Germs- Magic School Bus Science Kit FUN
	Essick Air #1970 Quart Bacteria Treatment by ESSICK AIR PRODUCTS QT, Humidifier Bacteria Treatment, Helps Fight Bacteria & Algae Build Up, Keeps Water Smelling Clean, EPA Registered, For Use In All Evaporative Console & Room Size Humidifiers.
	Disposable EARLOOP Face MASK, Filters Bacteria 3 Ply - (Box of 50) by EVERREADY FIRST AID Tie-on surgical face mask with high bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), low breathing resistance, soft, odorless, non-irritating, comfortable superior fit, fiberglass free.
	Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls (90 Pearls) by Enzymatic This formula provides a combination of Acidophilus and Bididiobacterium species to support the overall health of the intestinal tract.