Researchers discovered two devastating pandemics, the plague of Justinian and the Black Death, were caused by distinct strains of the same pathogen. The strain that helped bring an end to the Roman Empire faded out on its own, while the other led to worldwide re-emergence in the late 1800s.
Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered how Salmonella bacteria outsmart the host's immune cells, allowing them to survive and spread infection. This knowledge may lead to new treatments for typhoid fever, a life-threatening disease affecting millions worldwide.
Researchers at McMaster University have mapped the entire genome of a nearly 200-year-old sample of preserved intestine, tracing the bacterium behind a global cholera pandemic. The findings reveal that the classical strain was likely responsible for five devastating outbreaks in the 1800s and may have been more virulent.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified a pathogen sensor called IFI16 that plays a crucial role in recognizing viruses and bacteria. The study reveals that IFI16 uses the length of DNA as a molecular ruler to distinguish self from non-self, which could lead to new treatments for autoimmune disorders.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found that spaceflight alters the global gene expression of Candida albicans, a fungus commonly found in human bodies. The results indicate changes in cell aggregation, biofilm formation, and resistance to stress and antifungal drugs.
Researchers at Kansas State University are exploring how E. coli proteins block the host's innate immune system, which is critical for infection prevention. Understanding this mechanism may lead to new therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Scientists from the University of Ottawa and University of Calgary have shown that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa has genetically evolved to survive in CF-infected lungs and evade antibiotic treatments. The study provides new insights into the evolution of the pathogen, which is a major driver of cystic fibrosis mortality.
Researchers discovered that Salmonella Typhimurium obtains energy for its attack by stealing hydrogen from the microbiota. This 'theft-based hydrogen economy' allows the pathogen to find an energy source in any new animal host.
Researchers discovered two garlic compounds that significantly reduce Cronobacter sakazakii contamination in dry infant formula powder. These compounds have the potential to eliminate the pathogen before it reaches consumers, easing concerns for new mothers who opt not to breastfeed.
Researchers show that mice injected with small dose of bee venom developed immunity to lethal dose, surviving three times longer than control mice. Protection depends on IgE signaling and mast cell activation, suggesting a positive evolutionary pressure for this type of defense.
A UC Riverside team discovered a novel 'virulence mechanism' of Botrytis cinerea, a fungal pathogen that can infect over 200 plant species. The pathogen delivers RNA effectors into host cells to suppress immunity and cause infection.
A genomic test developed by researchers at Duke University Medical Center shows over 90% accuracy in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. The test detects a specific genetic signature expressed by the immune system in response to viruses, providing a potential new method for diagnosing infectious diseases.
A Kansas State University microbiologist has discovered a breakthrough medicinal compound that treats Candida albicans, a common human fungal pathogen. The nontoxic gymnemic acid compound blocks the virulence properties of the fungus, making it more treatable and reducing its risk to patients.
A study by North Carolina State University found that the Irish potato famine-causing pathogen Phytophthora infestans has evolved into a more virulent form, with modern strains containing genes not present in historical samples.
Researchers at Kansas State University have identified a key component of plants' immune system that recognizes and fights the invasive Ug99 stem rust pathogen. The discovery of the Sr35 gene provides hope for developing new wheat varieties to protect global food crops against this devastating disease.
A two-year study by Oregon State University and the University of Pittsburgh found that bullfrogs can both carry and die from a deadly chytrid fungus. The research suggests that bullfrogs may not be the primary hosts for this pathogen, contrary to previous assumptions.
Researchers reconstructed medieval leprosy genomes from centuries-old human remains, finding no change in the pathogen's genome despite a significant drop in cases. The study suggests humans may have developed resistance to the disease, which spread through natural selection and social isolation.
Researchers from the University of Toronto have created an electronic chip that can analyze samples for panels of infectious bacteria in a matter of minutes. The technology can identify multiple pathogens and determine antibiotic resistance, addressing the urgent need for rapid diagnosis.
A study by researchers at the University of Georgia found a strong correlation between poultry farm contamination and later processing plant contamination. The findings suggest that reducing pathogens on farms can reduce contamination levels at processing plants, potentially lowering the risk of foodborne illness.
A new study in the Journal of Quaternary Science explores the historic impact of forest diseases on vegetation change. The research suggests that human activity, such as international seed trade, is a major factor in frequent pathogen outbreaks over the last 100 years.
Researchers have developed a novel vaccine delivery system that mimics pathogens to stimulate the immune system without causing infection. The technology uses inulin acetate from plant fibers, showing promise for preventing viral diseases such as influenza, with an estimated cost of one or two dollars per dose.
A study demonstrated that an antibiotic stewardship program using Bruker's MALDI Biotyper analyzer reduced average length of stay by two days and overall costs by almost $20,000 per patient. The program improved patient care through rapid pathogen identification and accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
African clawed frogs in California are found to carry a deadly fungal infection that has led to the decline or extinction of some 200 amphibian species worldwide. The fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatis, is transmitted through water and can cause skin thickening, electrolyte imbalance, and brain swelling.
Researchers have created a comprehensive map of the tuberculosis protein, allowing scientists to pinpoint specific proteins and discover new ones. This resource may aid in the development of new therapies and early detection methods, targeting the main target for medication: pathogen proteins.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified leptospirosis as a significant health threat in Botswana, where the disease can cause flu-like symptoms, meningitis, and even death if untreated. The pathogen was found in banded mongoose, which can transmit the disease to humans through contaminated water or soil.
Researchers found that the banded mongoose in Botswana carries Leptospira interrogans, the pathogen that causes leptospirosis. The study highlights the widespread but neglected disease as a significant public health risk in Africa.
Scientists discover that Pseudomonas aeruginosa modifies elongation factor-Tu to mimic phosphorylcholine, enabling it to adhere to and invade human cells. This modification could represent a new strategy to inhibit the bacterium's virulence.
Researchers found that blocking phosphodiesterase 4B suppresses inflammation by affecting the CLYD gene, which acts as a brake on inflammation. This new strategy offers a safer alternative to current treatments that come with serious side effects.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a novel lipopolysaccharide modification that contributes to F. tularensis lethality and developed a live attenuated vaccine strain. Additionally, scientists studied the dynamics of plague in an urban environment, finding that while port cities are susceptible to outbreaks, they may not b...
A single point mutation has been identified in Listeria monocytogenes that enhances its ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures and in high salt concentrations. This finding raises significant concerns for food safety, as the mutated strain could become even more formidable.
A new low-cost nano-biosensor can detect Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis. The biosensor uses gold nanoparticles and has the potential for commercial development.
Researchers developed a predictive model of spatial epidemic spread in territorial animals, quantifying transmission events and propagation speed based on demography, animal wandering patterns, and contagiousness. This model has potential to inform targeted prevention strategies for zoonotic diseases with animal origins.
Researchers identified stable haploid strains of Candida albicans, enabling the targeting of individual genes for screening and speeding up the discovery of treatment targets. This breakthrough fills a 100-year gap in understanding this important pathogen's life cycle and may accelerate efforts to cure Candida infections.
Researchers at USDA and University of California-Davis discovered distinctive amino acid profiles in oranges grown on HLB-positive or -negative trees. These profiles could serve as an early indicator of the pathogen's presence.
Researchers at Duke University developed a genomic signature to diagnose flu and staph infections, distinguishing between infected and uninfected individuals with high accuracy. This approach could lead to earlier diagnoses, reduced antibiotic misuse, and improved treatment decisions.
The bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis causes excess IL-10 production, inhibiting T-cell function and leading to infection. Early intervention is crucial to prevent chronic periodontal disease.
Researchers found that hospital cleaning protocols are often inadequate to remove multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from patient rooms, with over half of rooms still contaminated after terminal cleaning. Persistent room contamination poses a risk for future patients, highlighting the need for improved infection control measures.
A study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine reveals how T-cell exhaustion occurs in chronic viral infections, with implications for novel therapies. The team found that two distinct classes of virus-specific CD8+ T cells work together to keep the infection in check, but their long-term pressure depletes progenitor pools.
The NIH awards a five-year contract of up to $19.4 million to the Malaria Host-Pathogen Interaction Center (MaHPIC) at Emory University to study malaria parasite interactions with human and animal hosts. The project will integrate data from various research areas, including metabolomics, lipidomics, and mathematical modeling.
Dr. Paul Keim's research in pathogen genomics and microbiology has been recognized for its importance in bolstering the nation's biodefense and preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases. His work has led to significant advancements in genomic investigations, including the detection of antibiotic resistance and antiviral resistance.
Mosquitoes use alternative splicing to combine immunoglobulin domains into pathogen-binding proteins, increasing diversity and specificity. This mechanism could lead to new ways to prevent spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria.
A new study reveals the emergence and spread of invasive non-Typhoidal Salmonella disease in sub-Saharan Africa, which has a significant mortality rate of up to 45% in infected people. The disease is caused by a rapidly evolving form of Salmonella Typhimurium that acquired resistance to multiple front-line drugs.
Researchers have found identical strains of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter coli in both antibiotic-free and conventionally raised pigs. The study suggests that the environment plays a key role in the persistence of these resistant pathogens, regardless of antimicrobial usage by pork producers.
A team led by UC Riverside's John Trumble has been recognized for its research on zebra chip disease, which devastated the potato industry. The team developed new techniques to identify the pathogen and developed sustainable integrated pest management programs that enable growers to minimize potential negative effects on the environment.
Researchers found drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 36 chimpanzees (58% of tested), with nearly 10% showing multi-drug resistance. The risk of acquiring novel pathogens from humans poses a significant threat to wild apes, echoing worst-case scenarios in U.S. hospitals.
Scientists studied Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a rod-shaped soil bacterium responsible for crown gall disease in plants. They discovered that the bacterium maintains its linear chromosome through an enzyme called TelA, which forms hairpin loops to protect it.
A Yale graduate student has developed a method for detecting an infectious pathogen driving amphibian extinctions worldwide. By analyzing preserved specimens, she found evidence of the pathogen in six older samples from Connecticut, revealing its early presence in the region.
Researchers have developed a new approach to speed up vaccine development by identifying immunomodulators like B2, which enhance immune response and even shrink cancerous tumors. This method uses expression library immunization to rapidly screen entire genomes for desired biological functions.
A global team of scientists led by Virginia Tech and the University of Tuscia has successfully traced the origin of the devastating kiwifruit pathogen Psa back to its likely source in China. The research used DNA sequencing technology to compare bacteria samples from around the world, revealing that they were nearly identical except fo...
Researchers have found that non-coding RNA molecules can detect the presence of viruses in cells, providing a potential tool for developing new treatments. The discovery was made using deep sequencing technology and has been used to identify infected cells with 100% accuracy.
A new study reveals that the pattern of gene regulation in plant pathogens is shaped by their past environments, not just their genetic makeup. This finding has significant implications for disease control and may require a new approach to regulating microbial activity.
A new study uses a pathogen-based incidence approach to generate infectious disease burden estimates in Europe, attributing morbidity to specific pathogens. The methodology has limitations but shows the need for further research and integration of demographic changes and infection dynamics.
A researcher at Indiana University has been awarded $2.3 million to explore chlamydia genomics and develop a potential vaccine for the bacterial infectious disease. The team plans to use genetic tools to understand how the bacteria circumvents host immune systems and targets preferred tissues.
Researchers identified a protein called NOD2 that triggers the activation of dendritic cells, which deliver critical information about the pathogen to T-cells. The study found this pathway to be potent in fighting leprosy, but inhibited in more serious forms of the disease.
A highly targeted bactericidal protein against the life-threatening foodborne E. coli O104 strain was rapidly created, demonstrating its ability to specifically bind and kill tested E. coli strains that produce the O104 lipopolysaccharide antigen.
A study by Virginia Tech wildlife researcher Kathleen Alexander found that Botswana buffalo carry the brucellosis pathogen, which can be transmitted to humans through bush meat consumption. The disease can cause chronic fevers and joint pain in humans, and domestic livestock may need to be destroyed.
Researchers found that an epidemic strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae can damage mucins on mucus membranes, allowing the bacteria to enter and infect cells. The study identified an enzyme, ZmpC, as the culprit behind this process. This discovery may lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating bacterial infections.
Scientists at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a key protein, Fur, that controls the expression of hundreds of genes in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a pathogen responsible for the second most common infectious disease worldwide. This novel pathway may lead to new treatment methods and therapeutic interventions for gonorrhea.
Researchers develop a hybrid protein that blocks Xf infection, reducing reliance on chemicals in vineyards. Engineered grapevines produce the protein, which creates pores in the bacterium's membrane, killing it and preventing Pierce's disease symptoms.
Researchers at UBC have discovered the molecular pathway enabling receptors in immune cells to find and flag pathogen fragments. This discovery could lead to more efficient vaccines against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as personalized medical options.