A study published in mSystems found associations between the gut microbiome and eczema in infancy, with alterations in gut bacteria preceding eczema development. The research revealed changes in gut microbiota composition and diversity over the first 3 years of life, influenced by mode of delivery and feeding patterns.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, gastrointestinal viruses such as norovirus and adenovirus remained at very low levels for nearly 2 years. However, they surged back to pre-pandemic levels in late 2022, with adenovirus F40/41 increasing by two-fold.
A combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains successfully inhibited the production of superantigens causing toxic shock syndrome. Probiotics may also prevent growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a virulent strain that produces proteins triggering the disease.
Researchers identified 8 bacterial genera commonly associated with environmental sources, known as core microbiota, which persisted despite differences between kitchens. These microbes were linked to kitchen design and cleaning practices, suggesting potential for improved hygiene.
Researchers have isolated two previously unknown species of microbes that can grow on nitric oxide, a highly reactive and toxic molecule. These microbes, named Nitricoxidivorans perserverans and Nitricoxidireducens bremensis, convert NO to nitrogen gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
Researchers developed a model of the blood-brain barrier to prevent newborn meningitis treatment, with a 50% mortality rate in developing countries. The organ-on-a-chip platform enables rapid and accurate testing of drugs for safety and efficacy, promising to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that intravenous treatment with MK-3402, a metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitor, can effectively fight antimicrobial resistance in certain bacteria. The studies suggest that dosing three times per day provides adequate blood levels to block bacterial enzymes.
Researchers discovered a methanogen that converts sulfate into a cellular building block, reassembling a metabolic pathway piece by piece. The microbe assembled the first sulfate assimilation pathway from a methanogen, using genetic tricks to overcome energetic costs and toxic intermediates.
A new study published in Microbiology Spectrum found that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and can spread the virus to other cats and their environment. The infected cats' environments were also found to be infectious, but this infectiousness decays rapidly.
Researchers have found that honokiol, a compound from magnolia tree bark, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in several cell types, reducing infectious particle production. The compound also shows broad-spectrum activity against other highly pathogenic coronaviruses.
Researchers have discovered that extremophilic bacteria from high-temperature marine environments can be used to remove iron, silicon, and magnesium from asbestos minerals, reducing their toxicity. This finding has the potential to develop new methods for detoxifying and reusing asbestos as a secondary raw material.
Soil microbiology research increasingly relies on big data, with experiments moving from labs to fields. Discrepancies between lab and field studies impact policies due to inconsistent results. Bridging the gap requires interdisciplinary collaboration to improve upscaling of soil microbiology research.
New research found that temperature and original viral concentration affect the persistence of Omicron variants on shipping materials. The study reveals that lower temperatures and higher viral concentrations increase stability, while room temperature poses a risk. Safety protocols for shipping goods can be improved with this knowledge.
A recent Italian study has shed light on how the gut microbiota evolves in infants from birth to three months. The research found that the diversity of gut bacteria increases rapidly in the first few months, with some bacterial families exhibiting marked changes in abundance over time.
A new study found that long COVID's impact on public health systems is likely due to the volume of those infected with SARS-CoV-2, rather than the severity of symptoms. In a highly vaccinated population, adults with Omicron had similar ongoing symptoms and functional limitations as those with influenza.
A recent study found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased mortality rates among people with intellectual disabilities, with a disparity of five times higher than in the general population. This increase was not limited to COVID-19-related deaths but also affected other conditions such as cancer and mental health disorders.
New research shows that COVID-19 vaccines have directly saved at least 1,004,927 lives across Europe between December 2020 and March 2023. The majority of these lives were saved in people aged 60 years and older, with the first booster accounting for almost two-thirds of lives saved.
The highest incidence of invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) disease has shifted from the most deprived groups to the second most affluent group in the UK, according to new research. The emm1 strain, which causes severe disease, was more common in 2022 than previous years.
Infections caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) decreased by 80% as COVID-19 lockdown took effect and remained low until March 2022, when they increased 18% a month to surpass pre-COVID levels.
Researchers identified protective drugs that shield two abundant gut bacterial species without compromising antibiotic effectiveness against disease-causing bacteria. The study found a novel combination of antibiotics with antidote drugs, such as dicumarol and tolfenamic acid, which protected the gut microbiome and maintained antibioti...
Denmark has seen a significant surge in strep A infections, particularly among the elderly, since late 2022. The new M1 subvariant is responsible for 30% of cases and may be contributing to the outbreak's severity.
A major UK study has discovered that disturbed sleep patterns in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were likely a driver of breathlessness. The study found that 62% of participants experienced sleep disruption, which persisted for at least 12 months and was associated with anxiety and muscle weakness.
A Portuguese study found that 19% of surfaces in small animal veterinary practices harboured at least one multidrug-resistant bacterium. These included Staphylococci, such as S. pseudintermedius, and Acinetobacter spp., which are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics.
A recent genetic study found that antibiotic resistance is driven by geographic, demographic, diet, and lifestyle factors. Researchers analyzed the microbiome of a large Finnish population sample and discovered associations between food consumption, geographical location, and ARG abundance.
A Portuguese study found that six pets in Portugal and one in the UK carried antibiotic-resistant bacteria similar to those found in their owners. The researchers emphasize the importance of including pet-owning households in programs to reduce antimicrobial resistance. Owners can reduce the spread by practicing good hygiene.
A Spanish study found that 40% of supermarket meat samples contained multidrug-resistant E. coli, including strains capable of causing severe infections in people. The study highlights the need for regular assessment and farm-level interventions to reduce the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food-producing animals.
A new study found that the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine reduced hospitalization and death risks by 72% and 68%, respectively, in adults aged 65 years and older. The study highlights the importance of bivalent booster vaccination in high-risk populations.
Researchers suggest that 'network immunity', generated by core members of the sexual network, halted the mpox epidemic. The theory proposes that as core members were infected first, they developed infection-induced immunity which slowed transmission.
A recent study found that over 42% of healthy mothers carrying fecal transplant material tested positive for harmful pathogens, making the procedure risky. The research aims to assess whether postnatal FMT can safely restore normal microbiota in C-section babies.
A British woman was infected with dengue while visiting family in the south of France in September 2022. The case report presents an outbreak of over 30 locally transmitted cases in France, highlighting the rapidly changing epidemiology of dengue.
A study found that two-thirds of staff and residents in long-term care facilities in England were infected with COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2022. The analysis, which included over 5,000 individuals, estimated that the true rate of infection was higher due to under-diagnosis during the pandemic.
A growing number of European countries have experienced diphtheria outbreaks primarily associated with recently arrived migrants. Key findings indicate that whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis reveal that the toxin-producing bacteria were acquired during migration rather than in their home country or Germany.
A Danish study has validated a dried blood spot test that can detect HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C from a single drop of blood. The test uses existing hospital equipment and is suitable for places where needle-based testing is not practical or feasible.
A new study published in The Lancet found that higher dose corticosteroids are associated with a 60% increased risk of death in hypoxic COVID-19 patients requiring only non-invasive oxygen therapy. The RECOVERY trial also identified an excess of pneumonia and hyperglycaemia in the higher-dose corticosteroid group.
Targeted testing for HIV in emergency departments has led to a significant increase in diagnoses, with numbers more than tripling in Spain. Early diagnosis is key to avoiding the spread of HIV infection, and targeted screening has been shown to be effective, especially in increasing tests ordered and diagnoses made.
New research at ECCMID 2023 presents 19 gold complexes effective against at least one hard-to-treat bacterium, including MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The gold-based drugs use a multimodal mechanism to kill bacteria, preventing antimicrobial resistance from developing.
Adults hospitalized with Omicron had a higher death rate than those with seasonal influenza, even though Omicron is considered less virulent. The study found patients hospitalized with Omicron were older and had more underlying illnesses, which may contribute to the higher mortality rate.
A new UK study found that wearing surgical masks in a large London hospital during the first 10 months of Omicron activity made no difference to reducing hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infections. Researchers analyzed infection control data and found no significant change in infection rates when mask-wearing policies were removed or cont...
New research reveals a worrying picture of rising infectious disease cases in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, with shigellosis and viral meningitis incidence significantly higher than the national average. Childhood vaccination coverage has also plummeted, putting vulnerable populations at increased risk of severe illness and death.
A nationwide study in Denmark found that people living with HIV are at double the risk of depression and treatment with electroconvulsive therapy compared to controls. Siblings of PLWH also face an increased risk of depression, use of antidepressants, and suicide, but lower than for PLWH.
A recent US study found that people living with HIV performed worse on cognitive tests after SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to those without HIV, but these differences were attributable to HIV rather than COVID-19. However, vaccinated individuals experienced declines in processing speed following COVID-19.
A large typhoid outbreak on a Dutch ship was traced to contaminated drinking water, with 72 cases confirmed. The investigation found that sewage containing Salmonella typhi leaked into freshwater tanks, highlighting the importance of regular water quality inspections.
A 3-year-old girl was infected with M. marinum after being bitten by an iguana while on holiday in Costa Rica. The toddler developed a ganglion cyst and eventually responded to treatment with rifampin and clarithromycin.
A new study published at ECCMID 2023 found that antibiotics do not reduce the risk of dying in adults hospitalised with common viral respiratory infections like influenza. The research suggests a restrictive antibiotic strategy for these types of infections may be warranted to reduce unnecessary prescribing and combat antimicrobial res...
New research highlights poor level of financial and health support provided by national governments for citizens stranded abroad. The study found alarming rates of depression, anxiety, and homelessness among those separated from family or facing flight cancellations.
A study of over 2,800 hospital patients and their companion animals found that sharing multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) between pets and owners is possible. However, the rate of MDRO transmission from pets to humans was very low, suggesting that neither cat nor dog ownership is a major risk factor for hospital-acquired infections.
A recent WHO review reveals a significant shortage of new antibiotics in the pipeline, with only 12 approved drugs introduced between 2017 and 2021. The majority of these drugs target non-critical pathogens, leaving critical ones like Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa underrepresented.
A new study published in Journal of Clinical Microbiology shows that using multiple PCR panels can identify more pathogens, notably diarrhea-causing E. coli and enteric viruses, and do so more rapidly than a conventional workup. This results in lower healthcare costs, reduced hospitalizations, and decreased antibiotic use.
A team of microbiologists proposes using powerful microbial technologies to reduce global and local challenges leading to conflict, including food supply security and pollution. The authors advocate for deploying these technologies to address humanitarian crises and advance Sustainable Development Goals.
Researchers discovered a new species of bacteria, Sulfurimonas pluma, living in cold, oxygen-saturated hydrothermal plumes globally. The microorganism uses hydrogen as an energy source, contrary to previous assumptions and expanding our understanding of its ecological role.
A new study published at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases found that healthcare workers infected with the original SARS-CoV-2 virus were more likely to experience long Covid symptoms than those who had the omicron variant. The research suggests that omicron may be less likely to lead to long Covid, p...
A Canadian study found that those infected with COVID-19 in the first wave in 2020 were 40% less likely to get infected during the first six months of Omicron activity. Older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above, were significantly less likely to be infected than younger adults.
A study finds that the 'classic triad' of meningitis symptoms - fever, altered mental state, and neck stiffness - are rare in both children and adults. The research highlights the need to improve symptom questioning to reduce treatment delays and improve outcomes for patients with bacterial meningitis.
Experts call for a nuanced discussion around gain of function research, highlighting its benefits for human health and its potential to reduce future disease outbreaks. The authors emphasize the need for evidence-based policies that balance safety concerns with the importance of this research in protecting humanity from viral threats.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology reveal how a specific enzyme, Fsr, converts sulfite into sulfide, allowing methanogens to grow safely on toxic substances. This discovery opens opportunities for biotechnological applications and provides insights into the evolution of these microorganisms.
Researchers at University of Galway outline a potential new treatment option for MRSA infections using purine nucleosides. The study shows that these sugar versions of DNA building blocks can interfere with bacterial signaling systems, making bacteria more susceptible to penicillin-type antibiotics.
Researchers discovered that brown algae's fucoidan can remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the global cycle in the long term. The fucoidan is a recalcitrant molecule that does not return to the atmosphere quickly, making the brown algae particularly effective in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
A study published in Nature Microbiology reveals that a protein complex called SMC5/6 initiates a process that silences HIV DNA proviruses, leading to latent infections. The researchers propose a molecule that inhibits this action as a potential therapeutic strategy to reactivate latent HIV-1 and help clear the body of infectious virus.
A WWII shipwreck in the North Sea is leaking hazardous pollutants like explosives and heavy metals, influencing marine microbiology and geochemistry. The study found varying concentrations of toxic substances depending on distance from the wreck, with highest metal levels near the coal bunker.
Researchers found that ocean bacteria absorbing carbon dioxide from the air need more energy and resources when infected with viruses and facing predator attacks. This complex interaction can lead to increased carbon sequestration, a key factor in mitigating climate change.