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How do you treat untreatable infections? Do what the microbes do

Researchers at Princeton University have isolated a compound called cloacaenodin, which is a potent antibacterial peptide that can kill clinically relevant drug-resistant strains of Enterobacter. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of bacterial infections and could lead to new antibiotic development.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022

Florida International University researchers patent synthetic antibiotic

Researchers from Florida International University have patented a synthetic antibiotic, arsinothricin (AST), which is effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The team aims to produce large quantities of the drug to combat the growing number of infections that have become resistant to current antibiotics.

SourceFlorida International University College of Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 15, 2022

Mapping E. coli to overcome antibiotic resistance

A new study at the University of Tokyo has mapped the evolution and process of natural selection in Escherichia coli bacteria, creating fitness landscapes that help understand drug resistance and potential treatments. The researchers hope their results will be useful for predicting and controlling E. coli and other bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2022

Scientists invent pioneering technique to construct rare molecules discovered in sediments from the Bahamas with potential to help treat disease and infection

Researchers at the University of Bristol have created a new technique to construct rare molecules found in Bahamian sediments, which could lead to cheaper and more accessible treatments for diseases. The breakthrough reduces the production time of these complex molecules from over 20 steps to just 14.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 2022

HKUMed discovers 90% penicillin allergies labels are false in Hong Kong and proposes a new testing strategy via the Hong Kong Drug Allergy Delabelling Initiative (HK-DADI)

A collaborative research team led by Dr Philip Li from HKUMed has pioneered a new nurse-led penicillin allergy triage and testing strategy, which demonstrated its effectiveness and safety compared to traditional allergy testing. The study found that 90% of penicillin allergy labels in Hong Kong are incorrect, leading to potential letha...

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalJournal of Clinical Immunology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 28, 2022

In some settings, medical masks may offer similar effectiveness to N95 respirators for preventing COVID-19 infection among health care workers

A study of over 1,000 healthcare workers found that medical masks may be as effective as N95 respirators in preventing COVID-19 infection. However, the results varied across countries and were influenced by factors such as vaccine use and variant circulating during the pandemic.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 28, 2022

Of mice and men: Treating acne with systemic antibiotics can have unintended consequences on the maturing skeleton during adolescence

Long-term use of systemic antibiotics can alter the gut microbiome, leading to reduced bone mass accrual and impaired skeletal maturation. Researchers found that minocycline therapy causes changes to the gut microbiome, disrupting normal communication between the liver and small intestine.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJCI Insight·DateNov 22, 2022

Internal medicine physicians call for improved access and quality in health care for incarcerated patients

The American College of Physicians recommends policies to improve healthcare access and quality for incarcerated patients, including adequate funding and timely access to necessary services. The organization also supports treating substance use disorders as an alternative to incarceration.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2022

Take probiotics alongside your prescribed antibiotics to reduce damage to your gut microbiome, says the first review of the data

A systematic review of 29 studies found that combining probiotics with antibiotics can prevent or lessen some changes to the gut microbiome composition. Probiotics can also help protect species diversity and restore friendly bacteria populations, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalJournal of Medical Microbiology·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 16, 2022

A major clinical trial shows how to reduce the risk of stomach bleeding occasionally caused by regular aspirin use

A major clinical trial found that a short course of antibiotics can significantly reduce the risk of stomach bleeding caused by regular aspirin use, potentially improving its safety. The study involved 30,166 patients taking aspirin and showed rapid protection from hospital admissions for ulcer bleeding.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 3, 2022

Efflux pump inhibitors: Bulking up to beat bacteria

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered the spatial characteristics of an efflux pump that helps bacteria resist antibiotics. By analyzing a specific inhibitor's binding site, they found bulky mutations can prevent the inhibitor from working, offering hope for developing new countermeasures to combat antibiotic resistance.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 31, 2022

Stealth-care system: Scientists test ‘smart’ red blood cells to deliver antibiotics that target specific bacteria

Researchers have developed a way to load potent antibiotics like Polymyxin B into red blood cells, allowing them to selectively target and kill drug-resistant bacteria. This technology could help address the ongoing antibiotic resistance crisis and deliver drugs more quickly and directly to specific sites in the body.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2022

Common, usually harmless group of bacteria associated with higher death rates in kidney patients

Researchers found a significant association between NTM infection and increased mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve survival. NTM can cause nonspecific symptoms like fever and weight loss, and patients with compromised immune systems are at higher risk.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of Investigative Medicine·DateOct 25, 2022

Collaborative team at IGB discovers new natural products at unprecedented speed

A collaborative team at IGB discovered 30 new compounds, including three with antibacterial properties, using the Illinois Biological Foundry for Advanced Biomanufacturing. The platform allowed for rapid screening of hundreds of genes and pathways, enabling the researchers to identify potential anti-microbial compounds.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Discovery of a new antibiotic against resistant pathogens

Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered a new antibiotic, Dynobactin, effective against resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The compound blocks bacterial membrane protein BamA, preventing its job and killing the bacteria. This finding offers a boost to antibiotics research and could lead to more effective drugs.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 11, 2022

Free, but at what cost?

Researchers found a 'zero-price effect' in Japan's child healthcare system, where zero cost increases demand for health services. However, this can lead to poor allocation of resources and overuse of antibiotics.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalApplied Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 5, 2022

Researchers identify potential therapeutic targets to prevent hearing loss caused by antibiotics

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have identified the autophagy pathway in hair cells linked to permanent hearing loss caused by aminoglycosides. The study developed laboratory models with reduced RIPOR2 expression, which did not exhibit hair cell death or hearing loss when treated with antibiotics.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 26, 2022

New guideline may help improve testing for penicillin allergies

A new guideline published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy aims to improve the testing process for penicillin allergies among patients. The guidelines provide recommendations on patient selection, risk stratification, and drug provocation testing, aiming to reduce errors and ensure accurate diagnosis.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical & Experimental Allergy·DateSep 21, 2022

Lessons learned in COVID-19: SHEA offers guidance for antibiotic use in a pandemic

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America highlights the need to strengthen antibiotic stewardship programs to address overuse of antibiotics in early stages of viral epidemics. The guidance provides strategies for hospitals and healthcare personnel to improve antibiotic prescribing and diagnostic testing.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 14, 2022

Using artificial intelligence to improve tuberculosis treatments

Using artificial intelligence, researchers from Tufts University have devised rules for faster and more effective identification of potential new drug cocktails against tuberculosis. The study developed a set of design principles to assemble drug combinations, reducing the amount of testing needed before moving to further study.

SourceTufts University·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 14, 2022

Novel technique helps discover whether bacteria that cause meningitis are resistant to antibiotics

A novel method developed by Brazilian researchers can analyze bacterial samples without isolating live bacteria, making it easier to detect antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The technique was tested on 873 samples and found that 51% were sensitive to antibiotics, while 17% were resistant.

Dentists should give antibiotics to high-risk patients to help prevent life-threatening heart infection

A new study from the University of Sheffield suggests that giving antibiotics to those at high risk of developing a life-threatening heart infection significantly reduces their risk. Current UK guidelines against routine use of antibiotics for these patients may be putting them at unnecessary extra risk.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2022

New antibiotic resistance genes identified in tuberculosis

A massive analysis of over 10,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates revealed new genes associated with resistance to 13 antibiotics. The study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the genetic mechanisms of resistance and identifying diagnostic gaps.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2022