Research on antibiotics and the bacteria they target. Covers antibiotic resistance, gut pathogens, persistent strep throat, and water-source contamination.
Researchers at TUM have developed a cell-free production method for bacteriophages, which can be used to target and combat specific types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The new technology has the potential to produce personalized therapeutic phages for clinical trials, addressing multi-resistant germ infections.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant differences in treatment success between nonoperative and operative management for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. However, the nonoperative group experienced significantly longer hospital stays and higher recurrence rates.
Researchers used a new tool to capture hundreds of undiscovered mechanisms of gene regulation in MRSA, revealing a previously unknown layer of gene regulation. The study identified a regulatory RNA that promotes an enzyme involved in cell wall thickening, potentially identifying new targets for antibiotic treatment.
Two studies found that dogs fed on a diet of raw meat were more likely to excrete antibiotic-resistant E. coli in their faeces. The research suggests that not feeding raw meat to dogs may help reduce the circulation of critically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
NC State researchers discovered a new way to make the difficult-to-characterize gut bacterium Bifidobacterium more responsive to antibiotics. They also found tiny changes in different strains that reflect large differences in their characteristics, highlighting the need for individualized CRISPR-based genome engineering approaches.
A new report highlights the importance of acknowledging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in regulatory frameworks for accelerated drug approval. The analysis provides recommendations to improve access to new antibiotics in Brazil, India, and South Africa, where antibiotic development is hampered by regulatory hurdles.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have found a phytochemical derived from broccoli that breaks down biofilms protecting antibiotic-resistant pathogens, enabling eradication rates of up to 94% when combined with antibiotics. The compound also accelerates wound healing and is being further developed for commercialization.
Scientists have found that prior exposure to Staphylococcus aureus prevents effective vaccination due to immune response memory. To overcome this, the research suggests targeting only the protective component of the protein IsdB, generating a more effective vaccine against MRSA.
The PARROT trial aims to investigate whether long-term antibiotic treatment can reduce the impact of chest infections on children with neurological impairments. The UK-Australia joint trial will recruit 500 participants aged 3-17 years and assess rates of hospital visits, infections, and quality of life.
Outpatient antibiotic management of selected patients with appendicitis is safe, allowing many to avoid surgery and hospitalization. This treatment approach is associated with fewer serious adverse effects compared to hospitalization.
A new study found that the O139 cholera variant lost antimicrobial resistance and changed toxin production, leading to its unexpected decline. The findings suggest continuous monitoring of genetic changes is key to preventing future outbreaks.
A machine learning model has been developed to predict TB resistance to fluoroquinolones, which could speed up treatment. The model uses demographic and clinical factors to estimate the probability of resistance, allowing clinicians to optimize treatment regimens before test results are available.
Researchers have deciphered the exact bacterial adhesion mechanism using Bartonella henselae, revealing a key role for trimeric autotransporter adhesins and their interaction with fibronectin. Experimental blocking of these processes almost entirely prevents bacterial adhesion.
A three-year study found that telehealth consultations with a pediatric infectious disease specialist reduced antibiotic usage in 8 Texas nurseries serving rural and medically underserved areas by 32%. The consultations helped healthcare providers make more informed decisions about when to use antibiotics, ensuring the proper balance b...
A new therapeutic target for melioidosis has been identified by researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology. The enzyme BurG synthesizes a toxic molecule central to infection, and inhibiting it could make bacteria less virulent.
A highly antibiotic-resistant strain of MRSA has emerged in livestock over the past 50 years, primarily due to widespread antibiotic use in pig farming. The CC398 strain has maintained its resistance and is capable of rapidly adapting to human hosts, posing a significant threat to public health.
Researchers from the University of Würzburg have developed precision antibacterials using mRNA technology, targeting specific genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The study shows that these active agents can effectively block only one specific gene, and reducing their size to nine base pairs can minimize non-specific binding.
Bacteria's extreme lifestyle change during UTI infection cycles may hold clues to combating antimicrobial resistance and damage. Researchers used advanced microscopy to study the reversal of filamentation, shedding light on a previously unknown mechanism.
New research shows a decrease in antibiotic use, treatment within 48 hours, and broad-spectrum antibiotics among patients with signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The study found improvements in mortality rates and development of multi-drug resistant bacteria without increasing antibiotic overuse.
A new study published in iScience found that the co-development of the gut microbiome, immune system, and respiratory system is correlated with a baby's respiratory health. Disruption of any of these systems resulted in greater respiratory morbidity for infants, highlighting the importance of timing in intervening with therapies.
A study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that early antibiotic use disrupts the developing immune system of newborns, increasing risks of severe pneumonia and life-long health issues. Fecal transplants may offer a solution to mitigate these effects.
Researchers have discovered proteins that mediate intimate contacts between bacteria, enabling DNA transfer and resistance to antibiotics. Understanding this process can help develop new approaches to slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle sensor that can accurately distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia within two hours using a simple urine test. The sensor uses the host's immune response to infection, detecting specific protease patterns that serve as signatures of bacterial or viral infection.
Researchers developed e-bandages producing hydrogen peroxide to treat wound infections, reducing MRSA biofilm bacteria by 99 percent. This alternative method to antibiotics has the potential to improve wound healing and reduce antibiotic resistance.
A recent study has found that ocean plastic may be a source of novel antibiotics, with researchers isolating five antibiotic-producing bacteria from plastic debris. The isolated bacteria showed promise against commonly used and resistant bacterial strains, providing hope for an alternative solution to the growing antibiotic crisis.
A study published in eLife has shown that fast-growing bacteria can resist antibiotics by displaying higher ribosome expression, allowing them to avoid macrolide accumulation. This finding highlights a new survival strategy for bacteria and offers potential avenues for developing improved antibiotic compounds.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that deliver NAD(H), a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties, to treat sepsis in mice. The treatment improved survival rates and prevented multiorgan injury.
A study found that Brazil's Salmonella vaccine for poultry contributed to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. However, these resistant bacteria have not increased food poisoning cases in humans in the UK.
Research reveals antibiotics can knock out essential gut bacteria, leading to reduced motivation and endurance in athletes. The study found that high-performance mice were more affected by antibiotic treatment, highlighting the microbiome's impact on exercise behaviors.
A new class of antibiotics has been discovered that is highly effective against drug-resistant tuberculosis, with low toxicity and a high level of safety. The new drugs, called PPs, are targeted at the PE_PGRS57 gene and show promise as an alternative to current treatments.
Academics argue AI systems like DABUS need new IP laws as existing ones are inadequate to deal with cases where machines are named sole inventors. The authors recommend introducing a new 'AI-IP' form of law that would be specifically tailored to AI-generated inventiveness, addressing ownership and novelty issues.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that more than 70% of primary care physicians reported prescribing antibiotics to treat asymptomatic bacteria in urine tests, defying medical guidelines. This practice can lead to adverse health effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Researchers created oil-based gels that can deliver a variety of medications, including those for infectious diseases, in a stable and palatable form. The gels can be used to administer drugs to children and adults with difficulty swallowing pills, and could have a significant impact on improving medication adherence.
A new antibiotic, cilagicin, has been synthesized at Rockefeller University using computational models of bacterial gene products. The compound works by binding to both molecules in bacterial cell walls, making it resistant to resistance mechanisms. This novel approach to drug discovery may lead to a new generation of antibiotics.
A new study found that unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for nonhospitalized children resulted in 2.8 million cases of avoidable infections, costing the US at least $74 million. Children prescribed inappropriate antibiotics were up to eight times more likely to develop complications such as diarrhea and skin rashes.
Researchers at Aston University have developed a new antibiotic combination that successfully treated a cystic fibrosis patient's deadly lung infection. The combination of imipenem/relebactam with amoxicillin eradicated the infection, enabling the patient to receive a lifesaving lung transplant.
New data analyses from RedHill's Talicia H. pylori eradication clinical trials program showed high eradication rates and favorable safety and efficacy profiles in patients with diabetes. The study found that Talicia maintained high eradication rates of 91.7% and 84.1% in patients with and without diabetes, respectively.
A study of 2.3 million patient records found that antibiotic use was associated with a higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease in older adults. The risk increased substantially with each course of antibiotics, with patients who received five or more courses being over 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with the condition.
The partnership aims to accelerate projects targeting the most dangerous bacteria. Since its founding, CARB-X has awarded $361 million to 92 projects from 12 countries.
A novel surface treatment, tested in laboratory and clinical settings, reduces biofilm growth by over 80% and prevents bacterial adhesion. The treatment has shown promising results in preventing urinary tract infections and improving patient outcomes.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens suggests that the repurposed antibiotic clofoctol may be an effective therapeutic for SARS-CoV-2 infected mice, with decreased viral load, reduced inflammatory gene expression, and lowered pulmonary pathology. Further studies are needed to confirm its potential as a treatment for COVID-19 patients.
Researchers found no link between antibiotics given shortly before caesarean birth and early childhood conditions like asthma or eczema. The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, used UK healthcare databases to analyze millions of children born between 2006 and 2018.
Researchers at Stockholm University have identified a novel mechanism for regulating the supply of DNA building blocks, providing a potential new target for designing better antibiotics. By targeting the pathogen's ability to reproduce, scientists may be able to control the growth of bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Elevated heavy metal levels in rivers can lead to higher antibiotic resistance levels, according to research by Newcastle University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. The study found that metal pollution increases antibiotic resistance gene abundances, affecting resident bacteria.
A study of 2.3 million patient records found that antibiotic use was associated with a higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease in seniors, particularly those who received multiple courses. The risk increased substantially with each course of antibiotics prescribed.
A new study reveals that recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be caused by an imbalance in the gut microbiome, which can lead to chronic inflammation and increased risk of future UTIs. Antibiotics given to treat UTIs can disrupt the microbiome, making it easier for disease-causing bacteria to spread.
A recent study found that a single course of antibiotics disrupts the balance of gut bacteria and fungi in infants, leading to increased competition for space. This disruption can result in long-term adverse effects on human health, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered an aberrant protein that mimics the action of aminoglycoside antibiotics, which could help scientists understand how those drugs kill bacterial cells. The newly identified protein could lead to the development of new inhibitors to target bacterial growth.
The NIH-funded study will enroll 1,050 patients with periodontitis to collect data on the efficacy of antibiotics in treating the condition. The goal is to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines and advance oral health, particularly given the critical need to reduce antibiotic misuse and combat superbugs.
Researchers found that zebrafish exposed to antibiotics have weaker antibacterial defenses and decreased immune cells in their offspring. This study highlights the potential long-term effects of antibiotic use on public health and the environment.
Researchers discovered MRSA in 10% of hedgehogs in Helsinki, including a successful clone with global spread potential. The study suggests spillover of antimicrobial resistance from anthropogenic sources to urban wildlife, posing a risk for human patients.
A ground-breaking software combines DNA sequencing and machine learning to identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria transmission between humans, animals, and the environment. The study found antimicrobial genes shared across animals, farm workers, and environments, including unknown genes associated with resistance.
Researchers found a 1000-fold increase in skin microbiota and larger lesions after smallpox vaccination, but all groups had equal protection from re-infection. The study suggests that manipulating commensal skin microbiota might enhance the efficacy of intradermal vaccines.
A US study found that almost three-quarters of antibiotics prescribed to patients over 65 are inappropriate, and two-thirds for Black patients. The study also showed that Hispanic/LatinX patients receive over half of their antibiotics inappropriately.
Researchers developed an automated system called Clinical Antimicrobials Susceptibility Test Ramanometry (CAST-R) to identify the best antibiotics for treating acute blood infections. The system uses Raman microspectroscopy and machine learning to achieve rapid and accurate results, outperforming conventional methods in just three hours.
Researchers found that alterations in gut microbiota can help treat pancreatic and hormonal dysfunction in diabetes patients. The study showed that antibiotics treatment can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce glucose intolerance in obese mice and humans.
Researchers developed a new way to help protect the natural flora of the human digestive tract by engineering bacteria to break down beta-lactam antibiotics. This approach protects the microbiota in the gut while allowing antibiotics to remain effective, reducing the risk of infection and antibiotic resistance.
Scientists have identified a potential new antibiotic candidate from the rare soil microbe Lentzea flaviverrucosa. The discovery was made using genomics-based approaches and shows that this actinomycete produces two different bioactive molecules that are active against various types of cancer cells.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have made a groundbreaking discovery about how GI bacteria communicate with each other during gene transfers. This new understanding may lead to innovative approaches in preventing hospital infections without increasing antibiotic resistance.
A new study published in Science Magazine found that nearly 42% of cattle destined for the 'Raised without Antibiotics' market have been treated with antibiotics, casting doubt on the accuracy of these labels. The research team suggests strengthening verification and enforcement to curb antibiotic use in food-animal production.