Research on antibiotics and the bacteria they target. Covers antibiotic resistance, gut pathogens, persistent strep throat, and water-source contamination.
Patients with a reported penicillin allergy have higher rates of dental implant failure. Alternative antibiotics prescribed during surgery also linked to increased failure rates. The study suggests that testing for actual allergies may improve outcomes.
Researchers found that healthy companion animals and their owners can transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes to each other, highlighting the importance of hygiene practices around pets. The study suggests that even low-level shedding of bacteria by healthy carriers can pose a risk to vulnerable individuals.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have discovered a physical mechanism that causes high doses of antibiotics to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance between bacteria. The culprit is an overabundance of 'jumping genes,' called transposons, which carry genetic instructions for resistance from cell's source code to plasmids.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center discovered that a combination of two anti-inflammatory drugs may prevent lung damage and asthma in infants born prematurely due to chorioamnionitis. The study used animal models, but further research is needed to confirm the results.
Researchers discovered that shorter antibiotic courses are associated with fewer antibiotic resistance genes in children, but also found increases in resistance to other antibiotics. The study suggests that treatment duration can impact the microbiome and increase susceptibility to other pathogens.
A new paper in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that a Paris Accord-style global agreement is urgently needed to address antimicrobial resistance. The authors argue that six key lessons from the Paris Climate Agreement should form the basis of any multi-country agreement or action plan on AMR, with binding rules and unive...
A study of nearly 15,000 US nurses found that significant antibiotic use in midlife is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline later in life. The researchers suggest that this may be related to changes in the gut microbiome, which can impact brain function and overall health.
A study found that higher doses of antibiotics are needed to eliminate bacterial infections with other microbes present. Researchers developed a model of the human airways to replicate poly-microbial infections, which often persist despite treatment in people with cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases.
A new analysis of cases in the National Cancer Database finds that younger patients (less than 50 years old) with acute appendicitis are at increased risk of developing cancer of the appendix. The study suggests that patients under 40 may want to undergo surgery to rule out cancer.
A Johns Hopkins study shows that a higher dose of the antibiotic rifampin may be more effective in treating TB meningitis, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes. The research suggests that high doses of rifampin can kill bacteria faster while minimizing brain inflammation.
Scientists have identified a potential new test for diagnosing Lyme disease by detecting autoantibodies to phospholipids. This approach could help clinicians diagnose the disease sooner and determine efficacy of treatments. The researchers' discovery has the potential to identify patients with persistent symptoms after treatment, makin...
A study found that maternal immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can reduce antimicrobial prescribing among young infants. The research, based on a blinded, multi-country trial, showed that infants of mothers assigned the RSV F vaccine experienced fewer antimicrobial prescription courses over the first 90 days of life.
UC Riverside scientists developed a technique to map tryptophan production, opening the door to new treatment drugs. By understanding how bacteria make tryptophan, researchers can create enzymes that shut down this process, killing invasive bacterial cells without affecting human cells.
Fosfomycin, a long-dormant antibiotic, has been revived as a potential treatment for multidrug-resistant E. coli infections. The study involved 143 patients with invasive urinary tract infections and found effective results, offering an alternative to last-resort antibiotics.
A non-antibiotic alternative, methenamine hippurate, has been shown to be as effective as antibiotics in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections. The study found that women taking this drug experienced a lower rate of UTI episodes compared to those on daily antibiotics.
Researchers developed a technique to track changes in bacterial mutation frequencies, which can inform initial and switched antibiotics. The study found that rare antibiotic-resistant bacteria can rapidly expand within days in response to treatment.
A new study found that hospital-affiliated emergency physicians prescribed antibiotics to patients with acute respiratory infections nearly twice as often as contractor-supplied physicians. This disparity highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship in telemedicine settings.
A new Ramanome-based technique can detect metabolically active microbes in teeth, even when they appear to have stopped growing. This allows for more targeted disinfection and reduced use of antimicrobial drugs, potentially lowering the risk of side effects.
A new study suggests that outpatient treatment for infective endocarditis can reduce mortality rates, extend life expectancy, and be more cost-effective than standard inpatient therapy. The strategy also showed improved cure rates compared to other approaches.
A study published in JAMA Network Open shows that a comprehensive system to improve antibiotic stewardship in long-term care facilities significantly reduces the use of antibiotics, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced drug-resistant bacterial strains. The program empowered clinicians to make informed decisions about prescrib...
A recent study published in NEJM Evidence found that azithromycin use during severe RSV bronchiolitis does not prevent subsequent wheezing episodes and may even increase the risk. The study recommends against antibiotics during acute RSV bronchiolitis due to its lack of effect on the acute illness.
A new study has found that azithromycin does not prevent future recurrent wheezing among infants hospitalized with RSV. The antibiotic was tested in a large clinical trial involving 200 infants, and results showed that it may actually increase the risk of wheezing.
Researchers at MIT have synthesized himastatin, a natural compound with antimicrobial properties. The team discovered that the compound kills bacteria by disrupting their cell membranes.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found a new approach to impairing antibiotic resistance in deadly bacteria by inhibiting the protein DsbA. This method could potentially restore the effectiveness of existing antibiotics, addressing a global health crisis responsible for millions of deaths annually.
A recent study has shed light on the protein structure that helps bacteria pump toxic molecules out of their cells, contributing to drug resistance. The researchers found that as a pH change occurs, the protein's channel opens and closes in a specific way, allowing the transport of toxic compounds.
Researchers found that streptomycin, a widely used antibiotic in U.S. agriculture, impairs bumblebee behavior, including reduced foraging efficiency and slowed cognition. The study aims to understand the potential impacts on pollinators of antibiotic use in agriculture.
A Swedish registry study found no increase in endocarditis cases among high-risk individuals since the removal of prophylactic antibiotics in dentistry. The study monitored over 76,000 high-risk individuals and 396,000 low-risk individuals from 2008 to 2018.
A recent global study found that more than a quarter of the world's rivers had pharmaceutical concentrations at potentially toxic levels. The study, which included data from over 258 rivers across seven continents, also revealed concurrent contamination by multiple classes of pharmaceuticals.
Researchers discovered how a single mutation in an enzyme enables bacteria to evade antibiotics by using mirrored structures. This finding has implications for developing more resilient inhibitors and proactive drug designs.
SMART researchers identified a novel phage lysin, Abp013, with promising antimicrobial ability against Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The study demonstrated Abp013's ability to effectively target complex bacterial environments and could advance treatment methods for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia recommends pretreating urological patients with antibiotics tailored to their local infection patterns. This approach may reduce postoperative infections in transurethral procedures, which affect up to 10% of patients annually.
A team of scientists at the University of Würzburg has identified a previously unknown RNA sponge, OppX, that mimics a key regulator of bacterial membrane permeability. The discovery sheds light on how bacteria evade antibiotics and could lead to the development of new therapeutics.
A mathematical modeling study predicts that routine immunization with TCV could avert 46-74% of all typhoid fever cases in 73 countries. Vaccination is also expected to reduce the relative prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant typhoid by 16%, preventing millions of cases and deaths.
Decision-making tools, including a double-sided document and video training, were ineffective in reducing antibiotic prescription rates for acute respiratory infections. Despite this, general practitioners' knowledge of relevant evidence increased significantly after the intervention.
Researchers at TTUHSC developed novel hydrophilic nanoparticles that target bacterial membranes, killing pathogens while sparing mammalian cells. The nanoantibiotics' size-dependent activity reveals a new blueprint for developing non-toxic and environmentally friendly antibiotics.
A new report estimates that antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections caused over 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, with the greatest impact on lower respiratory and bloodstream infections. The study highlights the urgent need to combat antimicrobial resistance and provides immediate actions for policymakers to save lives.
A new study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that a five-day course of antibiotics is superior to a 10-day strategy for treating community-acquired pneumonia in children under 6. The trial showed similar response rates and lower antibiotic resistance genes in the shorter treatment group.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that can predict resistance outcomes for various drug pairs. The model, called JDFE, characterizes mutations available to bacteria and allows for classification of drug pairs into those that facilitate or hinder multi-drug resistance.
Rice University researchers developed a microfluidic platform to analyze how infectious bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics. The platform allows for controlled environments and fine-tuning of conditions, revealing previously unknown pathways to resistance.
A CHOP study found that infants born via uncomplicated cesarean delivery have a low risk of early-onset sepsis and should not receive antibiotics at birth. The study's findings could help clinicians tailor antibiotic use in newborns, reducing complications and unnecessary treatment.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have received a $3.6 million grant to study antibiotic resistance, employing an innovative approach known as the 'evolution machine.' This project aims to shed new light on how bacteria develop resistance and inform more precise antibiotic prescribing practices.
A study published in Nature found that a type of MRSA called mecC-MRSA originated in hedgehogs over 200 years ago, long before the clinical use of antibiotics. The researchers believe that the bacteria evolved as an adaptation to living on the skin of hedgehogs with a fungus that produces its own antibiotics.
Researchers developed a promising alternative to traditional wet-chemistry methods using plasma-enabled surface engineering. The technology can create contact-killing, antifouling, and drug-release surfaces, accelerating antimicrobial material development.
A new species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Enterococcus innesii, has been discovered by researchers at the John Innes Centre. The strain is resistant to vancomycin and may cause hospital-acquired infections.
A study found that 88% of ED patients with suspected septic olecranon bursitis who received empiric antibiotics without aspiration resolved without needing further treatment. Conservative management may be a reasonable approach for select patients, potentially streamlining care and reducing complications.
New research combines antibiotics and phage therapy to cure infections more effectively and reduce antibiotic use. The study found that bacteriostatic antibiotics trigger CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity in bacteria, increasing the chances of treatment efficacy.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that resistant bacteria can hide resistance genes in inactive bacteria within biofilms, creating a reservoir of resistance that can be drawn upon when antibiotics are not present. This new understanding challenges the long-held assumption that resistant bacteria lose their res...
Researchers identified 'pre-resistance' signs in bacteria, predicting future resistance to antibiotics. This discovery allows doctors to select the best treatments for bacterial infections and paves the way for personalized genomic therapy.
A recent review article by Duke University Medical Center suggests that antibiotics can be an effective first-line therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis cases, treating up to 70% of cases. However, the definitive treatment option remains surgery, usually done laparoscopically, for severely inflamed appendices or high-risk patients.
Scientists have discovered a new potential treatment to reverse antibiotic resistance in bacteria causing sepsis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The indole carboxylates class of enzyme blockers can stop MBL resistance enzymes from working, allowing antibiotics like carbapenems to effectively target bacteria.
Researchers found fecal transplants increase IL-25, reducing tissue inflammation and boosting immune system response to C. difficile infections. The transplants also promote beneficial microbial diversity, helping patients heal from life-threatening diarrhea.
Research at University of Basel discovered that certain areas in tissue allow bacteria to survive despite antibiotic therapy. Immune system plays a critical role in eradicating bacteria, and boosting defenses with immune therapy can lead to more effective clearance.
A new study reveals widespread prescribing of clarithromycin-based regimens for H. pylori infection, defying increasing resistance and suboptimal eradication rates. Talicia, a rifabutin-based therapy, offers an alternative with higher eradication rates and fewer concerns over resistance.
Researchers have mapped the atomic structure of amphotericin B, a powerful but toxic antifungal agent. The detailed structure reveals how the drug kills fungal cells by robbing them of sterol molecules, providing a roadmap for synthesizing less-toxic derivatives.
Research shows that common medicines have distinct effects on gut bacteria, with some having beneficial and others detrimental impacts. The study found associations between certain medications and changes to the gut microbiome, particularly with statins and gastric acid medication.
Researchers found that many medications, including antibiotics and cardiometabolic drugs, can significantly alter the human gut microbiome. The study revealed a complex relationship between drug dosage and microbiome impact, highlighting the need for personalized treatment strategies.
Researchers at USC developed a new peptide that stimulates the host's immune response to fight bacterial infections, offering an alternative to antibiotics. The peptide, MTD12813, is highly effective in clearing infections and modulates inflammation, reducing the risk of complications.
Researchers found that gut microbiome changes can reduce b-amyloid deposits in male mice, indicating a potential target for preventing and treating dementia. Daily fecal matter transplants restored the pre-antibiotic microbiome, suggesting microglia memory plays a role.
A new white paper shares practical strategies to inform stewardship efforts and ensure appropriate use of antibiotics, citing the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance leading to 23,000 preventable deaths each year. Implementation science principles can bridge the evidence-practice gap.
A new study led by Rice University engineers finds that microplastic pollution contributes to the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes. The researchers discovered that aging polystyrene breaks down into microplastics with high surface areas, trapping microbes and leaching chemicals that enhance gene transfer.