Articles tagged with Antibiotics
The University of Queensland's new Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) guidelines aim to personalise antibiotic treatment for critically ill patients in ICU. By using advanced software to predict accurate drug dosages, the guidelines have shown promise in reducing adverse outcomes and improving patient response.
The updated guidelines reflect a shift towards outpatient care and non-emergency surgery for left-sided colonic diverticulitis. Key findings include the preference for minimal colectomy approaches when expertise is available, and an increased focus on evidence-based recommendations.
A new study reveals that everyday hygiene practices, such as hand-washing, can reduce the risk of common infections by up to 50% and the need for antibiotics by up to 30%. This could help prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally each year.
Research shows people would follow new guidelines on taking antibiotics, but those who believe they know more than scientists may resist changes. The study suggests reforms should be made sparingly to avoid undermining future compliance
Researchers developed a low-toxicity antimicrobial peptide that effectively fought drug-resistant bacteria in laboratory cell cultures and mice, offering hope for treating respiratory infections. The new peptide, D8, showed remarkable stability and activity against superbugs, posing less risk to human cells.
The pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines significantly reduce acute respiratory infections and diarrhea among small children, resulting in fewer cases of antibiotic treatment. These vaccines have the potential to prevent millions of episodes of antibiotic-treated illness if universally adopted.
A study published in eNeuro found that gut microbes significantly impact the brain's response to opioids in rats, altering the pattern of neuron recruitment during addiction and withdrawal. This discovery may lead to new prevention and treatment strategies for drug abuse.
Researchers at the University of Washington and Idaho discovered that prolonged antibiotic exposure can 'prime' single-resistant bacteria to become multidrug-resistant. This effect makes it more likely for bacteria to acquire resistance to multiple antibiotics, even in an antibiotic-free environment.
Taking antibiotics with opioids may exacerbate addiction by altering brain responses to opioids, according to research on rats depleted of their gut microbiome. The study found that a weakened microbiome intensified opioid intoxication while reducing withdrawal effects.
A new adsorbent material developed using PET waste bottles can remove 100% of antibiotics from water in under 90 minutes, with high reusability and stability. The material uses a high-purity organic ligand extracted from PET waste, which is a cost-effective alternative to existing methods.
The new device developed by the Institute of Physical Chemistry uses non-contact printing to test antibiotic combinations and concentrations. It offers flexibility and precision, allowing users to produce sterile plates on demand with different antibiotics in various combinations.
Research suggests airborne transmission is a key factor in the spread of scarlet fever, with infected individuals shedding virus even without symptoms. The study found that classroom contacts were heavily infected and shed GAS despite being symptom-free, highlighting the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment.
A large study found that giving antibiotics after C-section umbilical cord clamping is equally safe as before, with no increase in surgical site infections. The results challenge the current WHO recommendation of administering antibiotics before incision.
Skoltech researchers have found a new mechanism of bacterial self-defense against microcin C, a potent antibiotic produced by some strains of Escherichia coli. The discovery involves histidine-triad (HIT) superfamily hydrolases, enzymes that break down the antibiotic and render it useless.
The NHS could save up to £89 million annually by implementing widely available diagnostic tests, reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. The study found that 80-90% accurate point-of-care tests can help distinguish between bacterial and viral infections.
Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that the plant had likely accumulated antibiotics from contaminated soil, not produced by nature.
Eleven Kazan University projects have received funding from the Russian Science Foundation, with a focus on medical research and development of new technologies. The funded projects include studies on antimicrobial substances, protein synthesis, and cancer treatment.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that cannabidiol (CBD) enhances the effect of antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a major human pathogen. The combination of CBD and antibiotics showed a more powerful effect than using antibiotics alone, reducing the need for antibiotics to achieve the same outcome.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have deciphered daptomycin's mode of action, blocking cell wall construction and leading to bacterial death. The study sheds light on the antibiotic's mechanism, paving the way for optimization and combination therapies against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Scientists create two innovative AST methods that can assess a pathogen's sensitivity to beta-lactams in just 30 minutes, targeting top CDC priorities. New phenotypic tests quantify small changes in nucleic acids after antibiotic exposure.
A Boston College-led team developed a graphene field effect transistor (G-FET) that selectively identifies deadly bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus and antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The rapid detection platform employs peptides to capture specific bacteria, allowing for fast and accurate diagnosis.
A new consensus statement offers UTI treatment recommendations to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment, while protecting against antimicrobial resistance. The statement aims to help healthcare providers diagnose, treat, and prevent UTIs in PALTC residents, who face increased risks of bacterial colonization and infection.
A research team, including Penn State and Microbiotix, aims to develop a novel oral antibiotic targeting the trans-translation pathway of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The project has received $2.86M in funding from CARB-X to optimize and develop a new compound into an effective treatment for drug-resistant gonorrhea.
Fecal Microbiota Transplants (FMT) have shown high success rates in treating C.diff infection, with 78% of patients experiencing no recurrence of diarrhoea within 90 days. This treatment is particularly effective compared to antibiotics, which have lower success rates for relapsing infections.
A study by the Dynamical Systems Biology lab reveals that bacteria can make each other more tolerant to antibiotics when coexisting. The response of bacteria to antibiotics depends on other species they live with, suggesting new strategies to combat bacterial infections.
Researchers analyzed 73 studies on antibiotic use in outpatient sectors worldwide, finding city dwellers, children, and seniors take more antibiotics. Higher education and richer countries reduce antibiotic use, while urban areas and doctor concentrations increase it.
Use of antibiotics during infancy may increase children's risk of becoming overweight or obese, while prenatal antibiotic use does not appear to affect weight in subsequent years. Investigators analyzed 23 studies involving over 1.2 million participants and found no link between prenatal antibiotic use and childhood obesity.
A study of 2 million patients found a strong association between repeat antibiotic prescriptions and increased risk of hospital admissions for new infections. The researchers suggest that overuse of antibiotics may lead to an imbalance of gut bacteria, making patients more susceptible to infections.
Scientists develop a new model to predict bacterial resistance to antibiotics and explore approaches for universal flu vaccines. Researchers also create a platform to accelerate drug development and study the impact of antibiotics on gut bacteria.
Researchers have identified cannabigerol (CBG) as a potent antibacterial agent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). CBG targets the cell membrane of gram-positive bacteria, showing promise in treating MRSA infections.
University of Queensland researchers have discovered 23 metal compounds with antibacterial and antifungal activity, selectively killing bacteria like MRSA but not human cells. The findings offer promise for outwitting bacterial resistance, as the new compounds may use different mechanisms than existing antibiotics.
A new paper-based device has been developed to enable quick diagnosis of bacterial infections at the point of care. The test uses lasers to identify the presence of bacteria and determine which antibiotic is most effective in treating it.
A study found that over 50% of ED patients with dental-related conditions received antibiotic prescriptions, while 40% received opioid prescriptions. The American Dental Association emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues through education and policy changes.
Researchers found that Ghanaian quinine and Japanese knotweed extracts killed Lyme bacteria effectively, even at low concentrations. The study suggests these plant-based herbal medicines could offer improved treatment options for persistent Lyme disease patients.
A special issue of Animal Health Research Reviews examines the science behind antibiotic use in food-producing animals to prevent illness. Despite some effective interventions, the evidence base is inconsistent, and more research is urgently needed to guide decision-making on antibiotic stewardship.
MIT researchers used a deep-learning model to identify a new antibiotic compound that can kill many species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including some strains resistant to all known antibiotics. The compound, called halicin, was found using an in silico screening method and showed effectiveness against various bacterial strains.
A seven-year follow-up study found no difference in patient-rated quality of life or satisfaction with treatment between those treated with antibiotics and those who underwent appendectomy. Patients taking antibiotics later had an appendectomy were less satisfied, highlighting the importance of successful treatment outcome.
A study found that macrolide antibiotics prescribed during early pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of major birth defects, particularly cardiovascular malformations. Alternative antibiotics should be used instead until further research is available.
A UK study found that mothers prescribed macrolide antibiotics during pregnancy were at higher risk of having children with cardiovascular and genital malformations. The study suggests avoiding macrolides during pregnancy when alternative antibiotics can be used.
A new clinical trial has found that using more than one antibiotic to treat MRSA infection provides no health benefits and increases the risk of side effects. The three-year study involved over 350 patients and tested whether adding a second antibiotic improved health outcomes.
A new group of antibiotics, corbomycin and complestatin, have been discovered with a unique approach to killing bacteria by blocking the function of the bacterial cell wall. The researchers demonstrated its effectiveness in mice against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.
A new UNLV study found that a high-carbohydrate diet nearly eliminated symptoms of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections in mice, whereas high-fat/high-protein diets exacerbated the infection. The research suggests that diet may promote microbial groups that can be protective against C. diff even after antibiotics.
A new study published in mSystems found that mice fed a high-protein, high-fat diet developed severe C. difficile infections, while those on a high-carbohydrate diet recovered. The researchers suggest that diet may promote protective microbial groups after antibiotics.
A team from JMU will investigate new antibiotics that can be used to treat specific types of bacteria, using digital methods for designing RNA antibiotics. The aim is to create a powerful digital platform for the future application of RNA-based antibiotics against various bacteria.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that nearly a quarter of antibiotic prescriptions filled by Medicaid recipients were not associated with a clinic visit, raising concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to curb inappropriate prescribing. The study highlights a key area missed by current policies aimed at reducing an...
A Northwestern University study found that 45% of antibiotic prescriptions for Medicaid patients lacked a clear reason, highlighting concerns about antibiotic overuse. The research used Medicaid claims data to determine the context in which antibiotics were prescribed, revealing gaps in current ambulatory stewardship policies.
A four-year study found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are prevalent in people, wildlife, and water sources in northeastern Tanzania. The researchers suggest that environmental transmission is the primary driver of resistance, making hygiene and sanitation a critical factor in combatting the issue.
Researchers found that at least 25% of antibiotic-resistant pathogens are capable of spreading their resistance genes directly to other bacteria. The study, which used a new high-throughput method, showed that antibiotics do not significantly affect the rate of gene transfer between bacteria.
Scientists identified less susceptible strains of group A streptococcus, which could lead to reduced effectiveness of antibiotics for strep throat and flesh-eating disease. The discovery highlights the urgent need for a vaccine against group A streptococcus.
Researchers discovered that a 'frameshift mutation' in TB bacteria's RpoB gene makes them resistant to rifampicin. The mutation suppresses the effect of the frameshift, allowing the bacteria to survive and thrive.
Researchers discovered how an antibiotic, vancomycin, forms a mucoadhesive complex with gut mucins, trapping it and prolonging its exposure to the infectious microbe. This finding could lead to delayed transit of the antibiotic, improving its effectiveness in treating debilitating gut infections like PE.
Researchers identified a highly competitive bacterium in the gut microbiota that protects against enteric pathogens. This discovery offers new avenues for developing antibiotic-free treatments.
Researchers at KU Leuven developed a new antibacterial strategy that prevents bacterial cooperation, reducing the emergence of resistance. Non-resistant bacteria outnumber resistant ones, making it harder for them to spread.
A study found that antibiotics are widely available without a prescription in Chinese retail pharmacies, hindering the government's goal to make them prescription-only by 2020. The survey revealed that 83.6% of pharmacies sold antibiotics without a prescription, with no significant differences between urban and rural locations.
A team of Israeli researchers has identified a short window of opportunity for treating antibiotic-resistant infections, where aggressive bacteria can be controlled with currently-available therapies. This breakthrough offers new hope for patients fighting life-threatening infections with weakened immune systems.
A class of antibiotics called aminoglycosides has been found to be effective in treating frontotemporal dementia by fixing a genetic mutation that prevents the production of progranulin protein. Researchers discovered two specific antibiotics, Gentamicin and G418, which were able to recover up to 50-60% of progranulin protein levels.
New study reveals antibiotic tolerance promotes the evolution of antimicrobial resistance even under combination drug treatments. The results suggest that designing antibiotic treatments must consider drug tolerance to prevent the emergence of resistance.
Researchers have identified two distinct types of antibiotics produced by bacteria that target the same cell wall component, offering a promising approach to combatting antimicrobial resistance. The discovery provides chemical blueprints for pharmaceutical chemists to design new, effective drugs.
A recent study found that only 11% of California pharmacies have a drug take-back program, and even fewer provide accurate information on safe disposal methods. The lack of clear guidelines can lead to misuse and accidental poisonings, highlighting the need for improved education and resources.
A highly contagious intestinal bacteria, Shigellosis can cause 190 million cases of diarrhoea globally each year. In Victoria, a drug-resistant Shigella strain has emerged, making treatment with oral antibiotics impossible, requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics instead.