Articles tagged with Antibiotics
A study by the University of Cologne found that expert feedback significantly reduces the length of antibiotic therapies and improves treatment decisions among pediatricians. The experiment showed that providing feedback can be a useful means to address excessive antibiotic use.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that diet can mitigate or exacerbate changes in the gut microbiome caused by antibiotics. In a mouse study, diet high in fiber and low in simple sugars protected certain beneficial bacteria from antibiotic harm.
A new antibiotic-coated shunt has been shown to significantly reduce infection rates in patients with hydrocephalus. The BASICS trial found that the innovative treatment saved the NHS approximately £130K per infection averted, resulting in estimated annual savings of £7 million.
Researchers found that fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as Ciprofloxacin, are associated with an increased risk of heart problems, including aortic and mitral regurgitation. Current users face a 2.4 times greater risk compared to patients taking amoxicillin.
A study found that premature babies' gut microbiomes remain disrupted after antibiotic treatment, leading to an increased risk of disease and health problems later in life. The research suggests that minimizing antibiotic use in preemies may help prevent these issues.
Treating preterm infants with antibiotics for more than 20 months can lead to less diverse bacterial populations in their gut, containing more antibiotic resistance genes. The study suggests that early-life antibiotic use may promote allergies and other health issues later in life by reducing the diversity of microbial communities.
Researchers create new way to detect resistant bacteria, enabling clinicians to reserve stronger antibiotics for most patients. The modified antibiotic can be attached to a sensor surface to detect resistance enzymes, paving the way for rapid diagnostic tests.
Researchers found a new mechanism for resistance gene transmission in intestinal bacteria that's independent of antibiotics. Persistent bacteria can survive and share genes with other bacteria, spreading resistance, according to ETH Zurich scientists.
Researchers discovered powerful genes in duckweed that protect against a wide range of harmful microbes and pests, paving the way for use in bioreactors, drug production, and biofuel development. The study's DNA sequencing approach could lead to numerous societal benefits and further unlock the potential of duckweed.
A new study modelled the effects of antibiotic prescriptions on developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the River Thames. Reducing antibiotic use by 80% is necessary to avoid a surge in superbugs, which could pose a more immediate risk to humanity than climate change.
Bacteria behind hospital infections have been found to close tiny doors in their cell walls, blocking antibiotics. This mechanism allows researchers to design new drugs that can 'pick the locks' and allow antibiotics into bacterial cells.
Fuzhong Zhang receives nearly $2 million NIH grant to investigate metabolic diversity and its relation to antibiotic persistence in bacteria. He aims to understand what causes cells with different metabolic activity and develop strategies to control these differences.
New antibiotics are prescribed in only about a quarter of CRE infections due to high costs, despite being classified as the best choice by pharmacists. The slow adoption is attributed to concerns about accelerating antibiotic resistance and limited data on their effectiveness.
Researchers study how gonorrhea develops resistance to antibiotics, identifying key mutations and structural changes. Understanding these mechanisms can lead to the development of new treatments and diagnostic tests.
A large-scale survey in rural Thailand and Laos found that people's attitudes towards antibiotics were often consistent with public health recommendations, but linked to disproportionately high rates of prescribed antibiotics. Wealthier and more educated individuals were also associated with receiving antibiotics from informal sources.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found that taking a single course of antibiotics may boost the risk of developing colon cancer a decade later. The study, published in the journal Gut, highlights the need for judicious use of antibiotics and careful stewardship.
Research published in Gut journal suggests a link between antibiotic use and increased risk of bowel cancer, particularly for cancers of the proximal colon. Conversely, rectal cancer risk was found to be lower among those prescribed antibiotics, possibly due to differences in gut microbiome activity.
Two antimicrobial stewardship interventions were found to be feasible in community hospitals, increasing antibiotic appropriateness and reducing unnecessary use. The interventions, which included pharmacist approval after the first dose and engagement with prescribers, showed promise in improving stewardship practices.
Researchers analyzed data from 27,000 Canadian nursing home residents with advanced dementia and found significant differences in end-of-life care between men and women. Men were less likely to receive invasive procedures, physical restraints, and antibiotic therapy in the last 30 days of life compared to women.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine find that adding rhamnolipids enhances the potency of aminoglycoside antibiotics against Staph infections, including MRSA. The study suggests a new strategy to overcome antibiotic resistance and has implications for treating various bacterial species.
Researchers followed a long-term UTI sufferer and found that recurring infections came from a single bacterial reservoir in the body. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments by targeting the intestinal reservoir rather than just treating the bladder.
A new study found that nearly half of patients with UTIs were not tested for the infection, leading to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and increased risk of antibiotic resistance. The researchers argue that doctors need access to rapid diagnostics tests to accurately diagnose and treat UTIs.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered an antibiotic that can prevent the life-threatening diarrhea caused by C. difficile. The treatment strategy could also counter diseases caused by other similar bacteria, including anthrax. Studies show that cephamycins can reduce spore production of C. difficile and Bacillus cereus.
Researchers extracted genetic programs for glycopeptide antibiotic production from Actinobacteria, revealing precursors date back over 1 billion years. The study shows that resistance co-evolved with production as a means of self-protection for producing bacteria.
Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth have discovered that vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) can develop resistance to daptomycin in more than one way. The study's findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, which could lead to the development of new treatment strategies or 'co-drugs' targetin...
A Finnish study has found that bowel preparation before colon surgery does not reduce surgical site infections or complications. The study of 400 patients showed no benefits to the procedure, suggesting it may be unnecessary.
A team of scientists has discovered previously unknown binding sites on a bacterial enzyme that could guide novel approaches to antibiotic design. The researchers identified key sections of the MraY enzyme that can be targeted with new drugs to inhibit the spread of certain bacterial infections.
Researchers found that cigarette smoke can change the DNA and characteristics of pathogenic microbes like MRSA, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This stress response sparks an emergency mutation, resulting in hardy variants that are better equipped to resist drugs.
Researchers discovered antibiotic properties of a natural product that selectively inhibits pathogen growth while leaving beneficial microbes intact. Synthetic derivatives of this substance have shown enormous antibiotic efficiency against Moraxella catarrhalis and malaria parasites.
Antibiotic-resistant genes were found in London's freshwater sources, with the River Thames having the highest levels. The genes come from human and animal waste, which contaminates water bodies through wastewater discharge. Researchers are now experimenting with slow sand filtration to remove these genes.
Nonprescription antibiotic use is a significant public health concern, with varying prevalence rates across different socioeconomic groups. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education to prevent unnecessary antibiotic use and its associated adverse events.
Researchers discovered that giving antibiotics to mice and humans before a liver transplant led to improved liver function after surgery. The treatment inhibited bacteria causing inflammation, reducing organ rejection and accelerating cell removal, resulting in better outcomes for patients.
A recent study found that kissing is a significant route of transmission for gonorrhoea, with rates of infection higher among men who kiss their partners compared to those who do not. The researchers argue that increased awareness and control measures are needed to address the rising global incidence of gonorrhoea.
Active surveillance for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is now performed in half of centers, a significant increase from the previous study. Financial support for physician stewardship medical directors has also increased to 78% since 2013.
A new study found that using a CRP finger-prick blood test reduced antibiotic use by 20% in people with COPD flare-ups without affecting recovery or well-being. This approach may help tackle antibiotic resistance.
Researchers found that the rate at which a patient's immune system clears slow-growing variants of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is crucial in determining whether antibiotics can cure the infection. A new mathematical model suggests that a drug targeting slow-growing MRSA variants may be the most effective treatmen...
A multicenter study found that antibiotic stewardship interventions can significantly reduce overuse of antibiotics for viral acute respiratory infections. By implementing a bundle of evidence-based strategies, institutions can cut antibiotic overuse by one-third, even among high-performing systems.
Researchers at Inserm and Université de Rennes 1 have created new antibiotics effective against Gram-positive and negative multi-resistant bacteria. The compounds, known as peptidomimetics, also appear to prevent the development of resistance when used in mice models.
Researchers successfully combined ceftazidime-avibactam and fosfomycin to fight P. aeruginosa in mouse models, outperforming individual antibiotics. The combination reduced the presence of the bacterium significantly, offering a potential therapeutic strategy against superbugs.
A new study found that nearly two-thirds of pneumonia patients in Michigan hospitals received excessive antibiotic prescriptions, with most written during the discharge process. This over-treatment can lead to physical side effects and does not improve patient outcomes.
A new evidence review suggests that few nutritional supplements or dietary interventions offer any protection against cardiovascular disease or death. Some may even cause harm, according to a meta-analysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
The study identifies nine master regulators controlling key pathogenic pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, offering potential targets for new antibiotics. An online platform and R package have also been developed to facilitate the analysis of the regulatory network.
A recent study by the University of Birmingham has identified a key pathway involved in protecting bacteria against antibiotics. The researchers discovered that phospholipids are transported towards the outer membrane through a series of proteins, which could lead to the development of new antibiotic treatments.
Researchers developed a new technique to visualise the distribution of TB drugs in human macrophages at high resolution. The study found that bedaquiline accumulates in lipid droplets inside host cells, forming a reservoir that supplies the drug to Mtb over time.
A recent study found that US hospitals typically wait over a year to prescribe new antibiotics, hindering the market for needed drugs. The delay is attributed to factors such as cost, lack of clear patient guidelines, and inadequate testing for candidate patients.
Researchers have identified a combination of penicillin and clavulanic acid that can overcome resistance in some MRSA strains, making them potentially effective against the superbug. The study suggests that existing medicines could be used to treat one of the world's major strains of MRSA.
Researchers found Cannabidiol effective in killing a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria, including resistant strains, and disrupted biofilms. The compound retained its activity under extended exposure conditions that lead to resistance against other common antibiotics.
A UC Davis study found that educating physicians and patients about safe antibiotic use can reduce overuse by one-third. The study compared two approaches, including educational materials and on-site physician champions, and found significant reductions in inappropriate antibiotic treatment.
A world-first study uses 'good viruses' to eliminate targeted bacteria in green sea turtles without harming non-targeted 'good bacteria'. Researchers have identified the potential for phage therapy as an alternative treatment for bacterial infections in marine animals.
Scientists at Emory Health Sciences have found that combining certain antibiotics can effectively target and defeat bacteria with heteroresistance, a previously underappreciated form of antibiotic resistance. This approach may offer a new strategy for treating resistant infections in hospitalized patients.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have developed a new technology that can detect live bacteria in minutes using bioelectrical signals. This breakthrough could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment of infections, including antibiotic-resistant threats.
A study by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that nearly 74% of preschool children with community-acquired pneumonia receive unnecessary antibiotics, while 43% undergo chest X-rays despite guidelines against routine use. This overuse contributes to antibiotic resistance and side effects.
Researchers discovered a new class of antibiotics produced by the microbiome that kill bacteria by disrupting their energy metabolism. Fibupeptides, such as lugdunin, have shown promise in treating multidrug-resistant infections, including those caused by MRSA.
Researchers found a compound, C10, that prevented TB bacteria from forming biofilms, making them easier to kill with antibiotics. The compound reversed drug resistance in lab-grown bacteria, potentially shortening treatment regimens for millions suffering from the deadly infection.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that antibiotics prescribed by dentists as a preventive measure are unnecessary for 81% of patients. The researchers analyzed nearly 170,000 dentist-written antibiotic prescriptions from 2011 to 2015 and found that only 21% of patients had a cardiac condition that made an antibiotic p...
A recent US study found that 81% of antibiotics prescribed by dentists to prevent infections prior to dental visits are unnecessary. The study highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship in dental practices, particularly in Western US locations.
Researchers at Swansea University have found that Manuka honey is effective in killing antimicrobial resistant bacteria by 39%, improving the activity of some antibiotics. This could provide an alternative treatment for cystic fibrosis patients struggling with deadly, antibiotic-resistant respiratory infections.
A new study has helped develop a treatment option for multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections, including complicated urinary tract infections. The treatment, tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide, is an oral antibiotic agent that may facilitate earlier discharge from hospital or treat complex infections in the community.
A new study has found that cranberry extract makes bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics, reducing resistance and allowing for lower doses to be effective. This breakthrough could help combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
Lugdunin, a cyclic peptide with strong antimicrobial properties, works by proton transport across bacterial membranes. The researchers discovered that the thiazolidine group in lugdunin forms a critical part of its structure and is essential for its antibacterial activity.