Articles tagged with Antibiotics
A large-scale international trial led by the University of Birmingham examined if antibiotics can prevent surgical complications after miscarriage surgery. The trial showed that giving a preventative single dose of antibiotics prior to surgery did not result in a significant reduction in pelvic infection within 14 days post-surgery, bu...
Researchers at MIT have developed a new drug delivery system that allows patients to switch from daily to monthly doses of antibiotics, reducing the burden of tuberculosis treatment. The device slowly releases antibiotics over one month, eliminating the need for daily pills.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a gene, HLA-A*32:01, that predisposes patients to vancomycin-associated DRESS. This genetic variant is found in 86% of patients who developed DRESS while taking vancomycin.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a germ-fighting catheter coating that can kill MRSA bacteria and prevent biofilm formation. The coating, which releases the drug auranofin, has shown promising results in lab tests, inhibiting MRSA growth for up to 26 days.
Researchers at UC San Diego have found a new mechanism that allows bacteria to survive antibiotics by controlling magnesium ion uptake. This discovery could lead to new treatments for infectious diseases and boost the potency of existing antibiotic drugs.
A study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that prior antibiotic exposure and use of proton pump inhibitors may increase the risk for hospitalized children to contract Clostridioides difficile infections. Clinicians should judiciously use antibiotics in hospitalized children to minimize this risk.
A new study found that diagnostic uncertainty in febrile children results in increased observation times, inpatient admissions, and precautionary use of antibiotics. The development of rapid diagnostic tests could significantly reduce financial burden on the NHS and avoid unnecessary distress to children and parents.
Researchers found that even low concentrations of single antibiotics lead to resistance in multiple classes. The team believes alterations in treatment processes can reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms.
Resistance to azithromycin and ceftriaxone remains a significant threat, with only limited alternatives left for successful treatment. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control monitors the effectiveness of recommended antibiotics through its surveillance programme.
The new rapid genetic test detects the Macrolide efflux gene A, which causes resistance to erythromycin and azithromycin. The test works as accurately as culture-based methods but gives results in minutes, improving point-of-care diagnostics and potentially leading to better outcomes.
Researchers found that delaying or withholding antibiotics for older adults with urinary tract infections increases the risk of bloodstream infections and death. Immediate antibiotic treatment is recommended for this vulnerable group due to their increased susceptibility to sepsis following UTI.
Researchers found that early antibiotic treatment for elderly patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) reduces the risk of sepsis and death compared to delayed or no treatment. The study suggests that immediate antibiotics should be prescribed for elderly patients with UTIs, especially older men and those living in deprived areas.
Researchers found that antibiotic treatment courses for common infections in English primary care often deviate from guidelines, with the majority of excess days attributed to respiratory conditions. The study suggests that reducing antibiotic overuse through better adherence to recommended treatment durations may have significant scope.
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Surgery found that surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis in adults is very safe, with more than 97% of procedures being minimally invasive. The study analyzed 7,778 appendectomies and found that only 3% resulted in complications, making it a low-risk option.
A study found that suboptimal antibiotic doses may lead to lower lung microbial diversity, while therapeutic doses result in decreased diversity and lower levels after treatment. This could influence patient outcomes in cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease causing recurrent lung infections.
Changes to standard urine orders led to a 45% reduction in unnecessary tests for asymptomatic patients. Nurses play a crucial role in antimicrobial stewardship, and practical guidance is needed to integrate them into efforts.
A new study at WashU Medicine finds that making a simple electronic system change can reduce bacterial culture tests ordered without compromising patient care. The change encourages doctors to first look for signs of UTIs before testing urine for bacteria, resulting in a nearly half reduction in unnecessary tests.
Scientists at DTU have discovered that a combination of mecillinam and cefotaxime can eliminate multi-drug resistant E. coli causing urinary tract infections. This novel approach could become an effective measure against antibiotic resistance, offering new hope in treating this common infection.
Researchers have discovered a way to block the VCC-1 enzyme, which disables a new antibiotic resistance gene found in benign Vibrio cholerae strains. The discovery uses Avibactam, a US FDA-approved combination drug, to effectively combat the resistant bacteria.
Researchers at McMaster University have identified a simple mechanism used by bacteria to resist antibiotics. By understanding this mechanism, scientists can design better drugs to fight infection. The study found that when bacteria become resistant, their membrane becomes more rigid and harder for the drug to penetrate.
Researchers found that antibiotic resistance genes are transferred between bacteria through viruses and transposons, leading to a fast distribution of resistance genes. This challenges the long-held assumption that only plasmids facilitate gene exchange.
A $3.34M NIH grant will aid in understanding how bacteria resist antibiotics by targeting cell-wall strengthening machinery in B. multivorans and identifying peptide-based inhibitors to block this process. Novel peptides may enhance the immune response and synergize with existing antibiotics to treat drug-resistant infections.
A new study found that hospitals have reduced fluoroquinolone prescribing in-house, but one-third of patients still received discharge prescriptions for these high-risk antibiotics. The risk of side effects, including drug-resistant infections and tendon ruptures, increases with outpatient use.
A year-long trial of electronically-delivered prescribing feedback and online decision support for GPs reduced antibiotic prescribing for respiratory illnesses. Antibiotic use was reduced by 12%, with no increase in serious complications.
A study by CDDEP researchers found that investing in an effective antibiotic for Staphylococcus aureus infections can save millions of lives during a pandemic. The value of such investment is estimated to be between $3 and $4 billion, highlighting the importance of conserving antibiotics in preparedness plans.
Researchers at Uppsala University and Emory University found that over a quarter of bacteria exhibit heteroresistance, making antibiotic treatment ineffective. The underlying genetic mechanism is often the spontaneous occurrence of gene amplifications, which can make it difficult to detect and study.
A new study highlights the need for contextual data collection alongside clinical trials to tailor interventions and improve their effectiveness. Researchers found that factors like local health policies, healthcare workers' concerns, and patient understanding influence adherence to antibiotic prescriptions.
Researchers have identified a new target protein that can inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced cell death. Corticosteroids, already used in tuberculosis treatment, may support the healing process by inhibiting this pathway. This immunotherapy approach could reduce treatment duration and secondary complications associated with TB.
The review finds that while antibiotic development has improved, the most recently approved drugs represent modifications to existing classes rather than innovative approaches. Unmet needs persist due to a lack of treatment options for multidrug-resistant infections.
A study of 1,850 patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis found that vitamin D supplementation accelerated TB clearance in those receiving antibiotic treatment. The findings suggest a potential host-directed therapy to improve outcomes for patients with drug-resistant bacterial infections.
A University of Kansas geologist's work in the remote High Arctic has exposed the global spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes, including multidrug-resistant 'superbugs'. Researchers found 131 antibiotic-resistant genes in Svalbard soil samples, with some tracing back to human sewage or bird guano.
A new study by Christian Lodberg Hvas shows that faeces transplantation is an effective treatment for Clostridium difficile, curing 22 out of 24 patients after a single procedure. In contrast, only 10 out of 24 patients were cured using the antibiotic fidaxomicin, highlighting the potential life-saving benefits of this treatment.
Researchers used time-lapse microscopy to reveal a key protein's role as a 'brake' controlling sporulation timing in Streptomyces. The study found that removing this brake leads to premature sporulation, highlighting the importance of BldC protein binding on the chromosome.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that an educational intervention trained rural Chinese primary care doctors to prescribe antibiotics more appropriately, reducing unnecessary prescriptions for childhood upper respiratory tract infections by 36%. The intervention's long-term benefits were sustained even a year after its conclusion.
A new microchip technology can identify the optimal medication and dosage for effective treatment of bacterial infections in six to seven hours. The microchip's innovative design features enable it to determine the minimum inhibitory dosage that prevents bacterial growth, a crucial step in treating life-threatening infections.
Amprologix Limited, a University of Plymouth spinout, has secured a £1.2 million contract to accelerate development of its lead antibiotic candidate epidermicin NI01 to tackle antimicrobial resistance. The company aims to make the nasal cream ready for human clinical trials by early 2021.
Researchers found that insect-borne microbes often outperformed soil bacteria in stopping antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. A new antibiotic, cyphomycin, was discovered from a Brazilian fungus-farming ant and showed effective antimicrobial action without toxic side effects.
Researchers successfully recreated microscopic networks of fibers made of DNA, called NETs, in the laboratory. The study found that these microwebs can capture and kill bacteria, potentially leading to more effective antibiotics and a new approach to treating infections.
A new method, developed by Case Western Reserve University researchers, identifies effective second-line antibiotics for treating germs resistant to first-line antibiotics. The approach could help clinicians choose the best treatment for patients and overcome antibiotic resistance.
The USPSTF reaffirms its recommendation for using an antibiotic ointment to prevent gonococcal eye infections in all newborns. This infection can spread to the cornea and cause blindness as early as 24 hours after birth, with transmission rates of 30% to 50% from mother to newborn.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that patients with primary care received more high-value care, such as cancer screening and diagnostic testing, and reported a better healthcare experience. Primary care was also associated with higher rates of recommended counseling services, including smoking cessation.
Researchers have solved a 20-year riddle of how crucial step in antibiotic biosynthesis occurs, opening way to potentially redesigning antibiotics. The team structurally characterised the peptide bond forming domain in Ebony enzyme, revealing its novel types of condensation domain and its role in regulating neurotransmitters.
A new study has confirmed the presence of a superbug gene in the Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard, one of the last pristine places on Earth. The blaNDM-1 gene, originally found in urban India, has been detected in Arctic soils and is associated with increased antibiotic resistance.
A study in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that providing more information about how doctors prescribe drugs can reduce problems associated with overprescription. Between 2012 and 2017, there was a notable decrease of 14% in antibiotic prescriptions in England.
Researchers in Leicester are investigating the use of antibiotics to treat certain types of severe asthma, a condition affecting 1 in 20 people with asthma. The study aims to identify patients with specific subtypes of severe asthma and test new oral treatments, including doxycycline and dexpramipexole.
A team of researchers isolated a peptide named emericellipsin A from soil fungi, which possesses antitumor and antibacterial properties. The substance was proved to be effective against various types of bacteria and fungi, including those resistant to other antibiotics.
A nearly 30-year mystery has been solved by Rutgers and international scientists, who discovered the molecular machinery that produces potent antibiotic microcin B17. The findings provide tools to design new antimicrobials and anticancer drugs.
A new antibiotic called Ramizol shows promise in treating drug-resistant bacteria in the intestines, particularly for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The research indicates that Ramizol is well-tolerated and effective against lethal doses of the bacteria.
Researchers developed a rapid whole genome sequencing method that can identify specific antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains in under a day, reducing treatment time by at least 20 hours. The technology has the potential to speed personalized treatment of drug-resistant infections, which claim thousands of lives annually.
Bronchiolitis, a common viral lung infection, is often treated with antibiotics in US emergency rooms, contradicting evidence-based guidelines. The study found that 25% of children under 2 years old with bronchiolitis received antibiotics between 2007 and 2015.
A new study found that nearly a quarter of antibiotic prescriptions for children and adults may be unnecessary, with 1 in 7 patients receiving antibiotics for cases that were not medically justified. This highlights the need to reduce antibiotic overuse and its consequences, including contributing to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A comprehensive US study found only 13% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions were appropriate, highlighting the widespread overuse of antibiotics. The study used a novel classification scheme and evaluated all 91,738 diagnosis codes in ICD-10, categorizing each for antibiotic appropriateness.
Between 2008 and 2016, antibiotic prescribing by dermatologists declined overall, driven largely by a decrease in extended courses for acne and rosacea. However, the use of postoperative antibiotics after surgical visits increased, raising concerns that practice should be evaluated
A recent study published in The BMJ found that nearly a quarter of antibiotic prescriptions for privately insured outpatients in the US were inappropriate. Inappropriate prescribing was more common among adults than children, with colds, chest infections, and coughs being the three most common reasons.
The article highlights the need for accurate evaluation of documented penicillin allergies, which can be safely treated in most cases. The JAMA report provides guidance on comprehensive history taking and risk assessment, recommending a simple history to distinguish intolerances from allergies.
Researchers developed a mobile CRISPRi system to study antibiotic function in various bacteria, including those that cause disease and promote health. The system allows scientists to screen for antibiotic targets thousands of genes at once, providing clues on how to improve existing antibiotics or develop new ones.
New research suggests that taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain can increase the risk of severe Clostridium difficile infections. The study found that brief exposure to an NSAID prior to infection worsened infection severity and shortened survival in mice.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals a strong correlation between
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown strain of bacteria in ancient Irish soil that effectively inhibits the growth of four top-six multi-resistant pathogens. The strain, Streptomyces sp. myrophorea, has shown promise against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, providing new hope for combating antibiotic resistance.
A new study found that antibiotics are being overused in up to 50% of patients undergoing common urological procedures, with extended use following the procedure being the main issue. This excessive use can promote antibiotic resistance and expose patients to potential harm.