Research on antibiotics and the bacteria they target. Covers antibiotic resistance, gut pathogens, persistent strep throat, and water-source contamination.
A new study found that 40% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions were unnecessary, with urinary tract infections, bronchitis, skin structure infections, and sinusitis being common causes. Real-time alerts and patient education may help reduce misuse by targeting these factors in the outpatient setting.
Research suggests that mode of delivery influences the development of the gut microbiota in infants, with C-sections linked to delayed bacterial colonization and increased risk of respiratory infections. This may have implications for future respiratory health.
A UK study found that only one-third of patients with suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) actually have evidence of the infection. In reality, nearly all patients receive antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. The study suggests implementing antimicrobial stewardship initiatives could reduce unnecessary antib...
Research reveals that over-the-counter throat medications containing topical antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance in certain bacteria species. The study found that some products were not sufficiently concentrated to prevent bacterial growth, enabling resistance development.
A genetic study of an outbreak of Enterococcus faecalis revealed how the organism became resistant to new antibiotics and adapted to infect human blood. The research identified multiple mutations that enabled the bacteria to resist host immune systems and antibiotics.
A cluster of four NYC hospital patients harboring highly resistant E. coli with the MCR-1 gene were identified, highlighting the risk of spread and need for ongoing surveillance of this rare antibiotic resistance gene.
Scientists have engineered a fungus to produce a high-concentration antibiotic, which could treat African sleeping sickness. The breakthrough uses genetic modification to create a non-toxic variant of the antibiotic, offering a cost-effective solution to this neglected tropical disease.
A novel technology developed by Professor Douglas Kell uses flow cytometry to detect and count individual bacteria in urine samples. This allows doctors to determine the most effective antibiotic for treating specific bacterial infections, potentially reducing the reliance on last-resort antibiotics.
Researchers have developed a high-throughput method to produce and screen engineered antimicrobial lanthipeptides, which could lead to the creation of new antibiotics. The method involves synthesizing DNA strands coding for different ring combinations and screening them for antimicrobial potential using micro-alginate beads.
Scientists found that certain antibiotics trigger the generation of toxic molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to new mutations and antibiotic resistance. ROS-reducing drugs like edaravone can prevent these mutations, suggesting a potential new strategy to combat resistance evolution
Researchers have identified bacteria with promising antibiotic activity against known pathogens in the protective mucus that coats young fish. The study found five bacterial extracts strongly inhibited methicillin-resistant S. aureus and three inhibited Candida albicans, a fungus pathogenic to humans.
University of Arizona immunobiologist Michael Johnson is using a $1.9 million grant to explore copper's potential as an antibiotic. He hopes to create therapeutics that target the copper-sensing protein CopY, which helps bacteria fight off copper stress.
An international study found that wastewater treatment plants in seven European countries have varying levels of antibiotic resistance, with southern Europe showing higher rates. The study suggests that modern treatment plants are effective in removing resistant bacteria, but older or poorly managed plants may contribute to the problem.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a self-defensive surface for medical implants that releases micro-doses of antibiotics when bacteria approach. The microgels' behavior is regulated by electrical charges and can be applied to various medical devices, potentially reducing surgical infections.
Researchers found that populations with high HIV/AIDS prevalence are more susceptible to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections due to frequent antibiotic use. This increases the risk of drug-resistant diseases, posing a serious public health threat worldwide.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released updated guidelines for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), suggesting that testing should be limited to high-risk patients. This shift aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment and minimize the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Rice University suggest that fluctuating growth rates of bacteria can increase the time it takes to eradicate a bacterial infection, giving the surviving bugs a better chance to develop resistance. This approach could lead to more accurate dosing and improved treatment outcomes.
A bioabsorbable antibiotic envelope has been shown to reduce the risk of major device-related infections in cardiac devices by 40% within one year. The study involved nearly 7,000 patients across 25 countries and demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of this innovation.
A study of 400 patients found that switching from intravenous to oral antibiotic therapy resulted in fewer deaths and complications over a median of 3.5 years. Patients who switched to oral treatment had better survival rates than those who remained on conventional intravenous therapy.
A new test for identifying how single bacteria react to antibiotics could help slow down antibiotic resistance by targeting the right treatments more quickly. The test, which can analyze hundreds of bacteria at once, examines multiple properties and detects the signature of each bacterium in one hour.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.