Articles tagged with Antibiotics
Researchers used computer simulations to study the dynamics of efflux pumps in bacteria, which create drug resistance. Understanding how these pumps work could lead to finding ways to deactivate them, potentially making antibiotics effective again against life-threatening diseases.
A clinical trial shows FMT capsules are 96-per-cent effective in treating C. difficile infections, similar to colonoscopy. The pill-based treatment is non-invasive, inexpensive, and has no risks associated with sedation.
A recent study found that antibiotics like ciprofloxacin can directly alter the biochemical environment of mouse immune cells during infection, making it harder for them to kill bacteria. This change in environment also led to increased resistance to antibiotics in E. coli bacteria.
Bacteria resistant to ampicillin emerged several years before its widespread use in humans, according to a new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Low doses of penicillin added to animal feed in the 1950s and 60s may have encouraged antibiotic-resistant bacteria to evolve and spread.
Researchers found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria evolved and spread decades before the widespread use of ampicillin. The study suggests that low doses of penicillin fed to livestock may have triggered this evolution.
Researchers at the University of Bristol created a new platform for producing desperately needed antibiotics by combining synthetic biology with biology and chemistry. The team successfully generated a semi-synthetic pleuromutilin derivative with enhanced antibiotic activity, addressing the growing resistance to existing antibiotics.
Babies exposed to antibiotics for GBS developmentally delayed gut bacteria, which recovered by 12 weeks of age. Long-term effects on infant health are unclear.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that Fecal Microbiota Transplant capsules are just as effective as colonoscopy in treating C. difficile infections. The capsule delivery method is non-invasive, less expensive, and has no risks associated with sedation.
Research suggests that antibiotic use in mothers may alter the microbiome of their offspring, increasing the risk for inflammatory bowel disease. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, found that exposure to antibiotics can change the mix of bacterial species in maternal microbes, which are then passed on to their children.
Researchers found that bacteria can quickly share genes to maintain resistance, making it unlikely that reducing antibiotic use will reverse the trend. However, conjugation rates can be disrupted and reversed using existing drugs, paving the way for future development of new treatments.
A large study found that testing for fever, high pulse rate, crackly breath sounds, and low oxygen levels could help distinguish pneumonia from less serious infections. The researchers suggest using these four measures to identify patients who need treatment with antibiotics, while reducing unnecessary prescriptions.
Physicians at Kaiser Permanente reduced antibiotic prescriptions for sinusitis by 22% using computer alerts, finding a substantial decrease in acute sinusitis diagnoses while no increase in prescribing for other upper respiratory diagnoses was observed. The intervention's effect was not sustained over time.
A new review examines veterinary antibiotic use and its impact on soil resistance, highlighting the need for tighter controls. Recent studies show increased concentrations of antibiotics and diversity of resistant genes in animal manure and treated soils.
Researchers have identified specific chemical receptors in cells that could deceive bacteria and improve patient response to drugs. The study's findings suggest that targeting these receptors could help adapt antibiotics to better attack infections.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have made a breakthrough in treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae. They discovered that the body's natural defences, specifically interferons, can fight back against the infection, offering new avenues for therapy.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham identified two previously unknown mechanisms that bacteria use to protect themselves from antibiotics. The discovery provides new insights into how bacteria develop resistance and could lead to the development of new drugs to combat bacterial infections.
A report by the University of Birmingham calls for policymakers to focus on measurable objectives and simple language in their action plans. The current EU and UK plans have been criticized for lacking specificity and consistency, making it difficult to track progress and evaluate success.
Researchers have discovered that a cellular pump can move drugs like antibiotics into E. coli bacteria, contradicting the long-held assumption of strict proton and drug movement in opposite directions. This finding opens up new avenues for exploring antibiotic entry mechanisms to combat bacterial resistance.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln have developed two simplified synthetic versions of teixobactin, a natural antibiotic effective against superbugs like MRSA. The new forms retain identical potency as the natural form and can be produced on a commercial scale, overcoming previous limitations.
Two studies reveal that gut bacteria play a crucial role in cancer treatment response, with certain beneficial microbes linked to improved survival and efficacy of immunotherapy. Patients with healthier gut flora tend to have more immune cells that can target tumors.
A team of CSIC scientists has designed new molecules capable of destroying resistance to conventional antibiotics in bacteria. By targeting the cellular mechanisms that lead to antibiotic resistance, these molecules can break down the proteins responsible for making bacteria resistant to multiple drugs.
A new study found that most antibiotics decrease bacterial motility in multidrug-resistant Salmonella, but kanamycin increased swarming in one strain. Researchers hope to identify the accessory genes responsible for this effect to inform antibiotic choice.
Researchers identified two key proteins that allow mycobacterium tuberculosis to evade cell destruction, leading to potential new anti-microbial strategies. Deleting these proteins could inhibit repair mechanisms, making TB more susceptible to treatment.
A recent Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that combination therapy with azithromycin is unnecessary in most cases of pediatric pneumonia. The study of 1418 children showed no significant differences in outcomes between patients treated with a single antibiotic versus a combination of antibiotics. The researchers argue t...
Researchers found that insects reared on contaminated diets or irrigated with antibiotics exhibit increased mortality rates and altered development times. This study has implications for integrated pest management and the use of reclaimed wastewater in agriculture.
A Wayne State University research team has received a $1.85 million NIH grant to investigate non-Shine-Dalgarno translation initiation in bacteria. The goal is to identify new antibiotic targets effective against pathogens lacking Shine-Dalgarno sites.
The study found that nonoperative management is associated with a significantly higher risk of dying during hospitalization for appendicitis. Patients receiving nonoperative management were, on average, eight years older and had more coexisting illnesses than those who underwent early operations.
A new study confirms outpatient antibiotic use is a primary risk factor for acquiring C. difficile infection in the community, and recent emergency department visits may also pose a risk. The study found that patients with community-associated C. difficile infections were more likely to have prior health care visits and taken antibiotics.
Austrian scientists identify critical enterotoxin tilivalline and its potent metabolite tilimycin, produced by penicillin-resistant bacteria. The discovery provides insights into antibiotic side reactions and potential new approaches for producing anticancer drugs.
A project in rural China has successfully reduced the over-prescription of antibiotics for children's upper respiratory tract infections by half. The collaboration between UK, Canadian, and Chinese scientists introduced clinical guidelines to help doctors decide when antibiotics are necessary, resulting in a significant decrease in ant...
Researchers at Rutgers University have identified a protein complex called TldD that activates the antibiotic microcin B17 by removing its protective coating. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibacterial agents and drugs to combat toxins.
Researchers have developed novel antimicrobial compounds that can treat multidrug-resistant bacteria, enhancing the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics. The combination of colistin and a manganese tricarbonyl complex showed significant antibacterial activity in killing multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding and combating antibiotic resistance, particularly through the development of β-lactamase inhibitors. These enzyme inhibitors have shown promise in reversing resistance to certain antibiotics, offering new hope in treating previously untreatable infections.
A Wayne State research team is developing a novel approach to treat bacterial endophthalmitis with Resolvin D1, which has shown promise in reducing inflammation and preventing tissue damage. The study aims to identify new anti-inflammatory therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of blinding ocular infections.
A new meta-analysis shows that procalcitonin reduces relative mortality by 14% and antibiotic side effects by 25% in patients with respiratory infections. This biomarker can help medical experts diagnose infectious diseases and tailor treatment strategies.
A team of researchers from Newcastle University discovered the MlaA protein, which removes lipids from the outer membrane to increase permeability for toxic compounds. This process could be exploited by drugs to decrease bacterial virulence and enhance antibiotic effectiveness.
Researchers at OIST have identified genetic manipulation tools for B. bacteriovorus, a type of predatory bacteria that can be used as a living antibiotic to treat various infections. The study also explores potential applications in organic food production and industry.
A new study reveals that C-section births in mice result in less developed gut microbiota and significant weight gain. Vaginal-born mice demonstrated a leaner body type and normal microbiome maturity, while C-section born mice showed no major changes in microbiome structure but gained 33% more weight after weaning.
Researchers found that two psychological approaches, peer comparison and accountable justification, significantly reduced inappropriate antibiotic prescribing rates. However, when these interventions were removed after a year, some clinicians' bad habits returned, highlighting the need for long-term adoption of nudges to maintain bette...
A large-scale study found that patients who receive antibiotics before certain types of low-risk operations have the same risk for developing antibiotic-resistant infections as those who don't. The study analyzed data from over 22,000 patients and found no association between prophylactic antibiotic use and postoperative antibiotic res...
A study published in JAMA found that stopping behavioral interventions aimed at reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing led to an increase in such prescribing practices, despite previous effectiveness of the interventions. The randomized trial, which included 47 primary care practices and 248 clinicians, showed a decrease in appr...
A study found that patients with recorded penicillin allergy were more likely to develop surgical site infections, but only if they received alternative antibiotics. The risk was 50% higher in these patients, highlighting the need for reevaluation of penicillin allergy testing guidelines.
The sale of unapproved antibiotics in India is increasing at the fastest rate, driven by fixed-dose formulations and contributing to rising antimicrobial resistance. Researchers urge the Indian government to take effective action to stop the sales and implement regulations.
A study found that antibiotics prescribed by dentists may contribute to Clostridium difficile infections, a serious and potentially deadly infection. The research highlights the importance of using antibiotics only when needed and notes that many unnecessary prescriptions are likely.
Sloan Siegrist, a UMass Amherst microbiologist, has received a five-year, $2.3 million NIH New Innovator Award to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) growth rates and develop new antibiotic therapies.
A new test developed at Caltech can identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria in as little as 30 minutes, allowing doctors to choose the most effective antibiotics. The test has been proven accurate with a 95% match rate, and researchers hope to expand its use to other types of infections.
New research reveals light-activated nanoparticles can re-potentiate existing antibiotics for certain clinical isolate infections. The nanoparticles release superoxide, making bacteria more susceptible to the original antibiotic and reducing effective resistance by a factor of 1,000.
Scientists have developed a method to detect antibiotic susceptibility for urinary tract infections in under 30 minutes. This breakthrough could enable patients to receive effective treatments during a single clinical visit.
Researchers discovered a simple chemical mimic of host defense peptides can cure bacterial infections, either alone or in combination with traditional antibiotics. The study suggests new alternatives for treating life-threatening bacterial threats.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have engineered designer biosensors that can detect antibiotic molecules of interest produced by microbes such as E. coli. The biosensors use a naturally occurring molecular switch to detect the presence of macrolide antibiotics, enabling the screening of millions of different strains qu...
Researchers at the University of Groningen have identified a novel mechanism that targets hibernating ribosomes, making bacteria resistant to antibiotics. The mechanism involves a single protein, HPF±ong, which can dimerize and inhibit protein synthesis.
Researchers analyze and describe a comprehensive strategy for preserving antibiotic effectiveness by reducing antibiotic use in farm animals, aiming to reduce consumption by up to 80 percent globally by 2030. The study suggests that limiting meat intake or imposing user fees on veterinary antibiotics could achieve significant reductions.
Researchers found that formula-fed or cesarean-delivered infants had altered bacterial colonization trajectories compared to vaginally-born and breastfed babies. This could have implications for their future health, particularly in the development of food allergies.
Research led by Washington University School of Medicine finds that prescribing antibiotics in addition to lancing and draining staph-infected areas reduces the risk of recurrent infections. Clindamycin was found to be more effective at eliminating staph colonization than other antibiotics.
A study published in Hospital Pediatrics found that many medical residents deviate from guidelines when prescribing antibiotics, highlighting the need for education and training. The research suggests that residents can be effective 'first line of defense' against antibiotic resistance if they follow best practices.
Research finds that antibiotic use on people or pets, and biocidal cleaning products like bleach, contribute to MRSA multidrug resistance in the home environment. The presence of domestic pets and unwanted pests is also associated with multidrug-resistant strains.
Researchers at NIST create a rapid test that senses mechanical fluctuations of bacterial cells and detects response to antibiotics, potentially hastening effective medical treatment and limiting drug-resistant bacteria. The new technique can quickly determine whether an antibiotic combats a given infection.
A study published in JAMA found that a postoperative 48-hour course of antibiotics significantly decreased the rate of surgical site infections within 30 days after delivery among obese women. The researchers used oral cephalexin and metronidazole, and found a 10.9% overall SSI rate compared to 15.4% in the placebo group.
A team of researchers led by Konstantin Usachev is developing new antibiotics to combat the deadly Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The project aims to identify specific targets for these drugs using 3D visualization and computational analysis.
Researchers found that 40% of nursing home patients had multiple multidrug-resistant organisms living on their bodies, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections. The study suggests a complex network of interactions among bacteria and antibiotics, highlighting the need for more targeted treatment approaches.