Articles tagged with Antibiotics
The 'handshake stewardship' program, led by Sarah Parker, MD, reduced antibacterial use by 10.3%, antifungal use by 12.1%, and overall antimicrobial use by 10.9%. The program's success is attributed to daily pharmacist-physician reviews and in-person advice on antibiotic usage.
Researchers at NSU discovered that shaking bacteria can create confusion, preventing them from coordinating an attack. This strategy has promise in reducing the need for antibiotics and combating antibiotic resistance. The team plans to test their theory in more species of bacteria and eventually in mice.
A new point-of-care testing strategy has been developed to quickly diagnose respiratory infections, including flu, allowing for faster treatment and reduced risk of antibiotic overuse. The test, which can deliver results within an hour, has shown promising results in trialling patients with acute respiratory illnesses.
Research found a heightened risk of abnormal growths in the colon and rectum among women who used antibiotics for extended periods during their 20s-50s. Long-term antibiotic use was associated with a 36% increased risk of colorectal adenomas, which may precede bowel cancer.
Researchers found a natural way to enhance antibiotic action by combining maple syrup extract with commonly used antibiotics. This approach works on various bacterial strains, including E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, allowing for up to 90% less antibiotic use while maintaining effectiveness.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered non-antibiotic antivirulence compounds that prevent disease-causing toxins from forming in gram-positive bacteria. These compounds, such as F19, have shown effectiveness against various types of superbugs and may enable the use of existing antibiotics in combination therapy.
A new imaging tool can rapidly diagnose bacterial lung infections, helping prevent unnecessary antibiotic use and reducing the emergence of resistant bacteria. The bedside technology has received £2million in funding and aims to revolutionize the assessment and treatment of critically ill patients and those with long-term lung conditions.
CARB-X is investing $24 million to support 11 biotech companies in developing new life-saving antibacterials and diagnostics. The pipeline includes three potential new classes of small molecule antibiotics, four non-traditional products, and seven new molecular targets against Gram-negative bacteria.
A Virginia Tech research team found that manure from cattle administered antibiotics drastically changes the soil's microbial community, leading to ecosystem dysfunction. The amount of antibiotic-resistant genes in soil near manure piles was 200 times greater than in unaffected areas.
A meta-analysis of 404 pediatric patients found that antibiotic treatment was successful in 90.5% without increasing the risk of complications, but failure rates were higher in those with appendicolith; surgery is preferred for cases with this condition.
Chinese scientists have developed a fluorogenic probe, CVB-1, to detect the activity of multidrug-resistant carbapenemases in an assay system. This technique allows for rapid detection of antibiotic resistance activity by fluorescence, enabling specific treatment strategies and reducing the overuse of ineffective drugs.
The new guidelines cover antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy for outpatients with mild and moderate exacerbations. The recommendations also include starting pulmonary rehabilitation 3 weeks after discharge from hospital following a severe exacerbation.
Researchers have developed a new class of compounds called lysine-conjugated aliphatic norspermidine analogues (LANAs) that effectively kill certain bacteria, including MRSA. Testing on mice showed that the compounds can eliminate MRSA skin infections with no signs of acute toxicity or resistance development.
Researchers found that antibiotic-treated honeybees were half as likely to survive, with gut microbes disrupted and harmful bacteria increased. The study suggests that overuse of antibiotics may contribute to colony collapse and has implications for human health.
A recent study published in Annals of Family Medicine found that antibiotics are not effective in treating eczema flares in children. The CREAM study analyzed data from 113 children with non-severely infected eczema and showed no significant difference between groups in the resolution of eczema symptoms.
Researchers have discovered a new way to restore antibiotic susceptibility in multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli strains. By identifying genes essential for survival of MDR superbugs in the presence of antibiotics, the team developed innovative drugs that can defeat resistant bacteria.
A recent study published in Annals of Family Medicine found that oral and topical antibiotics have no meaningful benefit for milder clinically infected eczema in children. Topical corticosteroids and emollient treatment led to rapid resolution of symptoms.
A study published in the Annals of Family Medicine found that in-office automated blood pressure monitoring over 30 minutes significantly reduced the number of patients who met criteria for antihypertensive medication regimes. The technique, known as OBP30, yielded lower blood pressure readings than routine office blood pressure readings.
A novel combination of two antibiotics, ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam, has been shown to be effective against a high percentage of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) specimens. The therapy works by blocking different types of enzymes that bacteria use to destroy antibiotics.
Researchers found that reducing antibiotics by 10% and 25% can lead to a 11.2% and 28.3% reduction in MDRO spread, respectively. Antibiotic stewardship programs can help reduce unnecessary usage and transmission of deadly bacteria.
Researchers developed two approaches to increase penicillin and cephalosporin use in hospitalized patients with penicillin allergy. Skin testing significantly increased favorable prescriptions, while a computerized guideline also improved antibiotic prescribing rates.
McMaster researchers have discovered a new combination therapy that effectively treats the world's worst infectious diseases, including superbugs resistant to all known antibiotics. The treatment targets Gram-negative bacteria with an intrinsically impenetrable outer shell, making infections deadly in hospital settings.
Innovative ways to target antibiotic resistance include combining antibiotics with non-antibiotics, such as loperamide, which enhances effectiveness against multi-drug resistant bacteria. Rapid diagnostic tests that can quickly identify bacterial infections and their resistance to antibiotics are also crucial in reducing further develo...
Researchers identified cultural factors influencing transmission of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from livestock to humans in Tanzania. The study found Maasai households were less likely to follow withdrawal periods, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A new study measures cumulative dosage over a patient's lifetime and finds that high exposure increases the risk of permanent hearing loss in cystic fibrosis patients. Researchers suggest alternative treatment strategies to mitigate this risk.
A new national study found a 700-percent surge in antibiotic-resistant infections among children in the US, with more than 75 percent already present when admitted to hospital. The study also shows that infected children stayed 20% longer in hospital and faced greater risk of death.
A new study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society found that resistant infections caused by bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family are increasing in U.S. children, associated with longer hospital stays and a trend towards greater risk of death.
A risk prediction model developed by Kaiser Permanente has safely reduced antibiotic use in newborns by nearly 50%. The calculator uses data from over 600,000 babies to calculate the risk of early-onset sepsis and targets infants who are at highest risk for infection.
A systematic review of existing literature suggests that antibiotics are an effective alternative to surgery for acute non-complicated appendicitis in children. No safety concerns were reported, but a recurrence rate of 14% was noted.
A new class of antibiotic daptomycin is effective and well-tolerated in children, offering a safe alternative to vancomycin for treating invasive MRSA skin infections. The study found no evidence of daptomycin toxicity, making it a promising option for pediatric patients.
Physicians are more likely to prescribe antibiotics when they expect high patient expectations, even if the probability of bacterial infection is low. This study suggests that tackling non-clinical factors, such as managing patient expectations, is crucial in reducing antibiotic overuse and addressing global health threats.
A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy reveals that epidermicin is as effective as mupirocin in eradicating MRSA from cotton rats' nostrils. The results justify further development of epidermicin as an alternative to existing antimicrobial agents.
Researchers found that 80% of online pharmacies let customers choose their own dosages and treatments, increasing the risk of serious side effects and antimicrobial resistance. This can lead to infections being undertreated or over-treated, allowing bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered a new, potent antibiotic against MRSA and VRE bacteria. The formicamycins produced by Streptomyces formicae isolated from an African plant-ant show promising activity in early tests.
A new study published in Childhood Obesity reveals a strong association between early antibiotic exposure and an increased risk of childhood obesity in Latino infants. The research found that antibiotic use before 6 months of age was linked to rapid weight gain and obesity at 2 years of age.
Scientists have discovered a new protein that regulates gene expression and is frequently found next to antibiotic-producing gene clusters. The discovery, known as LoaP, expands the basic knowledge of processive antitermination and demonstrates its widespread presence among bacteria.
A large-scale study detected high levels of antibiotic resistance genes in estuaries along China's coastline, with some samples containing up to 100 million genes per gram of sediment. The study suggests that human activity, particularly inadequate wastewater treatment, is the primary cause of this environmental pollution.
A new study reveals that disease-causing bacteria become resistant to antibiotics by acquiring mutations that allow them to tolerate the antibiotic. The research found that strains with pre-existing tolerant mutations developed resistance more quickly than those without tolerance.
A recent study found that antibiotic use among travelers increases the risk of contracting antibiotic-resistant ESBL intestinal bacteria. In fact, up to 80% of those taking antibiotics brought the most resistant strains back home with them. The use of antibiotics while traveling selects for the broadest spectrum of resistance.
Researchers found that bacteria can quickly adapt to antibiotic treatments by evolving dormancy mechanisms. Once tolerant, they rapidly acquire resistance mutations, making it difficult for antibiotics to kill them. This discovery has important implications for the development of new antibiotics.
A new study reveals that routine antibiotic use in newborns can disrupt gut bacteria, leading to pneumonia and immune system damage. The consequences of this disruption may be permanent, affecting lung defenses for life.
Researchers studied the impact of antibiotic treatment on gut microbes and metabolites in mice, finding significant changes in bacterial populations and metabolic output. The study highlights the importance of considering both microbiota composition and metabolome in understanding human health.
Researchers have discovered a novel combination therapy that successfully treats infections caused by a pernicious form of antibiotic resistance. The treatment regimen, which includes ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam, overcomes the resistance caused by metallo-ß-lactamases, a growing global public health problem.
A long-term study found that e-cigarette users who stopped smoking cigarettes substantially reduced their intake of cancer-causing chemicals compared to those who continued to smoke. The study confirms that e-cigarettes are much safer than conventional cigarettes and may be a useful long-term quitting aid for patients.
A new study found that patients with a severe C. diff infection were less likely to die when treated with vancomycin compared to the standard treatment of metronidazole. The findings suggest that vancomycin may be a more effective treatment option for severe cases, but further research is needed to understand the cause and effect.
A UCL-led study published in Scientific Reports discovered that certain antibiotics, such as oritavancin, can still kill drug-resistant bacteria by exerting strong mechanical forces on their cell surfaces. The findings open up a promising new way to overcome antibiotic resistance and could lead to the development of more effective drugs.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln have determined the molecular structure of a new antibiotic, teixobactin, which holds promise in tackling drug-resistant bacteria. The discovery reveals that the antibiotic's disordered structure is essential for its biological activity, providing insight into how to produce effective derivatives.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that antibiotics can boost bacterial reproduction in E.coli, leading to increased resistance and faster mutation rates. The study discovered that mutated bacteria reproduced faster than before encountering antibiotics and formed populations three times larger due to mutations.
A recent study found the mcr-1 gene has spread to a wide variety of Escherichia coli strains in China, raising concerns about the emergence of multi-drug resistance. The introduction of colistin in clinical settings is crucial, but caution must be exercised due to risk factors for its spread.
A new study found that adding bezlotoxumab to standard antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of recurrent Clostridium difficile (C.diff) infections by 37%. This reduction in recurrent infections can lead to fewer hospital admissions, reduced costs for the NHS, and possibly a decrease in deaths.
A UK study found that overuse of antibiotics like ciprofloxacin led to a severe diarrhoea outbreak caused by antibiotic-resistant C. difficile bugs. Reducing fluoroquinolone use resulted in an 80% fall in infections, highlighting the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing.
Surgical site infections affect up to 300,000 patients annually, with an estimated annual cost of $3.5 billion to $10 billion. The new guidelines recommend measures such as quitting smoking, controlling blood sugar, and using antibiotic sutures to reduce the risk of SSIs.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a molecule that neutralizes bacteria's genetic resistance to antibiotics. The PPMO molecule restores the effectiveness of an ultra-broad-spectrum drug, meropenem, against three different genera of bacteria with NDM-1 enzyme.
A new study reveals that hospital antibiotic management strategies, including cycling and mixing, are ineffective in combating antibiotic resistance. The researchers recommend alternative strategies like reactive cycling and individualized treatments to optimize antibiotic use.
Scientists at the University of York have developed a new antibiotic for gonorrhoea by harnessing the therapeutic effects of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules. The treatment targets the bacteria's energy production, preventing it from respiring oxygen and ultimately leading to its death.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created a technique to produce chemically functionalised spider silk that can be tailored for drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and wound healing. The synthetic silk can be 'clicked' with antibiotics or fluorescent dyes using 'click-chemistry', allowing for controlled release.
Specific Technologies has developed a new paradigm for quantitative determination of antibiotic efficacy with minimal sample preparation and at a low cost. The SpeciFAST system offers phenotypic MIC matching CLSI gold standard results in most cases within 3 hours from positive blood culture.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a mutation in the relA gene of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium that enables the bacteria to tolerate normally effective antibiotic therapy. The mutation resulted in elevated levels of alarmone, priming the bacteria to survive exposure to multiple antibiotics.
Researchers found that susceptible bacteria can survive longer when resistant bacteria are present and even outcompete them. This new understanding can inform doctors on how to use antibiotics more effectively, but also highlights the need for a personalized-medicine approach.
Bacteria have been found to use a code language consisting of cryptic palindromes to determine whether to enter a dormant state or be interrupted by antibiotics. This discovery may help develop new antibiotics by understanding the code language used by pathogenic bacteria.