Articles tagged with Antibiotics
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.
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.
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 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.
A landmark trial found that shortened antibiotic courses for ear infections in young children (9-23 months) resulted in more treatment failures and adverse events without reducing antibiotic resistance. The study showed a significantly higher risk of recurrent infections when residual fluid was present after treatment.
A study published in mBio found that fecal microbiota transplantation was effective in treating recurrent C. difficile infection, with cure rates over 90%. The researchers identified specific microorganisms, such as Clostridium Xia clade and Holdemania, which are key for a successful transplant.
Scientists have discovered molecular mechanisms that allow bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment and cause chronic infections. These 'persister cells' can resuscitate after treatment is abandoned, leading to relapsing infections. Understanding this phenomenon may lead to the development of novel antibiotics targeting persisters.
A team of UCLA researchers has developed an automated diagnostic test reader for antimicrobial resistance using a smartphone. The device connects to a phone and conducts testing on up to 96 wells, with results returned in under one minute.
Researchers developed antibacterial agents using usnic acid-loaded electrospun fibers, which showed controlled release and mass production of active surface. The fibers demonstrated effective bactericidal activity against different bacteria, making them a promising secondary therapy for diabetic wound healing treatment.
Researchers discovered a bacterium in Lechuguilla Cave that resists 18 different antibiotics, including 'drugs of last resort'. This finding suggests evolutionary pressure has driven resistance for millions of years, not just since antibiotics were introduced.
A recent study reveals that syphilis has re-emerged globally, primarily caused by a pandemic strain cluster named SS14-Ω. This cluster exhibits high levels of antibiotic resistance, particularly to azithromycin, posing a significant public health concern. The researchers hope that their findings will contribute to a better understandin...
Researchers developed electrospun fibers loaded with usnic acid, a strong lichen metabolite, to combat bacterial infections. The fibers show controlled release properties and mass production potential for antibacterial materials.
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München discovered a mechanism to recycle bacterial ribosomes stalled on messenger RNAs lacking termination codons. This process, involving the protein ArfA, has emerged as a promising target for developing new antibiotics.
The American College of Physicians survey found that internists frequently prescribe high-cost treatments with little benefit to patients. Despite guidelines recommending against these practices, many physicians continue to use them, reflecting a desire to err on the side of treatment.
Bacteria carrying a transmissible carbapenem resistance gene have been detected in US farm animals, posing a risk to public health. The finding highlights the need for monitoring farms and re-examining agricultural practices that may be contributing to antibiotic resistance.
A Melbourne-based team has developed a vaccine for chronic periodontitis, aiming to reduce the need for surgery and antibiotics. The vaccine targets enzymes produced by a specific bacterium, triggering an immune response that neutralizes its toxins.
A national study led by Baylor College of Medicine aims to understand the link between antibiotic use and improvements in autism symptoms in some children. The research, funded by N of One: Autism Research Foundation, will examine the gut microbiome and metabolome for two years to identify potential causes and effects.
French researchers have discovered that Streptomyces bacteria can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides. The bacteria promotes plant growth and controls pests in the soil. This study could lead to sustainable agricultural practices and reduce harm to human health and the environment.
A WSU research team has successfully used a mild electric current to kill drug-resistant bacterial infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, responsible for chronic and serious infections in lung diseases and wounds. The technology uses an antibiotic in combination with the electric current to disrupt biofilm matrices, damage ...
Russian scientists have developed a new technique for antibiotic efficiency testing, which measures antimicrobial activity and determines the mode of action. The system allows for the analysis of thousands of compounds per day and provides insights into the efficacy of new germicides.
Scientists at NC State University have discovered a way to make pinpoint changes to an enzyme-driven assembly line that will enable the creation of new antibiotics with desired properties. By tweaking the function of individual modules in the enzyme, researchers can design man-made molecules with precise control.
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to assess whether a shorter course of antibiotics can effectively treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young children. The study aims to reduce the need for longer antibiotic treatments and conserve the long-term effectiveness of available drugs.
A study found that adverse drug events in the US resulted in an estimated 4 ED visits per 1,000 individuals annually in 2013-2014. Anticoagulants and diabetes agents were implicated in 47% of these events, with older adults experiencing higher hospitalization rates.
Antibiotic resistance increased across Europe in 2015, with EU-wide carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae rising to 8.1%. Prudent use of antibiotics is crucial to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria. The European Commission will launch a new action plan to tackle antibiotic resistance.
Researchers developed a new method to identify antibiotics hidden in massive mass spectrometry datasets. By running data against a database of known antibiotics, they detected previously unknown compounds and discovered new variants of existing ones. This breakthrough aims to help combat antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have found worrying traces of resistant bacteria in the air, which could lead to the development of last-resort antibiotic-resistant infections. The study analyzed DNA from humans, animals, and environments worldwide and found a wide mix of resistance genes, including those that make bacteria resistant to carbapenems.
A new clinical trial aims to determine if a rapid molecular diagnostic test can identify gonorrhea infections successfully treated with a single dose of ciprofloxacin. The study will enroll up to 381 participants and may provide a reliable marker for treating gonorrhea with this older antibiotic.
Highly drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are on the rise among US children, with increasing antibiotic resistance rates reported over the last decade. The study highlights the need for better tracking and prevention strategies to address these concerning infections.
A study published in Pediatrics found that oral antibiotics are as effective as intravenous therapy in managing residual disease in children with complex pneumonia. This approach avoids the risk of infection and medical complications associated with PICC lines, providing a safer care option for families.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have identified four new chemicals that disrupt bacterial proteins called efflux pumps, a major cause of antibiotic resistance. These molecules could drastically reduce the time needed to move from experimental phase to clinical trials.
Researchers have identified a new treatment strategy for MRSA infections that uses a combination of modern-day antibiotics and old-fashioned penicillin to weaken the virulence of the bacteria. This approach has shown promising results in reducing the duration of MRSA sepsis from 3 days to 1.9 days.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered two promising new antibiotics, humimycin A and humimycin B, produced by bacteria in the human body. The compounds work by inhibiting an enzyme that builds bacterial cell walls, offering a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.
Surgeons must take a leadership role in promoting antimicrobial stewardship to address the urgent problem of antibiotic overuse. The World Society of emergency Surgery and the Surgical Infection Society have issued a call to action, urging surgeons to standardize antibiotic use and support multidisciplinary collaborations.
Researchers at LA BioMed have discovered a low-cost eye drop solution that is equally effective to expensive antibiotics in treating bacterial keratitis. The povidone-iodine solution has the potential to save thousands of lives by preventing blindness in developing countries.
A new generation of teixobactin-based antibacterial drugs has been discovered by HKU Chemists. The researchers successfully synthesized the antibiotic Teixobactin, which can kill a range of pathogens without detectable resistance.
Researchers found that genetic background affects response to antibiotics on gut microbiome, insulin sensitivity, tissue inflammation, and metabolic functions in mice. This study suggests that genetic susceptibility plays a role in predicting the usefulness of microbiome therapies for obesity and metabolic disease.
A new study found that misdiagnosis of cellulitis leads to significant healthcare costs, with estimates suggesting between 50,000 and 130,000 unnecessary hospitalizations. The study also reveals that misdiagnosed patients would not have required antibiotics or prolonged hospital stays if they had been diagnosed correctly.
Researchers have engineered a new antimicrobial peptide that can destroy many types of bacteria, including those resistant to most antibiotics. The peptide also suppresses the overactive inflammatory response and destroys biofilms, making it a promising alternative for treating infections.
A study of over 260,000 infants found that untreated infections during infancy increased the risk of childhood obesity by 25%. The research suggests that reducing infant infections may be a key strategy for preventing childhood obesity.
Researchers found that chloramphenicol and linezolid attack the catalytic center of the ribosome, but stop protein synthesis only at specific checkpoints. This new understanding could lead to better drugs and more efficient treatment of human and animal diseases.
A new study from the University of Chicago Medicine found that social media platforms can effectively inform young physicians about proper antibiotic use, improving their knowledge and behavior. The strategy successfully directed medical residents to relevant clinical pathways, resulting in a significant increase in correct usage.
A first-of-its-kind study of 900,000 hospital admissions found a significant increase in ESBL positive organisms (322%) and C. difficile cases (222%), while MRSA rates decreased by 32%. The study highlights the need for new diagnostic tests to address the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Scientists have developed a new class of small molecules that prevent bacteria from causing urinary tract infections by interfering with a critical factor on the surface of UTI-causing bacteria. The treatment, called C-mannosides, has shown promising results in animal testing and may move to clinical trials.
Scientists at Imperial College London discovered that MRSA releases decoy molecules to escape being killed by daptomycin. The decoys are made of the same type of fat as MRSA cells and allow the bacteria to evade destruction. Further experiments showed that a second antibiotic, oxacillin, can partially prevent decoy release.
A team of researchers has successfully developed liquid-crystalline nanostructures that protect antimicrobial peptides, allowing them to target and destroy bacteria without being degraded. This innovative approach could provide a new weapon in the fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Researchers have revealed the bilayer properties of 21 distinct Lipid A types from 12 Gram-negative bacterial species through biomolecular systems simulation. This study provides crucial information for developing new antibiotics against 'bad bugs' like superbugs, with the goal of accelerating drug development and improving treatment o...
A new study from Intermountain Medical Center found that antibiotic use rates in small community hospitals are similar to those in large hospitals. The lack of antimicrobial stewardship programs in smaller facilities poses a significant challenge in addressing the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.