Articles tagged with Antibiotics
Researchers at Rice University have identified a genetic mechanism that enables bacteria to become more resistant to antibiotics while also spreading their resistance rapidly. The discovery highlights the need for new strategies to predict and prevent the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially halting or slowing down t...
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that aminoglycoside antibiotics increase susceptibility to hearing impairment due to inflammation from bacterial infections. The study suggests that targeted alternatives are needed to treat life-threatening infections without sacrificing patients' ability to hear.
Researchers found that multidrug-resistant bacteria were widespread among African wildlife, including species with high exposure to antibiotics through diet. These findings suggest that wildlife may serve as sentinels for antimicrobial resistance in ecosystems, providing clues to the spread of resistant microbes.
A $4.8 million NIH study will provide essential information to clinicians on the proper intravenous dosing of polymyxin B in critically ill patients. The study aims to minimize unnecessary toxic side effects and preserve the drug's efficacy against superbug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that 47% of grocery store-bought meat products contained Klebsiella bacteria, with many strains resistant to antibiotics. This increase poses a significant risk to human health, particularly for urinary and blood infections.
Researchers have discovered a potential new class of antibiotics inspired by sugar molecules produced by bacteria, offering a new hope in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs. The modified sugar molecules target a crucial part of the bacterial cell wall, killing the bacteria without developing resistance.
Researchers found an association between dicloxacillin treatment and decreased international normalized ratio (INR) levels among patients taking warfarin or phenprocoumon. This finding suggests that physicians should be aware of potential interactions and monitor INR levels accordingly.
A study found that antibiotic exposure is associated with a higher risk of developing juvenile arthritis in children, particularly those with upper respiratory tract infections. Researchers suggest that antibiotics may be a marker for abnormal immunity rather than a direct cause of the disease.
Cystitis affects half of women at least once in their lifetime, causing 1% of UK GP consultations. Women should be allowed to access safe treatment, like nitrofurantoin, without a prescription to improve autonomy and reduce healthcare burden.
Researchers discovered that multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii can voluntarily relinquish its antibiotic-resistance genes, making it susceptible to existing antibiotics. This finding provides new strategies for combating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is leading a national trial to examine methods to reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics in post-acute and long-term care facilities. The trial aims to develop comprehensive guidelines and tools to help facilities better manage urinary tract infections.
A new study suggests that restricting specific antibiotics could lead to an increased frequency of multi-drug resistance. The study found that using restricted antibiotics can facilitate the spread of resistant pathogens, despite potential short-term benefits in treatment effectiveness.
A pilot program at a pediatric long-term care facility achieved significant reductions in antibiotic use, with a 59% decrease in topical antibiotics and an 83% decrease in orders without proper documentation. The program improved antibiotic prescribing practices through increased staff support and electronic medical record system changes.
A study found that ERs misdiagnosed UTIs and STIs in women nearly half the time, resulting in unnecessary antibiotic use. The misdiagnoses were often due to similar symptoms and abnormal urinalysis results.
The Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery aims to screen over 50,000 chemical compounds in the next 18 months to combat superbug-resistant bacteria, with the goal of preventing millions of deaths by 2050.
Researchers detected MRSA bacteria in UK supermarket sausages and minced pork through a survey of frozen meat products. The bacteria were identified as LA-MRSA CC398, associated with pigs and poultry, and pose a potential route of transmission from farms to the wider population.
A meta-analysis of 14 medium- to high-quality studies found that gentamicin-collagen sponges significantly reduced the incidence of sternal wound infections by 38% compared to controls. The use of sponges also reduced the risk of life-threatening inflammation of mid-chest tissues (mediastinitis).
Researchers found that growing bacteria in mammalian tissue culture media instead of standard bacteriologic media makes them more sensitive to azithromycin. The drug is also effective when paired with colistin or antimicrobial peptides produced by the human body during infection, reducing bacterial counts by up to 99% in mouse models.
A new program at Johns Hopkins Hospital implemented consistent use of experienced medical teams, preemptive antibiotics, and early patient mobilization to reduce complications and accelerate recovery in colorectal surgery. The approach resulted in a significant reduction in hospital stays, surgical infections, blood clots, and costs.
Researchers have found that administering antibiotics for only four days is as effective as treatments spanning eight days for complicated abdominal infections. This breakthrough suggests that doctors can provide treatment that is both effective and conservative in its antibiotic use, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers introduce a two-pronged system to combat antibiotic resistance by eliminating genes that cause resistance and conferring protection against lethal phages. The system, based on bacterial viruses called phages, has the potential to turn the tide on untreatable infections.
A multifaceted intervention targeting MRSA carriers significantly reduced complex surgical site infections (SSIs), with a modest decrease in rates of 36 vs 21 per 10,000 operations during the pre- and intervention periods, respectively.
A new University of Michigan and VA study suggests that hospital stays can increase the risk of sepsis in older adults by disrupting their gut microbiome. The research found that older adults are three times more likely to develop sepsis within 90 days of hospitalization, especially after care that alters the balance of microbes.
Researchers discovered that the protein NFAT plays a central role in the host's inflammatory response to strep infections. This finding suggests that targeting NFAT activity could be useful in treating severe streptococcal infections and limiting antibiotic use.
A team of researchers has successfully engineered E. coli to produce dozens of new forms of the antibiotic erythromycin, including three that show promise in fighting drug-resistant bacteria. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new antibiotics to combat rising antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have identified a structural weakness in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, revealing a potential therapeutic target. The analysis of four beta-lactamase enzymes found that their flexible structures are cooperatively correlated, making them vulnerable to disruption by small molecules.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have created a second-generation antibiotic that effectively combats common bacterial infections resistant to commonly used antibiotics. The spectinomycin analogs block the growth of strains and demonstrate increased antibacterial activity against various pathogens.
A Virginia Tech team, led by Amy Pruden and Monica Ponder, is examining the impact of antibiotic use in agriculture on human health. They aim to identify ways to control the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in the food chain.
Researchers found that 95% of patients with incorrect diagnoses were given inappropriate antibiotics, while only 38% of those with correct diagnoses received incorrect treatment. Diagnostic accuracy is crucial for safe antibiotic use.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that Tokay geckos harbor bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, posing a risk to pet owners. The study highlights the importance of pathogen screening in the pet trade to prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria from entering households.
A Swedish study of 98 infants found that C-section babies had a less similar gut microbiome to their mothers compared to vaginal births. The researchers also discovered that cessation of breastfeeding led to a shift in the infant's gut bacteria, with certain species more commonly seen in adults emerging.
A new study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota has found a three-way link among infant antibiotic use, changes in gut bacteria, and disease later in life. The study developed a predictive model for measuring healthy development of bacteria in young children.
A team of researchers from UC Merced and American University has discovered a way to restore the efficacy of antibiotics and help doctors deal with resistant bacteria in a clinical setting. The study found that combining lab work with mathematics and computer technology can reverse bacterial resistance and provide optimal treatment opt...
Researchers identify Enterococcus faecalis as primary microbial culprit behind post-surgical colon leaks. The bacteria degrades intestinal connective tissues and activates enzymes that cause small holes in the intestine during healing, leading to leaks. Identifying E. faecalis could lead to more effective ways to reduce leak rates.
A fecal microbiota transplant successfully cured a patient's C. difficile infection, eliminating populations of multi-drug resistant organisms from the gut and other body sites. The treatment method replenishes normal gut flora, stopping the release of antibiotic-resistant microbes and potentially saving lives.
A new study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that lymphatic pump treatment (LPT) significantly improves treatment outcomes for pneumonia when combined with antibiotics. LPT removes bacteria from the lungs and enhances the efficacy of antibiotics, leading to a 60% success rate among infected rats.
Northwestern Medicine researchers have identified a specific bacteria as the cause of a rare and deadly lung transplant infection. The bacteria can be successfully treated with antibiotics, saving other patients who had contracted the infection.
Research suggests that nitrofurantoin is less effective at treating bladder infections in older women with low kidney function compared to other antibiotics. The study found that patients taking nitrofurantoin were more likely to experience treatment failure and require a second antibiotic prescription or hospital visit.
A recent study surveying nearly 400 hospitals found that 48% lack strict limits on antibiotic use, allowing the dangerous gut infection to flourish. Hospitals with such limitations have stronger evidence-based programs in place.
Researchers identify a time window when moderately resistant bacteria are sensitive to antibiotics, allowing for optimal treatment design. A new approach may help reintroduce antibiotics that were previously disregarded due to treatment failure concerns.
Researchers have identified a single, simple metric to guide antibiotic dosing that could bring first-line antibiotics back into the fight against drug-resistant pathogens. A computer simulation revealed that a regimen based on a pathogen's recovery time could eliminate an otherwise resistant strain of bacteria.
Researchers at Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory have discovered two proteins that pump antibiotics out of bacteria, allowing them to resist medications. The study reveals that these efflux pumps are part of a large family of proteins and may help protect cells from certain drugs.
Researchers found antibiotic resistance genes in Yanomami tribespeople who had never been exposed to antibiotics, suggesting that bacteria have resisted antibiotics since long before their use. The study reveals a link between decreased bacterial diversity and increased diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
Researchers found nearly double bacterial diversity among Yanomami Amerindians compared to industrialized countries, and higher than other remote populations exposed to modern practices. The study suggests a link between antibiotic usage, western diet, and reduced bacterial diversity.
Researchers discovered an unprecedentedly diverse collection of bodily bacteria in isolated Yanomami Indians, with a 40% lower diversity than those in industrialized countries. The study suggests a link between modern antibiotics and reduced microbiome diversity, potentially driving diseases like obesity and diabetes.
Researchers found that a concentrated maple syrup extract makes disease-causing bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics, leading to lower antibiotic usage. The extract also reduces biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria, making it a potentially simple and effective approach for reducing antibiotic resistance.
Researchers discovered that alternating low doses of two antibiotics can kill bacteria while promoting the emergence of drug-resistance mutations. This sequential treatment approach, called 'sequential synergies,' may provide a way to sensitize bacteria to concentrations of antibiotics that would normally induce resistance.
A pioneering new technique using sequential treatments may help combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by killing them at lower doses than usual. This approach reduces the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, maintaining long-term effectiveness.
Researchers found that simpler antibiotic regimens are as safe and effective as standard treatments, allowing more infants with severe infections to receive life-saving treatment at home. The study demonstrated that outpatient treatments with fewer injections can produce similar results to the traditional course of twice daily injections.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation has updated its clinical practice guideline for adult sinusitis. The new guideline emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making between patients and clinicians, including deciding whether to use antibiotics for acute bacterial sinusitis. Key recommendations ...
Newborns and young infants with severe bacterial infections can be effectively treated outside hospital with simplified antibiotic regimens, reducing deaths and improving adherence. The Lancet study found that treatment failures were low in all three trials, and the risk of death was similar to infants who received hospital care.
The University of Texas at Austin researcher is working on developing small-molecule inhibitors that counter antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. The goal is to create a suite of drugs for treating bacterial infections resistant to most antibiotics.
The article highlights the importance of antimicrobial resistance, citing its impact on human and animal health. Global collaboration and innovative approaches are necessary to tackle this complex issue.
A study published this week found that over 6.3 million people may be exposed to antibiotic-resistant bacteria while engaging in water sports, with surfers and swimmers at highest risk. The research highlights the importance of maintaining good water quality standards to minimize exposure to these harmful microbes.
Researchers warn that increased antibiotic use in livestock could lead to decreased effectiveness in humans. A study found that global demand for animal protein is rising dramatically, driving antimicrobial consumption.
The FDA approves new antibiotics with minimal evidence of efficacy against antimicrobial resistance. Despite this, industry and medical societies claim the drugs address the issue, sparking concerns over safety and efficacy standards.
A child with autism improved dramatically while taking an antibiotic for strep throat, prompting a quest by the parent to understand the phenomenon. The collaboration led to a scientific conference and special issue in a scientific journal featuring articles on the microbiome's involvement in autism.
ACS researcher Laura Kiessling has discovered a way to target bacterial carbohydrates, potentially leading to new antibiotic strategies. Her team found that human proteins can recognize unique microbial carbohydrates, opening up possibilities for delivering targeted treatments.
Scientists report preliminary studies suggesting chlorine treatment in wastewater plants may create new, stronger antibiotics. This could contribute to growing antibiotic resistance problem and harm aquatic life.
Antibiotics are widely used in lab experiments for microbiology, molecular biology, and genetic research. However, this practice contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, posing a catastrophic threat to modern medicine. Researchers must use antibiotics more responsibly and sparingly.