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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers have found that clindamycin and TMP-SMX are equally effective in treating uncomplicated skin infections caused by community-associated MRSA. The study's findings suggest that these off-patent antibiotics can be used successfully to combat MRSA skin infections acquired outside of hospitals.
A multicenter clinical trial found that clindamycin and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) are similarly effective in treating uncomplicated skin infections, with cure rates of 80.3% and 77.7%, respectively. The study was conducted on 524 adults and children with cellulitis or abscesses.
Researchers have linked antibiotic resistance with poor governance and corruption around the world, citing alarming rates of 23,000 deaths annually in the US due to antibiotic-resistant infections. The study suggests that addressing corruption and control of antibiotics could help lower resistance levels and save lives.
Despite pre-surgery antibiotics, bacterial clumps persist in joint fluid, forming protective mesh of proteins that slow growth and make them resistant to treatment. The study identified a key reason for the difficulty in curing joint infections: biofilm-like clumps of bacteria that harbor antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Scientists have created nanoparticles loaded with clarithromycin, an antibiotic used in respiratory infections treatment, allowing better delivery of the drug to lung cells. This method enables direct access to bacterial biofilms or individual lung cells, reducing toxic effects and improving treatment efficacy.
Researchers develop novel approach to target bacterial lipids, labeling and sparing healthy cells. The new strategy exploits covalent chemistry of lipids, enabling selective recognition and labeling of bacterial cells.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of antibiotic resistance in bacterial cells, which could help develop solutions to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. The study found that a mutation in the efflux pump makes it more efficient at pumping antibiotics out of bacterial cells.
Researchers developed bioactive filaments, chemotherapy beads, and catheters that can deliver antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents in targeted areas. These devices have the potential to inhibit bacterial growth and cancer cell proliferation.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed chemical compounds that enhance conventional antibiotics' effectiveness and inhibit bacterial biofilms. The compounds block quorum sensing signals, preventing biofilm formation and alerting the immune system to their presence.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that competition among healthcare providers, including physicians and retail clinics, leads to higher antibiotic prescribing rates in affluent areas. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between the number of clinics and increased antibiotic prescriptions in wealthy regions.
Researchers say treating human health as part of an ecosystem can resolve problems like antibiotic crisis and obesity epidemic. Professor Mark Wahlqvist advocates for integrative approaches to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of nature and varied diets.
Pediatric cancer patients who receive antibiotics within 60 minutes of reporting fever and neutropenia have decreased intensive care consultation rates and lower mortality. The study shows that timely antibiotic delivery can lead to significant reductions in hospitalization and fatalities among pediatric cancer patients.
A new study found that administering antibiotics within the first hour of injury can significantly reduce infection rates in trauma patients. The study, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, included 137 patients with open fractures and found that those who received antibiotics early had much lower infection rates.
Researchers identify thiocillin as an antibiotic that activates biofilm formation in a way unrelated to its killing ability, suggesting that antibiotics may evolve to produce biofilms rather than kill other bacteria.
Scientists at Washington State University have discovered a probiotic toxin that can combat Coldwater Disease in rainbow trout, killing the bacteria with a toxic protein. The probiotics could be a game-changer for the global salmonid aquaculture industry, reducing disease losses and improving animal welfare.
Researchers discovered that C. difficile bacteria can wreak havoc on the gut within 24 hours of exposure, causing severe diarrhea and life-threatening disease. The study found that bile acids 'wake up' dormant spores, allowing them to grow into toxin-producing cells in the large intestine.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that antibiotics have a profound impact on the microorganisms in an animal's gut, disrupting the natural balance of the microbiota. This can lead to damage to the intestinal epithelium, changes in mitochondrial function and other biological effects.
High school students Anya Dunaif and Nell Kirchberger collected bacteria from NYC subway stations that resisted two common antibiotics. The samples are part of a city-scale environmental DNA sampling effort to profile the microbiome and assess biological threats.
A new study found that Lyme disease costs the US healthcare system between $712 million and $1.3 billion a year, with patients experiencing persistent symptoms after completing antibiotics. The condition, also known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, affects an estimated 240,000 to 440,000 people each year.
A new study found that nearly half of patients with respiratory tract infections were inappropriately prescribed antibiotics in an outpatient setting. The study suggests implementing comprehensive education about antimicrobials and stewardship into medical school curricula to prevent establishment of poor prescribing practices.
Researchers at MGH have identified characteristics, including gene expression differences, that indicate which patients recovering from severe burns are at greatest risk for repeat infections. The study could lead to personalized therapies and more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
A large Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that combining trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with spironolactone more than doubles the risk of sudden death in older patients. The study suggests that physicians should consider alternative antibiotics for patients on spironolactone to reduce this risk.
Researchers have discovered a way to eradicate cancer stem cells using antibiotics, opening up the possibility of a new treatment for cancer. The study found that four types of antibiotics eradicated cancer stem cells in every test, including glioblastoma and other aggressive forms of cancer.