Articles tagged with Antibiotics
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a new class of antibiotics called spectinamides that are active against difficult-to-treat tuberculosis and show promise in treating drug-resistant strains. The drugs work by disrupting the function of a part of the cell known as the ribosome.
The evaluation found measurable progress in reducing some targeted HAIs, prioritizing HAI preventing practices and coordinating national data sources. However, a steady flow of resources remains a challenge, slowing progress in identifying effective approaches to preventing HAIs.
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a new genetic platform that enables efficient production of natural molecules, including a novel antibiotic compound called taromycin A. The study demonstrates the potential for this technology to unlock the drug discovery potential of countless new microbes.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to evaluate the effectiveness of drug alternatives to antibiotics in limiting disease spread. These treatments can prevent infections from evolving too quickly, but also increase the risk of disease transmission.
A Virginia Tech engineer is studying the impact of the recent Colorado flood on antibiotic resistance genes. The researcher aims to understand how floodwaters can transport and disseminate these genes, which could have significant implications for human and animal health.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism by which bacteria can evade antibiotics, forming 'persisters' that are tolerant to many drugs. The study found Salmonella bacteria forms large numbers of persisters after being engulfed by immune cells, allowing it to survive antibiotic treatment and cause recurrent infections.
Acute respiratory tract infections account for nearly 10% of ambulatory care visits in the US. Despite efforts to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use, it remains a problem among adult patients, with no decrease seen in emergency room visits from 2001-2010.
A new study by LA BioMed finds that daily antibiotic use is the most effective method for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections, reducing recurrence rates to 0.4 per year. Cranberry pills and estrogen therapy also showed benefits, with acupuncture treatments reducing recurrence rates to 0.7 per year.
Research found that adult nomograms for Vancomycin dosage calculations are not accurate for children over 10, highlighting the need for personalized dosing regimens. The study's authors recommend further studies to determine the most effective dosing methods for teenagers between 10 and 18 years old.
The agriculture and aquaculture industries' overuse of antibiotics is creating a global health crisis by promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A new proposal suggests implementing user fees to reduce non-human use of antibiotics, encouraging more efficient farming practices.
A new study found that preoperative antibiotic therapy administered within two hours of cardiac surgery decreased the risk of developing surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly. SSIs were less common among patients who received prophylaxis during the optimized period than those who received it at a different time.
A single strain of Escherichia coli, known as H30-Rx, has become the main cause of bacterial infections worldwide, spreading from urinary tract to blood and causing lethal sepsis. The study's findings suggest that this superbug may be responsible for 1.5 million UTIs and tens of thousands of deaths annually in the US.
Scientists at the University of Houston are studying E. coli evolution to understand how bacteria adapt to changing conditions. By analyzing genetic changes over 7,000 generations, they aim to predict which bacterial strains will become resistant to antibiotics, ultimately leading to better vaccines and treatments.
A recent study funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests that restricting antibiotic use may not stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant typhoid. In laboratory tests, resistant strains of Salmonella Typhi bacteria outcompeted sensitive strains even without antibiotics.
Researchers in Denmark investigated oral fluoroquinolone use and found no association with an increased risk of retinal detachment. The study analyzed data from a nationwide register and compared fluoroquinolone use to nonuse, concluding that current use would account for only 11 additional cases per 1,000,000 treatment episodes.
UC Irvine and Northwestern researchers develop inhibitor compounds that inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase, enhancing the ability of antibiotics to treat bacterial diseases. The compounds demonstrate potential in combating diseases such as MRSA and anthrax by suppressing pathogenic bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers found that surgical patients in US children's hospitals account for 43% of all antibiotic use, with pneumonia, appendicitis, cystic fibrosis, and skin infections being high-usage conditions. The studies provide insights into antibiotic resistance patterns and opportunities for targeted antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
The report highlights the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, its major causes and consequences, and identifies key areas in which action is urgently needed. The authors call for a fundamental shift in how antibiotics are developed, financed, and prescribed to address this threat.
Researchers have identified a novel toxin produced by bacteria that can inhibit bacterial growth by blocking DNA replication machinery, providing new therapeutic avenues for developing next-generation antibiotics.
Researchers found that probiotic Enterococcus faecium reduced pathogenic E. coli strains in piglets' intestines, promoting gut balance and reducing antibiotic use. The study suggests probiotics could substitute for antibiotics as growth promoters.
Northeastern researchers have developed a new treatment to cure MRSA infections by targeting dormant cells called persisters. The approach uses a drug called ADEP, which effectively wakes up and eliminates these expert survivors, leading to complete eradication of the bacterial population.
A study published in JAMA found that coprescribing calcium-channel blockers with clarithromycin increases the risk of hospitalization with acute kidney injury and hypotension. The risk was highest among patients taking nifedipine, suggesting a need for quality improvement initiatives to mitigate this largely preventable drug-drug inter...
A new clinical score test for patients with sore throats can reduce antibiotic use by almost 30% and improve symptoms more quickly. The FeverPAIN score considers fever, pus infection, rapid attendance, inflamed tonsils, and cough or cold symptoms to determine if antibiotics are needed.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new way to produce novel compounds with antibiotic potential by deleting a master regulator gene in a common fungus. This finding opens up the door to studying dozens of new compounds and potentially discovering new antibiotics.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen have developed a substance that kills multi-resistant bacteria quickly and effectively, employing a multifunctional mechanism. The findings demonstrate the potential for HDM-4 to combat bacterial infections, strengthening the human immune response.
A new €6 million global research program, CF Matters, aims to develop personalized antibiotic treatments for Cystic Fibrosis patients. The study will use molecular next-generation DNA sequencing methods to detect bacteria present in patients' sputum and determine the most effective antibiotic treatment.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a novel approach to find new antibiotics by targeting the processes that bacteria use to produce essential vitamins and amino acids. The study identifies chemical compounds that block these processes, potentially providing much-needed therapies to address antibiotic drug resistance.
A recent trial found that honey did not offer better protection against infection than standard antibiotics in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The study involved 371 participants and showed no significant difference in the time to first infection between the two groups.
Notre Dame researchers discovered how MRSA regulates its cell wall in response to beta-lactam antibiotics, enabling drug resistance. They also found a way for a new antibiotic, ceftaroline, to target and inhibit the enzyme responsible for resistance.
A study found a pill-based fecal transplant to be effective in stopping recurrent C. diff infections, achieving a 100% success rate among patients. The treatment involves taking capsules containing fecal bacteria, rebalancing the gut microbiome and preventing future infections.
A study analyzing two national surveys found that antibiotics are prescribed in 60% of sore throat visits and 73% of acute bronchitis visits, despite being ineffective for viral infections. The misuse of antibiotics contributes to the creation of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, posing a public health threat.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that only 10% of adults with sore throat have strep, yet national antibiotic prescribing rate remains at 60%. The study also shows no change in emergency department visits for sore throat during the same period.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have investigated how plasmas affect bacterial cells, finding that they attack the cell envelope, DNA, and proteins. This discovery could lead to the development of alternative treatments for chronic wounds and root canal disinfection.
A study found that antimicrobial therapy was a significant risk factor for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a Greek NICU. Adherence to infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship policies are crucial to prevent VRE outbreaks.
Researchers mapped C.diff cases in Oxfordshire and found most cases weren't hospital-borne, but rather acquired elsewhere. Restricting antibiotic use may be more effective in reducing C.diff infections than infection control measures.
A study published in Annals of Surgery found that immediate surgery reduces complications and shortens hospital stays by up to 50% compared to delaying surgery. Patients who underwent early surgery had fewer complaints and were discharged earlier, resulting in lower hospitalization costs.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a revolutionary method to identify and characterize antibiotics, providing a powerful tool to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The new approach enables the rapid prioritization of promising molecules, accelerating the development of new medicines.
Hospitalizations for endocarditis have declined in recent years, but a disparity in outcomes persists among black patients. The study suggests that a reduction in antibiotic use may be contributing to the decline, and clinicians should consider individual risks and benefits on a case-by-case basis.
Researchers in Italy found a local low-cost information campaign significantly decreased antibiotic prescribing rates by 11.9%, outperforming the national decrease of 3.2%. The campaign's effectiveness was attributed to doctors' endorsement and increased awareness, not patient pressure.
A recent study published at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found that patients treated with ceftaroline fosamil (CPT-F) for MRSA pneumonia had a significantly lower mortality rate of 13% compared to standard treatment with vancomycin, which has a reported mortality rate of 32% after 28 days.
A new study by Montefiore Medical Center found that low dose oral vancomycin was as effective as high dose in treating serious Clostridium difficile (CDI) infections. Patients treated with low dose vancomycin showed clinical improvements similar to those treated with high dose, and comparable results were seen in secondary endpoints.
A new study found that a prescribing protocol with automatic stop dates and pharmacist support significantly reduced antibiotic use and side-effects. The protocol led to a near 20% reduction in antibiotics prescribed and a 40% reduction in related side-effects.
Researchers have identified changes in the microbiome that can predict chemotherapy-induced diarrhea and developed new diagnostics, including a breath test for fungal disease. A single dose of an antibiotic candidate has been found to be as effective as a week-long course of vancomycin for certain skin infections.
Researchers found that antibiotics create a nutrient surplus in the gut, allowing pathogens to establish themselves. The study suggests that friendly gut bacteria compete with pathogens for nutrients, and when this defense falters, harmful microorganisms can thrive.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a blood pressure medication speeds up TB treatment in mice, potentially making it easier for infected people to complete their therapy. The study suggests verapamil, commonly used to treat high blood pressure and headaches, could be an effective add-on therapy when combined with standard...
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown remarkable cure rates for recurrent C. difficile infection, with up to 92% of patients cured and an astounding 98% secondary cure rate. FMT also treats various GI disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
A recent study found that diabetic patients taking oral fluoroquinolones have a higher risk of severe blood sugar-related problems compared to those taking other antibiotics. The increased risk was low, but clinicians should consider this when treating diabetic patients with fluoroquinolones, especially moxifloxacin.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to estimate anthrax infection risk, estimating that inhaling 11,000 spores would be needed to reach a 50% chance of infection. The study also found the optimal time to take antibiotics is 60 days after exposure.
Dr Lindsay Hall's five-year research project will investigate the establishment of infant gut bacterial communities and their protection against infection. The study aims to explore new probiotic bacteria to restore the microbial community and enhance the body's ability to fight infection.
A large trial of nearly 3000 participants found that probiotic supplements did not reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The study also showed no difference in the frequency and severity of diarrhea between those who received probiotics and those who took a placebo.
A biodegradable plastic, dissolvable suture material has shown promise in reducing hospital stays for patients with brain infections. The material released vancomycin, a powerful antibiotic that killed many microbes, including MRSA.
The article reveals that antibiotic resistance among hospital-acquired infections is much greater than prior CDC estimates, with resistance rates ranging from 11% to over 50%. The FDA's promise to reboot antibiotic development rules has fallen short, and the authors conclude that more than an FDA 'reboot' is needed to combat this crisis.
A new study published in The Lancet found that internet-based training can significantly lower antibiotic prescribing rates for acute respiratory tract infections. Clinicians who received training in using CRP tests or enhanced communication skills reduced their prescribing rates by 47% and 32%, respectively. Combining both types of tr...
Reducing overall antibiotic consumption does not necessarily decrease resistance, particularly for MRSA, where some antibiotics like clindamycin and methicillin are more effective in reducing resistance. The success of antibiotic reduction programs depends on the targeted antibiotics that are reduced.
Researchers found that rapamycin increased longevity in mice by reducing cancer rates and improving memory and spatial learning. However, the drug had limited effects on age-related symptoms such as cardiovascular function, muscle mass, and balance. The study suggests that rapamycin may be useful for treating some age-related conditions.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that HSP70 produced by supporting cells in the inner ear prevents antibiotic-induced hair cell death. Extracellular HSP70 has potential to be used therapeutically to prevent aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss, currently without treatments.
Researchers found that bacteriophages significantly reduce C. difficile cells and toxin production without harming the gut microbiota, offering a potential new therapeutic agent to combat hospital infections. However, some bacteria may develop resistance due to lysogeny, requiring further development to control C. difficile infections.
A new study analyzed dynamical properties in antibiotic resistance enzyme β-lactamase, finding significant evolution across bacterial families without limiting new antibiotic resistance. Minor changes in the enzyme's active site can adapt it to new antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered a bacterium in South America that produces poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable compound used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The strain, Bacillus megaterium Uyuni S29, produces large amounts of PHB, making it a promising natural substitute for petroleum-based plastics.
The overuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry poses a significant risk to human health, according to experts. A growing body of evidence suggests that routine antibiotic use in animal feed can worsen the epidemic of antibiotic resistance, with many public health authorities agreeing that it is a major concern.