Articles tagged with Antibiotics
A study found that colistin resistance in bacteria also makes them resistant to the human immune system's defense mechanisms, such as LL-37 and lysozyme. This cross-resistance increases the risk of complications for patients with life-threatening multi-drug resistant infections.
Researchers have discovered that thioridazine, a drug previously used to treat schizophrenia, works against antibiotic-resistant bacteria by removing glycine from the cell wall. This interaction enables antibiotics to attack and kill the weakened bacteria, paving the way for new treatments.
A study demonstrated that an antibiotic stewardship program using Bruker's MALDI Biotyper analyzer reduced average length of stay by two days and overall costs by almost $20,000 per patient. The program improved patient care through rapid pathogen identification and accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
A study found that antibiotics are frequently prescribed for acute rhinosinusitis in the US, especially among younger adults and primary care patients. The study highlights the need to promote clinical practice guidelines to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
The lab-on-a-chip (LOC) is a low-cost, microfluidic device that can quickly diagnose bacterial infections and recommend antibiotics for infantile diarrhea. The device's portability and affordability make it an attractive solution for remote areas with limited access to healthcare.
Scientists have developed solar-powered nanofilters that can pump in antibiotics to clean contaminated water, removing them twice as efficiently as existing technology. This innovation could also be adapted to remove other pollutants like hormones and heavy metals from water.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have found a breast milk protein complex, HAMLET, that can help restore sensitivity to antibiotics in drug-resistant bacteria. The study showed that HAMLET can lower the dose of antibiotics needed by a factor of eight or more, making it a promising treatment option for superbugs like MRSA.
Researchers have gained a clearer insight into how protein components work together to transport antibiotics from cells, which could aid the development of 'pump blockers' to combat antibiotic resistance.
Scientists have developed a new family of selective antimicrobial agents that use synthetic colloid particles to recognize and inactivate specific types of bacteria. These 'colloid antibodies' show promise as a powerful tool against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Antibiotic overuse and misuse are creating conditions for the emergence of superbugs in border communities like Eagle Pass, Texas. Collaborating with officials to develop an outreach model to mitigate antimicrobial resistance, scientist Subburaj Kannan emphasizes the need for government action and public awareness.
Researchers develop a solar-powered nano filter that can remove 64% of antibiotics from surface waters, compared to 40% by traditional filters. The new filter uses light-driven bacterial proteins to power the absorption process and allows for antibiotic recycling.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved only one new antibiotic since the Infectious Diseases Society of America launched its 10 x '20 Initiative in 2010. Despite this, only seven new drugs are in development to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli bacteria.
Outpatient antibiotic use poses similar but sometimes more severe resistance risks as hospital cases, new study reveals. More than half of outpatient antibiotics for acute respiratory infections are unnecessary, accelerating bacterial resistance.
Researchers developed Epimorex to target bacterial weaknesses exploited by viruses that attack them. In mice, Epimorex protected against anthrax and killed MRSA with no evidence of resistance.
A study found that azithromycin improved symptoms and lung function in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, but at the cost of increased antibiotic resistance. The treatment also raised gastrointestinal side effects.
A clinical isolate of E. coli resistant to carbapenems has been studied, revealing four genetic mutations that enable the bacteria to survive and multiply despite the presence of antibiotics. These mutations involve changes to membrane proteins, regulatory proteins, and a multidrug efflux pump.
A study published in The BMJ found that long-term use of clarithromycin, a commonly used antibiotic for lower respiratory tract infections, may be associated with an increased risk of heart problems. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,300 patients, suggests that there will be an additional cardiovascular event for every eigh...
A longitudinal cohort study of 1,310 women found that even three years after being declared free of cancer, women who had a false-positive result consistently reported greater negative psychosocial consequences compared to women with normal test findings. Researchers propose annual blood pressure screening instead of checking at every ...
A new study suggests that flagellin plays a crucial role in activating the body's natural defenses against urinary tract infections (UTIs). The research found that motile Escherichia coli isolates activate NF-κB signaling pathways, indicating a key role for flagellin in up-regulating host innate defences.
Researchers predict that drug-resistant MRSA strains will coexist in both hospital and community settings, with hospital strains surviving due to aggressive antibiotic usage patterns. This finding is reassuring as it suggests that the more invasive community strains will not replace hospital strains.
A new study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology highlights the need to improve antibiotic use in outpatient dialysis facilities. Nearly one-third of antibiotic prescriptions were classified as inappropriate, with blood-stream infections being the most common misdiagnosed infection based on unmet criteria.
A recent study challenged the long-held understanding of how antibiotics work, finding that all antibiotics induce bacterial cells to make compounds called reactive oxygen species, making bacteria susceptible. The results contradict previous findings and suggest a need to re-evaluate the mechanisms of antibiotic action.
The UK's Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Action Plan aims to address the growing concern of antibiotic resistance. The strategy highlights the need for a change in understanding and response to antimicrobial resistance.
A rapid laboratory test for pregnant women to detect Group B strep has been developed and is highly valid, identifying GBS colonization in six and a half hours. This new test could help reduce the overuse of resources and minimize bacterial resistance by targeting patients with threatened preterm labor.
A University of Granada researcher proposes that antibiotic abuse forces bacteria to take up DNA from resistant strains, leading to increased resistance. This stress-induced uptake can also make non-resistant bacteria more virulent, exacerbating the problem.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that patients undergoing cerebral angiography and neurointerventional procedures are at a very low risk of infection, even without preventive antibiotics. The authors suggest that the minimally invasive nature and short duration of these procedures may contribute to this low risk.
New research reveals that antibiotic-resistant Staph bacteria exhibit a seasonal pattern, with community-associated strains more likely to infect children during the summer months. In contrast, healthcare-associated strains are more prevalent among seniors during the winter months.
Research found that stressed bacteria can spontaneously develop resistance to rifampicin, a commonly used antibiotic. This discovery has significant implications for the evolution of antibiotic resistance and may impact treatment options for serious bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and leprosy.
Global antibiotic misuse threatens human health more than the war on illegal drugs. Dr Jonny Anomaly advocates for redirecting funds to curb excessive prescribing and promoting collective action.
A new antibiotic, tedizolid phosphate, has been shown to be effective in treating skin infections with a shorter course than traditional treatments. The study found that the new antibiotic was noninferior to linezolid in both early and sustained clinical responses.
A study found 149 unique antibiotic-resistant genes on Chinese commercial pig farms, with levels 192-28,000 times higher than controls. Daily exposure to antibiotics allows microbes carrying these genes to thrive, posing a potential global risk to human health.
A new investigational antibiotic cream has demonstrated a high cure rate of 81% for cutaneous leishmaniasis, with only minor reactions reported. The treatment offers a safe and effective option for patients, potentially replacing toxic and painful treatments.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute used sophisticated computer modeling and biotechnology to target ROS production in E. coli, rendering the bacteria more susceptible to existing antibiotics. The study provides a promising approach to boost the global antibiotic arsenal against deadly superbugs like tuberculosis.
Researchers developed an automated device called morbidostat to track the evolution of antibiotic resistance at the genetic level. The team identified key genes involved in creating drug-resistant states and documented real-time changes in genes that gave bacteria an advantage in evolving to outwit antibiotics.
Researchers found a 44% drop in mortality with cefdinir and a 36% drop with amoxicillin when antibiotics were added to therapeutic food treatment. This study has changed how children are treated worldwide, providing a lifesaving impact on hundreds of thousands of children annually.
Researchers discovered that blue light can selectively eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections of the skin and soft tissues, while preserving the outermost layer. This breakthrough could provide a potential non-toxic approach to treating resistant bacterial infections.
A synthetic corkscrew peptide has been shown to kill antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria by dissolving their double-layered membranes. The peptide, KLAKLAKKLAKLAK, was effective against a variety of strains of E. coli, A. baumanii, and P. aeruginosa, including multi-drug resistant strains.
Infectious disease experts call for novel approaches to end the growing scourge of 'superbugs,' citing 2 million annual infections and 100,000 deaths. The authors recommend new strategies to prevent infections, encourage economic investment in anti-infective treatments, and alter host-microbe interactions.
A new study found high levels of antibiotic resistance in ornamental fish, with some species showing up to 77% resistance to certain antibiotics. The risk to humans is generally minor, but transmission from tropical fish has been documented and poses a concern for those with compromised immune systems.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to study the effectiveness of different antibiotic treatment options for children returning home after hospitalization. The research aims to inform healthcare decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a method to induce sexual reproduction in Penicillium chrysogenum, leading to the development of new strains with improved industrial characteristics. This breakthrough aims to increase penicillin production, making it cheaper to produce, and potentially applicable to other economically important fungi.
A compound from the South African toothbrush tree has been shown to effectively treat tuberculosis by binding to a novel site on DNA gyrase, an enzyme essential for bacterial growth. This discovery offers hope for developing new antibiotics to combat drug-resistant strains of TB.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict how specific mutations affect antibiotic resistance. They discovered that small changes can increase resistance by up to 500%, challenging the idea of big effects from big changes.
A new study found that unnecessary antibiotics increase the risk of recurrence of deadly Clostridium difficile infections. Researchers reviewed patient cases and found that 77% of patients received at least one dose of unnecessary antibiotic, leading to a substantial increased risk of recurrence.
A study published in JAMA Network reveals a high clinical treatment failure rate of nearly 7% for patients treated with cefixime for gonorrhea infections in Toronto. The researchers found that strains with reduced susceptibilities to cefixime were associated with higher rates of clinical failures.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can survive antibiotic exposure through random pulses of the enzyme KatG, which activates the drug isoniazid. This finding may aid in designing new antibacterial treatments, particularly for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new tool using optofluidics to observe individual bacteria, revealing that persistent populations are dynamic and can adapt through mutation. This challenges traditional theories of bacterial resistance, offering new insights into the evolution of antibiotic efficacy.
A large European trial confirms that commonly prescribed antibiotics are ineffective for treating acute uncomplicated respiratory infections. Patients given amoxicillin did not recover much quicker or have significantly fewer symptoms, and the treatment appeared to have a limited effect even in older patients.
A new study published in BMJ Open found that high-dose vitamin D supplementation reduced symptoms of respiratory tract infection by almost a quarter and antibiotic use by nearly half in patients with frequent infections. However, the treatment had no significant impact on otherwise healthy individuals.
Scientists have discovered a wealth of new antibiotic substances in the skin of the Russian Brown frog, expanding on previous findings to identify 76 additional compounds with potential medical activity.
Researchers have discovered a soil bacterium that degrades the common veterinary antibiotic sulfamethazine and uses it for growth. This finding challenges existing theories on antibiotic resistance and suggests that soil bacteria may be capable of breaking down antibiotics more rapidly, potentially reducing their impacts.
A study of over 33,000 outpatient male veterans found that a longer duration of antimicrobial treatment did not reduce the risk of early or late recurrence of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The optimal treatment duration for UTI in men is currently unknown.
Researchers developed a low-cost, high-throughput platform for identifying compounds with novel antibiotic properties using a diagnostic panel of bacterial strains. The new strategy promises to streamline the discovery of new antibiotics from natural sources, providing a solution to the looming antibiotic crisis.
Scientists have engineered Escherichia coli bacteria that can deliberately die to protect their population, promoting the survival of survivors. The altruistic behavior emerges after sufficient time has passed and can be controlled by tuning the extent of programmed cell death.
Robert E.W. Hancock, a UBC microbiologist, has received the Prix Galien 2012 Research Award for his groundbreaking research on complex interactions between antibiotics and bacteria. His work focuses on developing new therapeutic approaches to infectious diseases like malaria.
Researchers found that e-visit patients were more likely to receive antibiotics and less likely to have relevant testing ordered by their physicians before receiving medication. Despite this, the study suggests that e-visits can improve access to care and convenience for patients without compromising quality.
Researchers found that antibiotic-resistant E. coli can survive in soil and recolonize in animal guts through pasture, forage or bedding. They propose potential solutions to limit the spread of resistance by isolating residual antibiotics before they interact with soil bacteria.
Researchers found that antibiotic resistance for urinary tract infections increased by over 30% between 1999 and 2010, making treatment more challenging. The Southeast region had the highest burden of antibiotic resistance, while states in New England and Pacific regions showed lower levels of resistance.
Researchers have discovered how a particular type of carbapenemase enzyme reorients bound antibiotics to destroy their antimicrobial activity. This understanding could lead to the design of new drugs that can resist being broken down by such enzymes, helping combat increasing antibiotic resistance.
Researchers found eight different tetracycline resistance genes among US honeybees, but only two or three in honeybees from countries with banned antibiotic use. This suggests that the use of antibiotics may have weakened honeybee wellbeing and reduced their ability to fight off other diseases.