Articles tagged with Antibiotics
Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered a vulnerability in the glycoprotein production of Acinetobacter baumannii, reducing its virulence and ability to form biofilms. This finding could lead to the development of targeted antibiotics to combat the superbug.
A nationwide survey in China reveals one in 10 newly diagnosed TB patients are infected with drug-resistant strains, with over 5,000 cases annually. Experts emphasize the need for rapid testing to determine drug resistance and developing new combination therapies to combat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Stuart B. Levy receives the 2012 Abbott-ASM Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long dedication to understanding antibiotic resistance. His work has elucidated key mechanisms and control of resistance in bacterial and mammalian cells, leading to new treatments and strategies.
Off-label antibiotic use in farm animals poses a significant risk of promoting antibiotic resistance in humans. Canada should phase out antibiotics used for non-medical purposes in livestock and support producers who improve animal living conditions.
A study found that 59% of male and 40% of female maximum-security prison inmates in New York misused topical antibiotics by applying them to dry skin and lips, and as hair grease. Inappropriate use of antibiotic ointments can exacerbate antimicrobial resistance issues.
New research finds that adding zinc to standard antibiotic therapy significantly reduces treatment failure risk in young children with suspected serious bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and meningitis. The study showed a 40% lower risk of treatment failure and a 43% reduced risk of death among children given zinc.
A new study definitively links Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to bacterial overgrowth in the gut, finding that over 30% of patients with IBS also have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for IBS, according to previous clinical trials and this study
Proper treatment of diabetic foot infections can prevent lower extremity amputations, and about half of these amputations can be prevented. A multidisciplinary team, including infectious diseases specialists, podiatrists, surgeons, and orthopedists, is recommended for best care.
A recent study published in JAMA found that combining antibiotics did not improve clinical outcomes for patients with severe sepsis. The study included 298 patients who received either combination therapy or monotherapy, and found no significant difference in organ failure scores or mortality rates between the two groups.
A Vanderbilt University study found that azithromycin carries a significant increased risk of cardiovascular death, especially among those with high-risk factors. The researchers compared over 348,000 prescriptions of azithromycin to millions of similar records from patients not treated with antibiotics.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the use of polymyxins and tigecycline, considered 'drugs of last resort', increased at US Veterans Affairs medical centers between 2005 and 2010. The findings suggest a growing epidemic of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed a superbug killer coating that is 99% effective against bacteria and fungi. The coating uses a magnetic-like feature to attract and kill microorganisms, offering an alternative solution to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
A review and meta-analysis of previous studies found that probiotic consumption is associated with a reduced risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The study analyzed 82 randomized controlled trials involving 11,811 participants, finding a 42% lower risk of developing diarrhea with probiotic use.
A RAND Corporation study found that taking probiotics can significantly reduce the risk of developing diarrhea caused by antibiotics. The study, which pooled data from over 100 research studies, showed a 42% lower risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea with probiotic use.
Researchers found that male pseudoscorpions treated with tetracycline suffered reduced sperm viability and passed this toxic effect on their untreated sons. This transgenerational effect has significant implications for human health and food animal production.
Researchers have discovered that a garlic-derived compound is 100 times more effective at killing the Campylobacter bacterium than two popular antibiotics. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for raw and processed meats, as well as food preparation surfaces.
Researchers at Queen's University are developing a synthetic stool mixture that could replace stool transplants as a treatment for C. difficile. This new approach aims to eliminate the risk of transmitting infectious diseases through fecal bacteria, improve patient acceptance, and provide a single-dose remedy.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified pathways of naturally occurring molecules in the human body that can boost the effectiveness of antibiotics. The study found that certain molecules called resolvins and protectins were key in resolving infections and reducing tissue damage.
McMaster University researchers found a remarkable prevalence of antibiotic resistance bacteria isolated from Lechuguilla Cave, one of the deepest and largest caves in the world. The discovery suggests that there are far more antibiotics in the environment that could be used to treat currently untreatable infections.
A joint study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Arizona State University found fluoroquinolone antibiotics in 8 of 12 feather meal samples, despite a 2005 FDA ban. The study suggests continued use of banned antibiotics in poultry production, contributing to antibiotic resistance.
Patients taking oral fluoroquinolones had a higher risk of developing retinal detachment compared to non-users, with an average number of days from first prescription to event being 4.8 days. The absolute risk increase was small, with 2,500 patients needed to be harmed for every user
A Wayne State University researcher is part of a nationwide effort to monitor antibiotic resistance while optimizing drug use. The project aims to improve antimicrobial stewardship and reduce the development of resistance.
A new clinical trial aims to determine whether intravenous antibiotics are more effective than traditional therapies in tackling Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common germ causing destructive lung infections in CF patients. The study will assess the treatment's success over a year and potentially inform national guidelines.
Researchers found that combining antibiotics with additional compounds made previously resistant bacteria more susceptible, increasing efficacy by up to six-fold. The study's lead author believes adjuvant therapy could revolutionize antibiotic use and reduce antimicrobial resistance.
A two-drug combination of meropenem and clavulanate has been shown to effectively treat forms of TB that are resistant to other antibiotics. The treatment offers new hope for dealing with drug-resistant TB, which is a major public health concern globally.
Researchers found that suppressing bacterial communities with antibiotics may actually help treatment-resistant bacteria flourish, leading to more infections. The study suggests new avenues for developing more effective treatments and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers are revisiting bacteriophages as antibacterial agents to combat growing antibiotic resistance. Effective against high bacterial loads, these viruses can target specific bacterial strains without infecting human cells.
Infection prevention groups outline steps needed to preserve antibiotics by identifying and addressing resistance issues. The role of infection preventionists and healthcare epidemiologists is crucial in preventing the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, a major threat to human health.
A new molecule discovered at the University of Illinois has the potential to treat bovine mastitis and make food safer. Geobacillin, an analog of nisin, is more stable than its predecessor and shows promise as a treatment for both dairy industry and human disease.
Researchers discovered how bacteria modify an enzyme to recognize and disarm a potent antibiotic. The adaptation allows bacteria to protect themselves from toxins while still being susceptible to certain antibiotics, offering new insights into treatment strategies.
UBC researchers found that certain antibiotics alter gut bacteria, increasing severity of asthma in mouse models. Early life is a critical period for establishing a healthy immune system, as the impact of antibiotics on asthma susceptibility disappears in adult mice.
A seven-year antimicrobial stewardship program at a hospital eliminated $3 million from its annual budget for antimicrobials within three years. The program reduced antibiotic spending per-patient day nearly in half without compromising quality of patient care.
Leading infectious diseases experts call for enhanced antimicrobial stewardship initiatives to preserve antibiotic effectiveness and combat emerging infections. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, IDSA, and PIDS position paper outlines measures to improve antibiotic use and monitor resistance.
A German study found that antibiotic treatment with azithromycin significantly reduced the number of patients carrying E. coli bacteria and the duration of shedding in stool specimens. Long-term carriers were more common among untreated patients.
Scientists have identified two new possible antibiotics, fasamycin A and B, that work against deadly resistant microbes like MRSA. The metagenomics method allowed researchers to analyze substances made by soil bacteria's DNA in the lab, enabling the discovery of these potential life-saving medications.
A recent study led by TGen found that a strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) originated in humans before spreading to food animals and becoming resistant to antibiotics. The study used whole genome sequencing to trace the history of MRSA CC398, a strain often referred to as 'pig-MRSA'.
A study found that a deadly staph 'superbug' has jumped from humans to food animals, becoming resistant to antibiotics due to routine use in farm animal production. The bacteria, MRSA CC398, thrives in crowded and unsanitary conditions.
A study found that a strain of MRSA bacteria acquired resistance to antibiotics on farms and can now infect humans. The researchers sequenced the genomes of 88 different S. aureus isolates and found that the MRSA strain ST398 likely evolved from an antibiotic-sensitive human strain.
According to investigators at Washington University School of Medicine, antibiotics do not reduce symptoms in sinus infection patients, with most people getting better on their own. The study suggests treating symptoms and watchful waiting may be more effective than antibiotic treatment.
A study published in JAMA found that treatment with amoxicillin for acute uncomplicated rhinosinusitis did not result in a significant difference in symptoms compared to placebo. Patients who received antibiotics reported similar improvements in quality of life and symptom relief, contradicting the common practice of prescribing antibi...
Researchers at NC State University have created a compound that increases the effectiveness of existing antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant superbugs by 16 times. The compound, derived from a class of molecules, recharges existing antibiotics, making them effective against Gram-negative bacteria like K. pneumoniae.
Researchers have found that cochlear implants can restore hearing in organ transplant patients without significant health risks. The study suggests that patients who wait at least six months after the transplant and take the right antibiotic before and after the procedure can achieve successful outcomes.
A new study published in BMC Medicine found that zinc supplements drastically improved children's survival rates from pneumonia when used alongside standard antibiotic therapy. The treatment was especially effective for HIV-infected children, who saw a 26-fold increase in survival rate.
A clinical trial found that cefpodoxime was less effective than ciprofloxacin in treating uncomplicated cystitis, with a higher rate of E coli colonization. The study suggests that cefpodoxime may not be a suitable alternative to fluoroquinolones for this condition.
Researchers at Brandeis University have made a significant discovery on how EmrE, a protein responsible for exporting antibiotics from cells, works. By studying its structure and function using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the team hopes to develop inhibitors that can target this protein and prevent drug resistance.
Researchers discovered MRSA contamination in 26 out of 395 raw pork samples collected from US stores, highlighting the need for safer handling practices. The study also found no significant difference between antibiotic-free and conventionally produced pork products.
A Michigan State University study found that antibiotics in pig feed increase the number of antibiotic-resistant genes in gastrointestinal microbes in pigs. This could contribute to the development of strains of microbes resistant to conventional antibiotics, which are potentially harmful to humans and animals.
Researchers at the University of Warwick are part of a four-year project to search for new antibiotics, addressing growing resistance in bacteria such as E. coli and MRSA. The project aims to understand bacterial cell wall growth and discover new chemicals that can interfere with this process.
A global study reveals that antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduces group B streptococcal infections in newborns, especially in Africa. The study's findings suggest developing vaccines could have near-universal applicability due to similar strain distributions worldwide.
Researchers discovered that mycobacterial cell growth patterns determine their susceptibility to antibiotics, providing new avenues for targeted treatment. The findings could lead to more effective treatments for the deadly disease, which kills over 1.5 million people annually.
Tel Aviv University engineers have developed an efficient liquid solution that can alter the genetic make-up of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making them sensitive again. The solution is easy to prepare and apply, and non-toxic, with potential to be added to antibacterial cleansers.
A new paper by leading scientists emphasizes the need for a global response to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which pose a life-threatening threat. The researchers recommend establishing research priorities, improving international funding, and implementing public education campaigns to address this growing crisis.
Scientists discovered a vast array of anti-bacterial substances, known as peptides, in the skin of odorous frogs. These peptides account for almost one-third of all antimicrobial peptides found worldwide, offering potential clues for developing new antibiotics.
A new study by OHSU researcher Peter Steyger sheds light on why certain antibiotics harm the inner ear, providing hope for a potential solution to block their effects and save thousands of lives. The discovery is the result of Steyger's personal experience with antibiotic-induced deafness as a child.
A study by Heather Allen and colleagues reveals that antibiotics in swine feed stimulate gene transfer among gut bacteria, increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance. The researchers found that prophages, segments of DNA encoding antibiotic resistance genes, underwent significant increases in induction when exposed to antibiotics.
A study published in Archives of Dermatology found that individuals with acne treated with oral antibiotics are more likely to report symptoms of pharyngitis, or sore throat. The researchers also discovered a lower association between topical antibiotic use and pharyngitis, as well as no link to group A streptococcus colonization rates.
The world is facing a dire shortage of new antibiotics, with increasing resistance making treatment increasingly difficult. Professor Laura Piddock calls for urgent action to turn this around, citing the need for increased public awareness and government support.
A recent study by NYU School of Medicine reveals that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a crucial role in protecting bacteria from various antibiotics. By targeting bacterial gas defenses, researchers aim to develop new strategies for increasing antibiotic efficacy and combating antibiotic resistance.
New research reveals a significant pattern of antibiotic overuse in the southeastern United States, with higher rates than other regions. The study highlights increased use of fluoroquinolones and declining market share for penicillins, which could accelerate resistance to these powerful drugs.
Researchers at Wayne State University will study a novel antibiotic, daptomycin, to treat vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections and decrease mortality. The goal is to determine the optimal doses of daptomycin to achieve greater bactericidal activity and prevent resistance.