Research on antibiotics and the bacteria they target. Covers antibiotic resistance, gut pathogens, persistent strep throat, and water-source contamination.
A Danish chemist has created a synthetic version of a bacterial endotoxin, revealing the mechanism behind deadly Gram-positive infections. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new and effective types of antibiotics.
A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that attending physicians in intensive care units can reduce mortality rates by 50% when using a checklist and prompted to address overlooked details. The prompting system cut ventilator-associated pneumonia cases and reduced ICU length of stay.
In a structured community of Escherichia coli bacteria, restrained strains thrived by curbing pursuit of producers, while unrestrained strains faced long-term demise. The phenomenon has implications for other ecological systems.
A team of Canadian scientists discovered that specific mixtures of antimicrobial agents presented in lipid (fatty) mixtures can significantly boost the effectiveness of those agents to kill multidrug-resistant bacteria. This new therapy has the potential to combat bacterial multidrug resistance, a growing clinical problem.
A Canadian study suggests doctors may be overprescribing antibiotics for home-care patients, with younger and sicker individuals being at a higher risk of misuse. The most common class of antibiotics prescribed was fluoroquinolones, which could weaken their efficacy against emerging infections.
A recent study found that E. coli bacteria are more likely to develop resistance to antibiotics when exposed to low levels of these medications, rather than high concentrations. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the safety of using antibiotics in food animals and highlights the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
A new strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been discovered in both human and dairy cow populations. The genetic makeup of the new strain differs from previous strains, making current molecular tests ineffective in detecting it.
A new study finds that corticosteroid treatment can reduce disease severity and improve recovery rates in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Corticosteroids were added to standard antibiotic treatment, resulting in faster patient recovery and reduced length of hospital stay.
A subset of severe asthmatics harbor infectious C. pneumoniae in their lungs, resulting in antibody production and increased asthma severity. Antibiotic treatment can significantly improve symptoms and even lead to a complete abolition of asthma symptoms.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab derived atomic-scale resolution structures of the ribosome, a protein-making machine. The high-resolution structures reveal molecular-scale compression springs and torsion springs made of RNA, keeping the subunits tethered together during large-scale motions.
Researchers found PCR testing for Borrelia burgdorferi DNA in joint fluid confirms diagnosis but is not a reliable indicator of active joint infection. Patients with persistent arthritis require more intensive antibiotic and DMARD therapy.
Research suggests that linezolid is a more effective treatment than vancomycin for ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by MRSA. Linezolid showed higher clinical and microbiologic success rates, with cure rates being higher at the end of treatment.
Researchers at Boston University discovered that adding sugar to antibiotics increases their effectiveness in targeting 'persisters' - bacteria that survive antibiotic onslaughts. This approach has the potential to improve lives and reduce healthcare costs for millions.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that treating acute appendicitis with antibiotics is not as effective as surgically removing the appendix. In the study, patients who received antibiotics were more likely to develop post-intervention peritonitis, a serious inflammation of the abdominal cavity.
A study of 150 children on temporary breathing devices found that shorter antibiotic courses were just as effective in treating respiratory infections without increasing the risk of drug-resistant infections. Careful evaluation of the need for antibiotics and shortest treatment duration are recommended to curb antibiotic resistance.
A large clinical trial found gatifloxacin to be equally effective as chloramphenicol in treating typhoid, but with fewer side effects. The new antibiotic is more affordable and only needs to be taken once a day.
A new study found that nonperforating appendicitis and nonperforating diverticulitis share many similarities, including association with colon hygiene and low fiber intake. The study suggests that antibiotics may be a better treatment option for these conditions than surgery.
Researchers at Texas A&M University discovered that certain bacteria can render themselves dormant in response to antibiotic stress, degrading internal antitoxins and damaging metabolic processes. This 'sleeping' mechanism allows the bacteria to avoid antibiotics, but could potentially be awakened by a complementary chemical.
A nationwide study found nearly half of US meat and poultry samples contaminated with drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria can cause serious illnesses like pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive inspection program.
A US Department of Agriculture study suggests that dietary yeast extract has good potential as a non-antibiotic alternative for decreasing pathogens in organic turkey production. The researchers are looking for a balance between enhancing immune response and maintaining growth.
Researchers found that manuka honey can inhibit bacterial attachment to tissues and make MRSA more sensitive to antibiotics, reversing antibiotic resistance. This discovery could lead to the development of cheaper and more effective treatments for wound infections.
Scientists discover that bacteria in wasp antennae produce a cocktail of antibiotics to protect against fungal threats, a strategy similar to human combination therapy. This finding has potential clinical benefits and may yield novel antimicrobial compounds useful for human medicine.
A study found that long-term antibiotic use for acne decreased S. aureus colonization by nearly 70%, with no increased resistance to tetracycline antibiotics observed. This contradicts current dogma about long-term antibiotic use, suggesting further research is needed.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America warns that antibiotic-resistant super bugs threaten public health, citing a need for urgent action. The organization recommends initiatives to combat resistance, including incentivizing R&D, recalibrating FDA requirements, and promoting judicious use of antibiotics.
New technology encasing antibiotics in nanofibers kills a variety of disease-causing bacteria and fungi, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The treatment boosts the power of antibiotics, making them effective for longer periods.
A Cardiff University study found that antibiotics have no significant impact on alleviating symptoms or speeding recovery in patients with yellow or green phlegm. The research suggests that clinicians and patients overestimate the importance of phlegm color in deciding whether to prescribe antibiotics.
Researchers found that plant buffers can slow down the runoff of veterinary antibiotics in surface water, reducing transport by 58-72% for herbicides and 70% for antibiotics. The use of certain species like hybrid poplar can further enhance degradation of deposited antibiotics.
A large randomized trial found that preventive antibiotic use significantly reduces the risk of infection with highly resistant microorganisms in intensive care patients. Patients treated with selective digestive tract decontamination (SDD) were 59% less likely to develop bacteraemia and 38% less likely to colonize respiratory tracts.
A new UCSF study forecasts a far worse-than-expected cholera epidemic in Haiti, predicting nearly twice the number of cases as the United Nations' initial projections. The study suggests that extending access to antibiotics could save thousands of lives and prevent widespread fatalities.
A new study predicts nearly 800,000 cases and 11,100 deaths in Haiti due to cholera, significantly underestimating official projections. Combining available disease control strategies such as clean water access, oral vaccination, and expanded antibiotic use could prevent thousands of deaths.
A study finds that widespread discharge of inefficiently treated wastewater into rivers could occur if existing plans for antiviral and antibiotic use are implemented during a pandemic. This could lead to water quality deterioration at drinking water abstraction points, potentially causing eutrophication and environmental toxicity.
Iowa State researchers have identified and described two parts of the three-part system that pumps toxins from bacteria and allows them to resist antibiotics. The discoveries provide novel insights into how the transporter functions and could lead to ways to block its activity, heightening bacteria's sensitivity to antibiotics.
Swedish scientists reveal that pollutants from Indian factories are breeding resistance genes in river bacteria, posing a global risk for untreatable diseases. The study's novel DNA sequencing approach may also aid future hospital research.
A new Johns Hopkins Children's study suggests that timely and proper wound cleaning and draining may be more important than the choice of antibiotic in treating MRSA skin infections. The researchers found that 95% of children recovered completely within a week, regardless of which antibiotic they received.
University of Houston professors have developed a computerized modeling system to accelerate the development of new antibiotics. The system aims to identify effective dosing regimens and prioritize clinical investigations.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a protective mechanism in Streptococcus pyogenes that could be exploited to create new antibiotics. The discovery reveals how the antitoxin blocks the toxin's activity, sparing the bacteria from self-destruction.
Lyme arthritis can be treated successfully with oral antibiotics, but early diagnosis is crucial to prevent joint damage. Patients who develop the condition should look for symptoms like aching joints, fever, and rash, and report them to their physician.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered a potential new anti-cancer treatment using the antibiotic tautomycetin, which targets the cancer-causing enzyme SHP2. This finding offers hope for developing effective treatments against various types of leukemia and solid tumors.
Research published in BMC Microbiology suggests that insects on pig farms can carry and transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans. The study found high prevalence of resistant Enterococcus faecalis and faecium in insect intestines, mirroring those found in pigs' feces.
A study found that mixing macrolide antibiotics with calcium-channel blockers increases the risk of hypotension and hospitalization in older patients. Erythromycin and clarithromycin were linked to a significant increase in hospitalizations, while azithromycin appeared safe.
Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh found that antibiotics are more effective than a placebo in relieving symptoms of middle-ear infections in young children. The study, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, involved 291 children between 6 and 23 months old with acute middle ear infections.
New research shows vitamin D can speed up antibiotic treatment of tuberculosis (TB), clearing bacteria from the lungs in just 5 weeks for certain patients. Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem among TB patients, and those with a specific genetic type of vitamin D receptor responded better to supplementation.
A new antibiotic therapy developed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has shown long-lasting relief from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, even after treatment is stopped. The study found that patients experienced significant relief from bloating, abdominal pain, and loose stools for up to 10 weeks.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America has released its first-ever guidelines for the treatment of MRSA, which may mean not prescribing antibiotics for less complicated forms of infection. The guidelines address treatment of both common and invasive MRSA, a potentially deadly infection responsible for 18,000 deaths annually.
Researchers discovered interplay between genetic and persistence mechanisms in bacteria, leading to novel effective treatments for multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections. Persistence cells are temporarily hyper-resistant to antibiotics, causing treatment failure and contributing to chronic bacterial infections.
Researchers recommend selective use of antibiotics to treat Acute Otitis Media in children, while employing watchful waiting in non-critical cases to combat treatment-resistant bacterial strains. The study aims to reduce the emergence of new resistant bacterial strains.
A new study reveals that antibiotics in agricultural areas can contaminate water sources, potentially contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified patterns of antibiotic resistance gene occurrence in a Colorado watershed, suggesting that specific manmade sources can be traced.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a new way to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by treating municipal wastewater solids at higher temperatures. This approach can destroy up to 99.9% of bacterial genes that confer resistance, making it a potential tool in the fight against superbugs.
Researchers analyzed 135 studies to support new AOM practice guidelines, identifying otoscopic findings as key to accurate diagnosis. They also found that heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine use is associated with changes in AOM microbial epidemiology.
A new study found that antibiotics provide only modest benefits for treating acute ear infections in children, while also increasing the risk of side effects. The review of published research suggests that careful examination of the eardrum by a clinician is critical for accurate diagnosis.
Researchers have developed an inhalable dry powder antibiotic targeting TB, potentially reducing treatment time from 6-12 months to under a year. The novel treatment aims to distribute antibiotics directly to lung lesions, increasing targeted doses and minimizing side effects.
A recent review reveals that antibiotics can alter normal gut bacteria composition and leave resistance genes present for extended periods. This increases the risk of pathogenic bacteria survival and multi-drug resistance.
A recent study found that more than half of surrogate decision makers prefer to have full authority over the choice of life-support for incapacitated patients. However, a significant portion want to share or cede power to physicians. The extent of control varies based on trust in the physician overseeing care.
Researchers suggest vancomycin as the better treatment option for managing hospitalized patients with cellulitis, showing improved outcomes and discharge times compared to B-lactam antibiotics. The study found that intravenous vancomycin treatment was associated with faster recovery and reduced hospital stay duration.
Scientists have developed a new polymer-type material that exhibits biocidal activity toward MRSA and other Gram-negative bacteria when exposed to light, making it suitable for antibacterial countertops. The conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) material has shown promising results in killing bacteria without harming mammalian cells.
A large COMMAND clinical study found a 99.5% successful implantation rate and 0.48% overall infection rate for patients using TYRX's AIGISRx Antibacterial Envelope. The envelope reduces infections in high-risk patients by 70% compared to previous studies.
A new study found that an intestinal enzyme helps maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, potentially preventing serious health issues. The enzyme, IAP, blocks toxic molecules on pathogenic bacteria and restores beneficial E. coli strains after antibiotic treatment.
Researchers have developed a method to identify lytic enzymes with optimal bacteria-killing characteristics, which can target superbugs while leaving beneficial bacteria intact. The discovery aims to hasten the development of engineered enzymes for clinical use and offer a 'push button technology' solution.
Dr. Blaser and his team will investigate whether changes in the human microbiome as a result of antibiotic use have fueled the obesity epidemic. The grant will assess the roles of gastric and colonic microbiota related to hormones and metabolism in both humans and mice.
A University of Oklahoma research team has discovered a compound that can suppress the growth of pathogenic microbes and keep other oral microorganisms in check. This finding may lead to new treatments for thrush and related Candida infections.