Research on antibiotics and the bacteria they target. Covers antibiotic resistance, gut pathogens, persistent strep throat, and water-source contamination.
A national poll found that most Americans would follow public health recommendations to obtain prophylactic antibiotics in response to a hypothetical anthrax attack. However, a significant minority would delay taking the recommended medication, which could put them at greater risk of serious illness.
Research by scientists at the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry suggests that buffer strips can trap and break down veterinary antibiotics in manure fertilizers. The finding aims to mitigate concerns about the use of veterinary antibiotics in livestock farming, which may lead to drug-resistant bacteria and ecosystem harm.
Researchers found that sub-lethal doses of antibiotics trigger DNA mutations, producing germs resistant to multiple drugs. The study highlights the dangers of incomplete antibiotic treatment and calls for stricter regulations on its use.
A recent study led by Dr. Lucas Hoffman found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common pathogen in cystic fibrosis lung infections, can resist powerful antibiotics due to adapting to the clogged airways. The mutation enables the bacteria to thrive in viscous lung secretions and survive oxidative stress caused by antibiotic treatment.
Researchers found that two Lactobacillus strains improved Helicobacter pylori-infected gastritis by exhibiting anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The study suggests using probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics for treating H. pylori-associated diseases.
Researchers found that two antimicrobial regimens were effective in treating early, limited buruli ulcer disease, with 96% of patients healing after 8 weeks and 91% after 4 weeks. No significant surgical complications occurred.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a smart coating to improve bond between implants and bone, reducing rejection and infection risks. The coating promotes bone growth and releases antimicrobial silver particles to prevent infections.
Researchers discovered that a commonly used antibiotic, kanamycin, protects mouse ears from noise-induced hearing loss when given in low doses. The finding has significant implications for the development of new treatments and could benefit groups such as premature babies, soldiers, and airline workers.
Researchers found that lankacidin and lankamycin, two antibiotics produced by streptomyces, are more effective when used together against MRSA and other pathogens. The combination prevents protein assembly and inhibits bacterial growth, offering a new strategy for fighting antibiotic-resistant infections.
A new study found that using procalcitonin levels to prescribe antibiotics in intensive care units can reduce antibiotic exposure while maintaining patient safety. The study showed a significant reduction in antibiotic-free days among patients treated with procalcitonin.
McGill researcher discovers a link between contaminated chicken and E. coli bacteria causing urinary tract infections in young women. The study highlights the need for better food safety measures and antibiotic use regulations in agriculture.
The Lancet article advocates for tailoring antibiotic dosing to individual patients' physical characteristics, particularly for those with large body sizes. This approach could improve treatment effectiveness and safety, especially considering the increasing prevalence of obesity-related infections.
A sudden increase in antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains is spreading globally, posing a significant threat to public health. Researchers warn that the misuse of powerful antibiotics may lead to the development of even more resistant strains, rendering current treatments ineffective.
Using disinfectants can promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This adaptation enables the bacteria to survive and infect patients even without exposure to antibiotics.
A new study identifies two antibiotics, linezolid and moxifloxacin, as effective against the virulent community-associated MRSA strain. Meanwhile, clindamycin and doxycycline are found to induce rapid resistance development in this new strain.
A new study suggests that medical liability concerns may be driving doctors to overprescribe antibiotics in healthcare settings. The research found a strong correlation between antibiotic use and attorney density in European countries, but no such link with physician density.
Researchers at MIT and Boston University have identified a novel mechanism by which the drug hydroxyurea kills bacteria, inducing the production of toxic molecules that ultimately lead to cell death. This discovery raises the possibility of developing new antibiotics that target similar mechanisms.
Researchers have discovered a novel way to target bacterial DNA gyrase, an essential enzyme for bacterial survival and growth. The new antibiotic molecule, simocyclinone D8 (SD8), uses two heads to bind to the enzyme, making it 100 times more potent than single-headed versions.
A global drive is necessary to develop new antibiotics, with only a single new antibacterial approved in the USA since 2006. The EU report also shows limited progress, with just five new drugs reaching phase 3 clinical trials within the next 10 years.
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) require prompt treatment to prevent tissue destruction and minimize mortality. The new guidelines emphasize the importance of rapid diagnosis and initiation of antibiotic therapy, including surgical debridement for necrotizing infections.
An international study found that 51% of ICU patients were infected, with lung infections accounting for 64%, and infection rates varied by region and healthcare expenditure
A recent study conducted in Southern Malawi found that azithromycin antibiotic had no significant impact on reducing the risk of preterm labour. The research suggests that infection may not be the primary cause of preterm birth and highlights the need for further investigation into other factors contributing to this issue.
Researchers are gaining insights into how Gram-negative bacteria infect host cells and spread antibiotic resistance. The crystal structure of the outer membrane part of type IV secretion systems has been revealed, offering potential targets for novel antibiotics.
A Tel Aviv University-developed dressing can eradicate infection-causing bacteria after just two days, protecting wounds until they heal. The biodegradable, antibiotic-infused material mimics skin's protective properties and helps doctors administer high doses of antibiotics locally, reducing toxicity issues.
A new imaging technique developed by a team of researchers could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-cancer drugs. The method uses mass spectrometry to analyze chemical communication between microorganisms.
New studies reveal the high costs of implementing performance-reporting requirements for primary care practices, which can range from $1,000 to $11,100 per practitioner. Researchers also warn that undisclosed changes made to clinical trial outcomes threaten the integrity of scientific research. In contrast, early abortion care in famil...
A study in Italy found that pediatricians over-prescribe antibiotics due to perceived parental expectations, particularly if parents expect a prescription for respiratory tract infections. The main factors associated with actual practices were discharge from the child's ear and parental expectation of a prescription.
A Phase II clinical study found that a vaccine candidate can cause a modest but sustained reduction in genital and gastrointestinal GBS bacterial colonization. The vaccine was also found to be safe and well-tolerated, eliciting a strong immune response.
Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) has received four NIH supplemental grant awards, totaling $1.73 million, to expand its community engagement program, improve BPD predictors, search for Lyme disease persistence, and develop a pilot project mechanism.
A Mayo Clinic study found that Clostridium difficile infections are rising in outpatient settings, with a higher proportion of cases in younger populations. The study suggests that antibiotic use may be contributing to the increased incidence and severity of C. difficile infections.
A new study suggests that a shorter course of antibiotics following tonsillectomy may be just as effective in reducing pain and promoting recovery. The research found no significant differences between children who received a 3-day versus 7-day course of postoperative antibiotics.
A Tel Aviv University drug based on an older generation antibiotic shows promise in treating colon cancer by suppressing polyp growth and repairing genes. Preclinical studies have shown a 80% reduction in polyp size and a 30% increase in mouse lifespan.
Researchers found promising results for rapid viral diagnosis tests, reducing use of antibiotics and other blood tests in children with respiratory symptoms. Larger trials are needed to confirm the finding and evaluate cost-effectiveness.
Researchers at McMaster University have identified a novel chemical compound that targets drug-resistant bacteria, offering a promising solution to combat resistant infections. The discovery provides a new approach to tackle antibiotic resistance by blocking a specific step in the development of bacterial cell surfaces.
Researchers found that universal health insurance reduces income inequities in healthcare access, but education-related disparities persist. Insured children with uninsured parents are more likely to experience unmet healthcare needs and lack preventive services.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have found a mechanism that makes human pathogens like MRSA and anthrax resistant to numerous antibiotics. By eliminating the oxidative stress caused by many antibiotics, NO can be neutralized, rendering existing antibiotics more potent at lower doses.
Pediatric researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will investigate the most beneficial method of using antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. The goal is to determine if a shorter treatment period can reduce drug resistance while effectively treating UTIs.
A study found that children in Ethiopia who received azithromycin for trachoma had a 49% lower odds of death compared to those who didn't receive the antibiotic. The treatment may have reduced mortality from pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, major causes of death in children in trachoma-endemic areas.
A comprehensive review confirms the safety and efficacy of Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) as a treatment for corneal endothelial diseases, which affect 85% of corneal transplants in the US. In contrast, a type of antibiotic fluoroquinolone has been linked to double vision in some patients.
Researchers have discovered a way to regulate gene therapy for Parkinson's disease by introducing an 'off switch' using the antibiotic doxycycline. This breakthrough addresses safety concerns and paves the way for safer treatment options.
A new study found that universal influenza vaccination in Ontario, Canada, led to a 64% decline in antibiotic prescriptions and a 39% reduction in influenza-associated mortality. This suggests that increasing flu vaccination rates could help combat antibiotic overuse and related public health concerns.
A Princeton-led team has discovered how some antibiotics kill bacteria by jamming the translocator, a protein-producing machine. The researchers also found that a specific protein called YccA protects the translocator from destruction, similar to a human protein of interest in cancer research.
Widespread misuse of fluoroquinolones is creating a strain of fluoroquinolone-resistant TB, according to new research. Patients who use fluoroquinolones within 12 months of diagnosis are almost five times more likely to have resistant TB.
Scientists used a whole-animal infection model to screen 37,000 potential drugs on infected C. elegans worms, identifying 28 new antimicrobials with novel mechanisms of action.
A clinical trial of kefir in young children using antibiotics found no benefit in preventing diarrhea. However, the study suggests that kefir may help healthier children, and more research is needed to confirm this finding.
Researchers at Duke University have solved the structure of Ramoplanin A2, a candidate antibiotic that can kill pathogenic bacteria by interrupting cell membrane formation. The molecule forms U-shaped structures that bind to Lipid II, preventing its participation in membrane synthesis and leading to bacterial death.
Innovotech's bioFILM PA test helps doctors select effective antibiotic treatment for serious, chronic infections. The test has shown positive results in selecting proper antibiotic treatment for patients with Cystic Fibrosis and other chronic infections.
Research reveals that bacteria's survival rate increases when resistant to two antibiotics, contrary to expected outcomes. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding genetic interactions in determining antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have found that antibiotic treatment can induce the transmission of C. difficile by creating a 'supershedder state' in mice, where they shed high levels of spores even without symptoms. This suggests widening infection control measures to include all patients receiving antibiotics could be necessary.
Researchers at TUM have identified a unique pathway in aggressive microorganisms, such as tuberculosis and malaria pathogens, that may be vulnerable to custom-tailored antibiotics. The discovery opens a promising approach for developing new reaction steps vital to microorganisms but irrelevant in humans.
A new study by Uppsala University researchers has discovered nearly half of Mediterranean gulls in southern France exhibit antibiotic resistance. The bacteria in question are capable of spreading rapidly and have broken down powerful antibiotics.
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that two types of antibiotics can cause moderate to wide-ranging changes in the ranks of helpful guardians in the gut. The armada of good bacteria did not recover its former diversity even many weeks after a course of antibiotics was over.
Researchers studied DNA from 1,930 pneumococcus strains and found a link between bacterial recombination and antibiotic resistance. Bacteria that undergo sex with other species are more likely to develop resistance to antibiotics, making treatment increasingly difficult.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a synthetic DNA binding compound that effectively kills bacteria within two minutes. The compound's ability to target and coil DNA makes it a promising approach to combatting drug-resistant bacteria.
A recent review of contaminated waters found high concentrations of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, in natural and drinking waters. The study warns that increased farm usage of anti-infectives may augment levels in future agricultural wastewater, posing a risk to aquatic biota and human health.
A nationwide French public health campaign from 2002 to 2007 led to a marked reduction of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, particularly in children, with a decline of over 25% compared to the preintervention period. The greatest decrease was observed among young children aged 6–11 years.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a 'surprising link' between three processes in cell wall synthesis, which could lead to the development of a new antibiotic. This breakthrough provides a novel method for searching for small molecule drugs targeting these pathways.
Delivery of antibiotics via nanoparticles has shown promise in treating pulmonary infections. Treated mice had a significant survival advantage, decreased lung bacterial burden, and spread compared to control mice. The once-daily dosing regimen increased compliance, offering a potential means to improve patient outcomes.
A new study by Uppsala University reveals a mechanism to delay the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Inhibiting drug efflux pumps can mask the effect of mutations that reduce antibiotic binding, providing clues to delaying resistance development.
Researchers have developed a new generation of natural antibiotics using bioengineering, targeting harmful micro-organisms like MRSA and Listeria monocytogenes. These enhanced nisin variants possess greater activities against clinical pathogens and could become acceptable alternatives to current antimicrobials.