Research on antibiotics and the bacteria they target. Covers antibiotic resistance, gut pathogens, persistent strep throat, and water-source contamination.
A new vaccine targeting more common pneumococcal strains is on the horizon to replace PCV7, which has seen a rise in non-vaccine strain IPD rates by 40%. The vaccine's effectiveness against resistant bacteria is currently being tested.
A recent study highlights the importance of understanding C. difficile's toxins and virulence factors, which can cause severe hospital-acquired infections. The research also explores the bacteria's transmission, symptoms, and treatment options, including the development of a potential 'designer' probiotic.
Researchers have elucidated the structure and function of an enzyme decorating antibiotics with sugar molecules, which can help overcome antibiotic resistance. By understanding how these sugars are made, they aim to develop unnatural sugars with different properties.
Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis has increased the risk of Clostridium difficile infection by 21 times, with severe consequences for patients. Researchers suggest minimizing antibiotic duration to reduce risks and benefits.
A new study found that swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities significantly reduced skin, ear, and chest infections. Infections were more than halved in both Jigalong and Mugarinya communities. The pools also provided social hubs and employment opportunities while reducing clinic visits and antibiotic prescriptions.
A study found that doripenem treatment reduced hospital length of stay and time on mechanical ventilation for patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Clinical cure rates were similar to those treated with imipenem-cilastatin.
A study found that a 10-day triple therapy regimen was more effective in eradicating H. pylori and reducing gastric inflammation than a 7-day regimen. However, non-compliance was higher in the 10-day group, highlighting the need for cost-benefit analysis in treatment decisions.
The ASGE has updated its infection control guidelines to emphasize the importance of rigorous endoscope reprocessing and adherence to general infection control principles. These guidelines aim to reduce the risk of patient-to-patient transmission of microorganisms during GI endoscopy procedures.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has updated its guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, citing a lack of data supporting the use of prophylactic antibiotics solely to prevent infective endocarditis. Clinically significant infections after endoscopic procedures are extremely rare.
Researchers found that certain bacteria can activate genes that protect them from antibiotic action, leading to effective treatment options. The study could lead to more targeted and efficient antibiotics for various infections.
A 5-year study found that one or two rounds of mass treatment with azithromycin can eliminate trachoma infection in communities with moderate levels of infection. The trial showed a significant reduction in trachoma prevalence from 9.5% to 0.1% after just two years.
Researchers found that antibiotic treatment doesn't eradicate all Lyme disease-causing bacteria, which may contribute to lingering symptoms. The discovery sets the stage for controlled laboratory research investigating potential therapies for persistent Lyme disease infections.
Egyptian scientists have discovered that green tea boosts the effectiveness of antibiotics against superbugs by up to 99.99%, increasing the killing power of chloramphenicol and making 20% of drug-resistant bacteria susceptible to cephalosporin antibiotics.
Researchers found a higher incidence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA. The study revealed a lower case-fatality rate than previously estimated, at around 13%.
The US Food and Drug Administration is considering new rules that would require new antibiotics to be clinically superior to existing drugs, rather than non-inferior. This change could discourage pharmaceutical companies from developing new antibiotics for common infections.
A study found that about 1 in 200 facelift patients developed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, highlighting the need for screening protocols to identify high-risk patients. The authors recommend considering MRSA colonization and infection risk factors during preoperative evaluation.
Researchers found that antibiotics offer little benefit for patients with acute rhinosinusitis-like complaints. The study suggests that doctors should not prescribe antibiotics to adults with rhinosinusitis symptoms lasting longer than 7-10 days, as there is no clear subgroup of patients who would benefit from treatment.
Researchers have uncovered how Streptococcus pneumoniae builds its penicillin immunity and opened up ways to disrupt this mechanism, potentially restoring penicillin as a weapon against the bacterium. The discovery also offers hope for treating MRSA using penicillin.
Researchers found that using a blood test and decision algorithm to determine antibiotic therapy duration in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock can reduce treatment time by up to 6 days. This approach also resulted in shorter ICU stays, averaging three days less for treated patients.
Scientists at MIT have discovered a new type of antibiotic produced by Rhodococcus bacteria in response to a competing strain. The antibiotic, rhodostreptomycin, shows promise in treating Helicobacter pylori-caused stomach ulcers.
Researchers at Ohio State University identified two proteins, MprF1 and MprF2, that contribute to bacterial resistance by altering the electrical charge of cell membranes. This finding could lead to the development of new drugs targeting bacterial resistance at its cellular source.
A comprehensive study published in Archives of Internal Medicine reveals that nearly 70% of Americans with dementia receive antibiotic medications, particularly in the final stages of their disease. The researchers warn that this practice poses a significant public health risk due to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
A study of 214 residents found that nearly two-thirds received antibiotics during their stay, with most prescriptions given in the final weeks of life. The excessive use of antibiotics raises concerns about individual treatment burden and the development of antimicrobial resistance in nursing homes.
A new technique developed by a University of Central Florida chemist will help physicians more quickly identify the bacterial infections patients have so they can be treated in hours instead of days. The method uses gold nanoparticles coated with a sugar and a protein that binds to sugars, allowing for rapid testing of antibiotics.
Researchers suggest that minocycline can limit Japanese Encephalitis (JE) death by reducing neuronal death, microgliosis, and viral titre. The study found that treatment with minocycline provides complete protection against experimental JE, improving behavioral outcome as well.
A study in Ethiopia found that biannual mass azithromycin treatment significantly reduced eye infections caused by chlamydia in preschool children, from 42.6% to 0.9%, compared to annual treatment, which reduced infections by 6-fold.
A meta-analysis of previous studies found that antibiotics do not significantly reduce fluid buildup in children with middle ear infections. The condition can lead to hearing loss and language development delays. Researchers recommend against prescribing antibiotics to prevent middle ear effusion.
A new mathematical model has identified minimizing antibiotic treatment duration as the optimal strategy for controlling hospital-borne antibiotic-resistant bacteria epidemics. By starting treatments early and administering drugs for shorter periods, the risk of cross-infection by resistant bacteria can be significantly reduced.
Researchers have discovered a weakness in the defenses of the anthrax bacterium that could be exploited to produce new antibiotics. Nitric oxide is a critical part of Bacillus anthracis's defense against the immune response, and disrupting this system could make it vulnerable to attack by macrophages.
A recent study found that Arctic birds carry antibiotics-resistant bacteria, highlighting the global spread of antibiotic resistance. The researchers believe immigrating birds from Southeast Asia may have introduced these resistant bacteria to the tundra.
A study found that home-based treatment of severe pneumonia in children with oral antibiotics is equivalent to in-hospital treatment, suggesting a revision of WHO guidelines. This finding has significant public health implications for improving access to care and reducing mortality from pneumonia.
Researchers have found that rifapentine, an older antibiotic, is a potent treatment for tuberculosis when used at high doses. Clinical trials are underway to test its effectiveness in reducing treatment time from six months to three months or less.
A study suggests that combining a medication for multiple sclerosis with an antibiotic may slow the disease's progression. The treatment combination showed promising results in reducing lesions and disability scores.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have pioneered new methods to modify antibiotics' molecular structure, enabling the development of new types of antibiotics capable of combating increasingly resistant bacteria. This innovation provides access to thousands of lipopeptide variants that cannot be produced easily in any other way.
Scientists have developed a DNA-based therapy that can switch off antibiotic resistance in bacteria by delivering a short stretch of DNA as a decoy. This technology has the potential to slash the development time of new drugs and could give fresh patent life to existing antibiotics.
A study found that common treatments for acute sinusitis, including antibiotics and topical steroids, were not more effective than placebo in altering symptom severity, duration, or natural history. Topical steroids were likely to be effective in patients with less severe symptoms at presentation.
Researchers found that joint inflammation persists in patients with antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis, despite the spirochetes being killed. Antibody titers declined to similar levels after 4-6 months of antibiotic therapy, regardless of treatment response.
Researchers found that high-intensity manure management practices can increase the rate of antibiotic dissipation, but were not effective at reducing antibiotic resistance genes. Longer treatment times may be necessary to achieve significant reductions in both antibiotics and ARG.
Scientists found that 61% of hospital samples tested positive for ESBL-producing bacteria, which can break down common antibiotics. The spread of these strains has significant economic and health consequences, including longer treatment times and increased costs.
The American Thoracic Society has released new clinical standards for treating cystic fibrosis, focusing on aerosolized antibiotics and DNase for patients with moderate to severe lung disease. The guidelines aim to improve lung function, reduce exacerbations, and increase life expectancy.
A new strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria has been detected that is resistant to all FDA-approved antibiotics and not covered by the pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine. This strain was found in nine cases, resulting in unsuccessful treatment with multiple antibiotics.
A strain of bacteria resistant to all approved pediatric antibiotics has been discovered, according to researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The 19A strain was found in children with persistent ear infections despite antibiotic treatment, highlighting concerns over potential long-term consequences.
Researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism that could lead to the development of new, potent antibiotics. The compounds mimic natural peptides and create 'holes' in bacterial membranes, causing cell death.
A study found that Dutch GPs unnecessarily prescribe antibiotics for respiratory tract infections based on arbitrary diagnostic labelling and patient symptoms. The over-prescription of antibiotics poses significant risks due to resistance and costs.
A new antibiotic combination could dramatically shorten TB treatment time from six months to four months, with a cure rate increasing by 17 percent after two months of therapy. Researchers say the shorter treatment period may also reduce transmission and improve drug compliance.
The study proposes new methods to detect pesticide residue (carbamates) and antibiotic residue (sulfonamides) in water, plant foods and animal-derived foods. The developed methods are innovative, sensitive, and environmentally friendly alternatives to existing detection techniques.
Researchers will develop a faster, more sensitive biosensor to detect bacterial infections in human clinical fluid samples. The goal is to enable point-of-care diagnostics and aid antibiotic treatment selection within two hours.
Researchers at UW-Madison developed a novel enzyme that can decorate chemical molecules with natural sugars, altering their biological effects. The new enzyme has the potential to create a range of therapeutic agents for cancer treatment and infection prevention.
Temple University's Department of Emergency Medicine is participating in a nationwide study to identify the best outpatient therapy for community-acquired MRSA, a growing concern with antibiotic-resistant properties. The research aims to determine effective treatments and gain FDA approval for generic antibiotics.
Dr. Richard Guerrant receives funding to develop a new treatment approach for C. difficile by targeting its toxins instead of the bacteria itself, aiming to prevent deadly complications and reduce antibiotic use.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified new sites on bacterial protein-making machinery where antibiotics can be delivered to treat infections. The study found that targeting specific regions of the ribosome, a crucial cellular component, may provide a novel approach to developing effective antibiotics.
New clues from immune system molecules hold hope for overcoming antibiotic resistance, with shared structural and functional characteristics enabling these molecules to inhibit or kill microbial pathogens.
Researchers have created synthetic antibiotics called Teflon AMPs that are more resistant to bacterial defenses than their natural counterparts. These compounds mimic the immune system's early line of defense and show promise in battling a range of infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers used computer analysis to identify potential new antibiotics, such as lovastatin and gentisic acid, which show promise against emerging bacterial threats. The approach could save time and lives during outbreaks or bioterrorism attacks.
Two new five-year contracts will study oral, off-patent antibiotics for treating skin and soft tissue CA-MRSA infections. If successful, these antibiotics could be used to delay resistance development to vancomycin.
The study aims to identify effective off-patent antibiotics for treating uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by MRSA. Researchers hope to find an optimal treatment to stop progression of serious infections or prevent recurrence, with Olive View–UCLA Medical Center as the principal study site.
Research by Dr James Chin and colleagues reveals that antibiotics not only kill bad bacteria but also maintain a pool of resistant genes within microbial communities. This means that subsequent therapy with another antibiotic may be ineffective due to increased resistance.
A new University of Missouri-Columbia study is investigating whether family pets could be a reservoir for infections of multi-resistant bacteria in humans. Researchers are collecting samples from 750 pairs of owners and pets to track the spread of diseases such as MRSA.
General Practitioners (GPs) are still over-prescribing antibiotics for common infections like sore throats and sinusitis, hindering efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. The analysis of the world's largest primary care database found that prescriptions for these conditions rose to 80% despite guidance warnings.
Researchers used powerful imaging techniques to study the atomic level interactions between bacteria and antibiotics, revealing a key enzyme structure that enables gene expression. The findings provide insights into potential new antibiotic designs that can prevent bacterial resistance.