Articles tagged with Antibiotics
Researchers found that two-thirds of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions were given to patients with negative throat cultures. Inaccurate diagnoses and lack of immediate diagnostic tools contribute to the problem. Experts blame current diagnostic methods and advocate for improved solutions.
A recent NICHD study found that antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis was ineffective in preventing premature birth. The study, which treated over 1,900 pregnant women, showed no significant reduction in preterm births among those receiving metronidazole treatment.
Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School have discovered a way to inhibit the enzyme that many bacteria use to infect and damage hosts. This finding could provide a foundation for developing new agents to combat bacterial infections, potentially leading to therapies against cystic fibrosis and other diseases.
Researchers at Wayne State University have designed two novel antibiotics to combat antibiotic resistance. The 'self-destructive' antibiotic breaks down in the presence of light, while the 'self-regenerating' antibiotic remains effective against resistant bacteria by releasing its active form after encountering resistance enzymes.
A new method for crafting medical implants from an antibacterial polymer could prevent thousands of patients from dying of hospital-acquired infections. The technology slowly releases an antibiotic to keep bacteria from establishing a foothold, making it ideal for catheters and permanent implants.
A study found that 80% of colonic bacteria contain a gene resistant to tetracycline, highlighting rapid spread of resistance genes. The discovery suggests that other resistance genes are also moving along with the tetracycline resistance gene.
New data confirm Relenza's effectiveness in targeting viral replication and reducing complications in patients with influenza B. High concentrations of the drug in the lungs also reduce the risk of resistance development.
A study of 232 rheumatology patients found nearly half used alternative treatments and discussed them with physicians, highlighting the need for physician inquiry. Additionally, a single dose of azithromycin prevents syphilis in exposed individuals, while flu vaccinations benefit HIV-infected patients.
A new study found that treating entire communities with oral antibiotic azithromycin effectively controls an infection causing widespread eye disease. The treatment reduces the number of infections by up to 90% compared to topical therapy, offering a promising solution for controlling trachoma in endemic areas.
A study by Northwestern University researchers finds that linezolid is highly effective against a range of gram-positive bacteria, including those resistant to vancomycin and oxacillin. The antibiotic showed potent activity against all isolates tested, making it a promising new treatment option for patients with drug-resistant infections.
Researchers will investigate whether azithromycin reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with documented heart disease. A total of 4,000 volunteers will be recruited nationally to participate in the Azithromycin and Coronary Event Study.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a 50-million-year-old association between an antibiotic-producing bacterium and fungus-growing ants. The study suggests that this symbiotic relationship may provide valuable new insights into the identification, production, and use of antibiotics.
Researchers found that an experimental antibiotic, moxifloxacin, is effective against a range of drug-resistant bacterial strains, including those resistant to penicillin and erythromycin. The findings suggest it could be a potential treatment for serious and deadly illnesses caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.
The Azithromycin and Cardiac Events Study (ACES) investigates the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerosis. Researchers aim to determine if antibiotics can prevent complications of coronary artery disease, enrolling approximately 4,000 volunteers.
Despite long-standing guidelines recommending antibiotic prophylaxis for dental patients with cardiac valvular problems, a new study finds no association between dental procedures and the onset of endocarditis. The researchers suggest reconsidering current policies due to low incidence and potential risks associated with antibiotics.
A clinical trial testing Azithromycin's effectiveness in preventing recurrent heart attacks found a promising link between the antibiotic and reduced inflammation. Researchers aim to determine if treating patients with Azithromycin for five days after an initial heart attack can prevent future heart attacks.
A new study reports a significant increase in rheumatic fever cases in the Utah area, with over two-thirds of patients showing no history of sore throat. The disease, which can lead to permanent heart valve damage, is on the rise again, sparking concerns among medical professionals.
A study challenges the widely accepted pediatric practice of prescribing a 10-day course of antibiotics for uncomplicated ear infections, suggesting that five days of short-acting oral antibiotics are equally effective. The researchers found no significant difference in treatment failure rates when comparing the two treatment courses.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and R.W. Johnson Pharmaceuticals have developed a new class of antibacterial agents that inhibit two-component signal transduction systems, a key regulatory mechanism in bacterial virulence. These inhibitors show promise as a potential tool against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
Primary care physicians are spending more time with their young patients, providing increased preventive services and counseling. The study also found a rise in medication prescriptions, including antibiotics and the stimulant Ritalin, without clear evidence of their appropriateness.
The Resistance Web offers health care professionals and medical researchers immediate access to 10 years of drug resistance tracking data. The site helps alert medical professionals to drug resistance patterns, over-prescribing dangers, and encourages focused surveillance activities.
A recent study found that most common colds are caused by viruses, with rhinovirus being the primary culprit. Researchers identified 138 cases of the common cold in university students, with 105 cases linked to rhinovirus infection.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered that E. coli can live inside immune-system cells lining the bladder wall, making it harder to treat bladder infections. The bacteria use sticky appendages to cling to these cells and evade antibiotics.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a system to synthesize and screen novel beta-lactam antibiotics, including some effective against extremely low levels of bacteria. The process takes about two days and produces over 1,000 novel compounds with potential for use in antibiotic skin patches.
Researchers create unnatural polyketides with anti-bacterial properties by altering enzyme feedstocks, promising to multiply the power of combinatorial biosynthesis and generate hundreds of new compounds for lead molecule discovery
Research on nematodes led to the discovery of potential anti-cancer drugs and antibiotics. The substances, called xenorxides, have proven more effective than traditional anti-cancer drugs in some test settings.
Researchers have exposed the precise interactions between antibiotics and bacterial ribosomes, revealing a 'lock-and-key' system that sheds light on antibiotic effectiveness and resistance. The study highlights the importance of targeting RNA in cells and provides potential strategies for designing new, less toxic drugs.
A cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that over-the-counter antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections (UTI) would not be cost-effective in the long run. The study found that the benefits of reduced symptom days would be offset by an increase in treatment costs and potentially lead to increased antibiotic resistance.
A rare lung disease thought to affect only people from Japan, China, and Korea has been diagnosed in five US patients with no Asian ancestry. Long-term antibiotic use can effectively treat the condition, but mortality rates remain high if left untreated.
A study published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found that healthy young children in Mexico were colonized by E. coli resistant to multiple antibiotics. The study discovered that nearly 90% of stool samples contained isolates resistant to two or more antibiotics, highlighting a significant route for the dissemina...
Researchers have discovered a novel 'left-handed' spiral structure in the protein enzyme LpxA, which could lead to the development of new antibiotics that target this unique structure. The discovery offers a promising approach to combating bacterial resistance to current antibiotics.