Articles tagged with Acute Infections
A research team at the University of Göttingen has discovered 'protective switches' in the SARS-CoV-2 virus that shield it from attacks by the immune system. These molecular structures were found to stabilize the protein's structure against oxidative damage, allowing the virus to replicate effectively.
Researchers analyzed electronic health records and contact tracing data to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention measures implemented during the pandemic. Universal masking was found to be a crucial factor in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in healthcare settings, with airborne negative pressure rooms and N95 respirator masks no...
A new study reveals that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can infect nerve cells, trigger inflammation, and cause nerve damage. RSV was previously thought to only infect the respiratory tract, but this finding suggests a potential link between the virus and neurological symptoms in children.
A national study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that patients treated at home had a 0.5% mortality rate, compared to those in traditional hospitals. Home hospital care also resulted in fewer readmissions and adverse events, with consistent outcomes across diverse demographic groups.
Photodynamic action weakens resistance to antibiotics in bacteria that attack airways, reducing the persistence of both standard and clinical strains. The study found that five cycles of PDI were sufficient to break the resistance of resistant bacteria.
The study found that solely the omicron variant influences cell cycle genes, leading to increased p21 expression and a senescence-associated secretory phenotype. This results in premature cellular senescence, potentially contributing to the reported cytokine storm and development of long-COVID.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has received a $29 million NIH grant to conduct a multicenter trial testing interventions to improve health outcomes in people who inject opioid drugs and are hospitalized with infectious complications. The study aims to reduce rehospitalizations and lower complications from infections.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 can leave a lasting impact on older adults living in nursing homes, causing them to need more help with daily activities and experience a decline in brain function. The study found that those who tested positive for COVID had effects that lasted up to nine months.
A study of house finches found that sick birds are more social than healthy ones, preferring to eat with their flock. This behavior may be driven by the benefits of group living for sick birds, but also poses a risk to healthy birds due to increased disease transmission.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that people with high body mass indexes (BMIs) do not pose a significant risk for postoperative complications following chest masculinization surgery. Despite this, BMI was still used to determine eligibility for the procedure in many cases.
A study of 144 Covid survivors found that women with elevated inflammatory biomarkers during the acute phase were more likely to experience lingering symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and sleep disturbance. This research sheds light on a potential link between inflammation and persistent Long Covid symptoms in women.
A study led by the University of Sydney found that many antibiotics for childhood infections have less than 50% effectiveness, leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths globally. The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance a top public health threat, emphasizing the urgent need for updated guidelines.
A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found no correlation between post-COVID condition and ongoing viral infection or active brain damage. The study analyzed 25 participants with confirmed post-COVID condition, six without residual symptoms, and 17 control subjects, revealing undetectable SARS-CoV-2 antigens in all samples.
A randomized clinical trial found that cefepime increased neurological dysfunction in adults hospitalized with acute infection, while piperacillin-tazobactam did not. The study involved 2,511 participants and suggested that cefepime may be associated with adverse outcomes.
A large multi-state study found that mupirocin ointment is highly effective at preventing Staphylococcus aureus infections in critically ill patients, outperforming an antiseptic solution. The study involved over 800,000 ICU patients in 137 hospitals and showed a durable benefit from mupirocin.
A new study from Queen Mary University of London found that people may experience long-term symptoms after acute respiratory infections, such as coughing, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Researchers believe these symptoms may be related to COVID-19, but further research is needed to establish the cause.
Researchers analyzed UK data to identify patterns of illnesses in individuals leading up to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. High blood pressure, respiratory tract infections, heart conditions, and asthma were commonly observed, suggesting earlier diagnosis may be possible.
A recent study conducted at the University of São Paulo's Medical School found that isolating patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in emergency departments (ER) for over two days can significantly reduce CRE transmission. The researchers also discovered that the ER structure, including bed layout and hand hygiene...
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and NIH Vaccine Research Center developed an animal model that more closely mimics human infection symptoms than any existing model. This model allows for rapid testing and deployment of new vaccine candidates in a crisis scenario, potentially saving lives against bird flu.
A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that patients with acute kidney injury on outpatient dialysis may not need lifelong treatment if they have the potential to recover. The study tracked data from over 1,700 patients and showed that approximately three-quarters of those who recovered kidney function discontinued dialysis with...
The article discusses the need to reassess COVID-19 precautions in 2023, particularly for patients with hematologic malignancies. The researchers highlight the increased risk of poor response to vaccination and worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection among these patients.
The Mount Sinai Hospital's Cohen Center will expand its research and clinical care to include 'long Lyme Disease/Lyme+', exploring key similarities and differences with long COVID. The center will offer novel therapies, including virtual reality and non-invasive brain stimulation technologies, as well as personalized cognitive rehabili...
New guidelines recommend avoiding unnecessary catheter use and daily review of continued catheterization to prevent infections. Non-catheter strategies include prompt toileting, urinals, and non-indwelling catheter approaches to reduce harm.
A new study found a significant increase in severe Strep A cases in Australia, with rates among Indigenous children being twice that of non-indigenous children. The study highlights the need for an effective vaccine against Strep A, which causes serious infections and kills over 500,000 people globally every year.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers found that severe COVID-19 infection can alter the immune system's response, causing long-lasting changes to gene expression in immune system stem cells. This can lead to symptoms of prolonged inflammation and 'long COVID' in affected individuals.
Researchers develop single-use nanoscale system that targets specific bacterium causing ear infections, eliminating most cases without antibiotic use. The system uses hypohalous acid similar to bleach and has shown promise in tests on chinchillas, with potential for future adaptation to prevent recurrent infections.
A multicenter study found that long COVID symptoms can emerge months after infection and persist for at least a year in about 16% of cases. The study highlights significant impacts the epidemic has had on the US healthcare system and emphasizes the need for further research into post-COVID conditions.
Researchers used phage PASA16 to treat tough Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, achieving an impressive 86.6% success rate. The study demonstrated the potential effectiveness of phage therapy as a valuable alternative to conventional antibiotics in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Researchers at TUM develop an RNA agent for a lung spray that slows macrophage activity, reducing lung inflammation and fibrosis. The active substance RCS-21 is delivered via an inhaler through a special sugar molecule, showing promise in treating acute inflammatory lung damage.
Critically ill children on ventilator support can experience patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA), which worsens outcomes. Researchers are using machine learning to develop a common set of definitions and measurements for PVA in pediatric patients, aiming to minimize risks and improve clinical outcomes.
Researchers found that immune system T cells become dysfunctional or 'exhausted' within six to 12 hours of encountering a tumor, challenging existing ideas about the process. This discovery has implications for cancer immunotherapies and may lead to new targets for preventing or reversing T cell exhaustion.
Researchers discovered a protective immune feature lacking in people chronically infected with intestinal worms, leading to potential human vaccines and treatments. The study used animal models and found that blocking the T follicular helper response impaired worm clearance and promoted chronic infection.
The July issue of CHEST journal features 49 articles on clinically relevant topics, including disability rights and life-sustaining treatment. The journal offers complementary web resources, such as visual abstracts, to expand the reach of its research.
Researchers discuss treatment refractory forms of chronic sinusitis, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary diagnostics and therapy. Fungal infections are a rare cause, yet crucial to consider when treating this condition.
Medical organizations publish approaches for implementing infection prevention strategies that consider facility conditions, team communications, and leadership support. The guidance aims to bridge the 'knowing-doing' gap by providing practical tools and resources for successful implementation.
A vaccine originally developed to prevent bacteria-caused diarrhea has been found to also help infant nonhuman primates grow faster, according to a new study. The researchers found that vaccinated baby monkeys were taller than the unvaccinated when measured from head to toe, with a significant improvement in growth rate.
Researchers found that severe spinal cord injuries can disrupt communication between the nervous system and immune system, leading to systemic immune deficiency. Blood markers associated with this deficit can help gauge individual vulnerability to infection.
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has released a new clinical guideline for managing antithrombotic therapy in patients with COVID-19-related arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to improve risk-evaluation and treatment course.
The updated guidance emphasizes the importance of antimicrobial stewardship to reduce MRSA infection rates. It also recommends surveillance for asymptomatic carriers and decolonization for those colonized with MRSA. Effective hand hygiene and cleaning practices remain crucial in preventing MRSA transmission.
Patients with GATA2 deficiency have impaired ability to produce immune cells, leading to increased risk of recurrent infections and blood cancers. The study's findings suggest that a zebrafish model may help develop new treatments to slow or reverse the disease.
Researchers found a link between short telomeres in ATII cells and lung fibrosis in post-COVID-19 patients. The study revealed loss of ATII cellularity and shorter telomeres concomitant with increased fibrotic lung parenchyma remodeling.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a gene that drives the switch between chronic and acute P. aeruginosa infections. The gene encodes a small RNA called SicX, which plays a vital role in bacterial respiration under low oxygen conditions.
A multinational study identified immune resilience as a critical factor influencing life span, HIV/AIDS, flu, sepsis mortality, recurrent skin cancer, and COVID-19 mortality. Individuals with optimal levels of immune resilience were more likely to resist infections and recover from inflammatory stressors.
A statewide pay-for-performance intervention based on Choosing Wisely reduced rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections from 43% to 25%. This reduction occurred without measurable harms at safety-net hospitals serving disadvantaged patients.
Infection control experts found certain quality metrics to be low value and should be retired, according to a new survey. The study highlights the need for adjustments to these metrics to prevent hospitals from gaming the system.
A recent study found that COVID-19 infection can lead to increased infarct growth and ongoing tissue consumption even after successful reperfusion through angiography. This suggests a potentially aggressive clinical course for patients with COVID-19 and large-vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke.
A new immunotherapy treatment developed by UCF researchers uses targeted IL-2 to fight respiratory viral infections with improved outcomes in animal studies. The treatment promotes an antiviral inflammatory response and reduces bronchial inflammation.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found a significant 'antibiotic culture' in US hospital ICUs, with up to 70% of patients receiving unnecessary antibiotics. The preference for antibiotics is driven by urgency, hierarchy, and uncertainty, leading to increased use despite antimicrobial stewardship guidelines.
A recent study found an unusual peak in RSV hospital admissions in the third quarter of 2021, nearly doubling typical annual numbers. The surge in cases was unexpected, with low hospitalizations reported in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers examine how chronological and biological age impact vaccine effectiveness, finding that both factors influence immune system capacity to mount responses. The study highlights the need for further research into 'immune aging' risk and departures from healthy aging.
Scientists have identified a compound that prevents C. difficile infection caused by multiple strains of the bacterium, including those causing serious illness. Researchers are now developing new drug candidates to prevent serious C. diff infections in people. The research also explores how diet and sex affect C. diff infection severity.
A new study warns of a rise in potentially fatal infections caused by bacteria found along parts of the US coast, driven by global warming. The number of Vibrio vulnificus infections has increased from 10 to 80 per year over 30 years, with cases now found further north than ever before.
The study found that vaccination significantly reduces the risk of long COVID, while factors such as being overweight, female, smoker, or over 40 increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Vaccination halves people's risk of developing long Covid
A cohort study found that nirmatrelvir treatment within five days of a positive COVID-19 test result was associated with reduced post-COVID-19 condition risk, regardless of vaccination status and prior infection history. The study suggests that nirmatrelvir may reduce the risk of long COVID across the risk spectrum.
Researchers from China have identified inosine as a potential broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory agent that improves survival in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. The study also highlights TBK1 as a promising target for inhibiting cytokine storms and mitigating acute inflammatory lung injury.
The new test helps detect new HIV infection and follows current guidelines for testing patients on HIV prevention medication. The study identified successful efforts and opportunities for process improvement during the first three months of implementation.
New research reveals that children's immune systems have a strong initial reaction to coronavirus but don't develop long-lasting memory T cells like adults do. This means they are at risk of getting sick when reinfected and may experience an immune over-reaction, leading to severe symptoms.
A new study published in The American Journal of Pathology suggests that promoting autophagy with rapamycin restores intestinal barrier function during sepsis. The study also identifies the PLK1-mTOR axis as a crucial regulator of autophagy and intestinal barrier dysfunction, providing novel insights for treatment of sepsis.
The December issue of CHEST journal features articles on COVID-19 lessons learned and future pandemic preparedness. The journal also explores various topics in chest medicine, including asthma, critical care, and sleep medicine.
Researchers identified two molecularly distinct subsets of long COVID symptoms with opposing gene expression patterns during acute COVID-19. These findings suggest multiple independent processes leading to different long COVID symptoms, which are already present during the acute infection.