Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Researchers have developed a novel method for antibiotic resistance testing that can analyze bacterial cells in real-time, allowing for faster identification of susceptible and resistant bacteria. This breakthrough technology has the potential to transform microbial screening in clinical and research labs.
Researchers highlight climate-sensitive dermatological manifestations initiated or exacerbated by floods, wildfires, and extreme heat events. These events disproportionately affect marginalized populations, exacerbating existing health disparities.
Researchers have successfully blocked the adhesion mechanism of Bartonella henselae bacteria, preventing cell infection. The discovery offers a promising new approach to combat highly resistant infectious agents like Acinetobacter baumannii.
Scientists have developed an enzyme that effectively breaks down signaling molecules used by bacteria to produce biofilms. The enzyme, LrsL, has exceptional efficacy in suppressing biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium known for causing hospital-acquired infections.
A study by Osaka University researchers has revealed the molecular details of how Vibrio cholerae secretes its colonization factor TcpF. The mechanism involves the Toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) system, which allows the bacterium to colonize the human intestine and initiate infection.
The WHO European Region sees high mortality rates due to antimicrobial resistance, with countries implementing national actions plans showing lower AMR burden. Developing new treatments and improving hygiene are crucial strategies to combat this growing health threat.
A new platform has been created using 214,000 microbiome samples to track antibiotic-resistant bacteria globally. The data can be used to tailor guidelines on combating resistance in different regions.
A new testing method for tuberculosis may make diagnosis easier by using saliva instead of sputum, which can be unpleasant and impractical. The method has shown high sensitivity in detecting the bacteria that causes TB, but its effectiveness in people with HIV is less clear.
A new study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that early treatment with anti-anaerobic antibiotics can deplete gut anaerobes and lead to worse clinical outcomes. The research suggests that these 'good bugs' protect against pneumonia, organ failure, and mortality.
Scientists at the University of Bath have discovered a novel polyamine that destroys MRSA superbug Staphylococcus aureus by disrupting its cell membrane, rendering it susceptible to antibiotics. The compound is also effective against biofilm and has shown promise as a potential new treatment option for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered a new antibiotic, Dynobactin, effective against resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The compound blocks bacterial membrane protein BamA, preventing its job and killing the bacteria. This finding offers a boost to antibiotics research and could lead to more effective drugs.
Researchers have identified a new antifungal antibiotic named solanimycin produced by a pathogenic potato bacterium. The compound shows efficacy against various fungi, including Candida albicans, and has potential for both agricultural and clinical applications.
A clinical trial is underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bacteriophage therapy in adults with cystic fibrosis who carry Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The trial aims to reduce bacterial load in the lungs using a phage cocktail that targets specific bacteria, providing a potential new treatment for difficult-to-treat infections.
Tagbo Niepa's research aims to capture and store a person's healthy gut microbiome, then restore balance when ill. The technology has the potential to revolutionize illness treatment, especially for diseases like C. diff infection.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered a rare T cell defect tied to the risk of developing MAC disease. People with this defect have fewer specialized Th1* cells, which robs them of an effective immune response to MAC bacteria.
Researchers found that Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) colonizes the gut without symptoms, depleting key bacteria and leaving tell-tale marks. Rebalancing gut bacteria may help promote CPE decolonization and prevent antibiotic resistance transmission.
Dr. Cynthia Nau Cornelissen receives $4.9 million NIH grant to explore Neisseria gonorrhoeae metal transporters that disrupt nutritional immunity, a key process preventing microbial growth and infectivity. The research aims to develop new therapeutics against 'superbug' strains and potentially create a protective vaccine.
Researchers found pre-existing differences in gut bacteria between people with and without HIV, including decreased Bacteroides species and increased Megasphaera elsdenii. These changes were present even before infection occurred, suggesting a potential link between gut microbiome and HIV susceptibility.
A new study conducted by researchers from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital shows that fecal transplantation is an effective cure for life-threatening intestinal infections, with a cure rate of over 90%. The treatment was found to be far superior to the standard treatment, which typically consists of antibiotics.
Researchers used Raman spectroscopy to identify and analyze Escherichia coli persister cells, finding they have enhanced metabolic activities despite being in a dormant state. This new understanding could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
The UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has awarded £19 million to five world-class teams investigating bold ideas in bioscience. These projects will advance our understanding of fundamental rules of life, with potential implications for agriculture, health, biotechnology, and the green economy.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego developed microscopic robots called microrobots that can swim around in the lungs and deliver medication. The microrobots safely eliminated pneumonia-causing bacteria in mice, resulting in 100% survival rates, whereas untreated mice died within three days.
Research at Karolinska Institutet shows that people with diabetes have lower levels of psoriasin, a key peptide that weakens the bladder's protective barrier function. This increases the risk of urinary tract infections. Oestrogen therapy may help regulate the immune response to UTIs in patients with diabetes.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with hospital-treated infections in early- and mid-life had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The research analyzed data on over 291,000 cases and matched controls to identify the association between infections and neurodegenerativ...
A study led by Singapore scientists found that Neisseria, a genus of bacteria once considered harmless, can cause infections in patients with bronchiectasis, asthma, and COPD. The research team identified a specific subgroup of Neisseria called N. subflava as the main culprit behind worsening disease outcomes.
Researchers at Imperial College London discovered a 'silent' mutation in bacteria that helps them evade antibiotics. The mutation alters the structure of an mRNA intermediate, preventing ribosomes from producing protein, and has arisen independently several times globally.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered a protein called GarD that cloaks Chlamydia bacteria from the host cell's immune system, allowing it to evade detection and elimination. Mutating this protein makes the bacteria vulnerable to destruction, offering new avenues for treatment.
Scientists at Aston University developed a new treatment combining manuka honey with the widely used antibiotic amikacin to treat drug-resistant lung infections. The study found that this combination improved bacterial clearance and reduced side effects, benefiting patients with cystic fibrosis.
A machine-learning model developed at Mass Eye and Ear accurately diagnosed pediatric ear infections at a rate 30 percent higher than doctors surveyed. The model achieved 95% accuracy in diagnosing an ear infection from test images, surpassing the average clinical accuracy of 65%.
A new American Heart Association statement highlights the need for specialized care in people who inject drugs, a population with a complex approach to manage potentially deadly heart infections. The standard treatment includes six weeks of intravenous antibiotics, but alternative regimens and oral antibiotics may help complete treatment.
A study by Taiwanese researchers found that patients with atherosclerosis are at higher risk for life-threatening vascular infections from non-typhoidal Salmonella bacteremia. The study suggests the use of a scoring system to predict infection risk and identifies interleukin-1 beta as a potential biomarker.
Research at Karolinska Institutet reveals the glymphatic system malfunctions during bacterial meningitis, causing a buildup of toxic garbage that damages brain cells. The study found increased signs of neuroinflammation and neuronal damage in rats infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Researchers found that intracellular bacteria known as symbionts protect their host amoebae against giant viruses. This discovery suggests a positive effect of the bacterial symbionts on the ecosystem, influencing the flow of nutrients in food webs and potentially impacting ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers developed a light-based therapy, photodynamic therapy (aPDT), to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The treatment showed promise in weakening bacteria, allowing lower doses of current antibiotics to effectively eliminate them.
A new class of light-activated hemithioindigo molecules developed by Rice University scientists kill specific Gram-positive bacteria and their biofilms. The molecules induce reactive oxygen species that chemically attack and destroy drug-resistant cells, offering a safer alternative to conventional antibiotics.
A mass drug administration (MDA) program with ivermectin is being delivered on a mass scale in the Solomon Islands, a world first. The program aims to prevent scabies, a contagious and itchy skin condition that affects a third of the nation's children.
Scientists have identified specific bacterial strains contributing to inflammatory bowel disease and developed a cocktail of specialized viruses to target them. The approach harnesses the precision of phages to selectively eliminate harmful gut bacteria, showing promise for treating Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
Researchers captured first image of antigen-bound T-cell receptor complex with bound antigen at atomic resolution. The study reveals no significant structural changes in the receptor after antigen binding, sparking further investigation into the signaling pathway activation mechanism.
Researchers have discovered how Acinetobacter baumannii bacterium attaches to surfaces using ultrathin stretchy fibers, enabling it to colonize medical devices and infect patients. The unique zigzag structure of the fibers plays a crucial role in their secretion and attachment to surfaces.
A new study from the University of Sheffield suggests that giving antibiotics to those at high risk of developing a life-threatening heart infection significantly reduces their risk. Current UK guidelines against routine use of antibiotics for these patients may be putting them at unnecessary extra risk.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new method to identify which human gut microbes contribute to inflammatory diseases. By analyzing protein levels in blood serum, the team discovered specific bacteria that trigger immune activation and inflammation.
A new study published in PNAS found that angiotensin-II, a blood pressure hormone, can enhance bacterial killing functions, increase bacterial clearance, and modulate systemic inflammatory responses in sepsis. The treatment improved immune function without increasing inflammatory injury.
A newly identified species of Liberibacter, a family of bacteria known for causing citrus greening disease, is rapidly evolving its ability to infect insect hosts. The research team found 21 genes associated with infectious qualities and identified mutations affecting pilus proteins that allow the bacteria to move into host insects.
A new study published in AJIC suggests that a combination of betadine and silver colloidal gel is more effective than either material alone for inhibiting the growth of common infection-causing bacteria. The findings could help medical professionals better treat and prevent serious infections in large wounds, including burns.
Researchers at MIT discovered a peptide that sequesters heme, an iron-containing molecule, and sends bacteria into an iron-starvation mode, potentially treating diseases like periodontal disease and sickle cell disease. This finding could translate to therapeutic applications for patients with excessive heme in their blood.
Researchers have discovered a new molecule, fabimycin, that effectively treats over 300 drug-resistant bacteria in lab experiments and mice with pneumonia and urinary tract infections. The compound reduces the amount of drug-resistant bacteria to pre-infection levels or below, outperforming existing antibiotics at similar doses.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers reveals a promising genetic method for identifying hundreds of disease agents using next-generation sequencing. The Respiratory Pathogen Infectious Diseases/Antimicrobial Resistance Panel (RPIP) system shows near-comparability to traditional diagnostics in identifying pathogens.
A study by the University of the Basque Country detected Arcobacter species in 22.3% of analyzed food samples, with A. butzleri being the most abundant. The bacteria were found to possess virulence genes and could cause gastrointestinal disorders. Biofilm formation on food contact surfaces was also observed.
Researchers have designed a phage combination therapy that precisely targets and suppresses gut bacteria associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The team identified effective phages against IBD-contributing Kp strains, which attenuated inflammation and tissue damage in mice models.
Researchers from NUS Medicine developed a probiotic that detects antibiotic-induced microbiome imbalance and regulates bile salt metabolism to prevent Clostridioides difficile infection. The probiotic significantly reduced CDI in laboratory models, demonstrating a 100% survival rate and improved clinical outcomes.
Researchers discovered that giant viruses, known as bacteriophages, construct a shielded compartment that acts like a nucleus in human cells, protecting their genetic material. The nuclear-like structure allows certain components inside while serving as a defense mechanism against bacterial threats.
Researchers discovered a genetic switch in group B streptococcus that helps it resist metal stress, including zinc and copper. This 'cross-talk' mechanism allows the bacterium to survive in the human body's immune system.
Researchers studied the immunogenic potential of the 4CMenB vaccine in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, finding 90% of patients developed protective antibody levels after two doses. The trial supports including meningococcal B vaccination alongside A, C, W, and Y vaccines from 6 months post-transplant to improve protection.
Researchers at TUM have developed a cell-free production method for bacteriophages, which can be used to target and combat specific types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The new technology has the potential to produce personalized therapeutic phages for clinical trials, addressing multi-resistant germ infections.
The new phage T4-COVID-19 vaccine elicits superior mucosal immunity in mice, inducing robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The vaccine provides complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants with minimal lung lesions and no impact on gut microbiota.
Scientists identified that retrons encode toxin proteins kept inactive by a small DNA fragment, unleashing them upon viral attacks. The EMBL team discovered how retrons form antitoxins and found natural switches to trigger growth inhibition complexes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) bacteria may cause colorectal cancer in younger adults. The bacterium causes serious diarrheal infections and is linked to approximately 500,000 infections annually in the US.
Researchers found that breastfeeding provides an immune boost to infants, reducing the risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia. However, milk also mounts responses to beneficial gut bacteria, which can be disruptive and increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections.
Scientists have found that prior exposure to Staphylococcus aureus prevents effective vaccination due to immune response memory. To overcome this, the research suggests targeting only the protective component of the protein IsdB, generating a more effective vaccine against MRSA.
Researchers have designed a new vaccine candidate using bacterial vesicles coated on gold nanoparticles to deliver antigens and stimulate an immune response against tuberculosis. The use of outer membrane vesicles has shown promise in inducing a better immune response compared to traditional subunit vaccines.