Articles tagged with Bacterial Infections
A single clinical laboratory test has been developed to detect any infection from any body fluid, without special handling or processing. The test employs powerful DNA-sequencing technology and relies on specially developed analytical software to compare DNA sequences in the sample to massive genomic databases.
Researchers repurpose an antirheumatic gold drug, auranofin (AUR), to revive the potency of 'last-resort' antibiotics against multi-drug resistant superbugs. The combination therapy shows promising results in eradicating multidrug-resistant bacteria in animal models.
Researchers at Temple University Health System found that bacterial biofilms in the urinary tract can trigger autoimmune reactions in lupus patients. The study identified a link between chronic bacterial infections and increased frequency of lupus flares, suggesting a potential new approach to controlling flare-ups.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science reveal retrons, hybrid structures found in many bacterial species, are 'guards' that prevent viruses from spreading. These retrons activate a programmed cell death mechanism to protect the bacterial colony.
A new study has uncovered DNA evidence of Bartonella quintana, the bacteria responsible for trench fever, in civilian remains dating back thousands of years. The discovery sheds light on the complex history of trench fever and provides insight into the lives of Christian citizens in Roman Syracuse.
Researchers are exploring three approaches using the Wolbachia bacterium to control the buffalo fly population and prevent its spread southwards. The methods include artificially infecting adult flies or pupae, releasing sterile males into overwintering areas, and blocking transmission of nematodes closely related to Stephanofilaria.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Communications have discovered that some phages can stop bacteria from sharing genes for antibiotic resistance by attaching to and disarming pili on bacterial surface. This discovery may lead to new treatments for infections, reducing the need for antibiotics or gentler alternatives.
A study found that hospital floors are quickly and frequently contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria within hours of patient admission. The researchers observed a significant transfer of pathogens from the floor to patients' socks, bedding, and nearby surfaces, highlighting the need for improved infection control measures.
Scientists used CRISPR interference to study virulence genes in a mouse model of pneumonia, observing surprising variability in disease progression. The results point to several genes as having important roles in pneumococcal infections, including the bacterial capsule genes and the gene for pneumolysin.
Researchers examined Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in cystic fibrosis patients, revealing unique mucus properties that contribute to antibiotic resistance and immune evasion. The study's findings could lead to the development of more effective mucolytic drugs.
Researchers created a glycan grammar system using natural language processing algorithms, enabling the prediction of immune responses to specific glycans. The tools allow for systematic study of glycans and their role in host-microbe interactions, expanding understanding of pathogenicity and molecular mimicry.
Scientists found that lipid droplets are not only used as an energy source but also act as a weapon against bacterial invaders. These fatty droplets can be used to target and kill bacteria, providing a new way to fight infection.
Researchers have identified a novel immune defence mechanism orchestrated by lipid droplets that attracts and eliminates invading pathogens, providing a broad-spectrum response. This strategy could be used to develop new therapeutic approaches in the era of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers found that hypochlorous acid can chemically modify malodorous compounds and rapidly inactivate infectious particles, promoting greater latrine use. The study also shows potential for HOCl to improve latrine odor and reduce transmission of diseases such as dengue fever.
A five-year study aims to explain the microbial, clinical, and antimicrobial resistance factors of three major multidrug-resistant pathogens. The research will utilize state-of-the-art analysis of genomes and microbiome analyses using stool samples and blood samples.
A study by the University of Jena found that a toxic substance from Staphylococcus aureus stimulates immune cells to produce anti-inflammatory messenger substances, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue healing. The researchers also demonstrated that these substances promote tissue regeneration in an animal model.
A new silk-based wound dressing infused with nanodiamonds can detect early signs of infection, promote healing and reduce infection from certain bacteria. The technology offers a non-invasive solution to traditional wound management challenges.
Scientists at Penn Medicine have engineered bacteria-killing molecules from toxic proteins found in wasp venom, which could help combat antibiotic-resistant infections. The new antimicrobial molecules work by disrupting bacterial membranes and summoning immune cells, showing promise as potential treatments for sepsis and tuberculosis.
Researchers repurposed wasp venom peptides to develop anti-infectives with dual antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. Mice treated with these peptides exhibited reduced bacterial counts and improved survival rates.
The University of Guam is surveying and monitoring invasive pests of solanaceous crops, including Tuta absoluta, a moth that can destroy entire crops, and Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2, a bacterial wilt that infects through the roots. The work aims to prepare the island for management if these pests arrive.
Research led by UTSW scientists finds that endocannabinoids can shut down genes needed for pathogenic intestinal bacteria to colonize and cause disease. The study suggests that these native chemicals similar to those found in cannabis may eventually lead to new ways to fight gastrointestinal infections.
Researchers discovered a significant rise in scarlet fever cases globally, attributed to superantigen-toxin 'supercharged clones' of Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. The toxin genes were acquired through viral infections, enabling the bacteria to better colonize and outcompete other strains.
A $779,000 grant from the USDA will support a four-year project to develop a comprehensive fire blight management strategy for American fruit growers. The research aims to improve application timing and efficacy of defense inducers and identify new genetic sources of fire blight resistance.
The AGA Fecal Microbiota Transplantation National Registry reported that FMT led to a cure of C. difficile infection in 90% of patients across 20 North American FMT practice sites, with few serious side effects. The study included 259 patients enrolled between December 2017 and September 2019.
Researchers have identified a new virus, BV01, that infects a significant portion of the human gut microbiome, leading to changes in bacterial gene expression. The study reveals how the virus disrupts normal gut function and affects human health and disease.
Researchers developed a single-use treatment for ear infections that don't require refrigeration, addressing logistical challenges for some patients. The new treatment uses hydrogels to release an antibiotic, killing bacteria at a lower dose than traditional drops.
Researchers identified Paenibacillus species as the causative agent of post-infectious hydrocephalus (PIH), which affects millions of children worldwide. The discovery has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality by shifting treatment from surgery to antibiotics and vaccines.
Researchers in Uganda have identified a new species of bacteria that may contribute to postinfectious hydrocephalus, a common cause of neurosurgery in children worldwide. The study found Paenibacillus frequently co-occurred with cytomegalovirus infections in affected infants.
Researchers identified a previously unknown strain of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus bacteria as the primary cause of post-infectious hydrocephalus in Ugandan infants. The bacteria is linked to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which causes neurological damage and can lead to severe cognitive and physical disabilities.
Researchers found that dietary fiber-derived fatty acids activate macrophage activity against Salmonella infection by binding to apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), triggering inflammasome activation. This new mechanism provides insights into the effects of dietary fiber on the immune system.
A study by Karolinska Institutet researchers found that MAIT cell activation is strongly linked to severe COVID-19 disease. The number of MAIT cells in the blood declines sharply in patients with moderate or severe COVID-19, while pro-inflammatory MAIT cells accumulate in the airways.
Researchers at UNSW Science discovered a new molecular pathway that controls Shiga toxin production in E. coli, which could lead to the development of drugs suppressing toxin production during infections. The study's findings provide a potential breakthrough for treating severe E. coli infections.
Researchers discovered unique bacterial profiles associated with each patient's medical condition, suggesting a personalized approach to care and antibiotic treatment. The study challenged long-held beliefs that the urinary tract is sterile.
Researchers at UCSF create customizable antibiotic molecules to evade bacterial resistance mechanisms. By redesigning existing antibiotics, they've found promising variations with activity against dozens of strains of pathogenic bacteria.
A recent study found that rapid warming events can lead to widespread mortality of coral reef fish. The research examined mass fish kills in the northern Red Sea and Kuwait Bay, revealing a link between rapid warming spikes and increased mortality.
Researchers developed a new method to determine the effectiveness of combining two antibiotics, providing greater scope for customizing treatment. The CombiANT method allows laboratories to easily test interactions and can provide crucial information for treating bacterial infections.
A population-based cohort study found peritonsillar abscess risk low with or without antibiotics for respiratory infections. Antibiotic treatment may prevent only one case of peritonsillar abscess for every 1,000 prescriptions.
Bacteria use a tiny rotary motor powered by a stator unit to swim and change direction. The stator unit is also a rotary motor that powers the large flagellar motor, contradicting existing theories. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for bacterial-based diseases.
Researchers found that immune cells surrounding the brain produce a molecule called IL-17, which is then absorbed by neurons and appears to be necessary for normal behavior. The findings suggest that elements of the immune system affect both mind and body.
A new white paper from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America provides targeted screening and decolonization strategies to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infections in critically ill infants. The guidance balances infection prevention with the need for skin-to-skin contact with parents and siblings.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new small molecule to combat vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. The molecule has been shown to target and treat VRE in both systemic circulation and the gastrointestinal tract, offering a potential solution to this deadly superbug.
Researchers found that mice with mild skin infections develop adaptive immunity against bacteria, granting increased resistance to severe secondary infections. This discovery suggests that the 'allergy module' has an important biological function in defending against toxin-producing pathogens.
Researchers discovered that bacteria acquire spacers for their CRISPR 'database' by selecting snippets of bacteriophage's genetic information. This complex mechanism allows the bacteria to recognize and destroy invading viral genetic material.
A team of scientists has identified a collective signature of proteins and metabolites that can predict who is at highest risk of dying from the infection. The biomarkers, including lower levels of glycosylated fetuin A and higher levels of serum protein carbamylation, were associated with death due to Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
Researchers discovered that parasitic and non-parasitic plants respond to quinones, a class of organic compounds. Non-parasitic plants produce a calcium signal in response to quinones, which triggers defensive responses against bacteria and other microbes.
Researchers at LMU find that H. pylori's genetic diversity enables it to exploit different cellular niches in the stomach lining, contributing to chronic infections and cancer risk.
A new study by Dartmouth Engineering shows promise for an engineered lysin-based antibacterial agent that may enable safe, repeated dosing to treat life-threatening infections caused by MRSA and other types of S. aureus.
Researchers developed a curcumin-functionalized endotracheal tube that inactivates up to 95% of bacteria when illuminated. This innovation may help prevent hospital-acquired infections and reduce the need for antibiotic treatment.
A study published in Pediatrics found that artificial intelligence models can accurately identify well-appearing infants with fever who are at low risk for a serious bacterial infection. This could lead to a significant reduction in unnecessary invasive procedures, antibiotics, and hospitalizations.
A new study from Michigan Medicine shows that over half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients received antibiotics soon after arrival, despite only 3.5% having both virus and bacterial infection. Faster testing and understanding infection risk factors could help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and harm.
Researchers developed a new vaccine called 4X-SA-GP, which uses fungal β-glucan particles loaded with S. aureus proteins to stimulate antifungal immunity in mice. Vaccination induced protective T cell and antibody responses, protecting mice from staph infection.
Researchers created oxygen-insensitive protein-based fluorescent sensors to study gut bacteria responses to metal imbalances. The sensors will reveal molecular mechanisms governing essential metals' impact on the human gut microbiota.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that Vibrio parahaemolyticus uses a novel pathway to escape human intestinal cells. The bacteria modify cholesterol molecules in the cell membrane, weakening it enough for the bacteria to break through and infect new cells.
Research finds that bacteria in unicellular organisms become more infectious when they must switch host cells, thanks to changes in gene expression. This adaptation allows them to survive outside the host cell and maintain infectivity.
Researchers have discovered how insect wing-inspired nanomaterials kill bacteria on contact, with patterns that stretch, slice or tear cells apart. The findings hold promise for developing low-cost and scalable anti-bacterial surfaces for use in implants and hospitals to combat deadly superbugs.
Researchers discovered Shigella's molecular strategy to disarm host cell protective mechanisms, including apoptosis and necroptosis. By blocking apoptosis with OspD3 and activating necroptosis with OspC1, Shigella ensures its survival and proliferation.
Researchers at NTNU have filmed the process of tuberculosis infection in a cell, revealing how the bacterium evades the body's immune system. The study shows how TB bacteria hide inside macrophages and trigger an explosive immune response to spread further.
Researchers develop potential small molecule inhibitors to disrupt bacterial iron acquisition, offering a new approach against UTI-resistant strains. The target is the TonB system, which helps bacteria take up iron, and promises a safer alternative with fewer side effects.
Researchers discover that Pseudomonas and Burkholderia use Type VI Secretion Systems to compete for dominance in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis. As Pseudomonas adapts, it loses its competitive edge, allowing Burkholderia to establish infection.
Scientists at NTU Singapore developed a synthetic peptide, CSM5-K5, that makes multidrug-resistant bacteria sensitive to antibiotics when used with traditional antibiotics. The peptide also kills resistant bacteria on its own, offering hope for combination treatment strategies.