Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
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.
Research suggests that bacterial infections, as indicated by antibiotic purchases, increase the risk of coronary heart disease in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Elevated levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharides also contribute to this increased risk.
A study published in Frontiers found that men's penile microbiota can predict with high accuracy whether their female partner will develop bacterial vaginosis. The researchers analyzed the microbiota of 168 Kenyan couples and found a direct correlation between the composition of a man's microbiome and the occurrence of BV in his female...
A case report from Children's National Hospital reveals isolated N. meningitidis testing positive for resistance to two antibiotics it has historically been susceptible to, raising concerns about the rise in antibiotic resistance. The finding could lead to changes in laboratory and clinical practices across the US.
Chlamydia bacteria reprogram human host cell metabolism to increase glutamine import, essential for proliferation. The discovery could lead to new treatments for chronic infections and severe diseases like cervical and ovarian cancer.
Australian researchers have developed a phage cocktail therapy to combat antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in diabetic foot ulcers. The treatment has shown promising results, effectively decreasing bacterial load and improving wound healing.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a medieval remedy that shows promise in fighting biofilm-associated infections. The Bald's eyesalve mixture, made from onion, garlic, wine, and bile salts, demonstrates effective antibacterial activity against a range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive wound pathogens.
Researchers used AI to predict bacterial infections in patients with pneumonia, enabling early antibiotic prescriptions. The analysis of over 50,000 ICU admissions data showed promising results in identifying MRSA and pseudomonas bacteria.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests that phage therapy could be a game-changer in treating complex bacterial infections in prosthetic joints. The treatment has shown promising results in patients with biofilm-related infections, which are notoriously difficult to eradicate with antibiotics.
Researchers have confirmed the presence of Heartland virus in Lone Star ticks across two Illinois counties. The virus was transmitted through tick bites, often misdiagnosed as COVID-19 due to overlapping symptoms.
A research team discovered that certain sections of bacterial genetic material are doubled or multiplied, giving bacteria new capabilities to influence the immune system and adapt to changing environments. This process is crucial for pathogens to develop and evolve in their battle against the human immune system.
Researchers found that Fusobacterium nucleatum, a common mouth bacteria, can initiate cancer cell migration by sticking to and entering cancer cells using protein Fap2. This causes cancer cells to release cytokines IL-8 and CXCL1, leading to inflammation and attracting immune cells.
Research reveals a complex interaction between bacteria and their viruses in the gut, where some bacteria can resist infection while others remain susceptible. The study suggests that beneficially altering the gut microbiome through bacterial viruses could offer a new treatment for disease.
Emerging disease has spread to ten US states and South America, infecting over 80% of corn plants in some fields. Research reveals global spread, host range, and potential DNA transfers among strains.
A study found that women taking MHT have a greater variety of beneficial bacteria in their urine, potentially creating conditions that discourage urinary infections. The study also showed that women with recurrent UTIs have fewer types of bacteria in their urine.
Researchers found that mice with healthy gut microbiomes were less sick and less likely to spread infection. Introducing certain bacteria or chemical compounds improved immune responses and reduced virus levels.
The Vav3 protein creates bacterial docking stations on airways' surface, facilitating recurrent infections in cystic fibrosis. Inhibiting this protein may prevent respiratory complications by limiting bacterial adhesion.
A study by VIDO-InterVac researchers discovered that a Salmonella biofilm protein can cause autoimmune responses and arthritis in animals. Similar amyloid proteins have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS.
Researchers found that curli amyloid produced by Salmonella bacteria triggers autoimmune reactions in mice, leading to reactive arthritis. The study suggests that curli proteins may play a role in other autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative processes.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to prevent and treat chronic and recurrent bacterial diseases caused by biofilms. The technology targets the DNABII family of DNA-binding proteins, which are common to all biofilms and disrupts them.
A new software program can identify drug-resistant genes in bacteria with up to 90% accuracy. The WSU research team developed a machine-learning algorithm that uses features of AMR proteins to identify AMR genes, providing a more efficient way to predict antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers discovered that uromodulin forms long filaments that envelop pathogens, neutralizing them and preventing infection. The findings offer pointers for developing new treatments and drugs to prevent urinary tract infections without antibiotics.
Researchers used cryo-electron tomography to reveal the molecular architecture of Uromodulin filaments, which form a fishbone-like structure that traps bacteria. The findings provide insights into Umod's role in protecting against urinary tract infections and its other physiological functions.
A new study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University identified CD86 as a novel cell surface marker that enables accurate analysis of hematopoietic responses to biological stress. The researchers found that CD86-based analysis can detect early activation phases of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow within hours after toxin injection.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that hospitalized patients with a documented penicillin allergy were twice as likely to be prescribed alternative antibiotics. The study suggests that these substitutions may be unnecessary and could increase the risk of adverse side effects and antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have developed a new vaccination strategy that targets the toxic molecules released by Staphylococcal bacteria, including MRSA, to prevent deadly infections. In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, mice vaccinated with this experimental vaccine demonstrated an immune response and ...
A new UK study found that faecal microbial transplantation (FMT) is more effective than antibiotics in treating Clostridium difficile infection, with higher cure rates and lower recurrence rates. FMT was also shown to be significantly more cost-effective, reducing hospitalization days and offering better quality of life for patients.
Researchers have found that CD47, a natural brake on the immune system, can be turned off to help fight infections. By blocking CD47-mediated signaling, scientists may develop a new immunotherapy to treat a wide range of infectious diseases.
A recent study found that certain genes are associated with the pathogens that infect chronic wounds and hinder the healing process. The research showed that patients with more diverse wound microbiomes healed faster.
The University of Queensland's antibiotic discoveries will be fast-tracked under a US$11 million international research deal. The funding supports the development of a new antibiotic, Octapeptin-X, targeting drug-resistant bacteria that evade current therapies.
Biosurfactant from yeast dissolves Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, weakening interaction between biofilm and surface and breaking internal cohesiveness, leading to disruption. Combination with chemical surfactants demonstrates stronger antibiofilm effects at lower concentrations.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology found that infectious disease-induced mass mortality events occur in 14% of marine mammal species, with viruses causing 72% of these events. Habitat breadth was also a key factor, with pinnipeds being overrepresented among affected species.
Researchers analyzed bacterial RNA and protein expression patterns during plant-bacterial interactions, revealing the impact of plant immunity on bacterial mRNAs and proteins. The study identified previously unknown transcriptional regulators controlling bacterial gene expression and virulence.