Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center found that norepinephrine suppresses the function of white blood cells, impairing the body's ability to combat infections. The study suggests that alternative antihypotensive agents like vasopressin may be more effective in sepsis patients.
Research suggests serotonin can reduce the ability of certain intestinal pathogens to cause deadly infections by reducing gene expression and preventing bacterial colonization. The study found that mice overproducing serotonin were less likely to become infected with a deadly mouse gut bacterium.
The American Gastroenterological Association recommends against using probiotics to treat most digestive diseases due to a lack of strong evidence supporting their efficacy. However, certain probiotic formulations may benefit patients in specific situations, such as preventing Clostridioides difficile infection or managing pouchitis.
Scientists investigated how immune cells respond to Salmonella infection and found that cathepsins move to the nucleus of infected cells, leading to inflammatory programmed cell death. This discovery shows the benefit of monitoring protein dynamics during infection and unraveling new pathways to defend against pathogens.
Scientists at Kazan Federal University identify a unique post-translational modification in Staphylococcus aureus elongation factor P protein. This discovery provides a promising target for developing new antibiotics to combat nosocomial infections.
Researchers have developed a nanometric-scale theoretical model to create structures that kill bacteria by using elastic forces. The flexibility of these pillars is closely connected to their appearance, and varying the height of the pillars can determine their bactericidal efficacy.
A multicentre study involving over 500 patients found that a shorter treatment duration, reduced to half the standard 14-day course, was equally effective in treating bacteraemia. The researchers also identified certain risk factors, including older age and pathogen type, which can influence the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment.
Researchers at the University of Bern have discovered how Clostridium perfringens causes fatal intestinal bleeding in piglets. The toxin attaches to CD31, a key molecule on endothelial cells, leading to cell death and damage to blood vessels.
Researchers at Penn State created a brief animated video to educate people about the risks of antibiotics, finding it effective in convincing participants that antibiotic use can be risky. The study suggests that a video intervention could help increase public awareness and promote antibiotic stewardship.
Researchers created a new method to map metabolic pathways in microbes, unlocking routes for new vaccines and antimicrobials. The study reveals new insights into the metabolic function of M. agalactiae and M. pneumoniae, two common bacteria that infect livestock and humans respectively.
Researchers at University of Queensland are studying bacteria and fungi in sheep faeces and pastures to discover new natural antiparasitics. The goal is to prevent multi-drug resistance and safeguard livestock, with potential benefits for the environment and farming industry.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that e-cigarette users' mouths contain potent infection-causing organisms, similar to those found in people with periodontitis. The study suggests that vaping can lead to gum disease and cancer, even in healthy individuals who have not smoked. The findings challenge the claim that e-cigarettes...
Researchers have developed a novel nanoscale topography that imparts durable antiviral and antibacterial properties to an aluminum alloy, reducing the spread of infections in hospitals. The surface was found to be effective against bacteria and viruses, with most being inactivated within 2-3 hours.
The study found that a specific strain, Sm6, is widely distributed worldwide and carries key virulence genes and resistance genes. This suggests a possible mechanism for the spread of different S. maltophilia subtypes in hospital settings.
A natural product called dephostatin has been found to be an effective partner for the antibiotic colistin in treating infections caused by the bacteria Salmonella. The combination significantly prolonged animal survival and used a lower concentration of colistin, reducing its toxic effect.
Researchers found that LACTIN-V, a product containing healthy vaginal bacteria, significantly reduced the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in women. The study also suggests that LACTIN-V may have the potential to prevent HIV infection and preterm birth.
The Department of Defense has awarded $10M to Sanford Burnham Prebys to develop broad-spectrum antivirals that can combat multiple respiratory viruses. The research aims to provide safe and effective therapies for U.S. military forces and the nation, reducing secondary infections and spread.
Researchers at Monash University have made a significant breakthrough in the development of new glycopeptide antibiotics, which could provide a vital advantage in the fight against resistant bacteria. By combining natural enzymes with synthetic chemistry, scientists can now explore new antibiotics that have never been made before.
UT Southwestern researchers discovered a novel mechanism by which Campylobacter jejuni bacteria sense and respond to butyrate, a beneficial fatty acid produced in the large intestine. This finding provides potential therapeutic targets for preventing C. jejuni-induced diarrhea.
Researchers developed a low-toxicity antimicrobial peptide that effectively fought drug-resistant bacteria in laboratory cell cultures and mice, offering hope for treating respiratory infections. The new peptide, D8, showed remarkable stability and activity against superbugs, posing less risk to human cells.
Researchers found fecal microbial transplantation reduced bloodstream infections and improved patient quality of life in chronically ill patients. FMT decolonized multi-drug resistant bacteria, allowing patients to undergo stem-cell transplants and return to work.
A new investigation at Flinders University seeks to understand why bacterial infections predispose individuals to severe COVID-19. The research aims to connect respiratory tract bacterial colonization with COVID-19 outcomes in the community.
A large population study found a significant association between blood infections with anaerobic bacteria and an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. The study revealed that infections with specific bacteria, such as Clostridium septicum and Bacteroides ovatus, were linked to a substantial increased risk of CRC.
A study found the dangerous mcr-1 gene in two healthy humans and a pet dog in Portugal, providing resistance to colistin, an antibiotic of last resort. The presence of this gene in humans and animals raises concerns about potential transmission and the emergence of untreatable infections.
Researchers aim to understand COVID-19 infection rates and identify individuals with different immune responses. They plan to collect blood samples from residents and healthcare workers to analyze the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the human body.
Researchers designed a new microfluidic device that uses magnetic nano-beads to isolate minute bacterial particles. The device improves the detection of drug-resistant strains and difficult-to-detect micro-particles such as Ebola and coronaviruses.
Rates of E. coli-related sepsis vary greatly between UK NHS regions and are linked to the presence of pathogenic E. coli types in sewage. The study found higher prevalence of E. coli B2 types in South Wales, which correlates with higher sepsis rates.
A recent study by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases found that paper towels significantly reduce virus contamination compared to hand dryers. The study simulated contaminated hands using paper towels and jet air dryers, finding that paper towels reduced viral dispersal to environmental surfaces by 5 times.
Researchers have developed an antibody treatment that improves survival in rodent models of sepsis by targeting a protein called tetranectin. The therapy boosts survival even when started late after sepsis onset, suggesting its potential for treating severe bacterial infections and secondary sepsis in COVID-19 patients.
Researchers identified bacterial exchange of genes allowing resistance to antibiotics, highlighting the complex process and potential for frequent sharing in hospital settings. The study's findings have implications for designing new strategies to prevent and control multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Cells in vulnerable entry routes to bacterial infection buffer themselves when immune system detects danger by reorganizing surface cholesterol. This defense mechanism, identified by UTSW researchers, could offer new strategies for fighting infections without antibiotics.
A study by Kevin Schneider and colleagues found that the bacterial strain Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca could have significant economic impacts on olive tree cultivation in Greece, Italy, and Spain. Replanting with resistant varieties or removing infected plants can mitigate these losses.
A recent study led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute found that Fijians carrying a pneumonia-causing bacteria are more likely to be of iTaukei ethnicity, young, living in urban areas, or with low family income. The study also linked toddlers and children under six years old to a higher burden of pneumococcal bacteria.
The NHS could save up to £89 million annually by implementing widely available diagnostic tests, reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. The study found that 80-90% accurate point-of-care tests can help distinguish between bacterial and viral infections.
Researchers have developed a platelet-rich plasma lysate that, when teamed with antibiotics, can eradicate bacterial biofilms common in joint infections. The therapy has shown great results in horses and may also be applied to humans and dogs.
Researchers from University of Jyväskylä uncovered historical data on phage therapy's successful use against dysentery and staphylococcal infections in Brazil. The study sheds light on the revived interest in phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers found that the abundance of Lactobacillus iners was associated with clearance of high-risk HPV infections, while Gardnerella bacteria were linked to progression to precancer. Monitoring Gardnerella and microbial diversity could help identify women at risk for pre-cancer.
Infections are responsible for one in five childhood deaths in England and Wales, with respiratory infections leading the way. The proportion of deaths caused by infections has declined, but not among infants and young children, who saw a significant increase in cases.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that cannabidiol (CBD) enhances the effect of antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a major human pathogen. The combination of CBD and antibiotics showed a more powerful effect than using antibiotics alone, reducing the need for antibiotics to achieve the same outcome.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed antibacterial surfaces using graphite nanoplatelets, reducing bacterial infections by 99.99% and preventing antibiotic resistance. The surfaces are designed to kill bacteria without damaging healthy human cells.
Engineers created a tiny device to rapidly detect harmful bacteria in blood, allowing for prompt diagnosis and treatment of potentially deadly infections. The device can capture up to 86% of target bacteria, including E. coli, making it ideal for laboratory and healthcare settings.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have deciphered daptomycin's mode of action, blocking cell wall construction and leading to bacterial death. The study sheds light on the antibiotic's mechanism, paving the way for optimization and combination therapies against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A new consensus statement offers UTI treatment recommendations to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment, while protecting against antimicrobial resistance. The statement aims to help healthcare providers diagnose, treat, and prevent UTIs in PALTC residents, who face increased risks of bacterial colonization and infection.
Researchers suggest that infectious agents may play a role in Alzheimer's disease, challenging the current amyloid hypothesis. Recent studies have linked certain viruses and bacteria to AD pathology, sparking fresh interest in this unorthodox approach.
A bacterial superbug can prevent stem cells in the gut from regenerating the inner lining of the intestine, causing potentially severe disease. This damage impairs tissue repair and recovery from disease, particularly in older adults.
Fecal Microbiota Transplants (FMT) have shown high success rates in treating C.diff infection, with 78% of patients experiencing no recurrence of diarrhoea within 90 days. This treatment is particularly effective compared to antibiotics, which have lower success rates for relapsing infections.
A new study reveals unprecedented details of the bacterium Francisella tularensis' key membrane protein Flpp3, responsible for its virulence. The researchers used X-ray free electron laser technology to gather detailed structural information, which will help develop targeted drugs and effective vaccines against tularemia.
Researchers developed a novel treatment that compacts and stabilizes neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to enhance bacterial capture, resist degradation, and improve sepsis outcomes. The treatment improved survival in mice with sepsis by reducing severity of illness and decreasing bacteria levels.
Perturbation of gut microbiota by influenza virus promotes secondary bacterial superinfection in mice. Treatment with acetate corrects this sensitivity.
Researchers discover potential superbug-killing compound AB569 that targets priority pathogens and additional bacteria causing foodborne illness. The compound has shown promising results in treating a wide range of infections, including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Researchers identified how Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis promote skin inflammation and barrier damage in Netherton syndrome. The study provides a detailed genomic description of the skin microbiome and offers a potential new treatment target by targeting the microbiome.
Researchers have identified a rare immune cell type that expresses both alpha-beta and gamma-delta T-cell receptors, which can both protect against infection and trigger autoimmune responses.
Researchers at Temple University Health System have developed a new monoclonal antibody that can break apart communities of harmful bacteria, allowing for more effective treatment of infections. The therapy has shown promise in eradicating biofilms on medical devices and reducing the risk of sepsis.
A new study led by NYU College of Dentistry researchers found that vaping alters the oral microbiome, making users more prone to inflammation and infection. E-cigarette users were found to have different bacteria in their mouths compared to smokers and non-smokers.
A new paper-based device has been developed to enable quick diagnosis of bacterial infections at the point of care. The test uses lasers to identify the presence of bacteria and determine which antibiotic is most effective in treating it.
A team of researchers used a statistical technique to identify ecological risk factors affecting coral diseases, including growth anomalies and white syndromes. They found larger corals had higher disease risk, with certain conditions such as high fertilizer and pesticide runoff associated with growth anomalies.
Researchers developed AB569, a combination of acidified nitrite and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which killed Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The agent was found to be nontoxic to human cells at bactericidal concentrations, suggesting a potential therapeutic agent for ...
Researchers discovered that immune cells count their neighbors before activating to avoid overreactions. This new understanding could lead to improved cancer immunotherapies and treatments for autoimmune diseases.
A new clinical trial has found that using more than one antibiotic to treat MRSA infection provides no health benefits and increases the risk of side effects. The three-year study involved over 350 patients and tested whether adding a second antibiotic improved health outcomes.
A new study found that the same bacteria are present in the dermis layer of skin across all ages and genders, contradicting the long-held assumption that each person's microbiome is unique. This discovery has significant implications for understanding skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.