Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Dr. Frank Scannapieco is recognized for his contributions to oral microbiology, with a focus on molecular mechanisms of oral bacterial colonization and saliva-bacterial interactions. He has published nearly 200 research articles and received multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health.
A world-first study uses 'good viruses' to eliminate targeted bacteria in green sea turtles without harming non-targeted 'good bacteria'. Researchers have identified the potential for phage therapy as an alternative treatment for bacterial infections in marine animals.
Researchers at the University of Dundee have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the function of HOIL-1, a key protein involved in cell survival. The study reveals that HOIL-1 operates in tandem with another component to form ubiquitin chains, and joins proteins using an unusual ester bond mechanism.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has funded research for 10 postdoctoral fellows from six Latin American countries to conduct studies in the US. The researchers aim to advance biomedical science and expand scientific expertise in their home countries.
An observational study found that human contact was responsible for 90% of the spread of one species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to new patients. However, the same level of transmission was not seen with another species, highlighting the need for multiple prevention strategies.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego discovered a complex process where viral components are transported along filaments within bacterial cells. This 'treadmill-like' structure allows for efficient movement of cargo, similar to human cell mechanisms, and has significant implications for understanding phage therapy.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have developed a new technology that can detect live bacteria in minutes using bioelectrical signals. This breakthrough could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment of infections, including antibiotic-resistant threats.
Citrus greening has devastated Florida's citrus farms and threatens California groves. Researchers are exploring strategies to control the disease, including creating resistant crops and delivering anti-microbe peptides.
Researchers at Stanford University and Mexico isolated two color-changing compounds from scorpion venom that can kill staphylococcus bacteria and drug-resistant tuberculosis. The compounds were synthesized in the lab and verified to be effective against these pathogens.
The study reveals 621 genetic strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae worldwide, showing evolutionary changes that lead to vaccine evasion. It provides crucial information for future vaccine strategy and helps save lives by identifying important strains for new vaccines.
Researchers identified a master cell that coordinates the body's immune defenses in the first days after TB infection. Boosting this cell's activity could help prevent TB and reduce new infections. The findings suggest a new avenue for TB control and may aid development of more effective vaccines.
A class of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) plays an unexpected role in the early defense against tuberculosis. ILCs may provide a new approach to developing treatments and vaccines against TB.
New guidelines recommend nucleic-acid amplification tests (NAAT) for diagnosing Clostridioides difficile infection. NAAT testing practices are considered the most effective, with a recommended algorithm combining GDH/TOXIN/NAAT tests.
Researchers have discovered a molecule called LL-37 that changes cell behavior when infected with bacteria, triggering the production of neutrophils to destroy bacterial threats. The study's findings could lead to new approaches in treating multi-drug resistant infections.
A recent US study found that 81% of antibiotics prescribed by dentists to prevent infections prior to dental visits are unnecessary. The study highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship in dental practices, particularly in Western US locations.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have discovered that certain antidepressants, known as FIASMAs, can halt the growth or kill four different intracellular bacterial pathogens. These drugs target cholesterol trafficking in cells, bypassing direct bacterial targeting and potentially providing an alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers found that hand hygiene was effective in limiting transmission of ESBL K. pneumoniae, but additional measures like environmental decontamination were necessary to prevent spread of ESBL E. coli. Wearable sensors tracked human contact patterns over eight weeks, revealing the importance of close proximity interactions.
Research found that wild boars, hunting dogs, and hunters in Brazil are carriers of Rickettsia bacteria, transmitted through ticks. The study highlights the importance of public action planning to prevent neglected vector-borne diseases in overlapping areas.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have identified a potential target for treating Chlamydia, a common STD that can cause severe outcomes if left untreated. The study found that small molecules produced by the gut microbiome can kill Chlamydia bacteria by forcing it to produce ammonia.
A new study has helped develop a treatment option for multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections, including complicated urinary tract infections. The treatment, tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide, is an oral antibiotic agent that may facilitate earlier discharge from hospital or treat complex infections in the community.
Researchers at Swansea University have found that Manuka honey is effective in killing antimicrobial resistant bacteria by 39%, improving the activity of some antibiotics. This could provide an alternative treatment for cystic fibrosis patients struggling with deadly, antibiotic-resistant respiratory infections.
A new study has found that cranberry extract makes bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics, reducing resistance and allowing for lower doses to be effective. This breakthrough could help combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
A global study has discovered that concentrations of antibiotics in some world rivers exceed 'safe' levels by up to 300 times. The research team detected antibiotic contamination at 65% of sites monitored across six continents, with the most prevalent being trimethoprim and ciproflaxacin.
A team of researchers at ICFO have devised a novel technique to prevent biofilm formation on surgical implants by using gold nanoparticles to convert light into heat, killing bacteria. The method has shown promising results in preventing the formation of bacterial biofilms and eliminating the need for antibiotic treatments.
A Finnish study proves that 79% of thrombus aspirates from stroke patients contain DNA from oral pathogens. This research highlights the importance of oral health and good dental hygiene in preventing serious health damage.
A new study finds that extracts from three Civil War-era plants have antimicrobial activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria, which were commonly used in treating wound infections. The research suggests these plant-based remedies may have saved limbs and lives during the war.
A California study reveals chronic Q fever cases may be more common than previously believed, with a higher case fatality rate than national averages. Meanwhile, a mass treatment campaign in Bolivia has effectively eliminated human fascioliasis, a parasitic worm disease once prevalent in up to 25% of the population.
Researchers at Caltech have unveiled the 3D molecular architecture of Legionella pneumophila's Type IV secretion system, a sophisticated machinery used by dangerous pathogens to infect human cells. The discovery could enable the development of precisely targeted antibiotics to combat diseases like Legionnaires' disease and whooping cough.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have developed an electric field-based dressing that can disrupt and treat bacterial biofilms, which are responsible for many wound infections. The dressing, combined with other medications, shows promise as a potential game-changer in treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
A new modeling study suggests that rapid tests for drug-resistant infections could turn the tables against bacteria, allowing doctors to target resistant strains with precision. However, the researchers found that asymptomatic carriers must also be screened and treated to reverse the spread of resistance.
Researchers have discovered that gamma/delta T cells are the specific cells mediating the mouse's defense against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers identified V gamma 6/Vdelta 4+ gamma/delta T cells as the key players in this response.
A recent study has found that endosymbionts in amoebae significantly influence the proliferation and spread of Legionella pneumophila. The researchers discovered that these bacteria weaken the infectivity of Legionella by competing for nutrients, ultimately leading to slower multiplication and reduced virulence.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe identifies a previously unknown bacteria-killing protein RELMα that requires dietary vitamin A to work. The researchers found that mice fed a diet deficient in vitamin A made no RELMα, and those missing the protein were more susceptible to infection.
A new study reveals that several species of bacteria reside in bladder tissue of postmenopausal women who experience recurrent urinary tract infections. The findings provide a better understanding of the interaction between bacteria and host tissue, which may lead to more effective treatment strategies for this chronic condition.
The T2Bacteria Panel accurately diagnoses common bloodstream infections in 3-8 hours, compared to 24-72 hours for blood cultures. This rapid diagnosis may improve clinical outcomes by shortening the time to appropriate antibiotic treatment.
A recent study from UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that several species of bacteria can invade the bladder walls in postmenopausal women with urinary tract infections. The findings suggest that antibiotic treatment may not be effective due to high levels of bacterial resistance and a lack of targeted therapies.
A computer simulation found that health care facilities using a patient registry could reduce CRE spread by 15.5% over three years, even with modest participation rates. The study suggests that maintaining a registry can help contain the enemy of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A 15-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis was treated with genetically engineered bacteriophages to combat a life-threatening, drug-resistant infection. The treatment led to the clearance of skin nodules and improvement in liver function, demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of phage therapy.
A team of researchers at POSTECH has developed a fluorescent probe called BacGo that can detect Gram-positive bacteria precisely and promptly. The probe is more sensitive than the traditional Gram staining method, which has several limitations, including slow detection and limited selectivity against Gram-positive bacteria.
Researchers developed a microchannel trapping device to detect bacteria in patient samples quickly, reducing testing time from days to minutes. The device can classify bacteria into three main shapes and identify antimicrobial susceptibility directly from clinical samples.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a mechanism used by bacteria E. faecalis to hide from the immune system, paving the way for new treatments. The study found that the bacteria modifies its cell surface to evade recognition by host immune cells.
Fecal transplants could block C. diff's spore from germinating and propagating disease via its toxins, repopulating the gut with diverse microbes. However, current fecal transplant products are not FDA-approved, and patients should refer to clinical trials instead.
A new triplex TaqMan assay has been developed to improve the reliability of Xylella fastidiosa diagnostics, targeting two loci for increased specificity. Next-generation sequencing technology was also used to analyze DNA extracts from infected and healthy plants.
Researchers identified a new way C. difficile causes severe disease by triggering an immune response through Th17 cells, explaining why patients with inflammatory bowel disease are more susceptible to severe infections and increasing mortality rates.
Researchers found that a 'superbug' clone of E. coli called ST131 has evolved to prevent itself from becoming the sole dominant clone, allowing it to colonize the human gut more competitively than other strains. The discovery provides insight into how this process happens and may help develop strategies to prevent it.
Researchers have identified a gut microbe, Mucispirillum schaedleri, that helps protect against Salmonella infections. The bacterium competes with Salmonella for nutrients, such as nitrate, and prevents the growth of pathogens by reducing their ability to express virulence factors.
Researchers estimated that bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics resulted in a 20% higher death rate and an additional €1100 hospital stay cost. Infections accounted for 12% of all hospitalizations, with the majority caused by E.coli, MRSA, and P.areuginosa.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that key cell-killing proteins can block certain bacterial infections like Listeria without harming the host cells. The RIPK3 and MLKL proteins recognize the bacteria's chemical composition and bind to it, preventing its spread while keeping the host cells alive.
Certain bacteriophages exacerbate bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis patients, particularly with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These phage-carrying bacteria are more resistant to standard antibiotics, highlighting potential therapeutic targets.
A genomic study of a 1980s hospital outbreak in Wisconsin reveals how Enterococcus faecalis bacteria adapts to the modern hospital environment and causes repeated antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections. Researchers identified mutations that allow the bacteria to resist antibiotics and develop new strategies for prevention and trea...
Researchers discovered a link between filamentous phages and antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients. The viruses form biofilms that sequester antibiotics, allowing resistant bacteria to thrive.
Researchers found a new, more powerful variant of an antimicrobial resistance gene in Staphylococcus epidermidis, making it harder for the bacteria to be killed by chlorhexidine bathing. The discovery was an unexpected result of a study on central venous catheter infections.
Researchers discovered a gene that enables bacteria to resist linezolid in cats and dogs at a UK animal hospital, suggesting potential transmission between animals and humans.
A study of 230 travelers found that staying in hotels increases the risk of contracting multi-drug resistant bacteria by four times. Younger travelers aged 20-30 are particularly at risk, and people visiting certain regions face a higher risk of infection with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
A new study found low hand hygiene compliance on ICUs, with healthcare workers more likely to move from dirtier to cleaner tasks, increasing the risk of transmitting infections to patients. Interventions should teach workers to move in the opposite direction to minimize risks.
A new study found that nearly a third of hospital room surfaces had antibiotic-resistant bacteria on them, suggesting rapid transmission from patients to their environment. The research team suggests expanding hand hygiene efforts to include patients, as healthcare workers' hands remain the primary mode of microbe transmission.
A majority of reusable tourniquets inspected contained microbes that could compromise patient safety and care quality. The most prevalent contaminant microorganism was coagulase-negative staphylococci, found on 441 of the analysed tourniquets.
Researchers at Lund University developed a new approach to treating bacterial meningitis by cutting up neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) with DNase, exposing bacteria to the immune system and antibiotics. This method has shown promise in reducing bacterial loads without antibiotic intervention.
A genetic study of an outbreak of Enterococcus faecalis revealed how the organism became resistant to new antibiotics and adapted to infect human blood. The research identified multiple mutations that enabled the bacteria to resist host immune systems and antibiotics.
A new study reveals how Salmonella bacteria flip an electric switch within immune cells, causing them to migrate out of the gut and into the bloodstream. This mechanism contributes to the severity of food-borne illnesses, with over 400,000 deaths worldwide each year.