Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Researchers found a correlation between showerhead bacteria and lung infections in areas with high pathogenic mycobacteria presence. Households with chlorinated water had higher mycobacterial abundances, highlighting the public health relevance of showerhead biofilms.
Researchers have discovered the mechanism by which Mycoplasma genitalium adheres to human cells, a crucial step in bacterial infection and disease development. The study reveals the three-dimensional structure of the P110 adhesin protein interacting with sialic acids on human cell surfaces.
A study by University of Colorado researchers found genetic variants in the FUT2 gene increase the risk of recurrent or chronic middle ear infections in children. The variants affect the microbiome of the middle ear, making it more susceptible to specific bacteria.
Researchers identified a cluster of five risk factors associated with unhealthy gut microbial communities, which can increase the risk of C. diff infection. The study suggests potential preventive interventions, including dietary changes and fecal transplantation from healthy donors.
A team of scientists developed a fluorescent imaging probe that can rapidly visualize Gram-negative bacteria in human lungs. The probe successfully detected bacterial lung infections in six patients with bronchiectasis and seven ventilated ICU patients without causing major adverse effects.
A new bacterial imaging probe has been shown to be safe for patient use and can detect deadly pneumonia infections in under 60 seconds. This technology uses chemical probes that light up when they attach to specific types of infectious bacteria, allowing for real-time detection and monitoring.
Case Western Reserve researchers discover small molecules that block toxin formation in bacteria, allowing infected mice to survive. The breakthrough could lead to a solution for the global threat of antibiotic resistance.
A new study found that of 25 newly introduced antibiotics between 1999 and 2014, only 12 had sales in over 10 countries, highlighting the need for improved global distribution.
Researchers found that high-temperature laundry methods failed to remove all traces of C. difficile spores from hospital bedsheets, suggesting linens as a potential source of infection. The study calls for further research to establish the true burden of hospital bedsheets in outbreaks.
Researchers found that integrating livestock and wildlife on the same lands can reduce tick abundance, enhance biodiversity, and increase revenue for local farmers. The practice of regularly spraying cattle with acaricides also played a key role in reducing ticks and associated diseases.
A new test, DETECT, can diagnose patients with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria in a matter of minutes. The technique identifies the molecular signatures of antibiotic-resistant bacteria directly in urine samples.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a light-active version of heme that can help inactivate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The technology uses a simple LED array to activate the photosensitizer, which rapidly kills MRSA strains.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers identified a molecule called BriC that plays a key role in bacterial communication and infection. BriC helps pneumococcus produce biofilms, making infections more robust, but may also be a target to render bacteria more sensitive to antibiotic treatment.
UCSB, UCSD, and SBP researchers developed a method to track sepsis development on a molecular level, revealing different pathways depending on host responses to various pathogens. Boosting anti-inflammatory activity or blocking TLR-4 activation showed potential as therapeutic approaches.
A study found that pneumococcus bacteria can spread at the same rate whether it is dry or wet, and when a person picks or pokes their nose as when they rub their nose. Ensuring good hand hygiene and keeping toys clean could help protect young children from catching and spreading the bacteria.
A NIH study found that probiotic Bacillus eliminates Staphylococcus bacteria, preventing its growth in the gut and nose of healthy individuals. The researchers identified fengycins, a specific class of lipopeptides, as the substance responsible for inhibiting S. aureus sensing system.
Research reveals 73% of patients with drug-associated infective endocarditis are uninsured or on Medicaid, adding significant burden on hospitals and government budgets. The median hospital charge for valve replacement surgery exceeds $251,000, with over 280 surgeries performed annually in North Carolina.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered a new delivery system that can effectively combat bacterial infections. The nanostructured silica particles contain payloads of an antimicrobial agent and were found to be more effective at killing bacteria than the agent alone.
Biofilms are a huge medical problem due to their difficulty in treating bacterial infections. Researchers at Yale University have found a key mechanism for biofilm formation, enabling the study of this process in a controlled way.
Researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in sink traps of an Israeli hospital's intensive care unit. Implementing sink contamination prevention guidelines eliminated new infections and zeroed out infections altogether. The study highlights the importance of proper hygiene practices in preventing the spread of resistant bacteria.
Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered the role of USP18 in the immune system. Deleting this protein enhances the body's ability to control infections with Gram-positive bacteria, while its normal induction impairs antibacterial responses. Researchers hope to develop therapies targeting USP18 to treat bacterial infections.
Researchers have developed a new antibiotic that can target Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria hiding in macrophage immune cells. The peptide-based drug kills the bacteria by weaponizing copper ions, which are toxic to them.
Salmonella bacteria produce proteins that mimic DNA and target specific immune response genes, leaving others untouched. This precise mechanism allows the bacteria to fine-tune the host's immune system.
A study found that 67% of vampire bats in Belize and Peru are infected with Bartonella bacteria, which can cause endocarditis. The research suggests transmission may occur through bites or environmental contamination, highlighting the risk of cross-species transmission.
A pilot study found that hospital privacy curtains became increasingly contaminated with MRSA over time, especially when placed in patient rooms. The study recommends regular cleaning or replacing curtains to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
A study of 768 E. coli isolates from elderly patients with urinary tract infections found a high prevalence of resistance to β-lactams and other antimicrobials. Independent risk factors for multi-resistant E. coli included diabetes, recurrent infections, hospitalization, and exposure to β-lactams.
Researchers found that multidrug-resistant bacteria in CF patients' airways are associated with lower microbial diversity and more aggressive disease. The study suggests that judicious use of antibiotics is crucial to help patients live longer, but new methods can help target infectious bacteria selectively.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by tricking them into taking up a molecule that causes harm. Gallium, a metal similar to iron, is used as a Trojan horse to disrupt bacterial nutrition and shut down essential processes.
Researchers found that autologous fecal microbiota transplantation (auto-FMT) restored beneficial gut bacteria to near baseline levels within days, mitigating the effects of intense antibiotic treatment. This approach may prove a simple way to quickly restore a healthy microbiome following intensive antimicrobial therapy.
Researchers found gallium effective in curbing bacterial growth in mice and patients with cystic fibrosis or chronic lung infections, including those infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gallium's slow development of resistance makes it a potential alternative to standard antibiotics.
A microRNA called miR2111 travels from leaves to roots, downregulating a gene that would hinder root responses to symbiotic bacteria. This finding helps understand the mechanisms of efficient nitrogen-fixing symbiosis and potential ways to exploit it agronomically.
A new clinical algorithm has been developed to identify eligible patients with uncomplicated staphylococcal bloodstream infections who can take antibiotics for fewer days. This reduction in antibiotic duration is significant and could help reduce antibiotic resistance on a broader scale, benefiting individual patients and public health.
Researchers found that antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria, preventing them from controlling infection and inflammation in the mouth. The study suggests that overuse of antibiotics can have devastating effects on overall health, including oral conditions.
A new study finds that DNA islands can be engineered to disable Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which are often resistant to antibiotics. The 'drone-like' vehicles deliver genetic payloads to bacterial populations, killing the bacteria and rescuing treated animals.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that exposure to glyphosate, a common weed killer, reduces healthy gut microbiota in honey bees and makes them more vulnerable to infection. This compromise can lead to bee deaths, particularly when exposed to opportunistic pathogens.
Enterococcus faecalis relies on manganese acquisition systems for virulence, which are essential for growth in manganese-restricted environments. Inactivating these transporters led to a loss of virulence in animal models, making them promising targets for new antimicrobial therapies.
Researchers developed a novel immunochromatographic method to detect multi-resistant bacteria in blood cultures with 100% certainty. The new method reduces testing time from up to 72 hours, enabling faster treatment and potentially curbing the spread of resistant pathogens.
Stanford researchers identify a key bacterial molecule, pEtN cellulose, that enhances adhesion of E. coli to bladder cells, potentially leading to new treatments for urinary tract infections. The finding could break the cycle of infection by preventing bacterial adhesion.
Researchers found that a single mutation in TB bacteria makes them resistant to antibiotics and elicits a weaker immune response, leading to higher mortality rates. The study suggests that the same approach may not work for drug-resistant TB strains.
Researchers have developed a super-fast screening technology that uses bacteria in bear saliva to discover new treatments for antibiotics. They found a beneficial strain of bacteria that produces a previously known antibiotic, amicoumacin, effective against MRSA.
Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre have identified a new cellular target that can weaken P. aeruginosa, a bacterium responsible for thousands of deaths in cystic fibrosis patients. The discovery could lead to more effective antibiotics and improve treatment outcomes for these patients.
Researchers identified 40 different Leptospira strains in Uruguay cattle, including rare isolates and serotypes matching those found in human leptospirosis patients. The discovery highlights the need for improved diagnostic tools and vaccination strategies to mitigate the risk of human infection.
Very premature babies are more likely to harbor Ureaplasma bacteria, which can cause respiratory infections and lead to long-term breathing problems. A new study suggests that antibiotics may be effective in treating these infections and improving outcomes.
The £3 million DOSA programme aims to develop rapid diagnostic solutions for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India. The project will create cutting-edge diagnostics to curb AMR in community healthcare, dairy farms and aquaculture settings.
Scientists discovered that hundreds of bacteria, including pathogenic and probiotic species, generate electricity in the human gut. This discovery could lead to new ways to create living batteries from microbes, such as those found in waste treatment plants.
A new bacterial strain, Staphylococcus cornubiensis, has been identified from a skin infection in Cornwall. The strain is genetically unique and likely belongs to the Staphylococcus intermedius group, which is also associated with pets.
Clostridium difficile produces p-cresol to control intestinal microbiota and confer fitness advantage over natural protective bacteria. This compound may provide a novel drug target for reducing C. difficile infection.
Researchers at Washington State University developed a new nanoparticle system that targets infections to release antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents. This breakthrough technology aims to improve treatment for sepsis and bacterial infections by reducing the spread of bacteria and inflammation.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that superbugs like MRSA have a complex evolutionary history, with cows being the source of strains causing human infections worldwide. The research highlights the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance and developing strategies to minimize its spread.
Researchers found that jet-air dryers contaminated toilet floors, sinks, and surfaces with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci. The study suggests that paper towels are a safer alternative for hand drying in hospitals.
A recent study has found that birds develop resistance to bacterial infections, which in turn leads to the evolution of more potent pathogens. This host-pathogen coevolution process plays a key role in shaping species' defenses and highlights the importance of understanding emerging infectious diseases.
Research at the University of Edinburgh found that a previously thought-to-be ineffective antibiotic, fosfomycin, can actually kill Listeria bacteria in infected cells and mice. This breakthrough may provide new treatment options for life-threatening Listeria cases.
A new study reveals that the mechanical properties of viral DNA govern the direction of infection, with synchronous and random infections differing in their DNA's stiffness. Temperature and stress levels influence this process, with heat making DNA more flexible and potentially leading to lytic events.
A new evidence-based white paper provides practical approaches to preventing Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infections in neonatal intensive care units. The guidance recommends against routine testing for C. difficile in neonates and suggests evaluating first for more common causes of diarrhea.
Researchers at UH University have won a $3.5M grant to develop technology suggesting the best combinations of antibiotics to kill certain resistant bacteria. The project aims to combat antibiotic resistance, a major public health threat.
Engineers at UCR have created gold nanobeads with spiky and hollow structures by modifying the M13 bacteriophage virus. The discovery could lead to more efficient production of electronic components and new applications for wastewater treatment.
Implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in out-patient dialysis facilities can significantly reduce infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, infection-related deaths, and costs. The programs promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials, leading to a 4.8% reduction in infections and a 4.6% reduction in death rates.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered that UV light can kill drug-resistant bacteria, a major cause of infections around skin-penetrating medical devices. The study, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that far-UVC light delivered through optical fibers could be used to prevent catheter-based and drivelin...
Researchers at Arizona State University and the Mayo Clinic have found that certain blue clays may help fight disease-causing bacteria in wounds, including those resistant to antibiotics. The study's findings build on earlier research into the antibacterial properties of these clays.
A California emergency department study found nearly 6% of urinary tract infections were caused by drug-resistant bacteria, with no identifiable risk factor for infection in many cases. The researchers urge wider use of urine culture tests and improved follow-up systems to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.