Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Scientists have developed a method using photosensitizers and nanoparticles to activate oxygen, killing bacteria like MRSA. The technique has shown promise in treating microbial infections and possibly even cancer.
Researchers found Tibetan sheep carry infectious Y. pestis bacteria, transmitted through fleas and rodent contact, posing health risks to humans. The study highlights the need for caution when handling under-cooked sheep meat and underscores the unique characteristics of this region's plague transmission route.
Scientists have identified nearly 200 potential drug targets for tuberculosis, a complex disease caused by bacteria made up of 4,000 genes. The research found that specific human proteins, such as CBL, can limit bacterial infections and potentially provide a new approach to combat the disease.
Scientists have created a fluorescent probe that can tag single specimens of tuberculosis bacteria, which could lead to faster diagnosis and more effective treatments. The probe works by detecting the presence of an enzyme called BlaC, allowing for the identification of live versus dead bacteria.
Researchers find that giving mice dietary iron supplements enables them to survive a normally lethal bacterial infection and results in later generations of bacteria being less virulent. The approach promotes the health of the host, taming the behavior of the bacteria.
Researchers have found that a subset of people with helminth infections experience changes to their gut microbiome when treated for the infection. This change specifically affects Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes levels.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that low levels of cytomegalovirus (CMV) significantly impact microbe and immune cell populations, influencing the immune system's response to the influenza vaccine. CMV infection also alters gut microbiota, potentially diverting resources away from other threats.
Chronic alcohol consumption modulates host immune defense mechanisms, increasing susceptibility to Mtb and other infections. Young alcoholic individuals with latent TB infection are at a higher risk of developing active TB, according to the study published in PLOS Pathogens.
A team of engineers and physicians at the University of California - San Diego developed a device that diffuses potent disinfectants for airborne delivery. The device effectively eliminated bacteria commonly causing hospital-acquired infections and also killed highly multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria including K. pneumoniae.
A new study reveals that hospital-associated bacterial species Enterococcus faecium is adapting to alcohols used in handwash disinfectants, increasing treatment resistance. The analysis of 19-year-old bacterial samples from two Australian hospitals suggests several mutations confer increased alcohol resistance.
Scientists created a placenta-on-a-chip to study how bacterial infections trigger preterm birth. The device mimics the placental barrier's response to infection, potentially leading to new treatments for this condition.
A new nano-sized trap device has been developed by McGill University scientists to detect disease-causing bacteria quickly and accurately. The device can analyze very small volumes of culture media containing bacteria such as E. coli and S. aureus in just minutes.
Researchers identified a molecule, propionate, produced by Bacteroides bacteria, that inhibits Salmonella growth in the intestinal tract of mice. This finding may lead to better treatment strategies and understanding why some people are more resistant to infection.
Researchers at UCalgary discovered the key target of a toxin that worsens sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The findings suggest an antibody targeting this toxin could prevent platelet aggregation and organ failure, offering new hope for patients in intensive care.
A new study found that trace amounts of antibiotics in leeches' environment can increase resistant bacteria, which displaced healthy microbes. The research suggests a low threshold for antibiotic exposure to boost resistant microbes.
A gene study pinpoints how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can jump between species, acquiring new genes that enable survival in a new host. The research highlights the importance of disease surveillance to spot strains that could cause major epidemics and informs strategies for managing infections.
Research reveals phages work together to overcome CRISPR-Cas, a key breakthrough for improving phage therapy to treat life-threatening bacterial infections. The study shows that a high number of viral particles can overwhelm bacterial defenses, leading to the establishment of an infection in bacterial populations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of random controlled trials found that chlorhexidine mouthwash reduces bacteraemia by only 12%, indicating its relatively low effectiveness. Despite this, the researchers recommend using a mouthwash with chlorhexidine before dental procedures due to its low cost and lack of adverse reactions.
Researchers discovered that phages cooperate to rapidly infect bacteria, overcoming destruction by CRISPR. The cooperation allows the first phage to sacrifice itself and produce anti-CRISPR compounds to neutralize some CRISPs, helping subsequent phages. This new model proposes a tipping point between numbers and speed of CRISPR and ant...
Researchers have discovered that the outer membrane of bacteria like E. coli can act as a strong physical barrier protecting the cell, making it a potential target for new antibacterial drugs. This finding suggests a new approach to fighting infections in roughly half of all bacterial species.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool are investigating snake venom compounds to treat microbial keratitis, a serious eye infection. They aim to develop anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa agents to reduce damage to the cornea and prevent sight loss.
A new study by researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University found that temperature shapes how mitochondrial DNA varies in nature. The study used fruit flies to demonstrate the selection of one mtDNA variant over another under different environmental temperatures.
A new delivery technique using dry, porous microparticles coated with phages successfully treated pneumonia in infected mice and reduced bacterial levels in cystic fibrosis models. The technique improves the distribution of phages in the lungs and could one day be used to deliver a dry-powder phage via an inhaler.
A new study by the University of Sheffield has discovered that antimicrobial resistant pathogens use benign bacteria present in the skin to initiate infection. The study reveals how Staphylococcus aureus can survive immune system mechanisms, providing new avenues for approaches to prevent and treat infection.
Researchers identified M21 as a compound that inhibits virulence factors in S. aureus via ClpP inhibition, reducing bacteria and abscesses in infected mice with improved survival rates. The findings suggest a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating drug-resistant S. aureus infections.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria screening in pregnancy may reduce kidney infections and low birth weight, but evidence is low-quality. Women's values and preferences play a significant role in screening decisions.
Researchers discovered bacterial aggregates behave like a thick liquid, facilitating meningococcal infection progression and highlighting the importance of type IV pili in aggregate formation. The study's findings provide new insights into the mechanisms governing disease development.
Researchers identified phosphatidylethanoloamine as a potent anti-inflammatory lipid found in Francisella tularensis bacteria, which can impair host immune response. Synthetic versions of the lipid also showed therapeutic potential against dengue fever virus.
Gonorrhea researchers have identified a novel protein that powers the virulence of the bacteria causing gonorrhea, opening the possibility of a new target for antibiotics. The discovery could lead to the development of a vaccine and improved treatment options for the highly damaging disease.
Researchers have determined the entire DNA sequence of pneumococci isolated from patient blood, relating genetic variation to over twenty disease manifestations. The study identified specific bacterial genes linked to infection severity and mortality, providing new diagnostic tools.
Researchers found over 70% of implants colonized by bacteria, fungi, or both, without causing infections. The discovery opens up a new field of understanding the interplay between the body and microbiomes.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can use provoking toxins to increase aggression levels in competing strains, leading to the elimination of weaker strains. This strategy could be exploited to manipulate microbial communities and fight infections, particularly resistant biofilms.
Researchers found that hospital occupancy levels, particularly in the middle range, were associated with a lower risk of C. diff infections. When the hospital was between 25 percent and 75 percent full, the risk of infection was more than three times higher compared to less than 25 percent or more than 75 percent occupancy.
Researchers used Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its mutants to study cheating behavior in bacteria, revealing that manipulating social interactions can prevent population collapse. The team created a mathematical model to predict how to change stable interactions among cheaters and cooperators.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital investigators found that patients believed allergic to penicillin have significantly increased risks of contracting MRSA and C. difficile. The increased risk can be attributed to the use of broad-spectrum alternative antibiotics, which contribute to antibiotic resistance and virulent infections.
A new study has found that female bladders contain bacteria similar to those in the vagina, with beneficial microbes potentially providing protection against urinary infections. The research could lead to improved diagnostic tests and treatments for urinary tract disorders.
A study published by Imperial College London shows that financial incentives led to a 3% decrease in antibiotic prescriptions for common respiratory tract infections. The reduction was particularly notable among children and those with sore throats, highlighting the potential of this approach to curb excessive antibiotic use.
A recent NIH-funded pilot study found that men and women infected with gonorrhea have distinct gene expression profiles during active infection, with increased antibiotic resistance detected more frequently in males. The research highlights the need for gender-specific strategies to combat this increasingly resistant bacterial pathogen.
Researchers found that Chlamydia trachomatis deactivates immune cells by activating a protein that cleaves key receptors, allowing the bacterium to evade detection. This discovery holds promise for developing targeted therapies against Chlamydia infections.
A new airborne remote-imaging method can identify olive tree infections caused by the devastating bacterium Xylella fastidiosa before visible symptoms appear. This detection enables rapid containment and culling of infected trees, crucial in controlling the spread of the disease across southern Europe's iconic orchards.
A novel PET tracer has been developed to accurately image cardiovascular infections, which are extremely dangerous and have a high fatality rate. The tracer, called 6'-[18F]Fluoromaltotriose, is transported into bacterial cells by a membrane transport system exclusive to bacteria, allowing for specific imaging of bacterial infections.
A £3 million LSTM-led DRUM Consortium will investigate how human behavior drives antimicrobial resistance in Uganda and Malawi. The research aims to understand key drivers of resistance, including surveying human behavior around antibiotic use, water availability, sanitation, and hygiene.
Researchers found that combining antibiotics with synthetic peptides can significantly reduce the number of infecting bacteria and the size of abscesses in mouse models. The peptides disrupt the bacterial response to stressors like antibiotics, amplifying their uptake and increasing treatment efficacy.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a matchmaking service to pair peptides with antibiotics, increasing treatment success rates against antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Seven combinations were identified that worked better than antibiotics alone, offering up to a 100-fold improvement.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a new method to monitor urinary tract infections using cell-free DNA profiling, providing valuable information about the infection's dynamics and patient response. This technique has the potential to diagnose rare infections earlier and improve outcomes in kidney transplantation.
Researchers at Purdue University identified a new compound F6 that is as effective as FDA-approved antibiotics against life-threatening infections. Preliminary tests showed it was less susceptible to bacterial resistance. The compound has been tested against various antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA and VRSA.
Researchers discovered how bronchiectasis impairs immune cells, leading to repeated lung infections. Treatments targeting these cells could reduce chest infections and improve quality of life.
Researchers have designed a coating infused with antimicrobial agents and mimicking the patterned diamond-like texture of shark skin. The coating effectively killed over 95% of E. coli and 80% of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria when exposed to UV light, making it a potential solution to combat hospital infections.
A new test can identify patients in intensive care units who are at greatest risk of developing secondary infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The test uses markers on immune cells to create a 'risk profile' for individuals, which can help target therapies and improve the success of clinical trials.
A new study by UTSA researchers describes a quick and accurate method for detecting infections using an electrochemical approach. The method, which uses a testing strip, can determine the severity of an infection in a person and is faster than current methods.
Researchers have discovered a novel treatment that reduces the deadly immune response triggered by trauma, which can lead to systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis. The drug, deformylase, neutralizes N-formyl peptides released from damaged mitochondria, improving survival rates in animal models.
A hospital outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) revealed that resistance genes were being shared among unrelated bacteria via plasmids and other mobile genetic elements. This finding highlights the need to expand infection control efforts to include multiple strains and species to halt outbreaks.
Staphylococcus aureus uses specific amino acid biosynthesis pathways to obtain essential nutrients from host tissues during invasive infection. The discovery sheds light on how bacterial pathogens survive in bone and may lead to the development of new antimicrobial therapies.
A study in northern Tanzania found that cattle, sheep, and goats are infected with Leptospira bacteria, which can cause severe disease in humans. The research highlights the importance of understanding animal transmission to develop control measures.
Researchers have created coatings using essential oils like Tea Tree Oil, showing good antibacterial properties and potential as a low-cost alternative to synthetic antibiotics. The technology has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly and transparent.
Researchers have created new antibiotics that target specific genes in C. difficile bacteria, allowing for precise killing of the infection while sparing other beneficial gut bacteria. The antisense therapy approach has great potential for treating hospital-acquired infections.
A rigorous study found that ethanol-lock therapy, widely used to reduce bloodstream infections, was ineffective in preventing new or recurring infections in young cancer patients with central venous catheters. The treatment was associated with increased complications, including catheter blockages and hospitalization.
A study published at Digestive Disease Week found that altruism is the most common appeal to encourage people to donate their stool, while economic compensation is also a motivator. The research aimed to understand what drives individuals to become stool donors for fecal microbiota transplant therapy.
A study by the University of Arizona Cancer Center found that women with cervical cancer have different communities of vaginal bacteria than those without. The 'good' bacteria, such as lactobacilli, promote a healthy environment and protect against HPV infection and cancer, while 'bad' bacteria like Sneathia increase cancer risk. Hispa...
A Johns Hopkins study found that patients undergoing colonoscopies and upper-GI endoscopies at US outpatient specialty centers face a higher risk of bacterial infections than previously believed. The research revealed that infection rates vary widely among facilities, with some ASCs experiencing rates up to 100 times higher than expected.