Articles tagged with Bacterial Infections
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered that a layer of vertical graphene flakes can form a protective surface that kills bacteria, preventing infections and eliminating the need for antibiotic treatment. The graphene flakes are sharp enough to slice apart bacteria without harming human cells.
A 6-year-old boy with intestinal pseudo-obstruction and chronic health issues develops a rare fungal infection Mucor velutinosus in his central line. He is successfully treated with an antifungal drug, highlighting the importance of thorough investigation and good antibiotic stewardship.
A global study found that 34% of bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis across the world are multi-drug resistant, with significant regional differences. The risk of developing a multi-drug-resistant infection was higher in Asia, particularly India, and among patients who had recently received antibiotics.
Researchers from Ohio State University have discovered that viral infections can affect nutrient turnover, health, and disease in bacteria commonly found in the environment. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interactions to improve environmental preservation and human health, potentially leading to new ways to ...
Pathogenic bacteria use a unique secretion system to export adhesins, which enable them to adhere to host cells. The study found that the adhesin protein needs to be modified with specific sugars by three enzymes acting in a specific sequence.
A recent analysis found that the risk of death due to infectious causes after kidney transplantation has dropped significantly, with common bacterial infections remaining the most frequent cause. The study revealed a drop in infection-related mortality by half since the 1990s, indicating improved outcomes for transplant recipients.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed artificial enzymes called NanoZymes that can be triggered by light to kill bacteria. The technology has the potential to create self-cleaning surfaces in hospitals and toilets.
Researchers analyzed the genome of a deadly, drug-resistant bacterial strain to identify molecular drivers of resistance. The study found four genes responsible for resistance to beta-lactams and other antibiotics.
A study reveals that incomplete vaccination coverage is causing a predictable increase in pertussis cases. The vaccine's effectiveness decreases over time, allowing susceptible individuals to contract the disease. Researchers recommend targeting schoolchildren for vaccination campaigns.
Orman aims to identify and explore mechanisms that lead to dormant cell formation to discover new therapeutic strategies against persister cells. Using E. coli as a model organism, he will perform high-throughput screening to find candidate genes regulating cell dormancy.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals substantial problems and risks associated with medical tourism for plastic surgery. The most common complications included infections, pain, and wound-healing issues, with many patients relying on US medical insurance to cover follow-up care.
Researchers discovered a new path of evolution that enables viruses to quickly adapt to their environment and infect new host targets. This phenomenon could lead to new insights into preventing the emergence of new diseases.
Researchers have identified two biomarkers, KIM-1 and NGAL, that can detect acute and chronic kidney damage in children with cystic fibrosis. The study found that these biomarkers increase during exposure to antibiotics, even before a decline in kidney function is detected by traditional methods.
Researchers found that antibiotic use decreases native gut bacteria's ability to compete with C. difficile for nutrients like proline, creating a fertile environment for the bacterium's growth and colonization. This discovery could lead to the development of probiotics and targeted therapies to prevent C. difficile infections.
A study found that antibiotic use can increase the risk of severe West Nile disease in mice by weakening their immune response. The research suggests that antibiotics can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, making it harder for the body to fight off viral infections.
A machine learning model has been developed to predict C. difficile infection risk, analyzing entire electronic health records and accommodating institutional differences. The model can identify patients at greatest risk, allowing for targeted prevention methods and improved patient outcomes.
A new study suggests that psyllid nymphs infected with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus exhibit resistance to the bacteria's effects, thanks to symbiotic bacteria in their gut. Researchers aim to understand and reverse this mechanism to develop a management strategy for citrus greening.
Researchers identify SpdC as a key player in controlling S. aureus virulence, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance; Inhibiting SpdC may offer new approach to combating S. aureus infections.
Scientists have successfully created a simplified version of teixobactin, a natural antibiotic discovered in 2015, which has been shown to kill superbug-causing bacteria. The synthetic form was used to treat a bacterial infection in mice, demonstrating its potential as a new class of antibiotic drug.
A study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases found that patients with drug-resistant infections who received consultation from ID specialists had a 50% lower 30-day mortality rate. ID consultation was also associated with reduced mortality and hospital readmissions for certain types of resistant bacteria.
Research published in the European Respiratory Journal found that people who have had flu or pneumonia are six times more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke in the days following infection. The study highlights the importance of vaccination against these two infections in preventing cardiovascular complications.
A new clinical study led by Sheela Swamy of University College London found that antibiotics can significantly reduce symptoms of chronic bladder pain and urinary tract infections. The study analyzed 624 women who had suffered from long-term symptoms for over six years, with no relief from previous treatments.
A team of EMBL scientists has developed a comprehensive 'cookbook' for growing and studying 96 diverse gut bacterial strains. The research reveals unexpected nutritional preferences and growth characteristics of these bacteria, providing valuable insights into the human gut microbiome.
Researchers have discovered a promising approach to treating multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae infections using antibodies that target the bacterial capsule polysaccharide. This method enhances the ability of immune system cells to kill the bacteria, providing a potential alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers developed a microbial detection technique that can reveal previously undetectable bacteria in various environments. KatharoSeq detected bacteria on surfaces at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a neonatal intensive care unit, and an endangered abalone rearing center, revealing new insights for improving environmental health.
A study found that gut microbes influence parasitic worm infection severity and recurrence in developing countries. The researchers identified specific gut bacteria associated with increased inflammation, which may make it harder for worms to establish themselves.
TB, a bacterial infection that infects the lungs, is a leading cause of death worldwide. The NIH calls for modernized TB research using new diagnostic and vaccine approaches to cure people infected with any strain of Mtb.
A recent study found that transfusing older stored red blood cells can lead to adverse effects in critically ill patients. Free heme, a breakdown product from degraded red blood cells, is thought to be the key culprit behind this toxicity.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have discovered a way to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) without using antibiotics. By targeting specific sugar-protein interactions, they found that decoy molecules can trick E. coli bacteria into releasing their grip on the bladder and kidneys.
A study found that laboratory mice exposed to the outdoors developed a greater number and size of parasitic whipworms than those in the lab. The longer they lived outside, the more susceptible they became to infection. The researchers suggest that the environment's microbiota may contribute to this increased susceptibility.
A Kaiser Permanente study found no association between multiple vaccines and non-vaccine targeted infections in infants. The research examined 193 children with non-vaccine targeted infections and 751 control group children, concluding that vaccination does not damage the immune system.
Researchers at Emory University have discovered heteroresistance to colistin in already carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, making it harder to monitor and treat. The findings pose a significant threat to public health, highlighting the need for novel diagnostics to rapidly detect colistin resistance.
Researchers found that nerve cells in the lungs suppress immune response during infection with Staphylococcus aureus, leading to poorer outcomes. Disabling these neurons improved immune cell recruitment and cleared bacteria from the lungs, boosting survival rates.
A study in house finches reveals that immune systems can inadvertently help bacteria become stronger over time, leading to a catch-22 situation. Researchers found that birds with stronger immunity to more virulent strains were more likely to exclude low-virulence strains from future infections.
Scientists have discovered that the CRISPR-Cas9 protein can also cut RNA, expanding its potential uses in gene editing and virus detection. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for genetic diseases and improved food and energy crops.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is supporting clinical trials testing monoclonal antibodies as preventive therapies for antibiotic-resistant infections. The trials aim to prevent pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, two bacteria posing a significant threat to human health.
Researchers are developing synthetic antimicrobial materials that target toxic bacteria while being biocompatible with healthy mammalian cells. The goal is to create new therapeutic platforms to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Researchers found that two red wine polyphenols, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid, effectively cut back on the ability of oral pathogenic bacteria to stick to cells. When combined with an oral probiotic, the polyphenols were even more effective in fending off these bacteria.
Researchers have found four bacteriophages effective in eliminating Yersinia enterocolitica from food and kitchenware. The study's results suggest phage treatment could become a routine method in food production to prevent foodborne infections.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago are investigating whether menstrual cup use reduces bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections in girls in Kenya. Studies have shown that menstrual cups can significantly reduce these infections by up to 52%.
A new study finds that species adapted to colder waters are more vulnerable to withering syndrome, and that rising water temperatures lead to greater susceptibility. The research also suggests that genetics may play a role in the disease's impact on abalone populations.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified how lysozyme and penicillin work together to cause recurrent infections, shedding light on why some patients become resistant to antibiotics. The study also reveals the formation of L-forms, bacteria that can grow in human tissue without cell walls, leading to recurring infections.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have unraveled the immune cascade driving complications and tissue damage in chlamydia infections. The study reveals two distinct immune pathways: one clearing bacteria and another fueling inflammation, offering a roadmap for vaccine development and precision-targeted treatments.
Patients in low income nations are more likely to develop surgical infections and are infected with bacteria resistant to medicines. The study found a significant link between antibiotic use and infection, highlighting an urgent need to tackle surgical infection globally.
A new clinical trial aims to determine if low procalcitonin levels indicate a viral lower respiratory tract infection that won't improve with antibiotic treatment. The study will enroll patients with suspected LRTIs and low PCT blood levels, and test whether they respond differently to azithromycin or placebo.
Patients in low-income nations have higher rates of surgical infections and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Infection complications can prolong recovery times and be fatal, highlighting an urgent need for global healthcare action.
Researchers found a significant association between opioid use and the risk of laboratory-confirmed invasive pneumococcal diseases. High-dose opioids, especially those classified as high potency and long-acting formulations, were most strongly associated with invasive pneumococcal diseases in humans.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that opioid users have a 1.62 times higher risk of invasive pneumococcal diseases, which can cause meningitis and other severe infections. The study suggests that high-dose opioids, particularly those with long-acting properties, carry the greatest infection risk.
Researchers found that impairing Paneth cells allows gut bacteria to invade the small intestine, causing major inflammation. Normal autophagy in Paneth cells is required to regulate bacteria, keeping it at bay and preventing disease.
A new study suggests that a re-evaluation of fosfomycin's dosing regimen may be effective in treating systemic multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections. Researchers found that a higher dosage schedule is required to combat these infections, offering a potential alternative to developing new antibiotics.
Research suggests that e-cigarette vapour can increase susceptibility to lung infection with pneumococcal bacteria, similar to traditional cigarette smoke or particulate matter from fossil-fuel pollution. Long-term vaping may raise the risk of bacterial lung infection.
Researchers discovered a protective mechanism in the immune system that shields against recurrent bacterial skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Gamma delta T cells, which account for less than 1% of lymph node cells before infection, multiply and provide protection against subsequent infections.
A study of 30,000 patients found that narrow-spectrum antibiotics performed equally well or better than broad-spectrum ones in treating common respiratory infections. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics had fewer adverse events and disruptions to family routines, while treatment failure rates were not significantly different.
Researchers found 457 novel phage sequences in bacterial genomes from the female urinary microbiome, suggesting a common set of phages that reside in the bladder. The study also indicates that phage may contribute to urinary health and offers potential alternative treatment for urinary tract infections.
Scientists discovered clues to disease risk lie in molecular switches controlling genes, not just the genes themselves. The study used human induced pluripotent stem cells to model immune response variation between people, revealing that genetic effects are often hidden if not thoroughly searched for.
A study by University of Oxford researchers reveals that bacteria approach conflict in a coordinated manner, responding to threats with collective retaliation. The research shows that different strains exhibit varying levels of aggression and can even detect incoming attacks to warn other cells, enabling sophisticated defense strategies.
Researchers at MIT and Albert Einstein College of Medicine isolate and study a new group of viruses that lack tails and can infect dozens of different types of bacteria. The Autolykiviridae provide key insights into viral evolution, bacterial populations, and the ocean's ecosystem.
A new family of viruses, Autolykiviridae, has been discovered that kill more marine bacteria than previously known tailed viruses. These viruses may also be present in the human gut and could play a role in maintaining the ocean's ecology and influencing human health.
Research connects preterm birth to adult heart disease by showing that fetal infection and inflammation disrupt genes crucial for normal heart development. This study uses a preterm animal model to demonstrate how inflammation can lead to incomplete heart development, increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure.
A study found that pediatric cancer patients' microbiome diversity can predict the risk of developing blood infections, suggesting a link between gut health and bloodstream infections. The researchers argue that prevention and treatment strategies may depend on the source of infection, rather than relying solely on central line hygiene.