Articles tagged with Bacterial Infections
A Wayne State University researcher has received a $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the role of AMP-activated protein kinase in regulating innate responses to bacterial endophthalmitis. The study aims to identify novel pathways and new means to treat blinding ocular infections.
Researchers found that algae and bacteria can form flocks at very low concentrations of individuals, enabling them to sense each other's presence and affect each other. This discovery could increase our understanding of how microorganisms infect their host animals and the evolutionary basis for flocking behavior among bacteria.
Researchers developed nanoparticles packaging an antimicrobial peptide that effectively reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice, showing potential for targeted treatment of pneumonia and other bacterial infections. The approach combines concepts from cancer nanotechnology to deliver drugs selectively to bacterial targets.
A study found that contaminated heater-cooler units produced by LivaNova were the likely source of M. chimaera infection in 21 open-heart surgery patients across Europe and North America. The authors suggest that controlling contamination at production lines is crucial to stop the outbreak.
Researchers found that Corynebacterium mastitidis lives on the eyes of laboratory mice and helps them fend off pathogenic microbes. The bacteria stimulates a local immune response, keeping it under control while preventing harmful infection.
Researchers found that wastewater-exposed rainbow darters had increased metabolic rates, suggesting they were under stress from environmental conditions. The presence of pathogenic bacteria in these fish was also linked to human infections such as food poisoning.
Researchers have developed a new treatment for bacterial keratitis using quantum dots, which can kill various bacterial strains without harming human cells. The one-step method produces non-toxic carbon quantum dots that may replace conventional treatments.
A Penn study found a 189% increase in multiple recurring Clostridium difficile infections from 2001 to 2012, highlighting the growing need for effective treatments. Fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise but requires further evaluation for long-term safety.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that antibiotics are effective in treating small skin abscesses when combined with drainage. The study showed higher cure rates for adults and children using clindamycin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, compared to drainage alone.
Researchers found two common, inexpensive antimicrobials can help patients recover from MRSA abscesses, contradicting current thinking on treatment effectiveness. The study involved 796 children and adults with small, uncomplicated skin abscesses.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria deploy a needle-like apparatus called Type III Secretion System (T3SS) to inject toxic proteins into cells, disabling their ability to produce defensive molecules like reactive oxygen species. This allows the bacteria to escape the gut and cause l...
Researchers found that Candida tropicalis infection intensifies Crohn's disease symptoms in mice by modulating gut bacteria and triggering inflammation. The study suggests anti-fungal medications could be beneficial in combating debilitating symptoms of the disease.
Researchers found that mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells can mount a rapid and robust inflammatory response to bacterial superantigens, contributing to severe organ damage or death. The overzealous response leads to exhaustion of MAIT cells, resulting in immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to secondary infections.
A study by Penn researchers found that antibiotics can significantly change the skin microbiome, leading to lingering effects even after treatment is stopped. Antiseptics, on the other hand, had a less durable impact and did not significantly alter the skin's microbial communities.
Rachel Whitaker, Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Illinois, receives a $1.5 million award to study mobile genetic elements and their role in microbial evolution. Her research aims to develop a new evolutionary paradigm to combat antimicrobial resistance.
A team from Ireland developed a collagen scaffold loaded with an antibiotic to prevent bacterial biofilm formation, successfully targeting Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The discovery marks a significant step forward in combating implant infections, which can cause long hospitalization periods and additional surgeries.
Researchers from Queensland University of Technology found that airborne pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria can remain viable in the air for up to 45 minutes after being expelled by human coughs and sneezes. This could have significant implications for infection control in hospitals, particularly for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers discovered that the pathogen Francisella tularensis uses a nano-machine called type VI secretion system (T6SS) to disrupt digestive vesicles and escape into the cytosol, allowing it to rapidly replicate. This efficient defense mechanism is crucial for the bacterium's success in an infection.
Researchers at Wayne State University are working on a novel therapy for corneal bacterial infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The team is testing the role of microRNAs in regulating the innate immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced keratitis.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine has found that a molecular decoy can target and reduce E. coli bacteria in the gut, reducing the risk of UTIs. The treatment, known as mannoside, works by binding to the bacteria's pilus, allowing it to be flushed out with urine.
A new study published in Cell Host and Microbe has uncovered the immune mechanism driving diarrhea and its role in pathogen clearance. Researchers found that diarrhea resulting from the signaling of specific molecules helps promote pathogen clearance and limit disease severity.
A newly discovered natural antibiotic produced by bacteria from a cystic fibrosis patient could potentially be used to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis. Lab testing showed that the compound, gladiolin, is stable and effective against four drug-resistant TB strains.
A study found that cleaning and sterilization techniques used to clean flexible ureteroscopes leave behind contamination, including debris, residue, and bacteria. Researchers concluded that these failures may result in the use of dirty scopes, posing unknown implications for patients.
A study found that 37% of heater-cooler units tested positive for the bacterium Mycobacterium chimaera, which can cause fatal infections. The devices, used in over 60% of heart bypass procedures in the US, can contaminate patient blood and organs during surgery.
Researchers have developed a new method to control fire blight by using a genetically modified bacteriophage (Y2) that can dissolve the slime layer protecting the Erwinia bacteria and kill it. Additionally, another variant of Y2 has been engineered to detect Salmonella by emitting light when bound to infected bacteria.
Researchers found that gut bacteria can limit Listeria growth and prevent infection in immunocompromised mice. Probiotic bacteria species were identified as protective against Listeria infections in laboratory cultures.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies carrying Wolbachia bacteria are better equipped to fight off other infections when infected orally rather than via injection. The study also found that male flies experience greater disease protection with Wolbachia than females, highlighting potential differences in immune response between sexes.
Researchers found decreasing rates of resistance to oxacillin and other antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus, while ceftaroline remained highly active against MRSA. The study's findings suggest a potential decrease in the prevalence of community-acquired MRSA, highlighting the importance of monitoring antimicrobial resistance.
A new study found that vaginal bacteria can alter the sexual transmission of Zika and herpes simplex virus-2. The presence of Lactobacillus bacteria was associated with reduced replication of herpes simplex virus-2, while some microbiomes lacking Lactobacillus allowed for increased replication of Zika virus.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a novel chemical process to create a new class of antibiotics, which could help combat growing resistance. The discovery uses simple commercial chemicals to produce molecules related to the natural product pleuromutilin.
UCSB biologists develop new antimicrobial susceptibility test that mimics conditions in the body, identifying effective treatments for diverse bacteria. The revised test has significant implications for public health, allowing physicians to choose alternative drugs immediately if a standard test fails.
Researchers found that mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia spread at about 100-200 meters per year in large release sites but had limited impact in smaller areas after two years. This suggests strategic releases can transform urban mosquito populations and virus transmission in cities.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a way to make vancomycin, an existing antibiotic, even more potent by adding three independent mechanisms of action. This new version has a 1,000-fold increase in activity against bacteria, making it a promising alternative to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers found that administering certain drugs to make cells more negatively charged strengthens tadpoles' innate immune response to E. coli infection. Removing tail buds also increases survival rate.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have made a breakthrough in understanding how bacterial biofilms form, suggesting a new approach to preventing these deadly infections. By developing coatings for medical devices that block the trigger mechanism, biofilm-related hospital-borne infections could be sharply reduced.
An international team of researchers has identified two receptors on blood vessel cells in the brain that can be blocked to prevent pneumococci from entering. Blocking these receptors with antibodies may lead to a new therapeutic strategy for pneumococcal meningitis.
A study reveals that recovery from bacterial pneumonia leaves behind immune cells called resident memory T cells, which may be responsible for increased susceptibility to pneumonia. Manipulating these cells could provide novel treatment options for curing pneumonia.
Researchers discovered a link between a donor and infection in heart, lung transplant recipients caused by Mycoplasma hominis. The bacteria resists most antibiotics and can cause serious complications like pleurisy, surgical site infections, and mediastinitis.
Researchers sequenced genomes of over 1,700 strains, discovering an especially strong group of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a city of six million people. The strain, clone type 307, has been identified in parts of Europe and other continents but not previously documented as a common cause of infections in one city.
The lack of access to essential antibiotics, particularly for treating sick babies and children, is a pressing concern. The high costs involved in registering medicines in multiple countries are the primary cause of this issue, combined with the relatively small market for these antibiotics.
The RESET and MedVet-Staph networks have investigated the development, spread, and mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics in humans and animals. Key findings include widespread occurrence of ESBL- or AmpC-producing E. coli in livestock and increasing hospital-acquired infections with these enterobacteria.
Using a genetic 'toolkit,' scientists observe unprecedented interaction between Brucella and Legionella pneumophila, improving infectious potential of Brucella. The technique creates light-emitting bacteria for easy observation, identification in the lab.
Researchers have found evidence that enterococci bacteria developed antimicrobial resistance around 425 million years ago, when their prehistoric animal hosts transitioned to land. This ancient adaptation enabled the bacteria to survive in a range of challenging environments, including hospital settings.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered a natural defence mechanism that prevents Mycobacterium tuberculosis from damaging phagosomes, allowing cells to deliver antibacterial components more efficiently. This discovery could help develop treatments for TB without antibiotics.
A Queen's-led European research project, INBIONET, has made huge strides in tackling antibiotic resistance and its impact on global health. The study found that various pathogens share a common anti-immune strategy, potentially leading to the development of new drugs to treat different types of infections.
Children with MRSA bacteremia have a low mortality rate of 2%, but experience high complication rates that increase with each passing day. The risk of treatment failure is associated with infections in muscles, bones, or blood vessels, and concurrent critical illnesses, highlighting the need for optimized vancomycin dosing and monitoring.
Scientists at Lund University have identified a novel defence mechanism that uses thrombin fragments to aggregate and neutralize bacteria and toxins in wounds. This discovery could provide an alternative approach to treating bacterial infections, potentially reducing the reliance on antibiotics.
Researchers have developed a new class of CRISPR enzymes that can detect specific sequences of RNA, including those from viruses. These enzymes, variants of Cas13a, target different RNA nucleotides, allowing for simultaneous viral diagnostics and potentially expanding the range of diseases they can detect.
Researchers developed an antimicrobial treatment inspired by naturally-occurring peroxidase enzymes that rapidly kill drug-resistant bacteria. The treatment consists of iodo-thiocyanate complexes producing highly reactive anti-microbial substances without a peroxidase enzyme.
Researchers discovered a bacterium that produces antibiotics to protect beetle eggs from fungal infections. The bacteria also can harm plants when transferred, highlighting the complex relationships between microbes and their hosts.
The study found that advanced age, comorbid chronic diseases, and history of recurrent hospitalization are associated with increased risk of MDR-GNB colonization. The prevalence of MDR-GNB colonization among nursing home residents ranged from 11.2% to 59.1%
A new study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection found that almost all women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) had evidence of bacterial infection, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. This suggests that traditional urine testing may not be necessary for women with UTI symptoms.
Scientists identify abnormal levels of specific gut bacteria in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), including those with and without irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study suggests that analyzing fecal microbiome may help subtype patients with ME/CFS.
Researchers have discovered a giant shipworm, Kuphus polythalamia, with a unique symbiotic relationship between bacteria and the animal, which converts sulfur gas into nutrients. This finding may provide insights into how humans can adapt to tolerate beneficial bacteria and how these bacteria cause infections.
Scientists used bacteriophages to treat a patient with a deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The patient recovered well after the treatment, which could be an alternative to failing antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant infections.
Researchers develop nanosponges that capture and inactivate bacterial toxins, reducing cellular damage and disease severity. The new approach shows promise as a treatment for severe or antibiotic-resistant streptococcal infections.
Researchers have developed a quick and accurate diagnostic test for bacteria resistant to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic. The test can distinguish between bacteria with plasmid-encoded resistance, which is considered more dangerous, and those that are not.
Researchers found that combination therapy is only beneficial for high-risk patients with CPE, while low-risk patients can be treated with a single active antimicrobial. This approach reduces adverse side effects and the risk of drug resistance.
A recent study found that patients with drug-resistant bacteria in their urine or stool samples have a significantly increased risk of developing drug-resistant sepsis. Researchers discovered that the risk is highest soon after detection and can persist for up to three years.
A meta-analysis by ophthalmologists from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center indicates that LASIK surgery has a lower risk of infection compared to contact lens wear. The study found that after one year of daily soft-contact lens wear, there were fewer microbial keratitis cases than after LASIK, approximately two fewer ca...