Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
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...
Researchers used DNA fingerprinting to track the spread of C. difficile in European hospitals and found strains clustered within countries, suggesting hospital transmission. However, dispersed strains were also found across multiple countries, adding weight to food distribution as a potential route of transmission.
A new study reveals that newborns are more prone to intestinal infections due to underdeveloped gut microbiomes. Colonization with healthy adult microbes significantly reduces disease in infected infant mice, highlighting a potential way to boost their immune system.
Research published in Infection and Immunity found that Giardia infection changed the mouse microbiome, leading to more aerobic bacteria and less diversity of anaerobic species. The study suggests that Giardia may be an ecological disease that disrupts the gut's stable ecology.
Researchers found that strokes damage immune cells, making patients more susceptible to life-threatening infections like pneumonia. Therapies targeting damaged immune cells or bypassing their dysfunction could help recover from stroke, the study suggests.
A mouse study reveals that Clostridia bacteria provide key protection against infection, in addition to aiding digestion. Newborn mice lack these beneficial bacteria, making them more vulnerable to pathogens. The findings suggest that the introduction of protective bacteria may hold promise for preventing gut infections in human newborns.
Researchers like Dr. Julie Pfeiffer are studying poliovirus, a highly infectious childhood disease now close to global eradication, to gain insights into other viruses like Ebola, Zika, and influenza. This basic research can lead to new treatments and vaccines for these viruses.
Researchers have identified the structure of NsrR, a bacterial protein that binds to DNA and plays a key role in resisting nitric oxide, a toxic byproduct of the human immune response. The study provides new insights into how bacteria counteract NO and highlights the importance of understanding this complex process.
Researchers discover bacteriophages that can effectively reduce bacterial levels and improve health in mice infected with antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs.' The study's findings suggest phages could be a promising alternative to antibiotics, with potential benefits including fewer side effects and the ability to evolve against resistance.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have created lysibodies, human-germ hybrid molecules that target specific carbohydrate molecules on bacterial cell surfaces, helping the immune system fight off microbial pathogens. The approach shows promise for treating life-threatening infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA.
Researchers developed SHERLOCK, a CRISPR-Cas system that detects viral and bacterial pathogens with high sensitivity, enabling rapid diagnosis. The system's high sensitivity and low cost make it suitable for various applications, including cancer mutation detection.
Researchers found that gonorrhea infects the female reproductive tract by breaking connections between cells that normally form a protective barrier. The study uses tissue samples from human endocervix and reveals how Neisseria gonorrhoeae promotes activation of non-muscle myosin II to induce cell shedding and penetration.
The European Union has funded two projects at Goethe University Frankfurt: one on producing environmentally friendly fuels from bacteria that can use carbon dioxide as a feedstock, and another on understanding how bacteria manipulate the ubiquitin system to their advantage in infectious diseases such as Salmonella and Shigella.
A University of Washington study suggests that monitoring and potentially treating monkeys that co-exist with humans in affected areas may be part of the global strategy for eradicating yaws, a tropical disease. The researchers found that infected monkeys were more common in regions experiencing recent upsurges in reported cases.
Researchers at NSU discovered that shaking bacteria can create confusion, preventing them from coordinating an attack. This strategy has promise in reducing the need for antibiotics and combating antibiotic resistance. The team plans to test their theory in more species of bacteria and eventually in mice.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens found that lactate produced in the upper throat can initiate the dispersal of Neisseria meningitidis microcolonies, allowing the bacteria to invade the body and cause meningitis. The researchers suggest that high concentrations of lactate serve as a signaling molecule for bacterial dispersal.
Researchers at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier Research Centre have developed a strategy to increase the antimicrobial activity of cationic peptides against biofilms. The modified peptide demonstrated a 60-fold enhanced antimicrobial effect, paving the way for potential therapy combinations with clinically relevant antibiotics.
Researchers found a natural way to enhance antibiotic action by combining maple syrup extract with commonly used antibiotics. This approach works on various bacterial strains, including E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, allowing for up to 90% less antibiotic use while maintaining effectiveness.
Researchers developed a new treatment pathway removing antibodies from the bloodstream to reduce chronic infections and hospital stays. The approach showed positive outcomes for two patients with resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections.
A new study found that a type of vaginal bacteria, Gardnerella vaginalis, can trigger recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) by damaging bladder cells and allowing E. coli to multiply. The researchers suggest that this may be why some women experience UTIs after having sex.
Exposure to Gardnerella vaginalis, a common vaginal bacterium, awakens dormant E. coli and triggers recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in mice. The study suggests that G. vaginalis damage to bladder tissue can lead to reactivation of E. coli infection.
A new imaging tool can rapidly diagnose bacterial lung infections, helping prevent unnecessary antibiotic use and reducing the emergence of resistant bacteria. The bedside technology has received £2million in funding and aims to revolutionize the assessment and treatment of critically ill patients and those with long-term lung conditions.
CARB-X is investing $24 million to support 11 biotech companies in developing new life-saving antibacterials and diagnostics. The pipeline includes three potential new classes of small molecule antibiotics, four non-traditional products, and seven new molecular targets against Gram-negative bacteria.
Researchers from the University of Würzburg discovered that Chlamydia trachomatis influences mitochondria to prevent programmed cell death, allowing the bacteria to replicate. The study found that miR-30c-5p microRNA is increased in infected cells, downregulating tumor suppressor protein p53 and promoting mitochondrial division
Research at Mayo Clinic found that patients using gastric acid suppression medications are at a higher risk for developing recurrent C-diff infections. The study suggests these medications may increase the risk, and caution is advised when prescribing them to patients with a prior C-diff episode.