Articles tagged with Bacterial Infections
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that some hog workers are carrying livestock-associated, antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their noses and may be developing skin infections. The researchers suggest that these bacteria can spread more broadly between animals and humans if not properly controlled.
Researchers have identified a new treatment strategy for MRSA infections that uses a combination of modern-day antibiotics and old-fashioned penicillin to weaken the virulence of the bacteria. This approach has shown promising results in reducing the duration of MRSA sepsis from 3 days to 1.9 days.
Researchers at LA BioMed have discovered a low-cost eye drop solution that is equally effective to expensive antibiotics in treating bacterial keratitis. The povidone-iodine solution has the potential to save thousands of lives by preventing blindness in developing countries.
A recent study by European researchers found that patients with acute bacterial lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) had only slightly worse symptoms and returned more often to their physician than those without bacterial LRTIs. The authors conclude that these infections are generally mild and self-limiting, allowing physicians t...
Researchers analyzed over 1,000 M. abscessus isolates from 500 global CF center patients, finding near-identical clones in different geographies and suggesting widespread transmission within the CF community. The study also highlights airborne transmission via contaminated surfaces as a potential mode of infection.
Researchers have discovered a new class of proteins in Francisella tularensis that promote the growth of bacteria within macrophages, overcoming cellular defenses. The findings shed light on the mechanisms behind the bacterium's severe disease-causing capabilities.
A new U-M vaccine using siderophore molecules prevents E. coli growth in mouse bladders and kidneys, offering hope for a treatment against UTIs. The approach has shown success in mice but is still years away from human trials.
A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that protamine solutions perform at least as well as current disinfectant solutions in killing microbes that can cause contact lens-related infections. Protamine's broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity makes it a potential alternative for multipurpose disinfection solutions.
Kent's Dr Mark Shepherd and PhD student Charlie Hobbs provide new insights into the HemQ enzyme of haem synthesis, a key process in MRSA's rapid growth. The discovery could lead to alternative strategies to combat resistant bacteria by targeting this pathway with new drugs.
Researchers have engineered a new antimicrobial peptide that can destroy many types of bacteria, including those resistant to most antibiotics. The peptide also suppresses the overactive inflammatory response and destroys biofilms, making it a promising alternative for treating infections.
A new study found that misdiagnosis of cellulitis leads to significant healthcare costs, with estimates suggesting between 50,000 and 130,000 unnecessary hospitalizations. The study also reveals that misdiagnosed patients would not have required antibiotics or prolonged hospital stays if they had been diagnosed correctly.
Researchers at Wyss Institute develop self-healing slippery surface coatings to prevent biofilm formation on medical implants, preserving innate immune responses. The technology has the potential to obviate widespread antibiotic use and minimize antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
A team of researchers found that polysorbate 80, a safe food additive, can slow the toxic effects of E. coli poisoning by attacking its protective biofilm and rendering it harmless. This approach could provide an effective alternative to traditional antibiotics without driving antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers developed ultra-low adhesive coatings that prevented bacteria from attaching to surfaces treated with it, reducing bacterial adhesion by more than 98 percent. The coatings, inspired by nature, are stable when exposed to UV light and have potential in implanted devices prone to bacterial fouling and infection.
Scientists discover that heme molecule interferes with macrophage cytoskeleton, immobilizing them and preventing immune cells from eliminating bacteria. Quinine, an existing malaria medication, restores functionality of affected macrophages, paving the way for new treatment possibilities.
A study found that nurses' scrubs are frequently contaminated with bacteria, including MRSA, spread from patients and hospital rooms. This highlights the importance of infection control strategies, such as hand washing, using disposable gloves, and regular cleaning of patient rooms.
A study found that cranberry capsules did not significantly reduce the presence of bacteriuria and pyuria, or the number of urinary tract infections, among older women living in nursing homes. The results contradict previous studies suggesting cranberry products may be effective in preventing UTIs.
Research by the University of Kent has identified an enzyme, cytochrome bd-I, as crucial for the survival of antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria. Targeting this enzyme with new drugs may render these bacteria susceptible to attack from the host immune system.
Scientists have developed a new class of small molecules that prevent bacteria from causing urinary tract infections by interfering with a critical factor on the surface of UTI-causing bacteria. The treatment, called C-mannosides, has shown promising results in animal testing and may move to clinical trials.
A new study shows that cranberry extract successfully interrupts the communication between bacteria associated with problematic infections, reducing their severity. Cranberries' proanthocyanidins (PACs) may help control virulence and spread of potentially dangerous bacterial infections worldwide.
A novel nanofiber coating with antibiotic-releasing properties has shown promise in preventing serious bacterial infections related to total joint replacement surgery. The coating was found to completely eradicate infection and prevent bone loss, a common complication that leads to prosthetic loosening and failure.
Scientists at Imperial College London discovered that MRSA releases decoy molecules to escape being killed by daptomycin. The decoys are made of the same type of fat as MRSA cells and allow the bacteria to evade destruction. Further experiments showed that a second antibiotic, oxacillin, can partially prevent decoy release.
TB research suggests infection causes autoimmunity, where immune system reacts incorrectly to its own lung tissue. This can lead to the bacteria spreading through coughing, making the person highly infectious.
Researchers have identified a highly specific adhesion between Helicobacter pylori and human cells, which could be used diagnostically and therapeutically. This new approach aims to prevent the bacterium's attachment to stomach cells, potentially suppressing its damaging effects.
A new study from Intermountain Medical Center found that antibiotic use rates in small community hospitals are similar to those in large hospitals. The lack of antimicrobial stewardship programs in smaller facilities poses a significant challenge in addressing the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers have engineered a bacteriophage called NanoLuc that causes E. coli O157:H7 to emit light, allowing for faster and cheaper detection of contaminated food products. The new method can detect as few as four bacteria in eight hours.
A study found that using the same hospital bed as a prior patient who received antibiotics increases the risk of Clostridium infection in subsequent patients. The risk was 0.72% when the prior occupant had recently used antibiotics, compared to 0.43% when they hadn't.
A new study from Oregon Health and Science University suggests that the type of bacteria present in the urinary tract may play a role in general health conditions like Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI). Women with UUI tend to have fewer diverse bacterial communities, while those with lower diversity experience more severe symptoms.
A newly discovered protozoan parasite, Tritrichomonas musculis, has been found to protect mice from intestinal bacterial infections by activating the inflammasome in gut epithelial cells. This discovery highlights the importance of considering non-bacterial microorganisms in studying the microbiome.
Researchers are exploring the connection between Johne's disease in cattle and Crohn's disease in humans. The study found that MAP-infected cows share symptoms with Crohn's patients, including thickened intestines, diarrhea, and low protein absorption.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem show for the first time how bacterial superantigen toxins work and how short peptides can block them. A novel host-oriented therapeutic approach prevents lethal immune responses, remaining effective against antibiotic-resistant strains.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital identified a bacterial molecule that trains the immune system to tolerate infection without inducing illness. The molecule, 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AA), reprograms innate immune cells to accept the presence of certain pathogens by suppressing inflammatory responses.
The bacterium causing citrus greening disease triggers a gut-wrenching immune response in the insect vector, Asian citrus psyllid. Researchers suggest targeting cell death in the midgut to prevent bacterial spread.
A recent UCLA-led study found that nearly 12% of people diagnosed with pyelonephritis had antibiotic-resistant infections, up from 4% a decade ago. The emergence of ESBL-producing E. coli strains limits treatment options, highlighting the need for new medications and guidelines.
Cephalosporins have shown promise in treating tuberculosis (TB) through an in vitro study, with the antibiotics demonstrating potent anti-mycobacterial properties when used in synergistic combinations with traditional therapies. The results suggest that these drugs could be part of new combinatorial TB therapies.
Bacteria have a flexible immune system called CRISPR-Cas that can remember and destroy invading DNA. A new study reveals how this system selects new memories from mutated threats, proposing a positive feedback loop to reduce the risk of evading defences.
Researchers have identified Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the trigger for Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious nervous system disease. The study found that antibodies against the bacteria's surface structure react with human nerve sheaths, leading to an immune reaction and potentially life-threatening paralysis.
A study found consistent differences in antibody structure and function between latent and active TB, which could improve diagnosis and lead to more effective vaccines. The findings also suggest a potential mechanism for controlling TB infection using antibodies.
Resveratrol, a compound found in red wine and grapes, has been shown to reduce inflammation induced by bacterial pathogens that cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. The study identified a novel mechanism by which resveratrol suppresses inflammation by upregulating a negative regulator called MyD88 short.
Researchers found that Klebsiella pneumoniae siderophores play a crucial role in facilitating invasive infection by triggering inflammation and activating HIF-1 alpha, allowing bacteria to spread from the lungs to the spleen. The study suggests that therapies targeting siderophore production could provide a two-pronged attack against K...
Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement are at increased risk of developing infective endocarditis, with younger age, male sex, and diabetes mellitus being significant risk factors. The study found a high rate of in-hospital mortality and 2-year mortality rates, highlighting the need for preventive measures.
A new study published in Cell found that providing nutrients to mice with viral infections can help them survive, while those with bacterial infections die when fed. The researchers discovered that the brain's metabolic needs differ depending on the type of infection, which may have implications for designing clinical trials.
Researchers confirm cluster of cases in Chile, suggesting wider global distribution than previously understood. Scrub typhus kills at least 140,000 people annually and is transmitted through mite bites.
Bacteria can form biofilms that break and float away, spreading infection. Researchers are studying the conditions under which these biofilms break down.
Dr. Richard Rosenfeld suggests a pragmatic approach to diagnosing and treating bacterial sinus infections in adults, emphasizing symptomatic treatment over antibiotics. The recommended 'watchful waiting' approach involves monitoring symptoms and reserving antibiotics for worsening cases.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have made a breakthrough in developing a vaccine against group A Streptococcus, responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually. By identifying common sequence patterns in the M protein, the team aims to create an antibody response that targets multiple strains of the bacteria.
A new study validates a low-cost, rapid, and highly accurate screening tool, KlebSeq, for detecting healthcare-acquired infections. The test can identify multiple strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, including antibiotic-resistant strains, earlier than traditional methods.
Scientists have made detailed atomic-level images of a peroxiredoxin protein and found its peculiar characteristic may form the foundation for a new class of antibiotics. The research reveals that selectively blocking peroxiredoxin function in bacterial cells could kill them without harming normal cells.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet discovered that pneumococcal bacteria use a human-specific sugar molecule to enhance growth and resistance. This finding sheds light on why pneumococci cause more severe infections in humans than other animals, and could lead to the development of more effective vaccines.
Scientists discovered the mechanism behind E. coli's ability to spread and cause cystitis by developing an artificial bladder model. The research found that the bacteria alter their form to become long and thin, improving their attachment to the bladder wall and evading immune response. This discovery offers hope for new treatment stra...
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have discovered a way to disrupt bacterial flagella growth, which are crucial for infection spread. By modifying a key protein, they can trap flagella inside bacteria, preventing them from moving and infecting the body.
Researchers have identified a strain of E. coli bacteria from a New Jersey patient with a complicated urinary tract infection that harbored resistance to both carbapenem antibiotics and colistin. The study highlights the need for active surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship to prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.
Researchers at UAB found that the biomarker detected 14 of 15 bacterial infections in cerebrospinal fluid, outperforming the current diagnostic gold standard. The test showed excellent diagnostic capability with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 86%. This breakthrough could improve patient care and reduce healthcare expenses by d...
A new study found that household transmission of C. difficile can occur through contact with pets and children, highlighting the need for simple hygiene practices like hand washing in the home. The study revealed that 13.4% of household contacts were infected with the bacterium, with younger children being more susceptible.
A study found that naturally-occurring sugars in breast milk, particularly lacto-n-difucohexaose I, may protect babies against Group B streptococcus infection. Women who produced this sugar were less likely to have the bacteria in their gut and their babies were also less likely to get it from birth.
Scientists have identified two genes that are switched on only when a child is suffering from a bacterial infection. A rapid test based on these genes has been developed to diagnose bacterial infections, which could help combat antibiotic resistance and save lives.
Two studies explore the use of genetic tests to identify bacterial infections in children with fever. Researchers identified specific host genes that distinguish bacterial from viral infections, and found that these signatures can be used to diagnose bacterial infections. The study has potential for a clinically applicable test using c...
A new diagnostic test analyzes ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression in the bloodstream to distinguish bacterial infections from other causes of fever in infants up to 2 months old. The test has shown high sensitivity and specificity, potentially reducing painful exams, unnecessary antibiotic treatments, and hospitalizations.
Marcos Pires, a Lehigh University assistant professor of chemistry, has pioneered an immunotherapy approach to combat bacterial infections. His method involves molecularly tagging pathogenic bacteria to attract antibodies, offering a novel strategy to defeat Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Dr. Makrina Totsika is developing a new class of drugs to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, a major threat to public health worldwide. Her research focuses on disarming superbugs rather than killing them, with promising results in preclinical animal models.