Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
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.
Researchers discovered that rheumatoid arthritis patients taking IL-1beta inhibitors are 300 times more likely to experience invasive Group A Streptococcal infections, highlighting the molecule's critical role in sensing bacterial infections. The study also suggests that inhibiting this immune response can put patients at risk for infe...
Researchers investigate prenatal infections and their link to developmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. A five-year NIH grant supports studies on the effects of early-life immune responses and sex differences in brain vulnerability.
Scientists have discovered that melanocortin agonism may effectively control the inflammation in gum tissue, leading to reduced alveolar bone resorption and improved quality of life. This innovative approach has opened new possibilities for treating gum disease.
A recent study by Forsyth Institute researchers shows that Corynebacterium species inhibit the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus. This interaction may lead to the development of novel treatments for preventing S. aureus infections, as well as other diseases caused by pathobionts.
Researchers at Imperial College London have found a way to kill MRSA bacteria by disrupting its salt regulation mechanism. By understanding how the bacteria cope with salt stress, scientists hope to develop a treatment that prevents food poisoning and works alongside conventional antibiotics.
A trio of researchers identified the agr1 gene locus controlling toxin production in C. difficile bacteria, suggesting a new approach to treat the life-threatening infection. The study found that jamming the signaling communication system can stop toxin production, providing hope for non-antibiotic therapy.
Researchers have discovered that secondary infection with MRSA often kills influenza patients due to altered antibacterial response of white blood cells. The flu virus can cause extensive lung damage by suppressing the ability of macrophages and neutrophils to kill bacteria, leading to lethal inflammation.
Researchers found that crown gall tumors host a unique bacterial community with varying compositions compared to healthy vines. Some bacteria inhibit tumor growth while others provide protection and nutrients, helping control the disease.
A Danish nationwide register study found hospitalization with infection was associated with a 42% higher risk of suicide death. Individuals with hepatitis and HIV or AIDS had the highest risk, highlighting potential biological factors contributing to suicidal behavior.
Researchers have developed a new model to study the phenomenon of secondary bacterial pneumonia caused by S. aureus and influenza A virus. The model, which simulates the natural pathogenesis of infection, reveals that viral infection induces bacteria to disseminate to the lungs.
A NSF-funded mathematician is working on a model to track how to fight A. aegypti mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, reducing their lifespan by a day or two. The goal is to create an endemic population that can displace the virus-carrying population in the wild.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a machine learning tool to diagnose childhood pneumonia more accurately and cost-effectively. The tool uses data from basic equipment such as pulse oximeters, thermometers, and stethoscopes, achieving high sensitivity and specificity rates compared to existing guidelines.
A Finnish study found that nearly 60% of patients with coronary artery disease also had dental root tip infections. The researchers discovered a strong link between the two conditions, suggesting that oral infections may contribute to heart disease risk. Root canal treatment may help reduce this risk.
A new strain of C. difficile is killing up to 15% of infected patients due to its potent toxin that destroys protective cells, leading to increased inflammation. Researchers suggest blocking the toxin could lead to a new treatment to stop this deadly strain.
Researchers found that PGLYRPs can inhibit chlamydia infections by targeting the bacteria's stress response system. The study confirmed that PGLYRP solutions reduced the number of chlamydial inclusions by 10 times, and improved understanding of potential antichlamydial drug targets.
Researchers at UVA Health System have discovered a critical role of M-CSF in battling pneumonia. Without this cytokine, infected mice experience severe outcomes, including increased bacterial loads and organ failure.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine found that the body's immune response system malfunctions during severe bacterial infections, leading to permanent damage to blood-producing cells. This discovery provides a new target for protecting the immune system during major infections.
Researchers aim to create a sensor that can coat medical implants and use X-ray beams to detect localized bacterial infections. The goal is to cure these infections early, reducing costly and tedious surgical procedures.
Researchers at the University of Missouri discovered that a manufactured form of lactoferrin can help protect premature infants from staph infections. The study found that giving very-low-birth-weight premature infants lactoferrin virtually eliminated germs responsible for staph infection.
Researchers found that contact with infected patients, mechanical ventilation, and infections with multidrug-resistant organisms increase the risk of acquiring CP-CRE. Cephalosporin antibiotic use may also reduce the risk of transmission compared to other antibiotics.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a new route of entry for the tuberculosis bacteria, suggesting an alternative to traditional inhalation-based transmission. This finding opens up potential avenues for developing new therapies to prevent or treat tuberculosis infection.
A new study has developed a methodology to analyze bacterial virulence factors and identify therapeutic targets for developing effective antimicrobial agents. The TREP approach was applied to Haemophilus influenzae, a respiratory pathogen that causes COPD symptoms, revealing potential blocking elements for invasion.
Research found that patients hospitalized for mania were more likely to be on antibiotics to treat active infections than healthy controls. This link between infection, antibiotics, and manic episodes adds evidence to the gut-brain axis theory, suggesting that a person's microbiome plays a role in psychiatric symptoms.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth discovered flavonols in cranberry juice significantly reduce E.coli adhesion, which can cause bacterial infections. The findings may lead to new antibiotic drug targets and alternative treatments for 'superbugs'.