Articles tagged with Bacterial Infections
A new method has been proposed to detect bacterial infections in preterm infants by monitoring serum procalcitonin levels. The study found that PCT levels take longer to return to normal in preterm infants, providing a potential early detection criterion.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have discovered a method to disrupt cell-to-cell communication and latch-on ability of bacteria, making them vulnerable to antibiotics. This breakthrough offers new treatment options for chronic bacterial infections and may help extend the lifespan of existing drugs.
A new study found that nonpathogenic viruses can be transferred during fecal transplants, but these viruses appear to be harmless to humans. The researchers analyzed fecal transplants from a single donor to three children with chronic ulcerative colitis and found mostly temperate bacteriophages were transmitted.
A new study from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston finds that higher rates of breastfeeding and vaccination significantly reduce the incidence of ear infections in babies. The study also suggests that lower smoking rates contribute to this decline.
Researchers have identified 122 new types of RNA bacteriophages in diverse ecological niches, providing an opportunity to define their contributions to ecology and explore them as novel tools. The study suggests that RNA bacteriophages likely play a much larger role in shaping the bacterial makeup of worldwide habitats than previously ...
A new study reveals that bacteria in biofilm form are stronger than single-celled bacteria and outcompete them for nourishment. This challenges the traditional view of bacterial infections and highlights the importance of treating biofilms as a distinct entity.
A study found that contact lenses alter the natural microbial community of the eyes, making it more skin-like. This shift in bacterial composition increases the risk of eye infections such as giant papillary conjunctivitis and keratitis.
The emm59 clone of group A Streptococcus has been identified as the cause of a deadly outbreak in Arizona and the Southwest. This hypervirulent strain is directly related to a previous Canadian outbreak, which evolved into the current southwestern US epidemic.
A study led by the University of Edinburgh's MRC Centre for Inflammation Research discovered a mechanism to keep bacteria in the gut. The researchers found that PGE2 activates innate lymphoid cells, which help maintain the gut barrier and prevent body-wide inflammation.
Scientists at Umea University have discovered chemical compounds that attenuate Listeria monocytogenes virulence without killing the bacteria, reducing resistance risks. The findings provide a promising platform for developing new antimicrobial strategies against this foodborne pathogen.
Researchers identified uropathogenic E. coli as the E. coli type most strongly linked to pre-term infant mortality from necrotizing enterocolitis. The study suggests that early identification of this bacteria could help physicians make informed care decisions for vulnerable infants.
Researchers found that viruses opt for 'piggyback-the-winner' strategy, integrating into hosts to reduce replication and avoid immunity defenses. This model better explains virus-host dynamics during microbial population booms.
A global review of 58 studies involving over 77,000 E. coli samples found a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in children's urinary tract infections, particularly in non-OECD countries. Previous antibiotic use increased the risk of resistance for up to six months after treatment.
A study by Pavel Kovarik and his team at the University of Vienna reveals that type I interferons play a crucial role in regulating IL-1β levels, preventing excessive inflammation and balance in the immune system.
Researchers identified two synthetic compounds that can restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against MRSA by blocking an enzyme involved in bacterial cell wall production. When paired with existing antibiotics, these compounds significantly improved survival rates and reduced infection severity in mice infected with MRSA.
A team of researchers is using computational models and data from actual patients to understand C. difficile colonization and infection. They aim to develop tools to prevent and treat infections that kill thousands annually.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that maternal bacterial infections trigger abnormal proliferation of neurons in the fetal brain, leading to changes in cognitive functioning and increased risk of autism. Treatment with antibiotics like ampicillin may exacerbate these effects.
E. coli bacteria attach to the surface of the urinary tract via protein FimH, binding more tightly under flow conditions. This discovery could lead to development of FimH antagonists, reducing antibiotic use and resistance.
A new class of 'BH3-mimetic' drugs has shown promise in treating Legionella-infected cells by targeting the BCL-XL protein. This research could lead to new treatments for various bacterial infections, even those resistant to antibiotics.
A new study found that premature infants' gut bacteria are vulnerable to antibiotic resistance, with almost 800 genes identified, including those associated with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The study suggests that routine antibiotic use in preterm infants may not be effective and could lead to increased infection risk.
Researchers report unusual rugby injuries, including acetabular fractures and hip dislocations in young players. A man also developed distorted vision after inhaling poppers for the first time. Additionally, a patient developed a rare liver abscess after routine dental cleaning.
Recent research on cystic fibrosis lung infections highlights the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to adapt and evolve in chronically infected patients. The review suggests that understanding this evolution is crucial for developing alternative treatment strategies to minimize symptoms and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have created a vaccine that offers high-level protection against melioidosis, a bacterial infection that causes pneumonia and sepsis. The new vaccine, which has been tested on mice, holds promise for preventing a disease that affects thousands in tropical regions and is often misdiagnosed.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified an enzyme that aids pneumococcus survival by removing its capsule, making it harder to be detected and destroyed by the immune system. This discovery has profound implications for treatment and vaccine strategies to combat invasive pneumococcal disease.
Engineered fabrics effective against superbugs like MRSA could reduce impact of super-bacterial infections. Researchers have successfully produced anti-super-bacterial masks using violacein-based dye, blocking growth by 99.9%.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a technology that accelerates scarring and prevents bacterial growth, aiming to reduce the death rate among victims of serious burns. The new bandage combines biological bandages with dendrimers to destroy microbes and prevent infections.
A study published in Nature Communications has discovered that genes can move from chlamydia strains in the eye to sexually transmitted strains, allowing them to infect the eye and cause Trachoma. This revelation challenges previous beliefs about Chlamydia evolution and highlights the potential for new variant Trachoma strains to emerge.
Researchers at the University of Southampton found that copper can destroy MRSA bacteria by damaging their DNA and respiration, making it difficult for them to survive. This discovery explains why touch surfaces made from solid antimicrobial copper are effective in reducing the spread of infections.
A new methodology developed at Rice and Rutgers universities helps scientists understand how biochemical networks control biological responses. The approach predicted novel interactions in bacteria that cause tuberculosis, revealing a potential mechanism for the disease's survival.
Researchers have provided a molecular blueprint of Globomycin, an antibacterial candidate with promise in stemming the post-antibiotic tide. The blueprint may aid the design of better globomycin analogues and explore thousands of new antibiotic solutions to common infections.
The study reveals novel adaptations and traits in infectious species of Leptospira that help illuminate its evolutionary history and provide new preventive and treatment approaches. It identifies key pathogen-specific features, including the CRISPR-Cas genetic machinery, which are unique to pathogenic Leptospira.
Scientists have uncovered the 3D structure of an enzyme crucial for Mycobacterium tuberculosis survival. This discovery could lead to the development of new compounds targeting the ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI) enzyme, which is only present in bacteria and plants.
A new study found that no disinfectant completely removes bacterial biofilms from dental water lines, posing a significant infection risk. Researchers recommend preventing the formation of biofilms as key to keeping lines clean, and suggest using good quality water, prevention disinfectants, and avoiding stagnation.
Researchers found that certain bacteria, including Francisella tularensis and Salmonella enterica, can spread rapidly throughout the body by interacting with immune cells called macrophages. This process, known as trogocytosis, allows bacteria to evade detection and survive inside infected cells.
A study published in PNAS reveals that genetic variations in the Tie2 gene are associated with an increased risk of developing life-threatening vascular complications following infections. Higher Tie2 levels provide protection against these complications.
Researchers identified the genetic 'map' of the human parasitic scabies mite using cutting-edge genome technologies, which could lead to new ways of preventing and treating scabies infestations. The study also found that certain animal strains of mites may infect humans, with major implications for disease control programs.
A Phase 1b/2 trial suggests that an oral therapeutic drug containing the spores of beneficial bacteria is effective for preventing recurrence of C. difficile infection and restoring a healthy gut microbiome. The treatment achieved a 96.7% clinical cure rate, comparable to open-label antibiotic trials and fecal microbiota transplants.
A new electrochemical detection strategy can identify bacteria in wounds in under a minute, allowing for targeted therapies and reduced healthcare costs. The method uses pyocyanin, a molecule produced by Pseudomonas bacteria, to detect infections.
Researchers identify RimK as a crucial regulator of bacterial movement, which is essential for initiating infections. Disabling this protein significantly reduces the ability of bacteria to infect plants and humans, offering a new target for anti-infective drugs.
Researchers discovered a bacterial immune system that waits until viruses replicate before attacking them, allowing for more efficient defense. This new strategy, called type III CRISPR-Cas, takes up to nine hours to clear infections and has potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.
Exposure to specific antibiotics is linked to the development of antibiotic-resistant C. difficile , one of the fastest growing bacteria superbugs. The study found that fluoroquinolone and macrolide exposure was more frequent in patients with a highly resistant strain, supporting targeted antibiotic stewardship monitoring programs.
A 15-year study in Kilifi, Kenya found that vaccination reduces the chance of Hib disease by 93% and provides long-lasting protection. The current vaccine schedule is effective without a booster dose, suggesting no need for extra doses.
A national survey reveals that high school wrestlers are prone to skin infections, with the head and neck being the most frequent site. Most skin infections can be treated within three to six days, but some may have more serious eye and neurological involvement.
Researchers have discovered a natural clay deposit that exhibits strong antibacterial activity against the ESKAPE group of bacterial pathogens, including MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant strains. The clay, named Kisameet clay, has been used for centuries by indigenous communities to treat various ailments.
A study published by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America found that long-term use of antiseptic soap in bathing critically ill patients did not cause high levels of resistance in bacteria on their skin. The prevalence of MRSA-resistant strains decreased after starting chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing.
Researchers identified hypervirulent strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with human infections, which are more invasive and infect central nervous system and fetus more often than those linked to food. The study used large-scale analysis of epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data.
Researchers found that ancient medicinal clay exhibits potent antibacterial activity against ESKAPE strains of bacteria, including Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus. The rare mineral clay may provide a new treatment option for serious infections caused by these resistant pathogens.
Researchers have identified over 13,000 Zika cases in Colombia, with the country now second only to Brazil in reported infections. The team is exploring ways to control the spread of the virus using a bacterium that infects mosquitoes, aiming to prevent transmission and mitigate serious consequences like microcephaly.
A team of biologists at UC San Diego has developed a new method to determine if bacteria are susceptible to antibiotics within a few hours. The approach allows doctors to rapidly identify the appropriate treatment for patients with life-threatening bacterial infections, potentially slowing the emergence of drug resistance.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a gene signature test that accurately determines whether a respiratory illness is caused by infection from a virus or bacteria. The test shows high accuracy in classifying patients with flu viruses and other common infections.
Researchers discovered significant differences in immune-related genes among patients with and without E. coli symptoms, indicating innate resistance to infection. The findings could lead to new ways to boost the immune system and predict susceptibility to infections like E. coli.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed light-activated therapeutic nanoparticles that successfully killed 92% of drug-resistant bacterial cells in a lab-grown culture. The quantum dots, which can be tailored to specific infections, offer a new hope for combating antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued advice for prescribing antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections in adults. Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antibiotic-resistant infections, posing a public health threat. Guidelines recommend symptomatic therapy fo...
The grant will explore various dosing regimens of daptomycin, a lipopeptide antibiotic, to treat vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) bacteria. The research aims to prevent resistance development and improve treatment outcomes for patients with life-threatening infections.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have identified a virulence factor secreted by the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii, which is resistant to traditional antibiotics. The discovery could lead to the development of new antivirulence antibiotics that can suppress pathogen growth without eliminating susceptible bacteria.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that monocytes, immune cells central to inflammation, contribute to age-associated inflammation and impaired anti-pneumococcal function. Lowering TNF levels may be an effective strategy to improve host defense against pneumonia in older adults.
Researchers found that short-term exposure to different outside host resource types and concentrations affects Serratia marcescens' virulence in Galleria mellonella-moth. This suggests that even genetically similar bacteria can differ in their virulence depending on the source of nutrients.
UC Davis researchers discovered an enzyme, LesA, that plays a key role in the bacterial infection of grapevines with Pierce's disease. The enzyme triggers the process causing leaf damage, unrelated to previously thought mechanisms. This finding opens new avenues for understanding and combating the disease.
Researchers have revealed the unique spring-like structure of E. coli pili, which allows it to withstand strong urine flow and infect the urinary tract. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for UTIs.
A study found that frozen fecal transplantation (FMT) was noninferior to fresh FMT in treating recurrent or refractory C. difficile infections, indicating its potential as a reasonable treatment option. The use of frozen FMT offered advantages such as reduced cost and increased availability.