Articles tagged with Bacterial 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.
The NIH has awarded funding for 24 research projects developing non-traditional antibacterials, including therapeutic bacteria and phage therapy, to combat increasing antibiotic resistance. The grants aim to provide new treatment options for deadly infections.
Researchers at Arizona State University have identified the natural environment of formation for toxic clay antibacterial properties. The discovery reveals how chemically reduced iron tricks bacterial cells into opening their walls, followed by aluminum, which propels the cell wall open and poisons the cell.
Research from North Carolina State University finds that antibiotics kill off bacteria that alter bile acids, allowing C. diff to germinate and grow in the large intestine. The study sheds light on how antibiotics can promote C. diff infections by disrupting the gut microbiota.
New research reveals that skin bacteria toxins can advance cancer cell growth by manipulating the immune system. The study found that certain staphylococcus bacteria produce toxins that enable cancer cells to override the immune defense mechanism, leading to more aggressive disease progression.
A harmless bacterium found in the nose can inhibit a major cause of pneumonia, meningitis, and other infections. The study provides evidence that Corynebacterium accolens releases antibacterial free fatty acids from human nostrils and skin surface triacylglycerols.
A new computer program, Mykrobe Predictor, quickly analyzes bacterial DNA to predict antibiotic effectiveness and detect drug-resistant infections. The software streamlines genome analysis, detecting resistance in over 99% of Staphylococcus aureus cases, with faster results for tuberculosis.
Researchers at Rice University have developed time-released gel-filled implants that deliver antibiotics to the face, reducing the risk of infection during facial reconstruction. The innovative material protects tissue from bacterial invasion for several weeks.
A team of researchers has successfully inserted the gene for Bt into a harmless bacterium, which can be used to deliver the protein to people afflicted with roundworms through dairy products or probiotics. This could provide an inexpensive treatment option for millions of people worldwide infected with intestinal nematodes and roundworms.
Candidiasis is a life-threatening fungal infection requiring early treatment. New guidelines update recommendations for its diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the importance of consulting an infectious diseases (ID) specialist to ensure a good outcome.
A Stanford University School of Medicine team identified a distinctive pattern of gene expression that distinguishes people with a viral infection from those with a bacterial infection. The meta-virus signature is present even before symptoms appear and can predict up to 24 hours before illness onset.
Researchers discovered how Qβ bacteriophage uses its host cell's proteins to replicate its genetic material, highlighting the importance of selectively replicating one's own genome. The study's findings may pave the way for novel treatments targeting viruses that struggle to distinguish between their own and host genetic material.
Children with childhood leukemia benefit from prophylactic antibiotics, reducing serious bacterial infections during the first month of treatment by approximately 60 percent. The use of antibacterial prophylaxis appears to have made a profound difference for patients.
Individuals with depression are more likely to experience preventable hospitalizations for common chronic conditions, such as diabetes and congestive heart failure. Researchers found that those with depression were 2.35-times more likely to be hospitalized for preventable conditions than without depression.
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a new immune mechanism that begins working even before interferon is produced, helping to prevent illnesses. This breakthrough sheds light on why some people are more prone to viral infections than others.
A pilot study reveals clinical workstations can be a reservoir for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in hospitals. ATP testing identified MDROs on high-touch objects like chairs, clipboards, and keyboards more effectively than microbial swabbing.
Researchers have identified a new way in which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exploits the body's own immune system to persist in infected tissues. By understanding this process, new treatments may be developed to reduce complications from infection after prosthetic surgery.
Researchers at Georgia State University developed novel antimicrobials targeting SecA, a key disease-causing component of bacteria. The study found that these inhibitors can overcome drug resistance and reduce toxin secretion, offering a promising alternative to existing antibiotics for treating MRSA infections.
Researchers identified highly resistant bacteria in 23 of 500 acute care hospital admissions from nursing homes, with a feeding tube associated with gastrointestinal carriage. This study emphasizes the importance of hospital and nursing home infection control measures to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A network of immune cells helps the appendix maintain digestive system health by preventing damage and inflammation during bacterial attacks. This discovery suggests the appendix may be more relevant to our health than previously thought, potentially even serving as a natural reservoir for 'good' bacteria.
A study found that postoperative Clostridium difficile infection rates were 0.4% per year among over 468,000 surgical procedures at the Veterans Health Administration. Patients with CDI had higher rates of postoperative illness, death, and longer hospital stays.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute researchers are using a $1.3 million NIH award to model the use of copper in bacteria to gain advantages in the arms race between bacterial infections and antibiotic drugs.
Researchers have created a detailed image of pneumolysin, a toxin linked to deadly infections like pneumonia and meningitis. The structure reveals how the toxin assembles on cell surfaces, enabling the development of novel therapeutic approaches to block its formation.
Researchers have found that infertile animals appear to be protected from neurodegeneration in a study using C. elegans worms. The study, which appears online now, showed that infected worms display hallmarks of neurodegeneration similar to those seen in humans, but infertile animals resist this process.
A new study reveals helpful bacteria living inside the Asian citrus psyllid affect its ability to spread the citrus greening disease pathogen. The infection alters the insect's metabolism and triggers an immune response, potentially increasing the pathogen's transmission.
The new guidelines aim to prevent the spread of MDRGNB in healthcare settings, which are already present in the UK. They provide practical advice on identifying patients with these bacteria and preventing their spread.
Researchers develop a new technique to prevent dangerous biofilms on catheters by coating them with an activator that hinders Staphylococcus aureus from forming biofilms. This approach could lead to a major reduction in hospital-acquired disease and death, saving thousands of lives annually.