Articles tagged with Bacterial Infections
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.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of antibiotic stewardship in reducing Clostridium difficile infection rates. Key components include careful prescribing, early diagnosis, isolation of infected patients, and adequate cleaning of the patient care environment.
Researchers identified how Salmonella infections trigger thrombosis through inflammation regulation and platelet activation. Thrombosis persisted even after bacteria were cleared from the blood, highlighting a previously unknown pathway involved in sepsis complications.
A pre-clinical study reveals that treatment with first-line antibiotics can make MRSA skin infections worse by inducing a harmful inflammatory response. Newer tests are being developed to quickly diagnose and treat these infections, but caution is needed before extending the findings to humans.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that certain antibiotics used to treat MRSA can worsen the infection in mice. The study suggests that these antibiotics may induce inflammation and damage tissues, making patients sicker.
A recent study published in Microbiome found that controlling the levels of specific gut bacteria, such as Escherichia, may help prevent severe diarrhea. The research, led by Michigan State University, discovered that patients with certain microbial community profiles had more severe disease.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed an antibiotic-free alternative to treat bacterial infections, using electrical stimulation that kills 99.99 percent of bacteria in 24 hours. The method involves passing an electric current over a film of bacteria, producing hydrogen peroxide as an effective disinfectant.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have discovered a gene in wild tomato species that imparts resistance to the bacteria causing speck, a devastating disease affecting NY tomato crops. The gene, qRph1, has been mapped and is being used to develop resistant varieties of cultivated tomatoes.
The University of Leicester has been awarded £1.5 million to advance knowledge in three key areas that impact on health. Three groups have won awards led by Professor David Lambert, Professor Marco Rinaldo Oggioni, and Dr Shaun Cowley, investigating sepsis, infection spread, and cancer mechanisms.
Researchers have identified specific immune cells that could be targeted by a new MRSA vaccine. These 'T-helper type 1' cells play a critical role in the immune response and are elevated in patients following MRSA infection. A model vaccine targeting these cells has shown improved infection outcomes.
Research suggests that cranberries can help reduce the incidence of symptomatic UTIs, potentially reducing antibiotic use and mitigating antibiotic resistance. Cranberry's unique blend of polyphenol antioxidants may also assist in preserving heart and cognitive health, protecting against oxidative stress.
Researchers have discovered a new technique that can prevent biofilms on catheters and medical implants by coating them with tissue plasminogen activator. This method has the potential to reduce hospital-acquired infections and save thousands of lives annually.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a strain of E. coli bacteria in mice capable of improving tolerance to infections by preventing muscle wasting. The bacteria activate the IGF-1 pathway in fat tissues, maintaining normal levels and preserving muscle mass during pathogenic infections.
Researchers found that intestinal worm infections can increase short-chain fatty acid production, activating receptors that influence the immune system. This discovery highlights the microbiome as a new pathway for helminths to modulate host immune function.
A new phage treatment has shown strong anti-microbial activity against Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that can kill up to 40% of infected infants. The treatment, CR5, killed the bacteria quickly and effectively, without producing toxins or virulence factors.
Researchers discovered plague has been endemic in human populations for over 3,000 years, with evidence of infection dating back to the Bronze Age. The bubonic form of plague spread through flea carriers after genetic mutations allowed Yersinia pestis bacteria to survive in human guts.
Scientists have identified a human cell protein called PLEKHA7 as a key modulator of Staphylococcus aureus virulence. Mice lacking this protein showed improved healing from skin infections and pneumonia, paving the way for potential new therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant strains.
A nationwide study found a significant increase in CRE infections among US children aged 1-5, with rates rising from 0% to 4.5% between 1999 and 2012. The greatest increase was seen in intensive care units, where isolates of CRE in the bloodstream increased from zero to 3.2% during the study period.
Researchers found invasive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) caused more infections and deaths in hospitalized infants than methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The study suggests that measures to prevent MSSA infections should be included in addition to MRSA, alongside hand hygiene as a primary prevention strategy.
Garden-variety staph infections are just as deadly for newborns as drug-resistant strains, according to a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Nonresistant bacterial infections affect more than twice as many babies and have the same high mortality rate as their drug-resistant cousins.
Researchers developed a new material fortified with nanodiamonds that can combat bacterial infections in teeth. The nanodiamond-enhanced gutta percha showed promise in preventing residual infection and promoting healthy tooth regeneration.
Researchers discovered M1 strep's ability to inactivate antimicrobial peptides, a key component of the immune system's defense. This finding highlights the need to fortify or optimize antimicrobial peptides to improve the immune system's odds of fending off infections.
A recent study found that ESBL-producing E. coli infections are on the rise in community hospitals, posing a significant risk to patient safety and quality of care. The incidence of these infections increased by 100%, with nearly three-quarters occurring after exposure to the healthcare system.
A study found that patients with persistent Coxiella burnetii infections, which cause Q fever, are at a higher risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The researchers discovered that these patients often have overproduction of interleukin-10, allowing the cancer cells to evade immune detection.
Hospitalized children are three times less likely to contract C. diff after implementing antibiotic stewardship programs, which also result in significant cost savings. The programs involve reviewing antibiotic use and providing feedback to physicians, leading to a more than three-fold reduction in C. diff rates.
Researchers found that using UV robots after room cleaning reduced C. diff infections among cancer patients by 25%, saving approximately $150,000 per year in direct medical costs. The intervention did not adversely impact room turnaround time.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that naturally occurring bacteria on a frog's skin can respond to infection and adjust their structure and function to compensate for it. The study suggests that the whole community of bacteria is important, not just a single protective bacterium. This discovery offers hope in limiting the impact of c...
A new capsule form of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been shown to be well-tolerated and effective in resolving diarrhoea in patients with difficult-to-treat C difficile infection. The study found a 90% rate of symptom resolution, suggesting that FMT could potentially supersede antibiotics as a treatment option.
The study found that the overall incidence of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) was relatively low in 2012-2013, with an annual rate of 2.93 cases per 100,000 population. Most CRE cases were associated with prior hospitalizations and discharge to long-term care settings.
The University of Illinois at Chicago has been chosen as one of six research centers in the US to combat emerging infectious diseases. Researchers will study how healthcare workers can care for patients without putting themselves at risk, addressing concerns about Ebola and other diseases.
Adult rashes accompanied by a fever of 100.5 or higher warrant immediate medical attention due to potential life-threatening conditions. Quick, aggressive treatment can significantly improve survival rates for patients with underlying conditions such as toxic shock syndrome and staph scalded skin syndrome.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that children who have suffered from recent infections or are not up-to-date on their vaccinations are at a higher risk of stroke. The study, which analyzed data from over 350 children, found that 18% of those who experienced strokes had recently contracted an infection.
Researchers found that infants infected with rhinovirus had lower respiratory microbiota diversity, while asymptomatic infections did not. Frequent early-life viral infections were also associated with reduced overall microbiota diversity.
Researchers have developed a drug that disables C. difficile toxins, preventing intestinal damage and allowing the gut to repopulate with healthy bacteria. The breakthrough could lead to rapid human trials for treating deadly C. difficile infections.
A biofilm with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties has been developed to prevent or control post-operative infections on medical devices. The film reduces inflammation and prevents bacterial and fungal infections, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics.