Articles tagged with Bacterial Infections
A new study by Loyola researchers shows that giving non-toxic C. difficile spores orally can stop repeated bouts of the infection, which occurs in 25-30% of patients. The treatment reduces recurrence rates to as low as 5%, offering real hope for those debilitated by recurring bouts.
A study published in JAMA found that administering oral spores of a non-toxigenic C. difficile strain can significantly reduce the risk of CDI recurrence. The treatment, known as NTCD-M3, showed a 30% lower recurrence rate compared to placebo.
Using disinfectant wipes after preparing poultry reduces the risk of Campylobacter food poisoning by up to 99.2%. The antibacterial solution left behind on surfaces continues to disinfect over time, protecting against bacterial transfer and illness.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that swine farmers are more likely to carry multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) than people without current swine exposure. The researchers followed a group of 1,342 Iowans for 17 months and discovered that farmers with livestock exposure, particularly swi...
Rates of C. difficile infection were highest in the Northeast region and during the spring season over the last decade, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study found that adults and older adults followed overall trends, with pediatric CDI being highest in winter.
Research suggests that nitrofurantoin is less effective at treating bladder infections in older women with low kidney function compared to other antibiotics. The study found that patients taking nitrofurantoin were more likely to experience treatment failure and require a second antibiotic prescription or hospital visit.
A recent study surveying nearly 400 hospitals found that 48% lack strict limits on antibiotic use, allowing the dangerous gut infection to flourish. Hospitals with such limitations have stronger evidence-based programs in place.
Researchers have identified a single, simple metric to guide antibiotic dosing that could bring first-line antibiotics back into the fight against drug-resistant pathogens. A computer simulation revealed that a regimen based on a pathogen's recovery time could eliminate an otherwise resistant strain of bacteria.
A new study found a significant decline in hospital mortality rates among patients with cirrhosis and liver failure. The study analyzed over 780,000 hospitalizations and found that inpatient mortality decreased steadily during the period, despite increases in patient age and medical complexity.
A study by University of Chicago scientists reveals how immune cells shape the gut microbiota to naturally limit infections. Intestinal immune cells, called type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), play a crucial role in detecting harmful bacteria.
Research at University of Chicago Medical Center reveals how immune system shapes gut microbiota to limit infections, providing a potential new approach to prevent bacterial infections without antibiotics. The study identifies a critical protein ID2 that plays a key role in this process.
The study found a significant association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease, particularly among men and younger individuals. Researchers suggest that alternative therapies, such as cholesterol-lowering medication, may prevent both oral infections and cardiovascular inflammation.
Researchers found that a concentrated maple syrup extract makes disease-causing bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics, leading to lower antibiotic usage. The extract also reduces biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria, making it a potentially simple and effective approach for reducing antibiotic resistance.
A new study found that a UV light robot can kill over 90% of bacteria in hospital rooms, including MRSA. The system has been shown to be effective in reducing bacterial growth and preventing hospital-acquired infections.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine are creating mini-guts in a dish using human stem cells to study the complex interaction between microbes, cells, and disease-causing bacteria. The 'guts in a dish' model aims to aid research on a wide range of diseases, including gastrointestinal disorders and emerging infections.
The NIH has awarded $11 million to develop diagnostic tools for hospital-associated pathogens, including those resistant to most antimicrobials. The goal is to provide rapid and efficient tests that can detect the presence of these bacteria in three hours or less.
A DNA study of bacteria samples from the 2012 Edinburgh outbreak found four subtypes of Legionella that probably existed at the source for months. The genetic diversity of these bacteria suggests that tracing future infections may be challenging, with possible influences on disease severity.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a new way to print paper biosensors that can quickly diagnose bacterial and respiratory infections. The technology uses conventional office ink-jet printers to produce paper sensors with high molecular weight, enabling the detection of specific disease biomarkers.
Case Western Reserve University is leading an international team studying resistance to bacteria causing TB. The goal is to develop a new approach to treating and curing the disease by understanding how resistant individuals fight off infections.
Researchers found that cigarette smoke made MRSA bacteria more resistant to killing by the immune system, increasing their ability to invade human cells. In mouse experiments, smoke-exposed MRSA caused pneumonia with a higher mortality rate.
Researchers are testing Zinkicide, a nanoparticle bactericide, to combat citrus greening in Florida. The treatment aims to target the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing, a disease that has devastated the state's $10.7 billion citrus industry.
Researchers found that particles from eyeliner can contaminate the eye's tear film, leading to discomfort and potentially irritating sensitive or dry eyes. The study suggests people who wear contact lenses are more likely to notice problems if eyeliner is stuck to their lenses.
Chronic alcohol consumption compromises the skin's protective immune response, leading to increased illness and bacterial burden. Restoring IL-17 levels improves skin injury and bacterial clearance defects in mice with Staphylococcus aureus skin infections.
Date syrup's antibacterial compounds inhibit growth of disease-causing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The natural syrup outperforms manuka honey in lab tests, offering potential health benefits through its antibacterial activities.
A study at a Swedish hospital found that caregivers missed 90% of opportunities for using alcohol-based hand rub and aseptic techniques during invasive procedures. The lack of adherence to aseptic techniques led to an increase in hospital-acquired infections, highlighting the need for improved teamwork and training.
A Washington state hospital outbreak of a novel, drug-resistant E. coli strain was linked to contaminated endoscopes. The study highlights the importance of rigorous cleaning procedures and calls for more stringent evaluation and maintenance schedules for these devices.
Researchers from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine found bacteria in the bladders of healthy women, contradicting the long-held belief that normal urine is sterile. This discovery has significant implications for understanding bladder health and disease, particularly lower urinary tract disorders.
Researchers have identified blood-based biomarkers that accurately diagnose active tuberculosis (TB) disease, monitor treatment response, and predict cure. These markers differentiate between latent TB infection and active TB with high specificity and sensitivity.
A recent study published in Microbiome reveals that fecal microbiota transplantation can effectively treat C. difficile infections, with sustained changes observed for up to 21 weeks. The research has significant implications for the regulation of treatment and suggests that current frameworks may not be applicable.
A study published in American Journal of Infection Control found that patients with C. difficile infection are twice as likely to be readmitted to the hospital, with significantly longer hospital stays. Researchers recommend improving antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures to prevent CDI rates.
Researchers developed a tissue culture model to study latent tuberculosis infection, finding that the human immune system generates an early response that protects against active disease. However, some bacteria can adapt and survive in these high-pressure environments, increasing the risk of reactivation.
Researchers found that nasal drops of harmless bacteria can inhibit the spread of meningococcal disease-causing bacteria. The study suggests a possible new approach for preventing outbreaks using a related but harmless type of bacteria, which appeared to prevent the disease-causing pathogen from colonizing the upper airway.
A Singapore-led study reveals that HBV exposure before birth matures infants' immune systems, countering bacterial infections. This paradigm shift may change treatment guidelines for chronic hepatitis B patients, especially young adults and potentially even children.
Two antibiotic resistance genes, KPC and NDM-1, can be shared among bacteria responsible for hospital-associated infections. The study found that genetic similarity between US and South Asian strains suggests easy transmission of these superbugs.
Researchers used genetic analysis to trace the source of infection in a British patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). The study found that the patient caught the infection from a healthcare worker who had worked in South Africa, highlighting the need for effective infection prevention measures.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified key receptors that trigger the immune system to attack tularemia-causing bacteria, potentially leading to new protective treatments and vaccines. The discovery could also shed light on autoimmune diseases and cancers.
Researchers have found that clindamycin and TMP-SMX are equally effective in treating uncomplicated skin infections caused by community-associated MRSA. The study's findings suggest that these off-patent antibiotics can be used successfully to combat MRSA skin infections acquired outside of hospitals.
A large multicenter study validates MeMed's ImmunoXpert test, which accurately characterizes the cause of acute infections by decoding the body's immune response. The test outperforms routine biomarker and laboratory tests, enabling physicians to make better informed treatment decisions.
A new microarray-based tool called VaginArray has been developed to rapidly diagnose vaginal infections and assess vaginal microbiome health. The tool uses 17 probe sets specific for representative bacterial species, including those associated with healthy and unhealthy conditions.
Researchers have linked antibiotic resistance with poor governance and corruption around the world, citing alarming rates of 23,000 deaths annually in the US due to antibiotic-resistant infections. The study suggests that addressing corruption and control of antibiotics could help lower resistance levels and save lives.
Despite pre-surgery antibiotics, bacterial clumps persist in joint fluid, forming protective mesh of proteins that slow growth and make them resistant to treatment. The study identified a key reason for the difficulty in curing joint infections: biofilm-like clumps of bacteria that harbor antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method to test the most common cause of life-threatening infection in people with cystic fibrosis. The approach allows scientists to identify several genes necessary for Pseudomonas aeruginosa survival, improving efforts to study and combat the illness.
Researchers at the University of Exeter discovered that bacteria can evolve a permanent immune response to phages, but also induce a temporary CRISPR response for low-risk conditions. This finding has implications for industrial bacterial cultures and could lead to more efficient and cost-effective methods.
A recent study found that MRSA can persist in households for years, spreading from person to person and evolving genetically. The bacteria can be transmitted through household members, especially those with skin infections, and can even acquire extraneous DNA over time.
Researchers found that salt accumulates in skin and tissue to control infection, increasing macrophage activation. High-salt diet also cleared up bacterial footpad infections in mice.
A study published in Cell Metabolism reveals that a high-salt diet can increase sodium accumulation in the skin, boosting the immune response to skin-infecting parasites. This finding suggests that dietary salt may have therapeutic potential in promoting host defense against microbial infections.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a crucial molecular mechanism underlying the immune response to tuberculosis. By adjusting the levels of a specific molecule called c-di-AMP, they may be able to develop more effective human therapies for TB treatment.
A study found that fleas on rats in New York City can transmit plague pathogens, as well as several other diseases. Public health officials are advised to monitor city rats and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to prevent the spread of disease.
A multicenter study found that respiratory viruses, particularly RSV and human rhinovirus, are the leading causes of pneumonia in children. The study, which included over 2,300 hospitalizations, revealed that viral infections accounted for 81% of cases, while bacterial infections were responsible for only 8%. The findings suggest that ...
Researchers found that garlic extract's allicin component inhibits bacterial growth and kills certain plant pathogens, potentially offering a new treatment option for people with cystic fibrosis. The study suggests using allicin-containing remedies in combination with existing antibiotics to treat life-threatening lung infections.
The study found that Listeria monocytogenes adapts its metabolism specifically to the host genotype, correlating with the severity of symptoms in infected mice. Bacteria retain a 'memory effect' that reverts to a common metabolic fingerprint after laboratory cultivation.
Researchers found that cystic fibrosis mucus gets stuck inside cells, making it difficult for organs to work properly and attracting bacteria and viruses. This discovery could lead to treatments that help cells remove sticky mucus more quickly.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $6.2 million grant to Weill Cornell Medical College to tackle the global tuberculosis epidemic. The grant, worth up to $45.7 million over seven years, aims to develop new treatments and shorten therapy duration for patients with drug-resistant TB.
Researchers identified a bacteriophage from Jerusalem sewage that can infect and eliminate Enterococcus faecalis biofilms, a common cause of persistent root canal infections. This phage therapy approach may offer a new solution for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers discovered that Yersinia pestis bacteria traffic to lymph nodes on their own, not relying on human phagocytic cells. Most microbes get trapped in a bottleneck in the skin or node, and only a few break free to cause disease.
Researchers found that pioglitazone enhances ROS production in white blood cells, killing difficult-to-treat pathogens. This finding demonstrates a relevant contribution to host defense in mouse and cellular models of chronic granulomatous disease.
George Mason University researchers have discovered peptides in alligator blood that can effectively fight bacterial infections. These peptides, part of the innate immunity system, could potentially be developed into new treatments for wound infections and biothreat agents.
Researchers found that aged mice developed more severe intestinal permeability and bacterial infections after stroke, leading to higher mortality rates. In contrast, social isolation improved recovery in aged mice by reducing inflammation and enhancing brain function.
A novel liquid-infused polymer technology has been developed to prevent bacterial biofilm formation on medical surfaces, reducing the risk of infections. The technology uses a combination of silicone oil and polymer to create a slippery surface that repels bacteria, making it suitable for use in medical devices.
A team of Indiana University researchers has been awarded a major grant to develop and use chemical tagging methods to understand how bacterial cells build their cell walls, a key target for new antibiotics. The team plans to create new probes to track peptidoglycan synthesis in bacteria such as E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. pneumoniae.