Articles tagged with Bacterial Infections
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.
A case report published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases reveals that a woman who underwent fecal microbiota transplant for a recurrent C. difficile infection rapidly gained weight, becoming obese. The study suggests that clinicians should avoid selecting stool donors who are overweight to minimize the risk of similar outcomes.
A study of almost 6500 people found that recent gut and urinary tract infections were associated with a significantly lowered risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Infections within the past two years reduced the risk by 29%, 22% and 20% respectively.
Scientists at the University of Utah and Georgia have discovered a pharmacological target that could enable development of novel drugs against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. The target is based on a unique pathway for making heme, an essential iron-carrying molecule specific to Gram-positive bacteria.
A Finnish study found that travelers who used antibiotics to treat diarrhea were more likely to carry drug-resistant intestinal bacteria, such as ESBL, upon return. Carriers can spread the bacteria to others, even without symptoms.
A study found that taking antibiotics for diarrhea while traveling increases the risk of colonizing drug-resistant bacteria, such as ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Travelers returning home with these bacteria can unknowingly spread them to their own countries, posing a serious public health threat.
Researchers discovered a protein in E. coli that inhibits the accumulation of toxic amyloids, a key feature of Parkinson's disease. The finding could lead to a new therapeutic approach for treating Parkinson's.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have found a new type of antibiotic resistance that doesn't rely on genetic mutations. Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics without DNA changes by altering their cell wall, making them harder to treat with standard tests.
Vanderbilt University researchers found that chlorhexidine cloths did not reduce health care-associated infections in critically ill patients compared to non-antimicrobial cloths. The study analyzed data from over 9,300 ICU patients and showed no significant difference in infection rates between the two groups.
INRS researchers will conduct innovative research in environmental equity, reproductive toxicology and infection treatment with new equipment. The lab will focus on noise and air pollution concentration, public services for vulnerable populations and prevention of male infertility.
A new study by University of Bristol researchers has significantly advanced the understanding of haemoplasma immunity in cats. The findings suggest that cats who have previously recovered from infection may be protected against re-infection, paving the way for potential vaccine development.
A study of critically ill patients found that chlorhexidine bathing did not decrease the incidence of health care-associated infections. The study involved over 9,300 patients and found no significant difference between groups in infection rates, suggesting that such bathing may not be necessary.
A broadly neutralizing cross-reactive antibody targets multiple virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus, including alpha-hemolysin. The antibody shows high protective efficacy in animal models and is being developed as Arsanis' ASN100 product candidate.
Researchers at UCLA have found that a deficiency of the hormone hepcidin makes people with iron overload disease susceptible to Vibrio vulnificus infections. A medical form of hepcidin, minihepcidin, has been shown to cure the infection by restricting bacterial growth.
Researchers found that antibiotics can help prevent norovirus infections by eliminating a bacterial collaborator. They also identified an immune system molecule that can cure persistent norovirus infections even in mice with partially disabled immune systems.
Research shows that defensins can disable bacterial toxins by binding to specific locations on these proteins, triggering misfolding. This discovery offers a promising model for developing drugs that could mimic the activity of defensins and reduce pathogens' infectious power.
A team of scientists led by UC Riverside expert Richard Vetter analyzed spider bite data to conclude that the evidence for spider-vectored infections is scarce. The study found that bacterial infections are often misattributed to spider bites, and spiders should not be blamed for human skin infections.
Ben-Gurion University researchers found that alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) treatment can halt bacterial colonization and spread, preventing severe infections. The study showed treated mice combatted lethal bacteria better than untreated mice, with virtually no bacteria left to grow.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a modified version of an aminoglycoside that works effectively in mice without causing deafness or kidney damage. The new antibiotic, N1MS, was created by modifying the drug molecule to prevent it from entering the inner-ear cell's ion channels.
Duke University researchers develop software to predict genetic changes in bacteria that will allow it to evade new experimental drugs. The team successfully identified four mutations that would confer resistance, with over half of surviving colonies carrying the predicted mutation.
Researchers have identified a potential universal therapeutic target for treating multiple infections, including Ebola, by targeting the GRP78 protein. The OSU-03012 (AR-12) and FDA-approved Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors combination has shown promise in preventing viral replication, killing cancer cells, and reducing antibiotic-resist...
A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study found that high-dose IV infusions of the antibiotic vancomycin to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections can cause an increased risk for kidney damage in hospitalized children. The researchers emphasize the need for careful dosing and monitoring of kidney function in pediatric patients.
Scientists at NYU Langone Health successfully vaccinated deer against chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal brain disorder caused by prions. The vaccine holds promise against similar brain infections in humans and may prevent the spread of CWD to U.S. livestock.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital discovered that bloodstream infections caused by different types of bacteria vary based on location and healthcare spending. The study found a correlation between distance from the equator and health care spending in determining the type of bacteria causing such infections.
Researchers investigated how Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria swarm in groups containing millions of cells. They found that appendages called 'pili' link together to alter group motion and give swarming groups braking power, helping them avoid toxins.
Researchers at Tufts University found that extra vitamin E protected older mice from pneumonia by regulating their immune system and reducing inflammation. The study shows promise for future research into the effects of vitamin E on human infections.
A study published in Science highlights the importance of nutritional immunity in fighting infectious diseases. The research reveals that humans have developed a defense mechanism to starve bacteria by hiding circulating iron, but pathogens have adapted to steal this resource.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) uses Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to worsen its own infection by stealing scarce resources from other gut bacteria. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding how microbiota composition impacts infection outcomes.
Researchers have identified bacterial genes that help UTIs spread, providing a potential new target for treating UTIs. The study reveals the specific genes expressed by E. coli bacteria in human urinary tract infections, which can be attacked to promote survival of the bacteria.
A team of researchers, led by Wayne State University's Steven M. Firestine, has been awarded a $3.2 million NIH grant to assess the effectiveness of a new treatment for C. difficile infection. The study aims to prevent the spore germination of the bacterium, which is responsible for the majority of hospital-acquired cases.
A study found that testing for antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli before prostate biopsy can reduce post-biopsy infections by nearly 40%. Patients with pre-existing, drug-resistant E. coli on rectal swab cultures had lower infection rates and shorter hospitalizations.
Researchers at LA BioMed have developed a novel vaccine, NDV-3, that can protect against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections. The vaccine enhances molecular and cellular immune defenses of the skin in response to MRSA and other S. aureus bacteria.
Scientists discovered that SPLUNC1 binds to pulmonary lipids to fight lung infection, keeping airways flexible and hydrated. This finding brings the protein closer to becoming a viable therapy for asthma and COPD patients.
Researchers at Brigham Young University have identified a potentially life-saving antibiotic produced by good bacteria found in turkeys. The MP1 antibiotic has shown promise in targeting staph infections, strep throat, and severe gastrointestinal diseases.
Researchers developed LipoLLA, a therapeutic nanoparticle containing linolenic acid that effectively kills Helicobacter pylori bacteria in mice. The treatment also reduced inflammation and was non-toxic, making it a promising alternative to standard antibiotics.