Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Researchers find trimethoprim to be an effective antibiotic against streptococcal infections in some regions, with a lower frequency of resistance than previously believed. The study also identifies three causes for rapid spread of resistance, highlighting the need for responsible antibiotic use.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found three types of potentially harmful gut microbes in preterm babies who developed late-onset sepsis: E. coli, group B strep, and S. marcescens. These findings suggest new strategies to detect and prevent severe bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
A surveillance study found that pregnancy is associated with a greater risk of Haemophilus influenzae infection, which can cause serious complications such as premature birth, stillbirth, and fetal loss. The study also suggests that pregnant women are at higher risk of developing unencapsulated H influenzae disease.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 56% of bloodstream infections were healthcare-associated, but symptoms began prior to hospital admission. The most common pathogens were S. aureus and E. coli, with multidrug-resistant pathogens occurring in 23% of patients.
Researchers used genome sequencing to reveal genetic diversity in hospital-acquired bacterium ST258, which causes carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections. The study found two distinct groups with different evolutionary histories and unique outer coat genes.
Caucasians 55+ are at greatest risk of a deadly lung infection caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), which affects over 2,990 people in the US each year. The infection is treatable but expensive antibiotic therapy can take up to two years.
Gut bacteria help develop immune cells that can fight infections, study finds. The beneficial bugs also increase immune cell populations and enhance survival rates when mice are infected with harmful bacteria.
A recent study reveals that early childhood caries are caused by the partnership of Streptococcus mutans bacteria and Candida albicans fungus, leading to increased cavities and severe tooth decay. The fungus was previously thought to be harmless but now appears to play a crucial role in the development of this painful condition.
Research at the University of Copenhagen reveals that cosmetic fillers can act as incubators for bacterial infection, causing lesions and tough film-like material resistant to antibiotics. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment during procedures can prevent these complications.
The gut microbiota's complex relationships with different microorganisms contribute to both health and disease, according to recent advances in DNA sequencing technology. Non-bacterial microbes like viruses and meiofauna also play a crucial role in shaping the gut ecosystem.
A four-year study in Ireland found that five percent of badgers traveled over 7.5km from their setts, with the longest recorded distance being 22.1km. This information is crucial for designing policies to tackle tuberculosis within cattle populations and understanding how infection is maintained and spread within badger populations.
Researchers found significant variations in definitions and isolation procedures for multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria across hospitals. The inconsistent detection and treatment practices may hinder communication between healthcare centers, contributing to the spread of these deadly pathogens.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have used 3D scans to map the widespread fish disease enteric redmouth disease. The study reveals that the bacteria infects fish through their ultra-thin gills, providing a new understanding of the infection pathway and potential solutions.
Scientists explored how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures and found that surface features can inhibit bacterial adhesion. The researchers developed nickel nanostructures with various shapes, including tubular-shaped pillars, which showed higher bacteria survival rates.
Research reveals that seminal plasma enhances bacterial movement, promoting infection; increased bacterial density on human epithelial cells also facilitate infection. More than 100 million new gonorrhea cases annually worldwide.
A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that physicians' stethoscopes are more contaminated than the palms of their hands with bacteria such as MRSA. The researchers discovered that the stethoscope's diaphragm and tube were heavily contaminated, emphasizing the need for frequent disinfection after each use.
A team of French investigators discovered viruses containing antibiotic resistance genes in a fossilized fecal sample from 14th century Belgium. The findings suggest that the viral community plays a fundamental role in maintaining human health, unchanged over centuries.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that vitamin A and a specific gene assist the immune system by reducing cholesterol levels in TB-infected cells, allowing lysosomes to kill bacteria effectively. This finding may lead to new treatment approaches for tuberculosis.
A new study aims to identify the causes of oral health problems in HIV-positive patients, including tooth decay, gum disease, and yeast infections. The researchers are analyzing samples from 440 patients to compare their microbiota with uninfected individuals.
A Kansas State University epidemiologist has found that climate, physical environment, and socio-ecologic conditions contribute to tularemia infections among domestic cats. The study identified newly urbanized areas, residential locations surrounded by grassland, and high-humidity environments as key factors in the disease's prevalence.
Loyola researchers have identified a marker to predict necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition affecting up to 10% of extremely low birth weight infants. Simple changes to blood transfusion practices and feeding patterns may significantly reduce NEC incidence.
The Vanderbilt team has deciphered the 3-D structure of a key MRSA protein, FosB, which inactivates an antibiotic called fosfomycin. This discovery may enable the design of inhibitors that can improve the effectiveness of fosfomycin and combat MRSA infections.
Researchers discovered that bacterial LPS components directly activate pain sensors, triggering immediate pain and inflammatory responses. This finding reveals a new target for drugs designed to treat bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and meningitis.
A new study reveals a previously undefined immune pathway in humans that provides vital information for designing vaccines and medicines to combat bacterial infections. The research found that T-cells can respond defensively to bacterial attacks without specific antigens, leading to a maximal response and improved survival.
A new study examines Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and finds that bacterial fibers, such as common pilus, play a crucial role in its ability to cause infection and form biofilms. The research also highlights the importance of understanding the virulence traits shared between APEC and human ExPEC strains.
The University of Liverpool has launched an Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces to design and develop new anti-infective materials. The hub aims to combat the spread of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections in various sectors, including healthcare and food processing.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have decoded a new immunoregulatory mechanism controlling defense in urinary tract infections. The mechanism involves two types of macrophages regulating neutrophils, with sentinel macrophages triggering an alarm and helper macrophages providing a safety mechanism to prevent collateral damage.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a non-invasive chemical probe that can detect Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the body, potentially leading to quicker and more accurate diagnoses. The probe uses the bacteria's propensity to cleave DNA, allowing doctors to pinpoint its location and detect infections sooner.
Researchers identified components of the C. difficile bacteria that can be used to develop a rapid diagnostic test, potentially leading to more timely initiation of antibiotics and improved outcomes for patients. The study's technology can also help quickly detect and identify hypervirulent strains of the bacterium.
Researchers at VIB have identified a chemical substance that can disarm pathogenic bacteria, allowing them to treat urinary tract infections without destroying beneficial bacteria. This approach could provide a lower risk of resistance development and spread.
Scientists are conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of EDP-788, an oral antibiotic targeting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The trial will evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of the drug in healthy participants.
Researchers at SISSA investigated the structural elements of prion proteins, finding that misfolding originates in the N-terminal region. This knowledge is crucial for developing drugs and therapeutic strategies against diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
A study published in Infection and Immunity reveals that Salmonella infection can reduce asthma inflammation by regulating immune cells. Researchers hope to develop treatments based on probiotics or therapeutic applications of myeloid cells.
Researchers found that females who mated with preferred males produced more offspring and were better able to cope with infection from Salmonella compared to offspring sired by non-preferred males. The fitness benefits were due to tolerance to infection rather than immune resistance.
Scientists will analyze 510 archived isolates of Campylobacter from human faeces to better understand its sources and transmission routes. The study aims to prevent Campylobacter-related illnesses, which cause over 21,000 hospital admissions and 100 deaths in the UK each year.
Research found significantly higher levels of infectious pathogens in water from faucet taps with aerators compared to deeper in the plumbing system. Contaminated water threatens immunocompromised patients with increased infection risk.
Researchers discovered how Group A streptococcus turns deadly and found a potential new treatment using asparaginase, a protein that digests asparagine. This study opens the way to possible new treatments for bacterial infections.
Two small RNAs (sRNAs) GlmY and GlmZ orchestrate bacterial attack on epithelial cells by cleaving transcripts and destabilizing LEE gene expression. This coordination enables efficient mammalian-cell invasion and optimal pedestal formation.
A new study found that the human body louse can transmit bacterial infections to humans, while the human head louse does not. The researchers discovered that several immune genes were regulated differently in head and body lice after infection with the bacteria, and the infection progressed further in body lice over time.
A new study found that acute otitis media, or ear infection, is associated with significant increases in direct costs incurred by consumers and the health care system. The research showed that pediatric AOM accounts for approximately $2.88 billion in added health care expenses annually.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified marine bacteria that can effectively inhibit the ability of staphylococci to form toxins and camouflage proteins. These compounds, known as antivirulence therapy, may offer a new solution for treating resistant bacterial infections.
A special focus issue on sepsis investigates the complex interplay between pathogens and host defense mechanisms that contribute to septic shock. Key findings highlight the importance of early recognition and improved therapies for managing multi-organ dysfunction.
A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found a significant decrease in MRSA infections in Veterans Affairs long-term care facilities over a 42-month period. The MRSA Prevention Initiative, which included screening, hand hygiene, and institutional culture change, led to a 36% overall decline in MRSA infections.
A study published in Infection and Immunity found that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria persist on surfaces for far longer than previously thought, posing a risk of infection to individuals in settings like schools and healthcare facilities.
The agriculture and aquaculture industries' overuse of antibiotics is creating a global health crisis by promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A new proposal suggests implementing user fees to reduce non-human use of antibiotics, encouraging more efficient farming practices.
A new study found that nearly one in four healthcare workers' hands were contaminated with C. difficile spores after routine care of patients infected with the bacteria. Effective hand hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of this highly contagious bacteria.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that hospital-diagnosed maternal bacterial infections during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in children. The study included 407 children with autism and 2,075 matched children who did not have autism.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a new vaccine that targets staph toxins, providing almost complete protection against staph infections. The vaccine was tested in an animal model and found to be effective even against high doses of bacteria.
TB-causing bacteria mask their molecular patterns using cell surface lipids, evading immune detection. The presence of lipid molecule PGL promotes the recruitment of permissive macrophages that allow TB to establish an infection in deeper lung tissue.
Campylobacter infection affects millions more than Salmonella, with antibiotic resistance a growing concern. Researchers seek to understand biofilm formation and regulate CsrA's role in making the sugar coating that enables bacterial survival.
Researchers developed a coating that reduces stress and bacterial adhesion, minimizing the risk of infection. The new coating combines hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate, improving cell proliferation and implant integration.
A single strain of Escherichia coli, known as H30-Rx, has become the main cause of bacterial infections worldwide, spreading from urinary tract to blood and causing lethal sepsis. The study's findings suggest that this superbug may be responsible for 1.5 million UTIs and tens of thousands of deaths annually in the US.
The MRSA USA300 strain acquired genes from skin bacteria, allowing it to thrive on human skin where other strains cannot. This adaptation enabled the strain to dominate and spread rapidly across the US, becoming the leading cause of community-acquired MRSA infections.
Researchers have identified diverse strains of Wolbachia bacteria that offer strong antiviral protection against diseases like dengue, but may come with a cost to the host's lifespan. The study found that certain strains replicate more quickly and reach higher concentrations in flies, potentially reducing their lifespan.
Researchers discovered a temporary tube-shaped structure in the phiX174 virus to deliver its DNA during infection. The tube attaches to host cell membranes and contains amino acids ideal for DNA transfer. This finding may be crucial for efficient genome translocation.
A new animal study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that TB lung lesions are surprisingly variable and independent of each other, regardless of whether the patient has clinically active or latent disease. The findings could point the way to new vaccines to prevent the hard-to-treat infection.
Researchers at UTMB have discovered a way to block disease pathways that could defeat devastating human infections. A new candidate drug inhibiting Epac has been shown to protect normal mice from fatal rickettsial infection and may also be effective against some viral infections.
Researchers at Kansas State University are exploring how E. coli proteins block the host's innate immune system, which is critical for infection prevention. Understanding this mechanism may lead to new therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Researchers have identified phosphatases in human cells that are involved in bacterial survival and found small molecules that can stop them from working. This approach jams the host cell machinery rather than directly attacking the bacteria, potentially reducing the risk of resistance development.
Scientists have resolved the 'chlamydial anomaly' by detecting peptidoglycan in Chlamydia trachomatis. The novel method used reveals regions where the molecule is produced, confirming its presence.