Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
A proof-of-concept study introduces a medical device that measures protease activity in human breath to diagnose lower respiratory tract infections. The system showed elevated levels of human neutrophil elastase in patients with confirmed lower respiratory tract infections, suggesting its potential for rapid and non-invasive diagnosis.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a graphene-based, ultra-thin antibacterial material that can kill 99.9% of bacteria on surfaces, including medical devices and implants. The new technology uses fridge magnet technology to control the orientation of graphene flakes, making it possible for practical applica...
A Virginia Tech research team has identified a molecular mechanism by which Shigella flexneri bacteria manipulate host molecules to ensure their survival. The study provides a new understanding of the infection pathway and its potential implications for preventing similar infections in other bacteria.
Researchers have conducted the largest genomic survey of the syphilis bacterium to date, correlating genetic data with clinical information to identify potential targets for a vaccine. The study found differences in bacterial strains between continents, but also similarities that suggest a global vaccine could be effective.
A recent study published in Cell Reports Medicine has discovered an important immune component that offers protection against MRSA infection. The researchers found that IgM antibodies are required for clearance of S. aureus during an infection, suggesting a new direction for future vaccine strategies and therapies.
A new monoclonal antibody drug has been developed to prevent infection with A. baumannii, a common cause of hospital-acquired infections. The treatment was shown to be effective in reducing bacterial load in mice, and could potentially become a powerful new weapon against antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers will conduct laboratory and field work at UC Medical Center to detect airborne transmission of MRSA. The study aims to better understand the significance of airborne transmission of MRSA and inform enhanced workplace safety measures.
Repeated antibiotic use can cause defects in the gut's protective mucus barrier, even months after treatment. This is due to changes in the microbiota or direct effects of antibiotics on the mucus layer. The findings suggest that antibiotics should be used responsibly to prevent long-lasting damage.
Acinetobacter baumannii is a highly resistant bacterial species causing serious infections. Researchers have engineered mutant strains to study anti-Acinetobacter compounds and address AMR preparedness.
A study by Virginia Tech undergraduate Megan O'Hara found that surface properties significantly influence bacterial twitching motility, allowing for rapid colonization and infection. By manipulating surface properties with detergents like bile salts, researchers can alter the functionality of type IV pili, a critical virulence factor.
A new study found that higher BMI is associated with hospitalization for severe bacterial and viral infections. Conversely, mild hyperglycemia was not linked to increased risk of severe infections.
A study of 500,000 UK participants found insulin resistance associated with higher risk of 26 conditions, such as sleep disorders and pancreatitis, and lower risk of five diseases, including anaemia and Parkinson's disease. Insulin resistance also linked to increased mortality risk in women.
A study on the UK E. coli outbreak identified contaminated lettuce as the primary source of infection, with heavy rainfall carrying STEC from animal feces to the crops. The investigation demonstrated the value of a One Health approach in predicting and preventing future outbreaks.
Researchers developed an algorithm to analyze peptides in infected wounds, revealing unique biomarkers that enable earlier and more accurate diagnoses. This breakthrough method uses mass spectrometry and machine learning to diagnose infections in just a few minutes.
A recent study has revealed that oral bacteria, specifically Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, can exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that the infection led to increased inflammation and joint damage in animal models.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have developed a streamlined way to engineer bacteriophages, viruses that naturally kill bacteria. The new technique uses retrons to edit phage genomes, allowing for the creation of numerous variants and paving the way for alternative treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.
The new guideline updates treatment recommendations for Helicobacter pylori infection, shifting away from proton pump inhibitor-clarithromycin triple therapy. Bismuth quadruple therapy and other alternatives are now recommended for treatment-naïve patients.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield discovered a new sensory capability in bacteria that enables them to directly sense their chemical environment. This breakthrough could lead to innovative treatments that manipulate bacterial motility to enhance antibiotic efficacy.
A subset of CD4 T cells create an anti-inflammatory environment within the lung tissue, protecting against TB reinfection by limiting bacterial growth and disease severity. The discovery complements previous research on protective immune T cells in controlling TB infection, suggesting a potential key to improving existing vaccines.
Scientists have created a new chemical probe to visualize the distribution of sphingomyelin and its degradation by sphingomyelinase during infections. The researchers observed increased metabolization of sphingomyelin molecules during Chlamydia infection, paving the way for targeted strategies against infectious diseases.
Researchers have successfully infected gastrointestinal epithelial cells with Chlamydia trachomatis using lab-grown human organoids. This finding supports the theory that Chlamydia can form a reservoir in the human gut, highlighting the importance of further investigation into this potential reservoir.
Researchers developed a new 'pan-pathogen' deep sequencing approach to capture multiple bacterial strains simultaneously. This method enables faster and more comprehensive tracking of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially preventing and managing common hospital infections quicker.
A team of researchers at UC Davis Health discovered a novel bioelectrical mechanism that allows Salmonella bacteria to navigate the gut lining and find vulnerable entry points. The study found that Salmonella bacteria detect electric signals in FAE, which helps them move towards openings in the gut where they can enter.
Researchers have discovered that oleic acid, a naturally occurring oil in the body, restores a healthy balance of vaginal microbes in a laboratory model of BV. Oleic acid inhibits growth of detrimental bacteria and promotes healthier species associated with a stable microbiome.
Researchers at The University of Warwick created a realistic model of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) to better understand the infection. The study found that combining antibiotics with enzymes that break down biofilm slime layers could successfully eradicate the bacteria, offering new hope for treatments.
A genetic analysis of Lyme disease bacteria has created a powerful resource for identifying specific bacterial strains, enabling more accurate diagnostic tests and treatments. The study reveals how these bacteria evolve and exchange genetic material, providing insights for predicting and responding to changes in their behavior.
A study analyzing 5.5 million EU/EEA infectious disease cases over 10 years found significant sex differences in notified male versus female cases for several diseases. The proportion of males ranged from 40-45% for pertussis and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections to 75-80% for HIV/AIDS.
A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.
A study found that hospitalization of a relative increases the risk of MRSA infection in household members. The longer the relative's hospital stay, the higher the risk. Researchers recommend enhanced infection control practices to track and mitigate transmission.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a novel compound that effectively clears bacterial infections in mice, including those causing rare and potentially fatal 'flesh-eating' illnesses. The compound targets gram-positive bacteria, reducing virulence and speeding up post-infection healing.
A new study found that heteroresistance, a phenomenon where a tiny fraction of bacteria remain resistant to antibiotics, is also present in fungal bloodstream infections in bone marrow transplant patients. The research identified the specific species of fungi responsible and developed a machine learning model to detect this type of inf...
A study identified a protein called IL-22BP that affects the composition of gut microbiota and the body's response to bacterial infection. The absence of this protein results in stronger defenses against intestinal infections, including increased production of short-chain fatty acids that promote an anti-inflammatory environment.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from an 8,000-year-old sheep bone and found evidence of Brucella melitensis, a pathogen causing significant harm to livestock. The study suggests that brucellosis evolved around the same time as farming development, with early farmers creating conditions for pathogen host-jumping.
Human lung organoids can form lifelike models for tuberculosis infection, enabling the testing of anti-tuberculosis drugs. These models may also facilitate the development of host-directed therapies.
A new study reveals that Cutibacterium acnes can persist in biofilms on implants for weeks, invading deep bone networks and causing chronic infections. The bacteria's ability to invade osteocyte lacuno-canalicular networks provides a novel mechanism for treating difficult-to-treat bone infections.
A study by Michigan State University reveals that certain proteins and peptides in the nasal and oral environments create lubricants for bacterial colonies to move towards vulnerable sites. The discovery provides new insights into how staphylococcus bacteria spread, shedding light on conditions that accelerate their movement.
A study by Dr. Takanori Sekito and colleagues reveals a strong association between vaginal pathogenic Escherichia coli and recurrent cystitis in postmenopausal women, suggesting that targeting both the urinary bladder and vagina is crucial for effective treatment.
Emerging antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolates found in retail chicken meat poses a significant threat to public health. The study found a dramatic increase in multidrug-resistant S. Infantis, which has been linked to high levels of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes.
Researchers from Rice University discovered that viruses achieve precise timing in cell lysis by balancing the buildup and breakdown of holin proteins. This balance ensures optimal cell bursting, essential for viral replication, despite underlying randomness in biological processes.
Scientists from Hackensack Meridian Health have identified a new potential pathway for developing vaccines against tuberculosis by targeting marginal zone B (MZB) cells, a natural response to TB infection. The discovery suggests that boosting MZB cell activity could provide reliable and durable protection against the disease.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a comprehensive derivative synthesis method to find new antimicrobial drugs. They identified eight analogs possessing strong MraY inhibitory and antibacterial activity, with one showing promising effectiveness in mouse infection models.
Researchers have discovered how Haemophilus influenzae turns off the body's immune responses to persist in respiratory tissues. The bacterium convinces the immune system there is no threat, inducing a state of tolerance, and can worsen symptoms in vulnerable groups like cystic fibrosis patients and asthma sufferers.
Research reveals native plants and non-native crops attract pests that spread diseases, causing harm to both plant populations. The studies also found viruses transmitted from crops to wild plants, which can have devastating effects on native ecosystems.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have made a breakthrough in understanding how to improve vaccine responses against the potentially deadly MRSA bacterium. By targeting the immune-suppressive molecule IL-10, they improved the ability of vaccines to protect against infection and reduce bacterial clearance.
Researchers at University of Cambridge developed machine-learning tool to identify drug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria from microscopy images. The algorithm correctly predicted resistance or susceptibility without culturing the bacteria, reducing diagnosis time from days to hours.
A recent study mapped the evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a deadly bacterium that causes devastating infections in people with underlying lung conditions. The researchers found that almost seven in ten infections are caused by just 21 genetic clones, which have rapidly evolved and spread globally over the last 200 years.
A new study finds that antimicrobial peptide mixtures can delay the evolution of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The mixtures, which are synthesized in a lab, were found to prevent cross-resistance and maintain drug sensitivity.
Researchers have detected anaerobic and aerobic bacteria in commercial tattoo and permanent makeup inks, indicating a potential source of human infections. The study found that around 35% of tattoo or permanent makeup inks sold in the US were contaminated with bacteria, highlighting the importance of monitoring these products.
A new study suggests taxing certain antibiotics could help manage the threat of antibiotic resistance in humans. By making narrow-spectrum drugs cheaper and broad-spectrum ones more expensive, GPs may be incentivized to prescribe narrower options.
Dr. Harish Manyam has developed a groundbreaking system that addresses potentially dangerous problems associated with traditional pacemakers and defibrillators. The leadless pacemaker, in combination with a novel subcutaneous defibrillator, eliminates the need for lead extraction procedures.
A study at Umeã University reveals that an enzyme breaks down the bacteria's protective outer layer, facilitating the transfer of genes for resistance to antibiotics. The researchers identified that only the SLT domain was active in PrgK, but it has an important role in regulation.
Research by a University of Virginia undergraduate may help explain recurrent Crohn’s disease in children and open the door to new ways to treat or even cure the devastating condition. Children with relapsing Crohn’s had persistent disruptions of their microbiomes even after inflammation was successfully controlled.
Researchers have designed a novel 3D hydrogel culture system that accurately mimics the mammalian lung environment, allowing for the study of tuberculosis bacteria infection and therapeutics. The system successfully tracks infection progression and demonstrates the efficacy of pyrazinamide in clearing out TB bacteria.
A study of over 10,000 people found that those with fewer butyrate-producing bacteria in their gut were more likely to develop serious infections. The research suggests a strong link between the microbiome and the immune system, opening up new possibilities for preventing serious infections.
A recent study found that antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria endemic to the UK and Norway are not prevalent in Pakistan despite widespread use of antibiotics. The study used genomic surveillance to map different strains of Escherichia coli, highlighting the importance of understanding bacterial threats in specific regions.
Researchers have gained insight into how a deadly strain of salmonella adapts to invasion, flourishing in hostile environments and evading immune defenses. The study sheds light on the role of fluid shear forces in bacterial behavior, which may accelerate the design of new therapies for life-threatening infections.
Researchers have identified two distinct types of dysbioses in cystic fibrosis, which differ in their ecological organization and response to treatment. These findings suggest that antimicrobial drugs may be more effective in hierarchically organized microbiota, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes for patients.
A new study has found that patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder are three times more likely to have Bartonella DNA in their blood than adults without these disorders. The study suggests a potential role for vector-borne pathogens, such as fleas and ticks, in mental illness.
Researchers used human lung microtissues to uncover the strategy used by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to invade lungs. The pathogen targets goblet cells, which it uses as Trojan horses to breach the defense line. Lung organoids also enabled the development of a sensor to monitor bacteria and track their behavior during infection.
A novel antibacterial lipopeptide produced by Serratia marcescens has been shown to be highly effective in killing Staphylococcus aureus. The lipopeptide targets the cell membrane, causing lesions and cell death.