Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Researchers have defined a molecular mechanism underlying impaired inflammatory responses in mice lacking Hfe. Altering iron levels may provide a new approach to controlling inflammation, as seen in studies with drugs mimicking altered iron distribution.
Infecting mosquitoes with Wolbachia parasite wMelPop reduces transmission of lymphatic filariasis by up to 85% and boosts mosquito immune system. Researchers aim to introduce this strain into other mosquito species to combat diseases such as malaria.
Researchers have discovered a group of substances that block flavodoxin, a key protein for H. pylori survival, offering promise for new specific antibiotics against the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers and other diseases worldwide.
A new ELISpot test can rapidly identify active tuberculosis in smear-negative patients, distinguishing it from latent TB infection. The test's accuracy is confirmed with a high positive rate of 91.5% in patients with active TB.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a potential vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections, which affect 53% of women and 14% of men. The vaccine targets iron receptors on bacteria that cause infection, inducing an immune response in mucosal tissue.
A new study found that bean plants' natural defenses against bacterial infections cause the bacteria to exchange DNA, potentially leading to the emergence of more pathogenic strains. This process could have significant implications for understanding the relationship between pathogens and their hosts.
A study published in The Lancet found that vaccination against bacterial infections, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b, can substantially improve survival rates in African children with sickle-cell anaemia. The researchers also found that these bacteria are the same cause of infection in both developed ...
A recent study published in The Lancet suggests that children in Africa with sickle cell anaemia are dying unnecessarily from bacterial infections. The researchers recommend vaccination programs for all children in Africa to prevent these deadly infections, which can be prevented by vaccination.
Scientists attach light-emitting genes to Listeria monocytogenes bacteria to detect their movement in real-time, revealing path of infection. The technology indicates which bacterial genes are switched on during infection and has potential for vaccine and DNA-delivery vectors.
Scientists have discovered how salmonella kills tumors by migrating into cancerous tissues and triggering a strong inflammatory response. The inflammatory response causes blood vessels in the tumor to become permeable, allowing salmonella to spread and ultimately kill the tumor.
Manuka honey kills MRSA by destroying key bacterial proteins, including FabI essential for fatty acid biosynthesis. The study suggests manuka honey could be used as a first-line treatment for resistant bacteria infections.
A study found that daily chlorhexidine bathing can dramatically reduce the risk of deadly bloodstream infections in ICU patients. Chlorhexidine glutonate is a cheap and effective antibacterial agent available for just $6 per bottle or $0.33 per packet.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has launched two new clinical trials to investigate the optimal use of antimicrobial drugs in various clinical settings. The trials aim to determine if shorter treatment durations can be effective while reducing the risk of bacterial resistance.
A comprehensive review confirms the safety and efficacy of Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) as a treatment for corneal endothelial diseases, which affect 85% of corneal transplants in the US. In contrast, a type of antibiotic fluoroquinolone has been linked to double vision in some patients.
The American Phytopathological Society announced Ewen Callaway as the 2009 APS Plant Pathology Journalism Award winner. His article, 'The Green Menace,' discussed the citrus disease huanglongbing, which has devastated the citrus industry since its arrival in US soil in 2005.
Duke researchers found that bladder cells have a mechanism to detect and expel E. coli bacteria, offering potential new treatments for antibiotic-resistant UTIs and other infections.
A team of researchers discovered that virus-infected bacteria in pea aphids can provide protection against parasitic wasps. In laboratory experiments, about 90% of aphids carrying infected bacteria survived wasp attacks, compared to nearly no survival for those without the infection.
Researchers found that commensal bacteria in the human gut activate the immune system against Toxoplasma gondii by releasing signaling molecules, inducing inflammatory responses. The study suggests looking at gut bacteria to understand susceptibility to infectious diseases and developing novel probiotic strategies.
Researchers have identified a key protein, NanA, that allows pneumococcus bacteria to penetrate the brain, leading to meningitis. Removing or modifying this protein can prevent bacterial entry, offering potential new avenues for developing more effective vaccines.
Researchers discovered higher levels of pathogens and co-infections in honeybees from collapsing colonies, but no single pathogen can be identified as the cause. The study suggests that CCD may be contagious or caused by exposure to a common risk factor impairing bee immune systems.
Researchers discovered that an atomic force microscope's behavior changes when used in water, enabling the study of biological molecules' mechanical properties. The findings reveal details about a bacterial membrane and a virus called Phi29, shedding light on their intrinsic variations in local stiffness.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health have found a link between antibodies to strep throat bacteria and the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder in mice. The study suggests that an inappropriate immune response to the bacteria may trigger psychiatric symptoms, providing new insights into identifyi...
Researchers identified a genetic variation associated with an increased susceptibility for inflammatory disease, linked to nonfunctional CARD8 gene. The study suggests that loss of function of this gene may be one way in which populations evolve a more robust host response to deal with infectious diseases.
Researchers developed a blood mRNA expression signature that accurately identified influenza infection and distinguished between viral and bacterial infections. This breakthrough may lead to the creation of a blood test for diagnosing respiratory infections and predicting treatment outcomes.
Scientists used a whole-animal infection model to screen 37,000 potential drugs on infected C. elegans worms, identifying 28 new antimicrobials with novel mechanisms of action.
Researchers at Duke University have solved the structure of Ramoplanin A2, a candidate antibiotic that can kill pathogenic bacteria by interrupting cell membrane formation. The molecule forms U-shaped structures that bind to Lipid II, preventing its participation in membrane synthesis and leading to bacterial death.
Researchers found a potent staph toxin responsible for disease severity and its connection to antibiotic resistance. The study identified the gene encoding the toxin, which is transmitted through horizontal gene transfer.
A researcher at the University of Western Ontario is investigating how bacterial superantigen toxins lead to toxic shock syndrome and other serious diseases. By understanding how these toxins work, scientists hope to develop drug inhibitors that can neutralize them.
A new study finds that administration of a novel small molecule effectively disrupts quorum sensing in bacteria, protecting animal hosts from infection. The research offers a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics and may lead to more effective treatments for bacterial infections.
Researchers discover that mitochondrial diseases increase susceptibility to bacterial infection, particularly with pneumonia-causing bacteria like Legionella. The stress-signal associated with metabolic abnormalities encourages the growth and reproduction of these bacteria.
Innovotech's bioFILM PA test helps doctors select effective antibiotic treatment for serious, chronic infections. The test has shown positive results in selecting proper antibiotic treatment for patients with Cystic Fibrosis and other chronic infections.
Scientists at the University of Bath and University of Exeter have developed a technique to study bacterial infections in real-time with living organisms. They used fruit fly embryos to track bacterial movement and interaction with the immune system.
Researchers have developed a novel silver nanoparticle skin gel that effectively kills harmful bacteria, including drug-resistant microbes, while promoting wound healing without causing harm to healthy skin. The gel contains 30 times less silver than traditional antimicrobial agents, making it a safer option for burn patients.
Researchers have found that antibiotic treatment can induce the transmission of C. difficile by creating a 'supershedder state' in mice, where they shed high levels of spores even without symptoms. This suggests widening infection control measures to include all patients receiving antibiotics could be necessary.
In a study mapping the gene profiles of children with severe Staphylococcus aureus infections, researchers found that the innate immune response is overactivated while the adaptive immune system is suppressed. This knowledge could lead to better patient outcomes and more effective therapies.
A Stanford study found that caloric restriction may not be beneficial for infected fruit flies, contradicting previous findings. The research suggests that diet-restricted animals may fare poorly when infected with certain pathogens.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a microscale tool to study biofilms' mechanical properties, which could lead to designing medical equipment that is more difficult for bacteria to adhere to. The new device measures resistance to pressure and found elasticity and strain hardening responses in bacterial colonies.
A study from the University of Gothenburg reveals Helicobacter pylori manipulates immune cells to develop a chronic infection. The bacterium also increases regulatory T cells in the stomach lining, which may lead to new treatments against peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.
Scientists have developed a nano-sized agent that kills bacteria on implanted devices by penetrating their defensive wall and eliminating the threat. The discovery holds promise for treating infected implants with no effective antidote.
Researchers at Ohio State University used mathematical modeling to determine the optimal timing of the immune response to tuberculosis, finding that introducing interferon gamma during early stages could shorten the switching time and reduce bacterial load. The study suggests a cocktail approach to new TB therapies.
Studies have documented increasing MRSA infections among dog and cat bites, with skin, soft-tissue, and surgical infections most common. Infections can spread to owners through animal saliva and skin, highlighting the need for proper treatment and precautions.
Researchers found that Money spiders infected with Rickettsia bacteria have reduced long-distance dispersal, suggesting an adaptive modification by the bacteria to promote transmission. Treating the spiders with antibiotics increased their ballooning frequency.
Researchers discovered that a small portion of an enzyme plays a key role in fighting bacterial infections in the lungs. The team found that mice without this gene were more likely to die from infection, highlighting a potential new target for antibiotics.
Researchers at the SNM's 56th Annual Meeting found that PET scans can accurately diagnose infections in prosthetic knee joints, outperforming traditional methods. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients undergoing joint replacements.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a system to target therapeutic genes to nerves in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), showing dramatic efficiency in gene delivery compared to nontargeted adenoviruses. In mice lacking the Hexb gene, administration of DRG-targeted helper-dependent adenoviruses carrying the Hexb gene ...
Researchers found that sinus infections are a primary cause of toxic shock syndrome in about one-fifth of cases in children. Children with both conditions had more severe symptoms and required intensive care, but prompt imaging studies can help diagnose the underlying infection.
Corneal transplant failures were found to be four times higher in patients with corneal edema or Fuchs' dystrophy compared to those without. Glaucoma patients who take medications alone have a 29% failure rate, highlighting the importance of adherence to treatment plans.
A study in mice reveals that type I IFNs compromise the body's ability to mount an effective immune response against bacterial infections after influenza. This finding may lead to new avenues for developing treatments to combat post-influenza bacterial pneumonia.
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which influenza virus makes individuals more susceptible to secondary bacterial pneumonia. Type I IFNs, key mediators of the antiviral immune response, impair the ability to mount an adequate immune response to subsequent pneumonia-causing bacterial infection.
A study found that pregnant women with low vitamin D levels were three times more likely to develop bacterial vaginosis than white women. Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the production and function of antimicrobial molecules, which can help prevent bacterial infections.
Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades the immune response by promoting regulatory T cells, which suppress the host response. This compartmentalization leads to chronic disease rather than complete eradication of the infection.
Pneumonia caused by community-acquired MRSA is a growing concern, with many cases occurring after influenza-like illnesses. The infection can lead to severe complications, including septic shock and high mortality rates.
An experimental vaccine delivered through the skin appears to protect against certain types of ear infections. The study, conducted by researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital, found that transcutaneous immunization effectively prevents experimental ear infections caused by NTHi bacteria.
Bacteria of the Yersinia genus possess a protein thermometer called RovA, which measures temperature and metabolic activity to control infection. RovA activates genes for the infection process in suitable environments, while adapting to life within the host.
Researchers identify glucose as the primary sugar fueling Salmonella's survival during infection. This breakthrough could lead to vaccine strains and protective immune responses against other disease-causing bacteria, including superbugs.
Delivery of antibiotics via nanoparticles has shown promise in treating pulmonary infections. Treated mice had a significant survival advantage, decreased lung bacterial burden, and spread compared to control mice. The once-daily dosing regimen increased compliance, offering a potential means to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers found that glutamine supplementation can lower inflammation in stomach tissue infected with H. pylori bacteria, a primary cause of stomach cancer. The study suggests a potential new treatment option for stomach ulcers and gastric cancers.
Veterinarians are at increased risk of zoonotic infection with various pathogens, including swine influenza and avian influenza viruses. A review of medical literature found that veterinarians often fail to use recommended personal protective equipment due to discomfort or lack of availability.
A study of 469 pregnant women found that vitamin D insufficiency was associated with an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is more common in black women due to lower vitamin D levels. The study suggests that poor vitamin D status may contribute to the racial disparity in BV prevalence.
A study published in Environmental Microbiology reveals that cigarette smoke changes the DNA and membrane proteins of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key bacterial cause of periodontitis. This adaptation affects the immune system's recognition of the pathogen, making smokers more susceptible to oral disease.