Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Dr. Gumbo's award aims to develop a treatment regimen based on blocking the mechanisms that tuberculosis bacteria use to avoid being killed by antibiotics, potentially reducing treatment time from months to weeks.
Research published in Gut journal reveals C difficile infection is four times more likely to be fatal for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The study found that those with both conditions had significantly worse outcomes, including longer hospital stays and increased rates of endoscopy.
Staphylococcus aureus infections rose from 250,000 in 1998 to 390,000 in 2003, resulting in significant economic burden on hospitals.
A study published in Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals melanin's role in protecting freshwater crayfish from bacterial infections. Effective melanin production is crucial for the animals' survival against Aeromonas hydrophila.
The study reveals that Clostridium difficile spores can thrive on asymptomatic patients and their surroundings, posing a significant transmission risk. This finding has dramatic implications for healthcare workers and recommends extending contact precautions to discharged patients with a previous history of CDAD.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is linked to a stomach virus, with over 80% of infected patients testing positive for enteroviral particles. Research suggests that initial infections can occur years earlier, highlighting the long-term impact of viral infections on the condition.
Research finds that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can contaminate hospital surfaces and patient hands through stool samples, increasing the risk of infections. The study also reveals a significant link between intestinal colonization and S. aureus skin presence in hospitalized patients.
Scientists at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified a plasmid-deficient strain of Chlamydia that fails to cause disease in animal models. This finding represents a major step forward in developing a vaccine against chlamydial disease, with potential to protect against damage to reproductive organs and infertility.
Researchers will develop a faster, more sensitive biosensor to detect bacterial infections in human clinical fluid samples. The goal is to enable point-of-care diagnostics and aid antibiotic treatment selection within two hours.
Temple University's Department of Emergency Medicine is participating in a nationwide study to identify the best outpatient therapy for community-acquired MRSA, a growing concern with antibiotic-resistant properties. The research aims to determine effective treatments and gain FDA approval for generic antibiotics.
Scientists recorded entire genomic expression of a host bacterium and infecting virus over eight-hour infection course. The study suggests viral infection may play role in shaping bacterial genetic repertoire, leading to evolutionarily significant exchange.
Scientists at Lund University have found a genetic basis for severe urinary tract infections, suggesting a gene that regulates the immune system may be used as a risk marker. This discovery could enable early detection of susceptible individuals, potentially reducing unnecessary examinations and treatment.
Dr. Richard Guerrant receives funding to develop a new treatment approach for C. difficile by targeting its toxins instead of the bacteria itself, aiming to prevent deadly complications and reduce antibiotic use.
Scientists discover new viruses that target specific types of bacteria, offering an alternative to conventional antibiotic therapy. The approach has potential to combat antibiotic resistance and superbug infections such as MRSA.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified new sites on bacterial protein-making machinery where antibiotics can be delivered to treat infections. The study found that targeting specific regions of the ribosome, a crucial cellular component, may provide a novel approach to developing effective antibiotics.
Researchers at the University of Virginia are developing a single test to identify more than 20 different food and waterborne pathogens, as well as a treatment that could protect against over 20 potential pathogens. The tests aim to improve public health by detecting outbreaks of E. coli and other parasites more quickly.
A study published in the journal Immunity reveals that a toxin released by bacteria causes severe bleeding in the lungs, making infections deadly. The discovery provides a better understanding of what makes major global bacterial infections deadly and may lead to new treatments.
A new study found that environmental monitoring of institutional water systems can predict the risk of hospital-acquired Legionnaires' disease. Routine testing of hospital water systems for Legionella bacteria is recommended to prevent hospital-acquired cases, which are estimated to be responsible for up to 20,000 cases a year in the US.
Researchers at Rutgers developed novel biodegradable polymers incorporating natural antimicrobial agents to prevent bacterial biofilm formation on food surfaces and packaging. This approach offers a broader spectrum of microorganisms protection and avoids increasing antibiotic resistance.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a deadly complication of severe traumatic injury, bacterial infections, and more. A recent study found that a protein called Cblb modulates the inflammatory response in ARDS, with mice lacking the gene being less likely to survive.
Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a new diagnostic test to detect infection in prosthetic joints, which samples bacteria adhering to the prosthesis surface. The new method detected more infected cases (78.5%) than conventional tests (60.8%), offering improved treatment options and patient outcomes.
A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh found that bacterial vaginosis (BV) risk escalates when even one partner is African-American, increasing preterm birth risks. BV affects up to 50% of women in some populations and can lead to herpes and other STIs.
Two new five-year contracts will study oral, off-patent antibiotics for treating skin and soft tissue CA-MRSA infections. If successful, these antibiotics could be used to delay resistance development to vancomycin.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University found that blocking receptors responding to bacterial infections can nearly halve preterm deaths in mice. A synthetic TLR4 antagonist appears safe for mice mothers and pups.
The UK government is unlikely to meet its target of reducing MRSA rates by 50% by 2008. The 'mops and matrons' approach has diverted attention from fundamental health management issues, such as inadequate hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers.
A survey of 131 medical residents found that they scored poorly in diagnosing and managing tuberculosis, with a median score of just 55 percent. Despite this, most residents understood the main facts about how the disease is transmitted, highlighting the need for improved training in outpatient settings.
The new vaccine uses a virulent M. tuberculosis strain with genes knocked out to prevent apoptosis of mammalian cells, eliciting a strong and long-lasting T-cell response. This approach demonstrates superior protection compared to the standard BCG vaccine in animal models.
A new University of Missouri-Columbia study is investigating whether family pets could be a reservoir for infections of multi-resistant bacteria in humans. Researchers are collecting samples from 750 pairs of owners and pets to track the spread of diseases such as MRSA.
The University of Florida is leading a $9 million NIH-funded research project to better understand the life-threatening Aspergillus fungus, which affects cancer patients and transplant recipients. The repository will support research on developing accurate tests for detection, with goals to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed.
Researchers found that only Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) played a significant role in the immune response to Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram-negative bacterium causing melioidosis. This discovery suggests that inhibiting TLR2 may be a potential treatment strategy for this severe infection.
Researchers have discovered that cell surface mucin 1 (Muc1) is a key component of the gut's defense against bacterial infections. Mice infected with Campylobacter jejuni were found to be more susceptible to intestinal damage without Muc1, highlighting its critical role in preventing infection spread.
The rate of C. difficile colitis cases among hospitalized patients in the US more than doubled between 1993 and 2003, with a significant increase in severe symptoms and mortality rates. Colectomy rates also increased, highlighting the growing burden of this antibiotic-resistant infection.
A viral infection in 1990 reprogrammed the genetic machinery of a strep bacteria strain, creating a deadly form of
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that daily antibiotics do not prevent future urinary tract infections and may actually increase the risk of resistant bacteria. The study analyzed data from over 74,000 children with at least two clinic visits between 2001 and 2006.
The study found that vaginal bacterial communities differ greatly among women, with at least eight distinct types, each unique to a specific racial group. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing effective treatments and preventing infections, including those caused by HIV.
Researchers have found that treating mice with tularemia-specific antibodies can protect them against the bacteria, enhancing immune responses and acting as a surrogate vaccine. This approach could be particularly useful in cases of bioterrorism, providing rapid and specific protection to individuals with weakened immune systems.
Researchers found that mice exposed to ozone before infection died more often than those breathed filtered air. Female mice were also less likely to survive pneumonia exposure compared to males, regardless of genetic variation. The study suggests considering the impact of environmental pollutants on health by gender.
A team of researchers from Oregon State University has discovered a unique genetic material acquired through evolution that allows Mycobacterium avium to infect human tissue cells. This 'island' of genetic material enables the bacterium to evade the body's immune response, compromising immunity in patients with lung infections and AIDS.
Oxygen restriction increases Listeria's infective potential by allowing it to smooth its path through the gut and liver, increasing the risk of infection.
Researchers found S. aureus bacteria can remain dormant for up to two weeks within human lung cells, evading detection and antibiotics. The bacteria's gene expression profile changes to limit cellular damage and resume metabolic functions.
Researchers found that TRAIL limits excessive immune responses in bacterial meningitis, decreasing brain cell death. The study suggests that TRAIL may be used as an anti-inflammatory agent in invasive bacterial infections.
A new mathematical model of sepsis can predict patient outcomes, including deaths, discharges, and disease progression. The model was developed using data from over 1,800 patients with pneumonia-related sepsis and showed high accuracy in predicting these outcomes.
The incidence of community-associated MRSA skin and soft tissue infections increased seven-fold between 2000 and 2005 in Chicago's Cook County Hospital system. Risk factors for CA-MRSA include incarceration, African-American race/ethnicity, and poor hygiene.
High-salt diets may increase the risk of severe gastric disease by inducing gene activity in H. pylori, making it more virulent. The study found that bacterial cells exposed to high salt concentrations exhibited morphological changes and increased transcription of virulence genes.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new high-affinity molecule called V-beta that blocks staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a major cause of toxic shock syndrome, with a rate 2000 times more effective than typical antibody treatment
A study found that soldiers in Iraq contracted multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter infections primarily from environmental contamination of field hospitals. ABC bacteria were also detected on skin samples but not soil, suggesting transmission occurred within healthcare facilities. The authors conclude maintaining infection control is es...
Researchers found no evidence of drug-resistant bacteria Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex on the skin of uninjured US soldiers in Iraq. The study suggests that nosocomial transmission is the likely cause of infections, refuting prior assumptions about the source of the outbreak.
Researchers found that mice with chronic herpes virus infections can resist certain bacterial infections, suggesting potential benefits from latent viral infections. The study suggests that human immune systems have evolved to benefit from these chronic infections, which could impact vaccine development and disease research.
A single dose of vitamin D can enhance immunity to mycobacteria, the bacteria that cause TB. The supplement is cheap and effective, with a potential impact on preventing reactivation of latent TB.
Researchers found that sick flies lose their circadian rhythm patterns when infected with bacteria, leading to shorter periods of continuous sleep. This disruption affects the immune system, making infected flies more susceptible to infection and increasing their mortality rate.
A vaccine introduced in 2000 has significantly reduced the rate of a serious bacterial illness among young children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the US. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has dropped the rate by over 90% among children under 5 years old.
The Wellcome Trust and GSK will collaborate on a new class of antibacterials to combat rising drug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, which cause pneumonia and septic shock. The partnership aims to accelerate development of compounds for treating these resistant infections.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have devised a method to tackle antibiotic resistance, identifying four promising new compounds with preliminary antibacterial activity. The compounds show promise against MRSA and other Gram-positive bacteria, but further research is needed to understand their mechanism of action.
A study found increased rates of serious pneumococcal infections among Alaska Native children who aren't protected by the current childhood vaccine. The rate increased 140% between 2004 and 2006, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance and development of extended valency vaccines.
The hospital has introduced more stringent admission screening methods for MRSA and VRE, detecting many more carriers before infection or spread. Weekly swab testing and bacterial growth cultures were effective in identifying patients with the germs, missing only 35% of those with MRSA.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that bacteria can turn genes on or off to control their infectiousness. The proteins NusG and RfaH play a crucial role in this process, with NusG regulating nearly all gene expression in bacteria and RfaH controlling specific sequences of the genome during transcription.
Researchers found cases of MRSA infectious keratitis following refractive surgery in patients with no known exposure to healthcare facilities. Colonization of MRSA is common, especially among those exposed to healthcare settings.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that forskolin flushes out hiding colonies of bacteria in the bladder, making them susceptible to antibiotic treatment. The study shows great promise for a new approach to treating recurring urinary tract infections.
Bubonic plague has a mortality rate of 50-90 ty, while pneumonic plague can be fatal in most cases. A Yersinia Pestis strain in Madagascar shows multiple antimicrobial resistance, making treatment challenging.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have decoded the genome of Streptococcus sanguinis, a bacteria normally present in healthy human mouths that can cause deadly heart infections. The findings provide unique insight into its complex life cycle, metabolism, and ability to invade host tissues.