Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) can help reduce the number of infants and toddlers developing frequent ear infections. The vaccine was shown to decline frequent ear infections by 16% in Tennessee and 25% in New York.
Scientists discovered that European Beewolf females deliberately cultivate bacteria in their antennae to shield their larvae from fungal infections. The bacteria produce antibiotics, significantly enhancing the larvae's chances of survival during hibernation.
A study found that using narrow-spectrum antibiotics and providing feedback to doctors led to a significant drop in prescriptions of broad-spectrum agents and a fall in CDI rates. The research suggests that this approach could be successfully replicated in other hospitals to reverse the rapid increase in CDI.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a peptide that can fight infection by boosting the body's own immunity, reducing bacteria counts and mortality in animal models. The innate defense regulator peptide (IDR-1) may be useful as a supplement to antibiotics in combating common hospital infections.
Biologists have determined the structure of an enzyme that powers 'molecular motors' in viruses, allowing for better understanding of DNA packaging. The motor, essential for inserting DNA into viral capsids, has been likened to a house-building process.
New research from Rockefeller University and St. Jude Children’s Hospital shows that a viral protein-derived lysin can prevent middle ear infections in mice by killing the bacteria that cause them. The treatment was 100% effective against secondary infections, which contribute to much of the sickness and death rates during flu season.
A new nasal spray treatment using a virus enzyme shows promise in preventing acute otitis media and secondary pneumonia in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The treatment uses lysine to eliminate bacteria from the ear, reducing the risk of middle ear infection.
TB patients must take long-term therapy due to a correlation between bacterial burden and time to cure. Researchers suggest that non-replicating bacteria are not TB-specific and that understanding this phenomenon can lead to shorter treatment durations for recalcitrant bacterial infections.
A new study has developed an antimicrobial approach using gallium to defeat drug-resistant bacteria. The researchers interfered with a key bacterial nutrient, killing microbes in laboratory experiments and eliminating life-threatening infections in mice.
Researchers from the University of Washington developed a new antibacterial strategy using Gallium, which inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and prevents biofilm formation. Additionally, studies suggest that Nutlin-3a may reactivate the p53 pathway to treat Kaposi's sarcoma virus-induced lymphomas. Another study found that a...
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that Gallium inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and prevents biofilm formation, offering a potential therapeutic solution for cystic fibrosis patients. Inhalation of Gallium also protected mice from P. aeruginosa lung infections.
A team at the University of Cincinnati discovered a new way to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by substituting gallium for iron, preventing bacterial growth and biofilm formation. This method shows promise in treating lung infections, particularly in cystic fibrosis patients.
Researchers analyzed gene expression patterns in leukocytes from children with four common infections: flu, staph, strep, and E. coli. They identified infectious agents with high accuracy rates, distinguishing between viral and bacterial pneumonias.
Researchers create polymer-based sensor that detects bacterial contamination with fluorescent signals, reducing detection time from days to hours. The new technology has immediate applications in healthcare and battlefield conditions.
Researchers found that flies' primitive immune systems can adapt and retain memory of an earlier infection, contradicting the long-held dogma. This discovery raises possibilities for developing human vaccines, especially for people with compromised immune systems.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Pili (MTP), a virulence factor produced by tuberculosis bacteria during human infection. This finding suggests MTP could be a promising TB-vaccine candidate, addressing the need for more effective immunization strategies against this devastating disease.
A University of Missouri-Columbia researcher is assisting the US Army in fighting multi-drug resistant infections among wounded troops, often caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The study aims to identify effective antibiotics and treatment durations to reduce infection rates and amputations.
Researchers found that bacteria like E. coli swim 'to the left' due to opposing forces of flow and bacterial motion, allowing them to find crevices and swim upstream. This phenomenon may contribute to high rates of infection in catheterized patients.
A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that smoking significantly increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection. Smokers have a 73% greater chance of becoming infected than non-smokers, and if infected, are 50% more likely to develop active TB disease.
A meta-analysis of 24 studies found that smokers are 40-60% more likely to develop tuberculosis disease after infection, with a 73% increased risk of becoming infected. Smoking may also decrease immune response or damage airway cilia, increasing TB risk.
A study of 620 people with gastroenteritis found that those who developed IBS were more likely to experience high stress, anxiety, and perfectionism. Cognitive behavioural therapy may be an effective treatment for this condition, which affects up to 15% of adults in industrialised countries.
A dietary supplement called poly-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been found to protect brine shrimp from infection by antibiotic-resistant Vibrio campbellii bacteria. PHB is a naturally-occurring compound that can be produced on an industrial scale, offering a potential alternative to antibiotics in the fish farming industry.
Researchers developed a new system to monitor disease dynamics in mice infected with meningococci, offering insights into the disease's progression and potential for improved vaccines. The study found that modified bacteria lacking certain adhesins could not attach to mucous linings, providing a clearer picture of infection processes.
A study by Queen Mary College researchers found nearly 40% of doctors in one Russian city had latent TB infection, with rates higher among those working in TB clinics. The study highlights the need for regular occupational health screening to control TB spread and address drug resistance issues.
Studies by LA BioMed researchers found that close contacts of patients with CA-MRSA infection may be at higher risk of acquiring an infection. The findings suggest that CA-MRSA strains are more transmissible than traditional S. aureus strains, emphasizing the need for cautious treatment and contact isolation.
The study found that 87% of Americans heard the FDA's main message, but many were confused about details such as types of affected spinach. Most consumers stopped eating spinach due to the recall, with 44% already consuming it again within months.
A 15-year study on liver retransplantation found positive trends in indications for surgery, fewer rejections and complications, and improved intensive care management. Therapeutic measures such as immunosuppressant dosage reduction and early blood transfusions contributed to better patient survival rates.
New research identifies a particular gene influencing the severity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, which can contribute to chronic asthma. The study suggests that different treatment strategies might be needed for asthma caused by lung infections rather than allergies, as the disease may have a distinct mechanism.
Researchers found new genetic information in Salmonella serovar Typhimurium DT104 that enables its survival and infection mechanism. The extra genetic characteristics make the pathogen stronger and more infectious.
Researchers found that a key protein is crucial for pneumonic plague's development. Disabling this protein slows the deadly attack, potentially giving doctors time to administer antibiotics and save patients.
Researchers found that increased expression of HO-1 and administration of carbon monoxide protected mice from MS. In contrast, mice lacking HO-1 developed more severe disease. The study suggests modulating HO-1 expression or administering carbon monoxide may be useful therapeutic strategies for treating patients with MS.
Researchers developed a score based on protein markers to predict inflammation in amniotic fluid, associated with preterm delivery and infant sepsis. The 'Mass Restricted' (MR) score showed promise in identifying women at risk of preterm birth and babies with suspected or confirmed sepsis.
Researchers found a blood test ratio to be an effective alternative to the expensive mononucleosis spot test. The lymphocyte-white blood cell count ratio can correctly diagnose mononucleosis with high sensitivity and specificity, differentiating it from tonsillitis.
Researchers are developing novel antibacterial compounds targeting MRSA, a life-threatening drug-resistant infection. The new medicines block the ability of MRSA bacteria to divide and multiply, reducing resistance levels.
In a breakthrough study, researchers found that neutrophils in the lungs produce histamine in response to infection, contradicting the long-held assumption that mast cells are the primary source. This discovery has implications for asthma and bronchitis treatments, suggesting antihistamines may be a viable therapeutic option.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered how Campylobacter jejuni enters intestinal cells and avoids destruction. The bacteria creates its own intracellular network of vacuoles, diverting from the conventional endocytic pathway.
Researchers discovered that neutrophils can form web-like structures called NETs outside cells, composed of nucleic acid and enzymes that catch bacteria and kill them. This process is equally effective as devouring bacteria, showcasing the neutrophil's role in defense even after death.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have created genetically modified skin cells that produce higher levels of human beta defensin 4 (HBD4), which killed more bacteria than normal skin cells. These cells may help combat infections in burn patients and reduce dependence on topical antibiotics.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technique called desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) to rapidly detect and precisely identify bacteria. This method enables the analysis of living bacteria in under a minute, with high accuracy and specificity.
A systematic review found that over half of health-care workers in low- and middle-income countries have latent TB. The disease rates among HCWs were substantially higher than those in the general population. Research is needed to determine if control measures that reduced transmission in high-income countries will work elsewhere.
Researchers have developed pharmaceuticals that prevent E. coli from assembling pili, rendering it non-pathogenic and susceptible to elimination. This approach aims to slow the growth of antibiotic-resistant infections and minimize the development of resistance.
A team of University of Iowa researchers has made significant progress in understanding how the deadly Francisella tularensis bacterium evades the human immune system. The study found that the bacteria can inhibit the ability of white blood cells called neutrophils to kill it, allowing it to replicate and cause harm.
Researchers at UCSD have identified the internal compass that allows neutrophils to detect and migrate towards chemoattractants. This discovery could lead to novel anti-inflammatory drugs for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that the construction of new highways in rural Ecuador is linked to higher rates of diarrheal diseases and a breakdown of traditional social structures. The roads, which connect previously isolated villages, bring new people and bacteria, leading to increased infection rates.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that pregnant women who developed an infection of the placenta or nearby membranes have twice the risk of getting it in their second pregnancy. The study analyzed 28,410 women and found a genetic component that predisposes women to intrauterine infection.
Researchers discovered a new immune defense mechanism that produces a highly effective antibacterial compound called hypothiocyanite. However, this process is defective in airway tissue and cells containing the CF gene mutation, suggesting that thiocyanate levels may be low in CF patients.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has successfully synthesized an antibiotic called fosfomycin in a non-native host, paving the way for new treatments against bacterial infections. The development is significant as it addresses the rising threat of antibiotic resistance.
A new study led by Dr. Deborah Dean suggests that Chlamydia trachomatis is evolving rapidly through recombination, creating new strains and potentially new diseases. The bacterium's ability to customize its attack increases the risk of emerging diseases.
Scientists have discovered that the Chlamydia bacterium shares a common ancestry with plants, which could lead to the development of an effective new treatment for chlamydia. The discovery highlights similarities in genetic sequences and functions between the two organisms, providing a potential target for antibiotics.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified interleukin-23 (IL-23) as the key molecule causing destructive lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients. This discovery provides a specific target for developing new therapies to improve quality of life for these patients.
A study found that 92% of ear infection cases were caused by bacteria, while 70% were caused by viruses. Viruses can impair antibiotic efficacy, leading to partial effectiveness in treating AOM.
Researchers have exonerated Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) as the primary virulence factor for community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) disease. The study found that CA-MRSA strains are equally effective at destroying human white blood cells with or without PVL present.
Research suggests that common antacids like lansoprazole can interfere with bacteria that cause plaque buildup and gingivitis. By disabling these bacteria, the compounds may prevent inflammation and damage to gums. If confirmed in future studies, these compounds could be widely available in oral care products.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a vaccine that protects mice against multiple, drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The combined vaccine, based on four bacterial surface proteins, provided significant protection against five virulent strains and reduced bacterial load to undetectable levels.
A new Staphylococcus aureus vaccine has been developed by combining four proteins that generated the strongest immune response in mice, providing significant protection against various strains of the bacterium. The vaccine showed complete protection when tested against a human strain of S. aureus.
Researchers compared two microbial killing mechanisms: chemical toxins and viral parasites. Chemical toxins are superior for resident defense against invaders, while viral parasites facilitate faster invasion when carriers are rare.
Researchers at UTMB discovered that blocking aldose reductase can short-circuit sepsis, protecting heart function and reducing deaths. The compound is similar to an existing diabetes drug in stage three clinical trials.
A study found that patients who stayed in rooms previously occupied by MRSA carriers were more likely to acquire the bacteria, with an increased risk of 4.5% compared to 2.8%. Similarly, VRE acquisition was linked to prior occupant contamination, highlighting the importance of effective cleaning practices.
Researchers have developed a laser-based technology that can rapidly detect and identify many types of bacteria, making it three times faster and one-tenth as expensive as current methods. A second innovation uses chlorine dioxide gas to kill pathogens on produce, offering a highly effective and efficient solution.
A 4-year project called CONTENT is investigating the effects of gut infections on growth and development in young children in Latin America. The project aims to develop new diagnostic tools and prevention methods for gut infections, which cause significant deaths and health issues globally.