Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Scientists found a mutation in E. coli that allows it to spread further into the body and infect organs, causing life-threatening diseases. The discovery helps explain why certain types of E. coli become more dangerous and provides an explanation for emerging virulent bacteria.
Rumbaugh's lab aims to understand the effects of dispersing bacteria from a biofilm on their susceptibility to antibiotics and on the host. They will use enzymes as tools to break up biofilms, allowing researchers to better comprehend the relationship between bacterial dispersal and infection outcomes.
The American Gastroenterological Association recommends fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) as a safe and effective treatment for most patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. FMT offers hope to patients suffering from debilitating C. diff, enabling them to lead happy and healthy lives.
A new analysis method for detecting bacteria in blood has been confirmed to provide accurate and fast results at smaller hospitals, enabling quicker antibiotic treatment. The test revealed a significant reduction in unnecessary antibiotic use and an improved patient outcome in one out of four cases.
Researchers from Osaka University found that gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash can reduce periodontitis-related bacteria in patients with type 2 diabetes. This simple method may improve the lives of people with periodontitis-linked diseases such as diabetes, dementia, and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers use bacteriophages to target and kill drug-resistant bacteria, with a patient experiencing complete resolution of infection after combination therapy. However, immune response may lead to recurrence, highlighting need for further clinical trials.
Researchers found that an imbalance of CD4+ T cells in the lungs can exacerbate tuberculosis, leading to increased disease severity and reduced survival rates. Removing a specific receptor that recognizes extracellular ATP can improve the response of these T cells and potentially lead to new therapeutic interventions.
Scientists at UC Riverside have discovered a tiny worm species that can control crop pests in warm, humid environments. The new Steinernema adamsi nematode is nearly invisible and can kill insects with a low dose, making it a potential alternative to pesticides.
A new study suggests hydroquinine, a naturally occurring compound found in tree bark, can effectively disinfect contact lenses and combat keratitis infections. The compound killed 99.9% of bacteria at the time of disinfection, making it a potential alternative to existing disinfecting solutions.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified 137 unique T cell epitopes targeted by the immune system in patients with active TB. These findings may lead to the development of new diagnostics and therapies for the disease, which affects over 1.3 million people worldwide.
The University of Texas at Arlington is advancing its understanding of deadly disease tuberculosis (TB) with a new research project led by associate professor Kayunta Johnson-Winters. The project aims to understand why certain types of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria do not respond to treatments.
Researchers found that resistant bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli can remain in the body for up to nine years after initial infection. The study's key findings highlight the need for tailored treatment approaches to combat persistent infections.
A machine learning technique called LASSO was used to analyze blood samples from six countries, identifying seven genes that can predict the risk of developing a secondary respiratory bacterial infection. The findings aim to guide clinicians in making more informed decisions about antibiotic use.
Researchers have developed a mussel-inspired antimicrobial coating that can effectively protect healthcare fabrics from pathogens and reduce the risk of infection. The coating has been shown to exhibit high efficacy against a broad spectrum of microbial species, including multi-resistant microorganisms.
Northwestern University researchers successfully engineered a virus to destroy itself from the inside out, killing a deadly bacterium. The study represents a critical step towards creating new therapies to treat antibiotic-resistant infections.
A highly infectious and antibiotic-resistant E. coli strain, known as B5/H24RxC, has been identified in a Chinese children's hospital, leading to two outbreaks. The strain is resistant to powerful antibiotics like carbapenems, making it a significant public health concern.
A new epidemiological study reveals that bacterial meningitis can cause significant and lasting neurological disabilities in children. The infection can be cured with antibiotics, but it often leads to permanent impairment. Researchers analyzed data from over 3,500 people who contracted bacterial meningitis as children and found a high...
A team of researchers identified a CTP-dependent transcription factor controlling Shigella virulence gene expression, providing new avenues for combating this and related bacterial pathogens. The discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial pathogenesis.
Researchers have gained decisive insights into treating bloodstream infections with Staphylococcus aureus, finding that early oral antibiotic therapy is as effective and safe as intravenous standard treatment. This approach enables easier treatment and faster discharge for patients at low risk of developing infectious complications.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst and Seattle Children's Research Institute found that prior exposure to certain bacteria changes the lung's innate immune response, making it more vulnerable to tuberculosis. The study suggests that remodeling the innate immune system could be a more effective strategy in fighting TB.
The fungal pathogen Rosellinia necatrix produces antimicrobial proteins during host colonization, which helps it overcome the inhibitory effects of plant-hosted bacteria. This finding highlights the importance of antimicrobial strategies in plant-pathogen interactions.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that anti-HIV drugs can prevent liver abscess formation during Escherichia coli infections by blocking reverse transcription. This mechanism could lead to a new way of treating and preventing deleterious consequences following bloodstream infections.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that the immune system's response to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can be tricked into producing non-protective antibodies, making vaccines ineffective. The study suggests targeting subdominant antigens for future vaccine development.
A new study reveals that bacteria associated with gum disease promote COPD through the activation of γδ T cells and M2 macrophages in the immune system. Researchers found that mice infected with periodontitis and COPD had worse progression, highlighting a potential new strategy for treating COPD.
Researchers have discovered how the TamAB system helps Salmonella survive under harsh conditions inside macrophages. The study found that TamAB creates favorable conditions for the Bam complex to work, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Understanding this process could help in developing treatments for Salmonella infections.
Researchers found microbial contamination on high-touch hospital surfaces, including pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria, in a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study highlights the need for more effective disinfection protocols to reduce healthcare-associated infections.
A new research effort, led by University of Oklahoma's Zhibo Yang and San Diego State University's Laura-Isobel McCall, aims to investigate the role of bystander cells in infectious diseases. By examining metabolism changes in non-infected cells near infected cells, researchers hope to gain insights into possible disease progression.
Researchers from Binghamton University are unraveling the workings of Group B Strep (GBS) infections, which could someday lead to a vaccine. They have identified a novel protein that could serve as a vaccine candidate to fight this bacterium, impacting women's reproductive health and neonatal outcomes.
A team from the University of Basel identified 35 previously unknown bacterial pathogens and classified another 26 as difficult to identify. Many of these newly discovered species are associated with clinically relevant infections and can cause rare infections in humans.
Researchers discovered new antibiotic molecules targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, reducing its pathogenicity. These substances also enhance the activity of conventional antibiotics like ethionamide, offering a renewed treatment approach.
Researchers have discovered that bacteria use mobile components of the injectisome to search for and transport specific proteins to be injected into host cells. This mechanism allows for efficient and specific protein delivery, enabling potential applications in medicine and biotechnology.
A new synthetic antibiotic teixobactin has been shown to be highly effective against 'superbugs' such as MRSA and bacterial biofilms, which are associated with serious chronic infections. The study's findings provide promising hope for the development of new treatments against multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilm-related infections.
Researchers found a single gene involved in iron-sulphur clusters crucial for TB bacterium's persistence. The IscS gene helps regulate the SUF operon, preventing hypervirulence and allowing the bacteria to survive harsh lung conditions.
Nanoparticles loaded with antibiotics and antimicrobial compounds inhibit TB progression and overcome resistance without cell damage. The technology shows promise for a shorter treatment strategy against multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
A phase-one human clinical trial shows that Omadacycline causes a distinctly different effect on the gut microbiome than Vancomycin, making it a safe drug option for patients at high risk for C diff infection. The antibiotic achieves high concentrations in the gut quickly, reducing the risk of long-term colonization.
Photodynamic action weakens resistance to antibiotics in bacteria that attack airways, reducing the persistence of both standard and clinical strains. The study found that five cycles of PDI were sufficient to break the resistance of resistant bacteria.
Researchers have solved the molecular structure of a complete tailed virus with a flexible tail at unprecedented detail. This discovery has significant implications for phage therapies and the development of alternative treatments to antibiotics.
Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have mapped the high-resolution structure of a little-known cyanophage virus, shedding light on its role in controlling marine biogeochemical cycles. The study provides new insights into how viral proteins interact to make the virus stable and infect cells.
Researchers found that aging urinary tracts experience cellular level changes favoring UTI establishment and recurrence. D-mannose supplementation restores autophagy and mitigates ROS, suggesting a potential treatment for age-related UTI dysfunction.
A new study found that deaths from infective endocarditis decreased overall in the US, but rose sharply among people ages 25-44, likely linked to the opioid crisis. Researchers call for more investigation into the trends and recommend comprehensive care plans including substance use disorder screening and treatment.
A six-month multidrug regimen is being evaluated against the standard nine-month treatment for adults and adolescents with tuberculous meningitis. The trial aims to generate evidence that could lead to improved treatment options and reduced mortality rates, particularly for high-risk groups such as pregnant women and adolescent children.
Researchers have developed a photoswitchable bactericide that can target either Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria using a light-driven 'switch'. The nanomaterial was shown to be effective in healing MRSA-infected wounds in mice models, offering a potential new solution to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
A study of 50 children infected with Listeria monocytogenes at birth found that two-thirds had sequelae, mainly due to prematurity. Long-term screening and tailored support can be offered to inform science-based guidance for parents.
Researchers have found that Vibrio bacteria play a role in outbreaks of mortality among dark stinging sponges weakened by warming Mediterranean. The study suggests climate change may be impacting disease dynamics in sponges and their pathogens.
Researchers have developed a new mixture, organ agar, that enables them to screen bacteria more efficiently than traditional methods. This innovation allows for the testing of over 1,700 mutants of the UTI-causing bacteria Proteus mirabilis using only a quarter of the mice typically required.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that certain bacterial species dismantle protective molecules on vaginal cells, dysregulating cell turnover and response to surrounding bacteria. This study may help explain the association between bacterial vaginosis and adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen discovered that phages use small RNAs to disarm bacterial CRISPR-Cas immune systems, making them vulnerable to infection. This finding has significant implications for phage therapy and could lead to more specific and controlled CRISPR-Cas treatments.
The study analyzed 170 known bacterial languages, grouping them into clusters based on molecular structure. Bacteria can understand related languages, but not those with vastly different languages. This understanding will aid in refining treatment approaches and developing biotechnology applications.
Researchers found that E. coli bacteria use iron levels to store information about behaviors like swarming and forming biofilms. These iron-based memories persist for at least four generations before disappearing, helping bacteria make informed decisions about their environment.
A new study by the University of Plymouth reveals that chlorine disinfectants used in hospitals are no more effective at killing off hospital superbugs than water. The research highlights the need for alternative strategies to tackle Clostridioides difficile, which causes diarrhoea, colitis and other bowel complications globally.
A recent study published in One Health found that feeding dogs raw meat significantly increases the risk of excreting antibiotic-resistant E. coli, a bacteria that can cause life-threatening infections. The researchers emphasized the importance of proper hygiene and sourcing high-quality meat to reduce this risk.
Researchers at Washington State University have created implantable metals that can kill 87% of bacteria causing staph infections in lab tests. The 3D-printed materials combine titanium with copper and tantalum, offering inherent antibacterial response and improved bone tissue integration.
A significant post-COVID resurgence in invasive meningococcal disease has been observed in France, with a notable increase in cases among young people aged 16-24. The study reveals that the disease has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with some serogroups targeting different age groups.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered iron storage 'spheres' inside C. diff bacteria, which are crucial for infection and offer new targets for antibacterial drugs. The study, published in Nature, also reveals that bacteria may compartmentalize biochemical processes in a way similar to eukaryotic cells.
A U-M study links increased physical independence, gut microbiome disrupting antibiotics, and hand contamination to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) environmental contamination in nursing homes. The study suggests that reducing antibiotic use and improving hand hygiene could control VRE spread.
A systematic review published in the journal Virulence reveals that introducing more diverse gut bacteria can improve outcomes for people and animals infected with cryptosporidium. This may be achieved through diet, probiotics, or faecal transplant therapy.
Researchers identified a novel bacterial protein, MceF, that can prolong cell longevity by acting directly on mitochondria. The discovery could lead to new treatments for diseases relating to mitochondrial dysfunction, such as cancer and auto-immune disorders.
Researchers created mini bladders to study bacterial interactions with human bladder tissue, finding that some bacteria form 'pods' to survive treatment. The study suggests a new approach for diagnosing and treating UTIs by identifying how the body responds to different bacteria.
Researchers at UTSA have discovered a novel strategy to inhibit the spread and infection of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. They identified a peptide-binding domain that can disrupt the virulence of V. cholerae, preventing intestinal colonization and biofilm formation.
Researchers at the German Center for Infection Research have developed effective antibodies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major challenge in healthcare systems worldwide. These monoclonal antibodies target the pathogen's type III secretion system and show promise as a highly potent treatment option for acute and chronic infections.