Research on infections caused by bacteria and how to fight them. Covers antibiotic resistance, biofilms, congenital syphilis, Lyme disease, and precise treatments.
Biofilm bacteria are a common cause of persistent infections, such as ear infections and cystic fibrosis pneumonia. Recent advances in understanding biofilms may help develop new therapeutic agents to control these infections.
Researchers found a significant link between HIV infections and abnormal vaginal bacteria in pregnant women. Four times as many subjects with bacterial vaginosis were HIV-infected compared to those with a normal balance.
A team of researchers has described a case of a patient who died from a bloodstream infection caused by a multidrug-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The study found that a combination of two commonly used antibiotics, oxacillin and vancomycin, was effective in killing the resistant bacteria.
Researchers discover the structure of a key compound enabling the bacterium's deadly mechanism and create molecules that block its effects in mice. The study provides a novel way to combat Staphylococcus aureus infections without killing the bacteria, potentially addressing antibiotic resistance.
The vaccine targets Escherichia coli, the bacterium causing 85% of UTIs. Recipients develop antibodies that prevent bacteria from colonizing bladder walls. Clinical trials in women are planned for the end of this year to test the vaccine's effectiveness.
A new study suggests that crowded urban buses in Buenos Aires could be responsible for 30% of new tuberculosis cases. Researchers found that bus travel increases the risk of infection due to overcrowding and poor ventilation, posing a significant public health threat.
Researchers found that an experimental antibiotic, moxifloxacin, is effective against a range of drug-resistant bacterial strains, including those resistant to penicillin and erythromycin. The findings suggest it could be a potential treatment for serious and deadly illnesses caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.
Researchers found that when E. coli attaches to the bladder lining, it triggers a natural defense mechanism where bladder cells commit suicide and slough off, but some bacteria can avoid being removed by invading deeper tissue. This could explain why patients experience recurrent bladder infections despite antibiotic treatment.
Despite long-standing guidelines recommending antibiotic prophylaxis for dental patients with cardiac valvular problems, a new study finds no association between dental procedures and the onset of endocarditis. The researchers suggest reconsidering current policies due to low incidence and potential risks associated with antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered that certain bacteria can prevent sperm from swimming well enough to reach an egg, affecting fertility. Infertile men with asymptomatic infections may benefit from broad-spectrum antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria before attempting IVF.
A new study reveals that cattle fed grain may transmit dangerous strains of E. coli to humans, leading to food-borne illness. Feeding hay to cows for a short period before slaughter can reduce the risk of infection.
The development of a new vaccine is crucial to effectively eliminate tuberculosis (TB) as a global health problem. The ideal vaccine should prevent new infection, protect those already infected from developing active disease, and prevent reinfection in previously infected individuals.
A bacterial pesticide, Burkholderia cepacia, has raised concerns over its potential to cause deadly lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. Experts are calling for a ban on its use in pest control until it is proven safe.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and R.W. Johnson Pharmaceuticals have developed a new class of antibacterial agents that inhibit two-component signal transduction systems, a key regulatory mechanism in bacterial virulence. These inhibitors show promise as a potential tool against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
Researchers found that when H. pylori attaches to stomach cells with a specific molecule called Leb, it triggers an immune response that can lead to ulcers, inflammation, and increased risk of stomach cancer. The study provides a genetically well-defined model for studying bacterial attachment and its role in disease.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found a promising new treatment for meningococcemia, a deadly disease that affects children. The study, led by Dr. Brett Giroir, used bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) to treat severe cases of the disease and showed encouraging results.
Researchers have developed an electronic 'nose' that can detect the presence of pulmonary infection in patients with high accuracy. The device uses breath samples analyzed by multi-element odor detectors to identify unique patterns on a computer screen, distinguishing infected patients from non-infected ones.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered that E. coli can live inside immune-system cells lining the bladder wall, making it harder to treat bladder infections. The bacteria use sticky appendages to cling to these cells and evade antibiotics.
A consortium of scientists has released a new genome sequencing project for the bacterium P. aeruginosa, which causes chronic lung infections in CF patients. The project aims to increase practical knowledge about the pathogen and develop new drugs for treatment.
Researchers studied 10 patients with acute bacterial endocarditis and found that 80% continued to have microembolisms up to four weeks after treatment. Microembolisms can induce brain abscesses and lesions leading to stroke, and antibiotics alone may not be sufficient to prevent this risk.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered an enzyme in Porphyromonas gingivalis that activates blood-clotting in humans, potentially linking periodontal infections to heart disease. The study suggests a mechanism for this connection and may lead to a vaccine to neutralize the enzyme.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found a natural antimicrobial compound called hTAP that appears to be disabled in CF patients, increasing their vulnerability to lung infections. The researchers believe mass-producing similar compounds could help fight lung infections in both CF patients and the general population.
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) found in white-tailed deer and black bears, with 56% of Midwestern patients hospitalized due to severe symptoms. Early detection is crucial for treatment with a special antibiotic, which can cure the infection in 24-48 hours.
A new vaccine targeting the E. coli adhesin protein has shown promise in preventing urinary tract infections and bladder infections in mice. The vaccine works by blocking attachment of bacteria to bladder cells, preventing infection and reducing bacterial load.
Researchers developed a conjugate vaccine that stimulates strong immune responses and neutralizes bacteria, providing protection to newborns. The study found that antibodies isolated from immunized women can cross the placenta and protect infants from infection.
A recent study found that patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections acquired them in hospitals, resulting in high mortality rates and increased treatment costs. The study highlights the need for proper antibiotic utilization and collaboration among healthcare professionals to prevent antibiotic resistance.
A study demonstrates that the common cat flea is a competent vector for Bartonella henselae, the cause of cat scratch disease. Flea infestation control may reduce transmission between cats, and thus humans via scratches. Direct transmission from cat to cat cannot be demonstrated without fleas.