Articles tagged with Microbial Infections
Scientists have identified a compound that prevents C. difficile infection caused by multiple strains of the bacterium, including those causing serious illness. Researchers are now developing new drug candidates to prevent serious C. diff infections in people. The research also explores how diet and sex affect C. diff infection severity.
A recent study found that certain microbial metabolites are associated with liver fat content in individuals with fatty liver disease. The researchers identified degradation products of amino acids and differences in testosterone levels as potential biomarkers.
Researchers found that xanthine, a purine metabolite found in caffeinated foods, drives Th17 cell differentiation through endoplasmic reticulum stress in intestinal epithelial cells. This discovery may help understand how diseases like IBD develop and potentially lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at Garvan Institute of Medical Research found that introducing bacteria to a tumor's microenvironment triggers an immune response, activating neutrophils to destroy tumors in animal models. This breakthrough therapy targets neutrophils to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers found a connection between arthritis flare-ups and periodontitis, suggesting that regular dental check-ups could help prevent rheumatoid arthritis. The study also identified potential therapeutic targets for cancer, including the use of mouthwash to prevent flares.
A European-wide recall of Kinder Chocolate products, including eggs, prevented thousands of extra cases of Salmonella Typhimurium. The recall, triggered by intensive collaboration between public health experts, food safety agencies, and regular surveillance, saved lives and reduced the risk of devastating global outbreak.
Researchers at University of Galway have created a digital microbe database, AGORA2, which enables computer simulations of how drug treatments work and how patients respond. The resource offers personalized predictions of differences in metabolism between individuals for diseases such as Parkinson’s and colorectal cancer.
A study found that Tibetan Buddhist monks with long-term deep meditation practice had distinct gut microbiome profiles, associated with lower risks of anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Their gut microbiota was enriched with beneficial bacteria that may influence mental health.
Research exploring cannabis and its impact on the oral microbiome found a link between frequent cannabis use and increased levels of bacteria Actinomyces meyeri in the mouth. The study suggests that this bacterial imbalance may contribute to neurological disease, such as Alzheimer's disease, and memory loss.
A new Legionella species, Legionella bononiensis, has been identified in a hotel facility in northern Italy. The discovery was made by researchers from the University of Bologna using genetic sequencing and mass spectroscopy techniques.
Research suggests that frequent antibiotic use may heighten the risk of inflammatory bowel disease among older adults. The study found a cumulative risk, with the highest risk observed 1-2 years after antibiotic exposure, particularly for those targeting gut infections.
Researchers found that people with higher levels of Coprococcus tended to have higher insulin sensitivity, while those with Flavonifractor had lower insulin sensitivity. The study aimed to understand the relationship between microbiome composition and diabetes development.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic found that elevated levels of phenylacetylglutamine, a byproduct of gut microbiome breakdown, increase heart failure risk and severity. This discovery suggests potential approaches to modify PAG-associated risks through diet and beta blocker use.
Researchers developed a laser-based approach to perform microbiopsies, enabling fast, painless tissue sampling with minimal damage. The novel technique uses laser ablation to extract tiny tissue volumes, which can be analyzed using virtual H&E imaging and other techniques in minutes, not hours.
Researchers develop new method to identify crucial protein fragments driving autoimmunity, enabling better diagnostics and therapies. The study finds cross-reactivity between human and microbial proteins drives autoimmunity in at least two diseases.
Research from the University of Reading found that sinks and P-traps harbor a surprising number of fungal organisms, including black moulds and relatives of baker's yeast. The study showed that these microorganisms can tolerate high temperatures, low pH, and low nutrients, making them a potential risk to health in certain environments.
A new study finds American dog tick populations expanding into Colorado and identifies Rocky Mountain wood ticks in 5 more counties than previously documented by the CDC. The study leverages citizen science data, revealing a critical need for increased tick surveillance and preventative measures against ticks.
A study of 35 sarcoidosis patients and 35 healthy controls revealed distinct microbial profiles in the lower airways, with an excess of Aspergillus and lower antimicrobial peptides in sarcoidosis patients. This finding suggests a possible connection between the microbiome and disease development in sarcoidosis.
The event will cover various topics including microbiota dysbiosis, oral and vaginal microbiota, and their impact on diseases like depression, cancer, and respiratory infections. The meeting aims to accelerate Microbiota medicine applications through strategic discussions.
Researchers explored how differences in skin composition affect susceptibility to diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The study found that body site determines skin structure and function, with specific lipids and proteins playing a crucial role in disease diagnosis.
A review of evidence found that 2-3% of monkeypox patients experienced severe complications such as seizure or encephalitis. Mood disorders like depression and anxiety were also common among infected individuals.
Researchers discovered a novel role for an E. coli enzyme in reducing the toxic effects of hypothiocyanite, a key antimicrobial released by the human immune system. This finding has implications for diseases like cystic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel disease, as it suggests that various bacteria can evade this powerful oxidant.
Research shows higher concentrations of pathogenic dust landing at lower elevations in the Sierra Nevada mountains, carrying fungi and bacteria that can cause crop failures and human respiratory disease. The study highlights the increasing threat of microbe-laden dust as the Earth dries out.
Research led by Drs. Yuhai Zhao and Walter J Lukiw reports a pathway from the gut to the brain that contributes to Alzheimer's disease development. Adequate dietary fiber intake can prevent this process. The study suggests a potential means to modify the abundance of microbes in the microbiome.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to engineering live bacterial therapeutics by using native microbes that can survive in the gut. This method overcomes previous limitations of introducing engineered bacteria into the gut, demonstrating potential for long-term therapy and reversal of disease pathologies in mouse models.
The Polyphenols Applications 2022 World Congress will focus on the latest findings and emerging trends in polyphenol research, covering various topics such as microbiota, adipose tissue, nervous system, senolytic activity, ageing, endothelial function, radioprotection, atherosclerosis, and more. Over 300 international participants will...
The new phage T4-COVID-19 vaccine elicits superior mucosal immunity in mice, inducing robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The vaccine provides complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants with minimal lung lesions and no impact on gut microbiota.
The ISM Annual Meeting highlights new topics in oral, vaginal, skin, and gut microbiota, as well as their metabolites and potential implications in diseases like cancer, depression, and stroke. The meeting aims to explore the mechanism behind microbiota efficacy and its potential application in precision medicine.
New research finds that plants with shorter-lived flowers produce more fruits due to reduced microbial growth. Microbes on flowers can negatively impact plant yields.
Researchers explore the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols, including sources and detection strategies. The study highlights the need for monitoring and understanding the relationship between human, animal, and environmental microbiomes to counter the spread of AR.
A new biodegradable food packaging system reduces microbial contamination and extends shelf life, reducing waste and foodborne illness. The system uses pullulan-based fibers with natural antimicrobial agents, demonstrating a significant reduction in contamination and an increase in avocado shelf life.
A pilot study found that drinking either alcoholic or non-alcoholic lager daily increased the diversity of gut microbes in healthy men, potentially reducing chronic disease risk. The researchers suggest that non-alcoholic beer may be a healthier choice due to its lower alcohol content.
Researchers used bacteriophage therapy to treat 20 complex, antibiotic-resistant lung infections in a clinical trial, resulting in no adverse reactions. More than half of treated patients experienced symptom improvement or reduced bacterial presence. The study's findings advance the promise of phage therapy as an alternative to traditi...
Researchers have identified glycans in mucus that can prevent Candida albicans from causing infection. These molecules can be used to develop new antifungal medicines or make disease-causing fungus more susceptible to existing drugs.
A team of researchers has developed a new algorithm to efficiently integrate large-scale microbiome data and identify disease-associated biomarkers. The NetMoss algorithm uses microbial interaction networks to remove batch effects and quantify topological differences, revealing biomarkers linked to multiple diseases.
A recent study published in eLife found that wildlife living in urban environments have picked up some gut bugs from humans, leading to a 'humanization' of their microbiota. The researchers analyzed gut microbiomes in distantly related vertebrates from urban and rural areas and discovered significant differences between the two.
A new study found that exposure to dogs, particularly from ages 5 to 15, was linked to healthy gut permeability and balance in the gut microbiome. Additionally, growing up in a large family with three or more siblings may also provide protection against Crohn's disease by influencing microbiome composition.
Researchers found that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins rub against corals to agitate tiny polyps, releasing mucus with antibacterial and antioxidative properties. This discovery suggests the mucus regulates the dolphin's skin microbiome and treats infections.
A randomized clinical trial found that a specific probiotic supplement accelerated the maturation of the microbiome in extremely preterm infants, leading to reduced intestinal inflammation and improved feeding tolerance. The study also showed potential benefits for reducing the risk of food allergies in these vulnerable infants.
Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed a new technique to easily visualize viruses using an optical microscope, called the Gires-Tournois immunoassay platform. The platform uses 'slow light' technology to detect coronavirus particles by slowing down light that gets reflected around them.
Researchers have discovered how fungus blocks and bursts blood vessels in the brain, allowing microbes to spread and cause meningitis. The study identifies a simple yet effective method that microbes use to escape the immune system and enter the brain.
The 9th World Congress on Targeting Microbiota 2022 will focus on recent advances in the microbiota field and therapeutic strategies. Key findings include research on probiotic strains, natural mineral waters, and extracellular vesicles.
A recent study by Cornell scientists explores the relationship between human genetics and gut microbiome functions, identifying correlations between genetic variations and microbiome-associated traits. The research, led by Ilana Brito, uses a novel computational approach to model the distribution of functions and species within the hum...
Scientists have identified a potential new antibiotic candidate from the rare soil microbe Lentzea flaviverrucosa. The discovery was made using genomics-based approaches and shows that this actinomycete produces two different bioactive molecules that are active against various types of cancer cells.
A new study analyzed brown dog ticks, canine and human infections, and climatic data to understand how Rocky Mountain spotted fever spreads. The research found that the vectoring capacity of the brown dog tick may be spreading outside its known region, putting a larger portion of the country at risk.
Researchers discover medusavirus undergoes four stages of maturation within host cells, with unique particle structures and DNA-protein exchange mechanisms. The findings provide new insights into giant viruses' biology and behavior.
Researchers analyzed nearly 100,000 pregnancies and found no association between COVID-19 vaccination and poor birth outcomes. The study provides further evidence on the safety of mRNA vaccines for pregnant individuals.
A review article by MedUni Vienna researchers reveals that micro- and nanoplastics can alter the gut microbiome, leading to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and chronic liver disease. The study also highlights the potential carcinogenic effects of nanoparticles in the human body.
A new study led by Kelly Monaghan at West Virginia University suggests that interrupting the immune response may improve multiple sclerosis outcomes. The researchers found that targeting a specific protein called CCL17 can prevent the disease from attacking the central nervous system, leading to milder symptoms and delayed paralysis.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found a new approach to impairing antibiotic resistance in deadly bacteria by inhibiting the protein DsbA. This method could potentially restore the effectiveness of existing antibiotics, addressing a global health crisis responsible for millions of deaths annually.
A new study found that almost half of all publicly available human microbiome samples come from the US, despite it representing only 4.3% of global population. This raises concerns about the applicability of future microbiome-based medical treatments to countries with limited resources.
Researchers discovered a key growth factor protein, HB-EGF, produced by immune-regulating cells that protects the gut against inflammatory bowel disease. ILC3s produce HB-EGF to counteract TNF-induced inflammation and maintain gut barrier function.
A study published in Nature Microbiology reveals that a class of microbial enzymes contributes to ulcerative colitis. Researchers identified an overabundance of proteases from the gut resident Bacteroides vulgatus in nearly 40% of patients, which can exacerbate the disease when not treated with protease inhibitors.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago identified changes in the gut microbiome that can lead to gestational diabetes. They found a specific metabolite, kynurenine, that is increased during pregnancy and contributes to insulin resistance.
Researchers created a novel molecular diagnostic platform that can detect COVID-19 genes after only 8 cycles of amplification, significantly reducing the time required for diagnosis. The new SERS-PCR platform uses gold nanoparticles to produce high-sensitivity signals, providing an important tool in the fight against the pandemic.
Scientists have discovered a new layer of regulation in plant-microbe interactions using peanut studies. An antisense long-noncoding RNA, DONE40, was found to bind to a protein involved in epigenetic control, suggesting a conserved function across plants and animals.
The £10m Leverhulme Centre for the Holobiont aims to map associations between microbes and higher organisms to understand how they support each other. This knowledge can help manipulate the relationship to save species from extinction, grow crops more efficiently and restore habitats.
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a different microbiome composition in their lower airways than those with COPD or healthy individuals. The study found that IPF patients share similarities between their oral cavity and lower airway microbiomes, suggesting microaspiration as a potential cause.
Researchers have created a new approach to edit genes within specific bacteria in a community using CRISPR-Cas9, enabling targeted genetic modifications. This technology could be used to track edited microbes and potentially treat diseases like digestive issues or create more resilient crops.
The University of Ottawa's CoVaRR-Net has received a $9 million grant extension to continue its rapid research on COVID variants, including the Omicron variant. This renewed funding will allow researchers to accelerate their work and keep policymakers informed of their latest findings.