Articles tagged with Microbial Infections
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A new study published in the Annals of Surgery found that laparoscopic appendectomies may carry a higher risk of deep abdominal infections in certain patients, including those with diabetes, smoking history, and older age. The study suggests that open surgery may be a better option for these high-risk patients.
Researchers have discovered strikingly similar immune defense systems in plants and animals, including receptors that recognize and bind to specific molecules on invading organisms. This knowledge can lead to new drug targets for deadly bacteria with no effective treatments.
Researchers found that incorporating ultraviolet light into vacuuming can reduce surface microbes by 87 percent, nearly doubling the removal of potentially infectious microorganisms from carpets. Vacuuming alone reduced microbes by 78 percent.
University of Oregon researchers discovered that good bacteria modulate the Wnt signaling pathway, which is also associated with colorectal cancer. This finding suggests that microbial signals may play a significant role in cancer risk, and targeted therapy may be possible.
A University of Oklahoma research team has discovered a compound that can suppress the growth of pathogenic microbes and keep other oral microorganisms in check. This finding may lead to new treatments for thrush and related Candida infections.
A Stanford study found that repeated use of a benign antibiotic can alter the composition of beneficial microbes in the human gut. The research involved three healthy adult females who received two courses of ciprofloxacin, revealing persistent changes in their gut microbiomes.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $42 million to expand eight demonstration projects investigating the link between changes in the human microbiome and health, as part of the Human Microbiome Project. The expanded studies will also support technology development to improve microbiome identification and characterization.
Researchers examine how humans impact ecosystems through nanomaterials, green roofs, and airborne microbes in hospital settings. Findings reveal altered plant growth, changed microbial communities, and diverse insect species on green roofs.
A research team at Virginia Tech has discovered a fundamental entry mechanism for fungal microbes to infect plants and cause disease. Special disease-related proteins, known as effectors, bind to a specific lipid molecule found on the cell surface before entering the cell.
Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre in Braunschweig, Germany, have created a new and cheaper way to produce insulin. The new method uses yeast Pichia pastoris to increase the yield of an insulin precursor, reducing costs. This breakthrough could make insulin more affordable for people in developing countries.
Researchers found nearly 20% of cryptococcosis patients had mixed infections with multiple strains of C. neoformans, evolving during infection. This challenges the traditional concept of a single pathogen causing disease.
Recent advances in microbial genomics have enabled researchers to study the human microbiome, revealing its essential role in digestion and immune system development. The Human Microbiome Project aims to optimize the beneficial effects of microbiota for each individual, improving health outcomes.
Two studies published in Journal of Experimental Medicine reveal that patients with a rare autoimmune disease produce antibodies that bind and disarm cytokines, which fight airborne pathogens. These findings may help explain the recurring nature of these patients' yeast infections.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are mapping the gut microbiome to understand its impact on diseases like breast cancer. The study aims to identify microbes responsible for particular diseases and develop new diagnostic tests and treatments.
A new study reveals that pumpkin skin contains a powerful antifungal protein that can inhibit the growth of disease-causing microbes, including Candida albicans. The protein could be developed into a natural medicine to fight yeast infections in humans.
A recent study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology found that iodine-based skin preparation solutions, such as 3M's DuraPrep Surgical Solution, may be superior to chlorhexidine in preventing surgical-site infections. The study of over 3,200 general surgery patients suggests a significant reduction in morbidity and ...
A recent study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization found that social shame was more effective in building latrines than financial assistance in rural India. The study, led by Subhrendu Pattanayak at Duke University, used a 'social mobilization strategy' that included village walks of shame and defecation mapping ...
Researchers use insects like fruit flies and moths to test new drugs, reducing animal testing by up to 90% and speeding up results. The study finds that insect immune cells are structurally and functionally similar to those in mammals, offering a promising alternative for drug development.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Washington University School of Medicine four grants totaling $19 million to explore the human microbiome. The researchers aim to catalog microbes found in various body sites and determine their links to good health and disease.
Researchers found that people with periodontal disease have a higher percentage of TLR4-expressing B cells, which alter the immune response during inflammation. These cells activate monocytes but inactivate B cells, highlighting a new strategy for regulating systemic inflammation.
A novel compound called azelaic acid has been identified as a primer for the plant's immune system, leading to increased systemic plant immunity and disease resistance. The discovery was made by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Chicago.
A major study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation investigates whether gut microbes contribute to severe malnutrition in infants. Researchers at WashU Medicine will compare intestinal microbes of severely malnourished twins with healthy twins, exploring their role in malnutrition's complex interplay with diet and human genome.
A healthy diet is linked to a reduced risk of colon cancer due to the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids. The composition of diet directly influences the diversity of microbes in the gut, with complex carbohydrates supporting good bacterial populations.
A 6-part CMAJ series tackles antibiotic resistance in hospitals, clinics, and homes, providing practical treatment guidelines. Enhanced monitoring, hand washing, and infection control measures can help limit the spread of resistant microbes in Canada.
Scientists used a DNA array to catalog microbes in coral reefs, finding diverse microbial populations accompanying disease. The PhyloChip offers a powerful way to track change and shed light on pathogens plaguing coral reefs.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered that the protective capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans fungus grows by linking saccharides together, allowing it to evade the immune system. This finding could lead to new therapies or vaccines against fungal infections.
The MicroBiome Analysis Center is mapping the world of microorganisms living within humans to understand their influence on health and disease. Researchers will explore microbial imbalances in various systems, seeking correlations between microbes and diseases such as obesity and cancer.
A study in China has identified the first cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), a tick-borne infectious disease. The investigation found that transmission was likely from person to person through blood and respiratory secretion exposure, rather than tick bites.
A radical new software program developed by Tel Aviv University researchers has been adopted by top medical centers in America to fight hospital-borne infections. The system, which collects information from microbial lab cultures, sends real-time alerts and reminders to wards every day to identify potentially contagious patients.
Scientists have identified potential biomarkers in plasma samples from premature infants to detect infection and type of microbe. Eight proteins associated with immune responses were found to be consistently over-expressed in infected neonates.
The NIH Human Microbiome Project awards funding to develop innovative technologies and computational tools for analyzing microbial communities in the human body. Researchers aim to improve understanding of how microbes interact with health and disease.
Dr. Koji Nakayama is recognized for his groundbreaking research on Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key player in periodontal disease and potential systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease. He has published over 75 papers on this topic and received the 2000 Rokuzo Kobayashi Memorial Award.
Researchers are exploring the human microbiome to understand its role in health and disease, with findings suggesting that changes in microbial populations may contribute to digestive disorders, skin diseases, and obesity. The study of bacterial communities inside humans has the potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment.
The Human Oral Microbiome Database provides detailed information on the 600 most common mouth bacteria, their role in oral health and general well-being. The database links genetic data to scientific literature and allows for analysis of microbe genomes.
A study found that recipients of corneal transplants from donors who died in the hospital or had cancer were more likely to develop infections, including endophthalmitis. Donors' health status before death may affect their eye tissue, but excluding all hospitalized patients and those with cancer is not warranted.
Researchers have mapped gut microbes to better understand their role in human metabolism and disease. The study identifies key bug species involved in metabolic processes, paving the way for new treatments.
A new approach to medicine may involve targeting specific gut microbes to combat diseases like diabetes and obesity. Research suggests that altering the gut microbiome using probiotics can have a significant impact on human health.
The Human Microbiome Project aims to understand the interactions between microorganisms and the human body, with potential applications for preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases. The project will sequence microbial genomes from over 1,000 sources, including healthy volunteers and those with specific diseases.
Scientists have confirmed that microbes can travel across continents on dust particles, surviving for centuries and defying intercontinental transport. Geo-chemical analyses of Charles Darwin's samples revealed diverse microbes, including ascomycetes and eubacteria, with wind-fractionated dust from West Africa reaching the Caribbean.
Researchers developed a computational model to predict TB reactivation causes and developed a TNF-modulating agent to balance inflammation reduction with infection resistance. Modifying anti-TNF treatment dosages and timing or using TB antibiotics before treatment can also prevent reactivation, according to the study.
Dr. Hung Ton-That has been recognized for his research excellence in microbiology and infectious disease, with a focus on cell wall sorting structure and gram-positive bacteria surface structures. He is being honored for his contributions to the study of bacterial pathogenesis.
Researchers identified 50 eyes with microbial keratitis on contact lenses, finding that 70% of lenses had organisms growing on them. Serratia marcescens was the most common organism found in both corneal scrapings and contact lenses.
New clues from immune system molecules hold hope for overcoming antibiotic resistance, with shared structural and functional characteristics enabling these molecules to inhibit or kill microbial pathogens.
A study by researchers at UIC found a strong association between the use of contact lens solution AMO Complete MoisturePlus and Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare severe eye infection. The study suggests that the solution's ability to kill Acanthamoeba is compromised, increasing the risk of infection.
Scientists have identified a key gene, LaeA, that governs the mold's ability to produce toxic compounds. The discovery opens new avenues for treating Aspergillus fumigatus infection, which has a 60-90% mortality rate in immunocompromised individuals.
The Gene Ontology (GO) has expanded its vocabulary to describe the complex events occurring when a microbe encounters its host. This updated language will enable researchers to compare gene functions in diverse organisms, including those related to disease-causing microbes and beneficial microbes.
The Microbe experiment on board the space shuttle Atlantis will investigate how three common microorganisms adapt to microgravity, with potential benefits for developing new therapeutics and treatments for infectious diseases. The results will help NASA evaluate risks to astronauts on future missions to the moon and Mars.
A recent outbreak of corneal infection Fusarium keratitis is associated with the use of a specific contact lens solution, ReNu with MoistureLoc. The study found that users of this product were 20 times more likely to develop the infection compared to non-users.
Recent studies highlight the importance of effective personal protective equipment for healthcare workers in preventing respiratory infections. The articles discuss various personal protective systems and their effectiveness in reducing contamination and infection rates.
Research highlights continued health risks following surgery, particularly for patients with serious underlying diseases. By understanding the mechanisms of inflammation and adopting strategies such as minimizing surgical incisions and pre-surgery medication, healthcare teams can reduce these risks.
A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has discovered a master molecular sensor embedded in spores of six related fungi that triggers their transformation into pathogenic yeasts. This finding could lead to new treatments and possibly vaccines for diseases caused by these microbes.
The center aims to develop tools for early detection and a deeper understanding of microbial disease transmission, connecting science to the community.
Research reveals fungal microbes use tandem repeats in genes to change protein conformations, evading the immune system and causing diseases. The study also explains why certain beers are cloudy or clear, providing new insights into brewing.
MacMicking studies immune-related GTPases in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection to understand biological relationship between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The award will support his research program on novel host defense pathways to infection.
The Stanford study used molecular techniques to survey the inhabitants of the lower digestive tract, finding a diverse range of bacterial species. The researchers discovered nearly two-thirds of identified bacteria were novel, highlighting the complexity of the intestinal ecosystem.
A new field of study, microbial forensics aims to attribute biothreat agents to their sources. The approach requires a multivariate method tailored to the threat encountered and situation addressed, coupled with scientific and investigative processes.
Experts warn of a potential second wave of vCJD infections due to increased cases in France and the UK. The panel discussion highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures to prevent human-to-human transmission of this fatal neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers describe how microbes in the gut form the second largest metabolic 'organ' in the body, influencing disease processes alongside genetic and environmental factors. The discovery of this 'superorganism' could lead to new approaches to treating disease and developing personalized medicine.
A Stanford study reveals a connection between archaea abundance and gum disease severity, affecting about one-third of Americans. The research found that more than one-third of patients with chronic periodontitis harbored archaea in their diseased subgingival spaces but not elsewhere.
Diverse classes of antimicrobial peptides share a common structural signature, revealing fundamental interactions between host and pathogen. This discovery offers new insights into immune defense and drives technology to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.