Articles tagged with Antibiotic Resistance
Researchers tracked antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolated from swine between 2013 and 2019, finding an increasing trend of resistance to ceftriaxone. The study highlights the need for surveillance systems to monitor microbes and develop mitigation strategies to address this growing concern.
Researchers developed a biocide-coated polymer that effectively kills MRSA, Covid-19, and resistant bacteria, reducing hospital-acquired infections. The new material can be added to plastic products during manufacture or used as a spray, offering an effective solution to combat antimicrobial resistance.
A patient in Cleveland was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a drug-resistant bacterium that's rarely found in eye infections. The contaminated eye drops were identified as the source of infection, and treatment required strong antibiotics to prevent vision loss.
The use of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in disinfectants has been linked to asthma, dermatitis, and inflammation. The scientists recommend using safer alternatives and monitoring their levels in people and the environment.
Researchers have engineered a new CRISPR-based drug candidate targeting E. coli directly while preserving the microbiome. The innovative treatment has shown promise in reducing E. coli burden in mice and is now in phase 1 clinical trials to treat blood cancer patients and prevent deadly infections.
Researchers identify OmpU protein variants associated with antimicrobial resistance in Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Understanding the evolutionary origins of AMR can inform the development of effective therapeutics against resistant infections.
Updated guidelines recommend discontinuing antibiotics immediately after a patient's incision is closed. Continuing antibiotics increases risk of C. difficile infection and antimicrobial resistance, but does not prevent surgical site infections.
A research team from Université Laval and Université Clermont Auvergne has shown that clouds harbor antibiotic resistance genes of bacterial origin. The concentrations vary widely, ranging from 330 to over 30,000 bacteria per milliliter of cloud water.
Researchers found that agricultural antimicrobial peptide use can generate broad cross-resistance to the human innate immune response. This has major implications for the design and use of therapeutic antimicrobial peptides.
Researchers have developed a fast, cheap, and easy method to test antibiotic resistance in bacteria, using optical nanomotion detection. The technique can determine sensitivity or resistance of bacterial cells to antibiotics in under two hours, with significant implications for clinical and research applications.
Researchers developed a bioengineered drug candidate that counteracts <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> infections, including MRSA. The mAbtyrins treatment targets multiple disease-causing mechanisms without killing the bacteria.
Researchers developed a novel gene deletion method called SLICER, allowing seamless modification of Deinococcus radiodurans. The technique enables the efficient deletion of multiple genes, potentially leading to improved strains with various applications.
Researchers discovered that gut bacteria's F-pili are stronger in harsh conditions, enabling efficient gene transfer and biofilm formation. The findings highlight the challenge of combating antibiotic resistance and suggest exploiting similar molecular properties for precise drug delivery.
A new liposome-based method aims to kill periodontitis-causing leukotoxin while protecting immune cells, providing an alternative treatment for aggressive gum infections. The approach has potential applications against a range of bacteria and could help combat antibiotic resistance.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found a significant 'antibiotic culture' in US hospital ICUs, with up to 70% of patients receiving unnecessary antibiotics. The preference for antibiotics is driven by urgency, hierarchy, and uncertainty, leading to increased use despite antimicrobial stewardship guidelines.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a drug that undercuts antibiotic resistance by blocking key toxins involved in the infection process. The treatment sequesters toxins and disrupts biofilms, making bacteria more vulnerable to antibiotics. Initial results show promising protection against bacterial infections.
A study from Lund University reveals how antibiotic-resistant bacteria acquire resistance through two molecular mechanisms. The researchers identified a novel protein that conveys resistance to specific antibiotics, and found that certain antibiotics induce the production of this factor, providing clues for designing new medicines.
Rapid metagenomics can provide accurate results within just 6 hours of knowing bacteria are growing in a blood sample, allowing for effective treatment 18-42 hours earlier than conventional laboratory tests. Metagenomic sequencing has the potential to save lives and better manage the use of antibiotics by rapidly identifying antimicrob...
A Portuguese study found that 19% of surfaces in small animal veterinary practices harboured at least one multidrug-resistant bacterium. These included Staphylococci, such as S. pseudintermedius, and Acinetobacter spp., which are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics.
A multidisciplinary group of experts has reached a consensus on key issues related to molecular prediction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibiotic sensitivity or resistance. The document provides guidance for therapeutic regimen design and treatment optimization, aiming to improve clinicians' management of TB patients.
A recent genetic study found that antibiotic resistance is driven by geographic, demographic, diet, and lifestyle factors. Researchers analyzed the microbiome of a large Finnish population sample and discovered associations between food consumption, geographical location, and ARG abundance.
A Portuguese study found that six pets in Portugal and one in the UK carried antibiotic-resistant bacteria similar to those found in their owners. The researchers emphasize the importance of including pet-owning households in programs to reduce antimicrobial resistance. Owners can reduce the spread by practicing good hygiene.
A Spanish study found that 40% of supermarket meat samples contained multidrug-resistant E. coli, including strains capable of causing severe infections in people. The study highlights the need for regular assessment and farm-level interventions to reduce the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food-producing animals.
New research at ECCMID 2023 presents 19 gold complexes effective against at least one hard-to-treat bacterium, including MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The gold-based drugs use a multimodal mechanism to kill bacteria, preventing antimicrobial resistance from developing.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University are studying the genes of superbugs to develop new and effective treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections. The team has discovered new genes responsible for causing disease and infection symptoms in humans, which can be targeted by antivirulence drugs.
A new shape-shifting antibiotic has been developed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers, offering a potential cure for deadly infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. The innovative design uses click chemistry to create a molecule with multiple possible configurations, avoiding the development of resistance.
A study from the University of Gothenburg reveals that wastewaters harbor unique characteristics allowing antibiotic resistance genes to evolve. The researchers found key components necessary for gene movement in wastewater samples worldwide, not in human or animal guts.
A global study reveals a bi-directional relationship between antibiotic consumption and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) between humans and animals. The study finds that higher animal antibiotic use increases AMR in human pathogens, while higher human antibiotic use increases AMR in food-producing animals.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered crucial steps that promote ciprofloxacin resistance in bacteria, pointing to potential strategies to extend antibiotics' effectiveness. The study found that RNA polymerase plays a major role in regulating DNA repair and identified a key molecule involved in modulating this response.
Researchers discovered that fomepizole, an FDA-approved drug, can significantly reduce disease in mice infected with multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. The combination of fomepizole and erythromycin reduced bacterial burdens by 95% in the lungs and up to 700-fold in other organs.
A new computational technique analyzes bacterial genetic sequences to monitor the spread of antibiotic resistance over time. The study found that resistance genes most likely to spread are those on conjugative plasmids and targeting specific antibiotics, with many coming from a single source.
Researchers found that healthy individuals have a median of 16 antimicrobial resistance genes in their gut microbiome, varying across countries and antibiotic use. National antibiotic consumption levels correlate with resistance gene frequencies, highlighting the need for public health strategies to mitigate AMR.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered a key role for autophagy in controlling intracellular infections like TB. By boosting this natural process, they hope to create new treatments that can combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Cases of Candida auris, a highly contagious fungal infection, rose drastically between 2019 and 2021, with an increase in echinocandin-resistant cases. The findings emphasize the need for improved detection and infection control practices to prevent the spread of C auris.
Scientists detected the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella sonnei strains in France, primarily among men who have sex with men. XDR isolates are resistant to virtually all antibiotics, requiring complex treatment and hospitalization.
A study of over 2,800 hospital patients and their companion animals found that sharing multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) between pets and owners is possible. However, the rate of MDRO transmission from pets to humans was very low, suggesting that neither cat nor dog ownership is a major risk factor for hospital-acquired infections.
Researchers have found a new solution to combat resistant staphylococcus aureus infections, which can be difficult to treat. Endolysins, a newly developed enzyme, has been shown to kill both resistant and non-resistant staphylococcus aureus without the need for antibiotics.
Researchers found that fomepizole blocked energy production in bacteria and reduced bacterial burden in mice with pneumonia. The combination treatment prevented invasive disease development, suggesting a potential novel treatment for multidrug-resistant pneumococcal disease.
Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to human health, with an estimated 4.95 million deaths worldwide in 2019. Researchers identified four research priorities to improve predictive models for antimicrobial-resistant organisms, including better communication and data collection.
A recent WHO review reveals a significant shortage of new antibiotics in the pipeline, with only 12 approved drugs introduced between 2017 and 2021. The majority of these drugs target non-critical pathogens, leaving critical ones like Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa underrepresented.
Researchers from China conducted a comprehensive review of dual therapy (DT) for H. pylori eradication, highlighting its high efficacy and patient compliance with minimal adverse events. High-dose DT administered over 14 days has emerged as the most effective treatment option.
The study reveals that more than 70% of patients developed urinary tract infections caused by endogenous E. coli strains from their own gut microbiota. The researchers also found that non-lactose-fermenting E. coli strains, less common in other countries, were present in the gut microbiota of some patients.
Scientists have developed a high-throughput genetic screening approach to identify viral proteins that target bacterial cell walls, leading to potential new antibiotics. The method uses a coded library of DNA fragments to investigate unknown genes in environmental samples, sidestepping the need for culturing bacteria.
Researchers at Rice University aim to create genetically encoded antibiotics that selectively kill pathogenic bacteria while sparing beneficial microbes. The goal is to develop targeted, tailored RNA antibiotics to combat antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
A recent study highlights the perils of bacteria's secret antimicrobial resistance, which can be difficult to detect using traditional methods. Researchers are exploring new approaches, such as genetic analysis, to identify and prevent the spread of these resistant strains.
Researchers discover that graphene oxide's surface oxygen content is crucial for its antibacterial activity, with different interaction modes leading to distinct effects. Understanding this relationship can help design safer materials and combat antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers develop a novel combination therapy using mitoxantrone and vancomycin to treat vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) infections. The therapy stimulates the host immune system, accelerating wound healing and killing bacteria more effectively.
A study found that a commercial water purifier may have caused Mycobacterium abscessus infections in 4 cardiac surgery patients due to chlorine depletion. The hospital's water system was contaminated via municipal water, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and preventing mycobacteria.
Researchers developed synthetic peptide nanonets that selectively entrap bacteria, rendering them vulnerable to antimicrobial components. The nanonets displayed both trapping and killing functionalities, demonstrating potential as an anti-infective strategy.
A new research agenda aims to apply evolutionary principles to modern diseases, emphasizing the role of environmental factors. By studying natural world adaptations, scientists hope to find new ways to prevent and treat disease, such as adopting antimicrobial approaches inspired by hyenas' ability to thrive on carrion.
Applying evolutionary principles to medicine inspires new ways of preventing and treating disease, including overcoming chemotherapy resistance and antibiotic resistance. Evolutionary-inspired strategies like 'anti-evolution' drugs and extinction therapy can tackle these global health threats.
A new AI-based classification system, AMP-BERT, was developed to identify candidate antimicrobial peptides. The model uses a deep neural network-based architecture and can extract structural and functional information from peptide sequences.
A new study finds that a California policy restricting antibiotic use in animals raised for food is associated with a reduction in one type of antibiotic-resistant infection in people. The study suggests that regulations limiting antibiotics in livestock can significantly impact human health.
Scientists have discovered a new virus that can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The virus, named Fyn8, was found in local creeks near the University of Southern Denmark campus and has been fully sequenced.
The study suggests that human exchanges, such as trade and travel, and exchanges between ecosystems drive the spread of aminoglycoside resistance. Aminoglycoside genes were detected in over 160,000 bacteria genomes across all continents, with most found in clinical, human, and farm samples.
Scientists at University of Warwick and Politecnico di Milano developed a tool to regulate bacterial electric signals with light, opening new avenues for understanding antimicrobial resistance. This technology could help explain how some bacteria survive antibiotic exposure.
Researchers found that two proteins help MRSA cells pump toxins into their environment. Targeting these proteins could disable MRSA and reduce its virulence.
Decades of wars and conflict in Iraq have led to a catastrophic rise in antibiotic resistance due to destroyed healthcare infrastructure, medicine shortages, and high levels of heavy metal contamination. Research is urgently needed to understand the link between armed conflict and AMR to prevent millions of needless deaths.
A deeper understanding of tumor cell responses to treatment is crucial for improving therapy effectiveness. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute discovered that physical interactions between cells can allow treatment-resistant cells to survive despite growing slower than non-resistant cells. This balance between mechanical cell-cell...
Bacteria can survive antibiotics without acquiring new genes or mutating existing ones by maintaining high electrochemical energies. These high-energy cells exhibit a wide range of energy levels despite being in a state of arrested growth, enabling them to adapt and spread rapidly.