Research on how bacteria evade antibiotics. Covers adaptive metabolism, water-source resistance, drug-efflux pumps, and microplastic pollutant shuttles.
A new study published in Science Magazine found that nearly 42% of cattle destined for the 'Raised without Antibiotics' market have been treated with antibiotics, casting doubt on the accuracy of these labels. The research team suggests strengthening verification and enforcement to curb antibiotic use in food-animal production.
A team from Goethe University has identified the spatial structure of the mannitol-synthesizing enzyme MtlD in Acinetobacter baumannii, which is crucial for its survival. This discovery could lead to the development of customized substances to inhibit the enzyme and combat this hospital pathogen.
Researchers found that healthy companion animals and their owners can transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes to each other, highlighting the importance of hygiene practices around pets. The study suggests that even low-level shedding of bacteria by healthy carriers can pose a risk to vulnerable individuals.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have discovered a physical mechanism that causes high doses of antibiotics to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance between bacteria. The culprit is an overabundance of 'jumping genes,' called transposons, which carry genetic instructions for resistance from cell's source code to plasmids.
A study found that apples and other fruits can host drug-resistant, pathogenic yeasts on surfaces, including Candida auris. The fungicides used to prolong shelf life may select for these resistant strains, increasing the risk of transmission.
Researchers have designed a therapeutic that sabotages the bacterial 'drug pump', restoring antibiotic effectiveness against drug-resistant strains. The breakthrough uses antibodies to overcome structural challenges, revealing a potential new treatment against MRSA and other resistant pathogens.
Researchers discovered that shorter antibiotic courses are associated with fewer antibiotic resistance genes in children, but also found increases in resistance to other antibiotics. The study suggests that treatment duration can impact the microbiome and increase susceptibility to other pathogens.
A study found that higher doses of antibiotics are needed to eliminate bacterial infections with other microbes present. Researchers developed a model of the human airways to replicate poly-microbial infections, which often persist despite treatment in people with cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases.
A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology has found that machine learning analysis of microscopy images can be used to identify bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Researchers discovered that shape changes in bacterial cells can predict drug resistance, suggesting a new approach for detecting and predicting drug resistance.
A study found that maternal immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can reduce antimicrobial prescribing among young infants. The research, based on a blinded, multi-country trial, showed that infants of mothers assigned the RSV F vaccine experienced fewer antimicrobial prescription courses over the first 90 days of life.
Fosfomycin, a long-dormant antibiotic, has been revived as a potential treatment for multidrug-resistant E. coli infections. The study involved 143 patients with invasive urinary tract infections and found effective results, offering an alternative to last-resort antibiotics.
Researchers developed a technique to track changes in bacterial mutation frequencies, which can inform initial and switched antibiotics. The study found that rare antibiotic-resistant bacteria can rapidly expand within days in response to treatment.
A new study found that hospital-affiliated emergency physicians prescribed antibiotics to patients with acute respiratory infections nearly twice as often as contractor-supplied physicians. This disparity highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship in telemedicine settings.
A new study found that fungal infections result in significant healthcare spending, with direct costs of $6.7 billion and secondary infections contributing to a total of $37.7 billion in U.S. national health care expenses. Fungal infections doubled hospital costs, patient stays, and mortality risk.
Researchers have discovered the structure of C.difficile's protective armor, a chain-mail like layer that prevents molecules from entering the cell. This discovery opens the possibility of designing specific drugs to target the armor and kill the cell.
Researchers developed an antibiotic prescribing algorithm using genomic sequencing and machine learning analysis, reducing the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections. The algorithm matches an antibiotic to a patient's past infection history and microbiome to minimize resistance spread.
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.
Researchers found that antibiotics prescribed to newborns decrease healthy Bifidobacterium species and promote antimicrobial resistance. The study suggests that clinicians should use antibiotics with minimal harm to the baby's microbiome.
A recent global study found that more than a quarter of the world's rivers had pharmaceutical concentrations at potentially toxic levels. The study, which included data from over 258 rivers across seven continents, also revealed concurrent contamination by multiple classes of pharmaceuticals.
SMART researchers identified a novel phage lysin, Abp013, with promising antimicrobial ability against Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The study demonstrated Abp013's ability to effectively target complex bacterial environments and could advance treatment methods for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
Researchers discovered how a single mutation in an enzyme enables bacteria to evade antibiotics by using mirrored structures. This finding has implications for developing more resilient inhibitors and proactive drug designs.
A Swedish registry study found no increase in endocarditis cases among high-risk individuals since the removal of prophylactic antibiotics in dentistry. The study monitored over 76,000 high-risk individuals and 396,000 low-risk individuals from 2008 to 2018.
Researchers discovered a signaling mechanism allowing intracellular bacteria like Salmonella to outmaneuver host defenses. By triggering macrophage death and activating the complement system, these bacteria can safely deliver themselves into another macrophage. This 'hack' enables them to persist within infected hosts.
A mathematical modeling study predicts that routine immunization with TCV could avert 46-74% of all typhoid fever cases in 73 countries. Vaccination is also expected to reduce the relative prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant typhoid by 16%, preventing millions of cases and deaths.
Researchers have imaged an enzyme involved in carbapenem biosynthesis, shedding light on the process of creating a potent side chain that makes these antibiotics effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The discovery could lead to improved antibiotics and new strategies for combating bacterial resistance.
A new genomics study has helped guide the development of vaccines against Shigella, a leading cause of severe diarrhoea in children. The research revealed the extent of genomic diversity among Shigella species, highlighting challenges to current vaccine approaches.
Scientists discovered that surviving bacteria share a common feature: they accumulate acid in their cells, shutting down protein synthesis. This leads to increased survival and can be exploited to develop new antimicrobial treatments.
Decision-making tools, including a double-sided document and video training, were ineffective in reducing antibiotic prescription rates for acute respiratory infections. Despite this, general practitioners' knowledge of relevant evidence increased significantly after the intervention.
Researchers at TTUHSC developed novel hydrophilic nanoparticles that target bacterial membranes, killing pathogens while sparing mammalian cells. The nanoantibiotics' size-dependent activity reveals a new blueprint for developing non-toxic and environmentally friendly antibiotics.
A new report estimates that antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections caused over 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, with the greatest impact on lower respiratory and bloodstream infections. The study highlights the urgent need to combat antimicrobial resistance and provides immediate actions for policymakers to save lives.
Rice University researchers developed a microfluidic platform to analyze how infectious bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics. The platform allows for controlled environments and fine-tuning of conditions, revealing previously unknown pathways to resistance.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that can predict resistance outcomes for various drug pairs. The model, called JDFE, characterizes mutations available to bacteria and allows for classification of drug pairs into those that facilitate or hinder multi-drug resistance.
Researchers have pinpointed a gene in E. coli ST131 that makes it highly resistant to antibiotics, leading to new treatment strategies and improved tracking of emerging resistance. The study aims to create better treatments to stop deadly E. coli infections.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have received a $3.6 million grant to study antibiotic resistance, employing an innovative approach known as the 'evolution machine.' This project aims to shed new light on how bacteria develop resistance and inform more precise antibiotic prescribing practices.
A new EU-funded project, MUSIC, will investigate how bacterial defences influence the spread of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) between bacteria. MGEs can change key traits of bacteria, including antibiotic resistance and virulence.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered a novel compound called macolacin that is highly potent against multidrug-resistant bacteria, including those resistant to colistin. The compound was discovered using an evolutionary approach to antibiotic discovery and has shown promising results in lab experiments.
A study published in Nature found that a type of MRSA called mecC-MRSA originated in hedgehogs over 200 years ago, long before the clinical use of antibiotics. The researchers believe that the bacteria evolved as an adaptation to living on the skin of hedgehogs with a fungus that produces its own antibiotics.
A new species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Enterococcus innesii, has been discovered by researchers at the John Innes Centre. The strain is resistant to vancomycin and may cause hospital-acquired infections.
New research combines antibiotics and phage therapy to cure infections more effectively and reduce antibiotic use. The study found that bacteriostatic antibiotics trigger CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity in bacteria, increasing the chances of treatment efficacy.
Scientists have discovered a new potential treatment to reverse antibiotic resistance in bacteria causing sepsis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The indole carboxylates class of enzyme blockers can stop MBL resistance enzymes from working, allowing antibiotics like carbapenems to effectively target bacteria.
A new study reveals widespread prescribing of clarithromycin-based regimens for H. pylori infection, defying increasing resistance and suboptimal eradication rates. Talicia, a rifabutin-based therapy, offers an alternative with higher eradication rates and fewer concerns over resistance.
Researchers discovered that blood stem cells use high-energy fatty acids from the body's fat stores to power up their response to infection. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating bacterial infections, particularly in vulnerable and older individuals.
Scientists have developed an enzyme that degrades the capsule surrounding the bacterium that causes anthrax, reducing virulence and protecting mice from infection. The treatment, known as PEG-CapD-CPS334C, is a promising avenue for treating multidrug-resistant anthrax and other bacterial infections.
Researchers at USC developed a new peptide that stimulates the host's immune response to fight bacterial infections, offering an alternative to antibiotics. The peptide, MTD12813, is highly effective in clearing infections and modulates inflammation, reducing the risk of complications.
A new white paper shares practical strategies to inform stewardship efforts and ensure appropriate use of antibiotics, citing the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance leading to 23,000 preventable deaths each year. Implementation science principles can bridge the evidence-practice gap.
A new study led by Rice University engineers finds that microplastic pollution contributes to the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes. The researchers discovered that aging polystyrene breaks down into microplastics with high surface areas, trapping microbes and leaching chemicals that enhance gene transfer.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin investigate the epidemiology and population biology of Enteroccocus faecium, a high-priority pathogen. They found that Irish isolates have evolved independently and are diverse, with a unique genetic transposon element encoding vancomycin resistance.
A recent study found that antibiotic resistance rates for Helicobacter pylori are decreasing in European countries. The use of three antibiotics over 10-14 days resulted in success rates of over 90%. The researchers hope to reduce antibiotic consumption to prevent further resistance.
Researchers from the University of Manchester have discovered a new way to manipulate key assembly line enzymes in bacteria using CRISPR-cas9 gene editing. This approach could lead to the production of improved antibiotics with potentially improved properties, addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers have found that ultrashort-pulse lasers can inactivate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and bacterial spores, reducing their numbers by over 1,000 times. The technology has the potential to be used to sterilize wounds and disinfect blood products, and may also be used to treat bloodstream infections.
A study led by New York University researchers found that the FDA-approved hepatitis C treatment telaprevir can increase bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics and reduce antibiotic resistance. The antiviral blocks the function of essential proteins in bacteria, revealing an opportunity to repurpose the drug to use alongside antibiotics.
The European Union and European Economic Area saw a significant decline in antibiotic consumption in 2020, with a 18% decrease compared to 2019. This decline was largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to reduced primary care consultations for mild infections.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a vaccine method against recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) using metal-organic frameworks. The new approach produces substantially enhanced antibody production and significantly higher survival rates in mice compared to standard vaccine preparation methods.
Researchers have identified compounds that interfere with fungal enzymes required for fatty acid synthesis, potentially overcoming resistance to current treatments. These compounds show promise as antifungal agents, effective even against drug-resistant strains of fungi.
A study by Anglia Ruskin University has identified potentially dangerous Pseudomonas bacteria in 21% of wild bird faeces collected from locations near the River Cam. The bacteria, which can be passed on to humans through cross-contamination, were resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new group of small antibacterial compounds that inhibit the formation of bacterial cell walls, showing promise against antibiotic-resistant strains. The molecules work by binding to lipid II, a crucial molecule for bacterial cell wall construction.
A rapid same-day test has been developed to identify secondary infections in COVID-19 patients on intensive care, allowing for targeted antibiotic treatment and reduced risk of antimicrobial resistance. The test uses nanopore sequencing technology to analyze bacterial and fungal pathogens present in patient samples.
Scientists used computational strategies to evaluate antibiotic candidates, identifying a promising new variant that is up to 56 times more active than existing antibiotics. This approach enables faster and more affordable development of new antibiotics, helping to combat resistance.
Research identifies way of using nanoparticles to target and disrupt bacterial cells, making them more susceptible to standard antibiotic treatments. Laboratory studies show a strong effect in killing a range of bacteria, including some linked to hospital-acquired infections.
A new study found that most pregnant women with a penicillin allergy label are not allergic, but rather have Group B Strep or need antibiotics for labor. Testing for penicillin allergy can help reduce antibiotic exposure and ensure safer treatment options.