Articles tagged with Antibiotic Resistance
A study found that raw dog food in European supermarkets and pet shops contains antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including 'superbugs' found in hospital patients. The researchers concluded that dog food is a source of bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics and could potentially spread to humans.
Research suggests that common prescription drugs like proton pump inhibitors, beta-blockers, and antimetabolites can increase the risk of developing antibiotic-resistant infections. These non-antibiotic medications are commonly used to treat various conditions but can also contribute to drug resistance.
A study analyzing over 1,200 VA outpatient clinics found a 3.9% annual decline in total antibiotic prescriptions between 2011 and 2018. The largest decrease was seen for ciprofloxacin, while outpatient use of doxycycline, azithromycin, and amoxicillin/clavulanate remained high.
A WHO-sanctioned panel will discuss the need for more warnings before it's too late to address antimicrobial resistance. The world is facing a growing threat to modern medicine, with patients paying high prices for antibiotics due to a weak market and lack of access.
A new study found that one in ten veterinary workers in the Netherlands carries strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including ESBL-producing bacteria. The study suggests that occupational contact with animals may be a key factor in transmitting these resistant bacteria to humans.
Researchers have developed a new technique, native state mass spectrometry, to identify effective inhibitors against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This approach analyzes the behavior of metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors and could lead to the development of novel treatments for resistant infections.
Researchers at HKU have identified 38 authentic Ag+-binding proteins in Staphylococcus aureus, revealing silver's molecular targets and mode of action. The study shows that silver-based antimicrobials can potentiate the efficacy of antibiotics, resensitize MRSA to antibiotics, and slow down antibiotic resistance evolution.
Researchers developed a new framework to establish safe thresholds for antimicrobial release into the environment, addressing the global health threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The framework provides guidance on risk assessment and could inform policy to reduce antimicrobial levels in water systems, helping to mitigate resistance.
Researchers have discovered that pre-trained phages can increase their ability to fight bacterial infections, delaying the onset of antibiotic resistance. This breakthrough uses evolutionary training to improve phage potency against deadly bacteria.
A study found that travellers who returned from abroad acquired and spread destination-specific antimicrobial resistance genes in their gut microbiome. The diversity of these genes increased significantly after travel, with high-risk genes resistant to common antibiotics identified.
Researchers found numerous novel genes promoting microbial resistance in international travelers' gut microbiomes. The study highlights the global spread of antimicrobial resistance through travel and emphasizes the need for broader surveillance.
A global metagenomic study of urban microbiomes found distinct microbial signatures in cities across six continents, with over 4,200 known species identified. The research also discovered a core set of 31 species present in 97% of samples and highlights the potential for new discoveries related to microbial diversity.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Danish one-year-olds carry several hundred antibiotic resistant genes in their bacterial gut flora. The presence of these genes is partly attributable to antibiotic use among mothers during pregnancy, and well-developed gut flora may reduce the incidence of resistant bacteria.
A mathematical model predicts how bacterial mutations impact antibiotic success. The study suggests measuring mutation levels is crucial for determining treatment failure and informs novel strategies. Multiple mutations limit drug resistance evolution substantially, depending on drug type and administration route.
A new study found that organic-certified meats are 56 percent less likely to be contaminated with multidrug-resistant bacteria compared to conventionally produced meat. The research analyzed data from the US National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System and covered over 39,000 meat samples.
Researchers found that earthworm guts have lower numbers and relative abundances of antibiotic-resistance genes compared to surrounding soils. The earthworms' unique gut environment may destroy ARGs or outcompete bacteria hosting them, suggesting a potential role in natural bioremediation.
A portable, rapid testing platform can detect gonorrhea infections and determine antibiotic resistance in under 15 minutes. The platform's speed and low cost could combat the spread of drug-resistant strains and improve timely diagnoses for patients with gonorrhea or other STIs.
A randomized controlled trial found that brief educational videos can reduce patients' expectations for antibiotic treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. However, the doctors' actual prescribing habits showed no significant change.
A component of bacteria's cell walls, cardiolipin, may hold the key to fighting antibiotic-resistant microbes. Without it, the outer membrane becomes penetrable, making bacteria vulnerable to antibiotics.
Researchers tracked antibiotic resistance in E. coli over 16 years, finding rapid increase in multi-drug resistant strains. The study highlights the importance of tracking resistant bacteria to prevent their spread and improve treatment options.
The Mfd protein's dual role in repairing bacterial DNA and promoting mutations has been discovered, offering new avenues for fighting antibiotic resistance. This phenomenon could also lead to a better understanding of cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.
Researchers found high levels of antimicrobial resistance in water from the Hua Krabue canal, but low levels in aquaculture ponds. The study highlights the urgent need to improve urban sanitation in Thailand's coastal region. Safely managed sanitation is crucial for combatting antibiotic resistance.
A new study found that microplastics in wastewater treatment plants can host antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pathogens, leading to a significant increase in resistance by up to 30 times. The microplastics form a biofilm that allows the bacteria to attach and exchange genes, posing risks to human health.
Researchers discovered how bacterial colonies form multilayered biofilms when exposed to antibiotics, which can contribute to antibiotic resistance. The study's findings suggest that breaking up the formation of these biofilms could be an effective strategy for treating infections.
The study found enormous differences in the availability and use of antibiotics between African and Asian countries, with Asia having more readily available antibiotics. Self-medication is a significant problem, with high rates in some countries, and context plays a crucial role in combating antibiotic resistance.
The summit aims to discuss how individual behaviour and organisational norms can be changed to slow down the development of antimicrobial resistance. Key findings include the need for strong political leadership and communication strategies to address misconceptions about antimicrobial resistance.
Scientists have pinpointed a critical mechanism allowing deadly bacteria to resist antibiotics, and discovered a potential new target for effective treatment. The study identified quinolone antibiotic resistance mechanisms, including the production of pentapeptide repeat proteins, and revealed how they inhibit bacterial enzymes.
A study found that multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains are spreading between pigs, farmworkers, and community residents in North Carolina, raising concerns about a potential emerging public health threat. The strains were closely related and carried genes conferring resistance to multiple antibiotics.
A new model links bacterial metabolism and growth to mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, enabling predictions of mutation types and levels. The study suggests a previously unobserved connection between nutrient uptake and resistance development, which can inform strategies for slowing resistance emergence.
A new model can predict the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria by analyzing growth rates and resistance levels at different drug concentrations. This knowledge can help identify optimal treatment protocols, drug targets, and new antibiotic candidates to combat resistant bacteria that threaten global health.
Researchers found that travelers to the tropics are exposed to a wide range of superbacteria, including 83 different strains, during their trip. Daily stool samples revealed that all participants contracted superbacteria within the first week abroad, with some carrying multiple strains over time.
A recent study reveals that international travellers are highly susceptible to virulent strains of drug-resistant bacteria, often acquiring multiple types during a single trip. Researchers found that 70% of European volunteers colonised with MDR-GN bacteria, highlighting the need for improved infection control measures.
Research found fidaxomicin is more effective than existing TB medication at preventing growth of M. tuberculosis, including resistant strains. Fidaxomicin's in vitro activity was compared to rifampicin and showed promise as a potential new treatment for TB.
A new study from the University of York shows that common weed killers can increase the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in soil. Herbicides are found to favour bacterial species carrying antibiotic resistance genes, potentially changing microbial community properties.
A new study reports that activated B. infantis EVC001 improves health outcomes in preterm infants by reducing enteric inflammation, diaper rash, and antibiotic use. The probiotic also enhances gut microbial composition and reduces pathogenic bacteria, leading to improved clinical outcomes.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that Campylobacter strains C. coli and C. jejuni exchange genetic material, leading to increased virulence and antibiotic resistance. The study discovered 21 new Campylobacter strains in 2019, indicating a significant increase in the bacteria's drug resistance profile.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a new effective antibiotic to combat resistant bacteria, which are becoming increasingly difficult to treat. The substance, from the pleuromutilin class, fights multiple types of resistant bacteria via a unique mechanism of action.
Dr. Chu-Young Kim's research team is working on modifying existing antibiotic molecules using microorganisms that naturally synthesize them. This approach aims to overcome resistance and provide affordable treatment options for patients. The goal is to engineer bacteria to produce modified antibiotics via fermentation.
A global analysis of antibiotic combination use reveals that 80% of commonly prescribed combinations are not recommended by the WHO. The study found that these inappropriate combinations can lead to inefficacy, toxicity, and selection for antimicrobial resistance.
A new study reveals that a single water molecule is essential for the binding of macrolide antibiotics to bacterial ribosomes, explaining why resistant bacteria are immune to these drugs. This discovery offers a promising lead in developing new antibiotics that do not require this water molecule for binding.
Researchers discovered that random DNA sequences can generate new genes producing antibiotic resistance, which can spread quickly among bacteria. The study used laboratory experiments with E. coli and found six peptides causing Colistin resistance by modifying the cell membrane.
Scientists have found that nearly all antibiotic resistance genes came from bacteria that cause disease, not antibiotic-producing bacteria. The rapid evolution of resistance is fueled by the use and overuse of antibiotics, threatening modern healthcare.
Scientists explore why some plants resist certain pathogens while others are susceptible. Recent advances in technology will aid in understanding the molecular basis of nonhost resistance, enabling improved disease control strategies.
The study developed statistical models using socioeconomic data to predict antimicrobial resistance prevalence. The models showed high predictive accuracy for six priority pathogens and expanded the global map to include 99% of the worldwide population in low- and middle-income countries.
UC Riverside scientists have received $4.67 million to breed new fruits with natural resistance to Huanglongbing, a lethal tree disease affecting citrus crops worldwide. The project aims to incorporate resistance into the trees themselves through breeding, providing a more sustainable alternative to commercial treatments.
A preclinical study by researchers from the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville found that a combination of imipenem and meropenem may be effective in treating infections caused by carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii. The study showed promise for treating severe infections, including pneumonia and bacteremias.
The University of Huddersfield's Antimicrobial Stewardship in Wound Management course has been honoured at the Antibiotic Guardian Awards. Over 8000 healthcare professionals have completed the course with high praise, exploring antimicrobial resistance and implementing infection control measures.
Researchers have developed a sensitive testing system that can detect resistance in bacteria using tiny cantilevers. This method allows for the detection of not only entire resistance genes but also individual point mutations within minutes, paving the way for faster diagnosis and more effective treatment.
Researchers at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have developed a method to produce customisable engineered lysins that can selectively kill specific bacteria while leaving others unharmed. This discovery presents a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating existing drug-resistant bacteria.
The webinar, 'Evidence to Action: Advancing the Antimicrobial Resistance Agenda during a Pandemic', brings together global experts to share strategic reflections and insights on national prevention/control policies against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Key findings include the urgent need for transparent, coordinated action across co...
Researchers at Penn State and the University of Michigan have developed an inexpensive therapy to prevent antibiotic resistance. The 'anti-antibiotic', cholestyramine, reduces fecal shedding of daptomycin-resistant bacteria by up to 80-fold, providing a potential solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.
A research team at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research successfully evolved Escherichia coli under antibiotic pressure, identifying mechanisms and constraints underlying drug resistance. The findings can be used to develop strategies that minimize the chance of bacteria developing resistance.
A marine bacterium has yielded a potent new antifungal molecule, turbinmicin, effective against Candida auris and Aspergillus fumigatus resistant to major classes of drugs. Turbinmicin blocks vesicle trafficking in fungi, offering a potential solution to the growing threat of multidrug-resistant fungal infections.
Researchers found higher abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes downstream of wastewater treatment plants, linked to human contamination. The study provides insights into the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in waterways after natural disasters.
Researchers found that PBT2 disrupts metals in polymyxin-resistant bacteria, resensitizing them to treatment and boosting survival rates in mice with sepsis. The compound may offer a solution to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, which poses a grave danger to patients with bacterial infections.
Researchers have discovered that an experimental Alzheimer's disease treatment, PBT2, is effective at disrupting and killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The study shows that combining PBT2 with the antibiotic polymyxin successfully tackles superbugs like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Researchers developed an antibiotic resistance surveillance approach by applying DNA sequencing techniques to detect the spread of disease in watersheds impacted by large-scale storms. Baseline levels of antibiotic resistance genes in Puerto Rican watersheds prior to Hurricane Maria are unknown, but the study identified single gene tar...
A study found that dairy cows exposed to contaminated water carried more pathogens with antimicrobial-resistance genes, which can tolerate various antibiotics. The research highlights a threat to human health and supports the World Health Organization's declaration of antimicrobial resistance as a global public health threat.
Researchers warn that SARS-CoV-2 may develop resistance to COVID-19 vaccines, rendering them ineffective. To mitigate this risk, the team recommends using blood and nasal swab samples to assess vaccine efficacy and monitor for emerging resistance.
Researchers repurpose an antirheumatic gold drug, auranofin (AUR), to revive the potency of 'last-resort' antibiotics against multi-drug resistant superbugs. The combination therapy shows promising results in eradicating multidrug-resistant bacteria in animal models.