Articles tagged with Antibiotic Resistance
The UK is losing 0.82 million tonnes of wheat yield each year due to herbicide-resistant black-grass, with potential implications for national food security. Researchers estimate that the worst-case scenario could result in an annual cost of £1 billion and a wheat yield loss of 3.4 million tonnes per year.
A new CRISPR-based gene-drive system, Pro-AG, has been developed to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria with increased efficiency. The system uses a self-amplifying editing mechanism to insert tailored genetic payloads into target sites with high precision.
The NIH is providing renewed funding for the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG) to conduct clinical research and develop novel strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. The ARLG has established collaborations in 19 countries and conducted over 40 clinical studies involving over 20,000 volunteers.
Researchers at SMART and NTU have designed a polymer that can kill bacteria resistant to commonly used antibiotics, including MRSA. The breakthrough could lead to the development of medicine to which bacteria are significantly less resistant, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
A common first-line treatment for cryptococcal meningitis is being compromised by emerging drug resistance, according to a new University of Liverpool research. The study highlights the need for new drugs and treatment regimens to combat the lethal brain infection.
Researchers have uncovered the critical genetic components responsible for oat's natural defense against soil pathogens, including the notorious Take-all disease. The finding holds significant implications for breeding other crops with similar resistance mechanisms.
A multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus lineage known as the Bengal Bay clone has spread globally, causing severe disease and raising concerns about antibiotic resistance. The bacteria combines high virulence potential with multi-drug resistance, making it a significant public health issue.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a potent new antimicrobial that works against the toughest infectious disease strains, including MRSA. The compound, MAC-545496, cripples MRSA's ability to cause infection by diminishing its tolerance to the immune system and blocking its resistance to antibiotics.
Device-associated infections show higher resistance rates for antibiotic-resistant bacteria compared to surgical site infections, highlighting the need for improved infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship in hospitals.
A Michigan State University study finds that antibiotic-resistant salmonella strains are increasing, leading to longer hospital stays and worse symptoms. The study also reveals regional differences in the types of salmonella infections, with rural areas affected by enteritis infections.
A recent study found high prevalence and diversity of antibiotic-resistant genes in wildlife enteric bacteria from Catalonia. The study highlights the risk of human exposure to these resistant traits through wildlife.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed new active ingredients that target the pyruvate kinase enzyme in pathogenic bacteria. These substances were shown to be effective against staphylococcus and MRSA, potentially offering a solution to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
New research reveals that antibiotic-resistant bacteria carry dormant genes that can quickly become active, making them resistant to treatment. This study highlights the complexity of the fight against superbugs and the need for improved screening processes.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism behind bacterial evolution of drug resistance, exploiting collateral sensitivity for novel and sustainable treatments. The study found that certain drugs can be used in combination to eliminate bacterial populations or prevent the emergence of multidrug resistance.
The American Dental Association recommends against prescribing antibiotics for healthy adults with toothaches, citing evidence that they do not alleviate symptoms and can cause harm. In cases where dental treatment is delayed or signs of infection are present, antibiotics may be considered, but only in specific scenarios.
A recent yeast study found that combining gene deletions can lead to increased drug sensitivity, while some combinations result in hyper-resistance. Researchers used a model system to demonstrate the impact of perturbing many different gene combinations.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a new family of synthetic antibiotics that target essential outer membrane proteins in Gram-negative bacteria, disrupting their synthesis and leading to cell bursting.
Researchers found that bacteria living in biofilms develop unique adaptations to resist antibiotics, whereas free-floating bacteria become more resistant but vulnerable to other classes of antibiotics. This discovery highlights the importance of studying bacteria in their natural lifestyle.
A new study reveals that antibiotic-resistant E. coli superbugs are more likely to be spread through poor toilet hygiene than the food chain, with human-to-human transmission being a primary route of infection. The research found that strains of E. coli resistant to ESBLs dominate in human faeces and bloodstream infections.
Researchers discovered a single nucleotide mutation in P. aeruginosa that caused rapid resistance to ceftolozane-tazobactam and partial resensitization to carbapenems and piperacilline-tazobactam. This finding may enable the use of these antibiotics in treating extremely drug-resistant P. aeruginosa cases.
A new study finds that antibiotic resistance to H. pylori has more than doubled in 20 years, from 9.9% in 1998 to 21.6% last year. This increase is particularly concerning for countries like Southern Italy and Greece, where rates of primary clarithromycin resistance are highest.
Researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in over 60% of raw pet food samples, including E. coli that can cause infections in humans and animals. The study advises dog and cat owners to handle the food carefully and maintain strict hygiene standards.
Researchers have developed a novel way to identify previously unrecognized antibiotic-resistance genes in bacteria using machine learning and game theory. The approach determined the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes in three different types of bacteria with high accuracy.
The occurrence of antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria from animals to humans has nearly tripled since 2000. Researchers found that antibiotics showing rates of resistance above 50% increased in chickens and pigs in developing countries between 2000 and 2018.
An interdisciplinary group of researchers will investigate antimicrobial use and resistance in Argentinian livestock farms, aiming to develop a complete picture of AMR levels and their environmental impact. The project will inform policy making and potential interventions to reduce antimicrobial use and AMR.
Researchers found ubiquitous presence of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in groundwater samples, despite advanced treatment facility reducing ARGs to below detection limits. The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the global spread of antibiotic resistance and ensure clean water supply.
A two-year study in Sydney's urban coastal environments reveals that some beaches have elevated levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria following rainfall. The research highlights the exchange between human wastewater streams and natural ecosystems, posing a risk to human exposure to antibiotic-resistance bacteria.
Researchers found that ant-associated bacteria produce continually evolving variants of antimicrobials, making it harder for parasitic fungi to become resistant. This strategy could hold promise as a means to address antimicrobial resistance in the clinic.
Scientists at the University of Surrey discovered that green tea's EGCG can restore antibiotic activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study found that combining EGCG with aztreonam significantly reduced bacterial numbers and improved survival rates in infected larvae.
Biochemists at Nagoya University have found a way to selectively kill Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria using a hijacked haem acquisition system that targets other dangerous bacteria, providing an alternative treatment strategy for resistant infections.
Researchers mapped global trends in antimicrobial resistance rates among food animals in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018. The study found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise, with high rates of resistance identified in antibiotics commonly used in food production.
A study found that nearly two-thirds of Danish hedgehogs carried mecC-MRSA, a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, there was no evidence of transmission from hedgehogs to humans or rehabilitators, dispelling fears about hedgehog visits in gardens.
A new study reveals a significant increase in antibiotic-resistant pathogens in chickens and pigs worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The researchers identified hotspots of resistance, including China and India, where more than half of the world's pigs and chickens are raised.
Scientists have detected extensively drug-resistant Salmonella strains in central Africa that are resistant to nearly all commonly available drugs, a significant threat to public health. The study reveals that these new strains exhibit genetic and behavioral changes that suggest ongoing evolution towards bloodstream infections.
The proportion of bacteria resistant to antimicrobials has increased significantly worldwide, with critical consequences for animal health and human consumers. A new map reveals high resistance rates in regions such as northeast China, northeast India, and southern Brazil, where key antibiotics have lost efficacy.
Researchers at Procarta Biosystems are developing a new type of antimicrobial that kills bacteria by blocking gene expression, potentially revolutionizing treatment of serious and life-threatening infections. The £7.4m funding from CARB-X aims to combat antibiotic resistance, a major global threat.
Scientists engineer a plasmid that removes antibiotic resistance genes from Enterococcus faecalis, reducing its abundance by threefold in mouse models. The technology uses CRISPR-Cas9 and aims to combat antimicrobial resistance in hospitals.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and Georgia Aquarium have found a significant increase in antibiotic resistance in bottlenose dolphins, with the prevalence of resistance to at least one antibiotic reaching 88.2 percent. The study's findings suggest that the isolates originated from human activities or discharges, highlight...
Researchers from Osaka University found that a relatively ancient Haemophilus influenzae drug efflux pump AcrB confers resistance to antibiotics similar to its more evolved counterparts. The study highlights the evolution and mechanism of multidrug efflux systems, suggesting a 'one size fits all' approach is not suitable.
A Wistar team is advancing a synthetic DNA technology called DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies (DMAbs) to combat multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of DMAbs in controlling infection in mice, paving the way for further development and clinical testing.
Infections acquired by patients in Canadian hospitals are declining, with a 30% reduction between 2009 and 2017, reveals new research published in CMAJ. Urinary tract infections were the most common type of infection, followed by pneumonia and surgical site infections.
Treating preterm infants with antibiotics for more than 20 months can lead to less diverse bacterial populations in their gut, containing more antibiotic resistance genes. The study suggests that early-life antibiotic use may promote allergies and other health issues later in life by reducing the diversity of microbial communities.
Researchers create new way to detect resistant bacteria, enabling clinicians to reserve stronger antibiotics for most patients. The modified antibiotic can be attached to a sensor surface to detect resistance enzymes, paving the way for rapid diagnostic tests.
Researchers found a new mechanism for resistance gene transmission in intestinal bacteria that's independent of antibiotics. Persistent bacteria can survive and share genes with other bacteria, spreading resistance, according to ETH Zurich scientists.
A new study modelled the effects of antibiotic prescriptions on developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the River Thames. Reducing antibiotic use by 80% is necessary to avoid a surge in superbugs, which could pose a more immediate risk to humanity than climate change.
Bacteria behind hospital infections have been found to close tiny doors in their cell walls, blocking antibiotics. This mechanism allows researchers to design new drugs that can 'pick the locks' and allow antibiotics into bacterial cells.
A Montreal hospital's switch from ward-type rooms to private rooms led to a significant decrease in multidrug-resistant organism colonization and health care-associated infections. The study suggests that such changes can have a positive impact on patient safety.
A team of Australia-UK researchers identified the molecular machinery used by bacteria to resist chemicals, which could be repurposed to produce precursors for new polymers like nylon. This discovery sheds light on how bacteria develop resistance and may lead to the development of new antimicrobial agents.
Resistance to carbapenems and polymyxins is geographically widespread in Southeast Asia, with overlapping distributions in eight countries. The study highlights the urgent need for robust antimicrobial resistance surveillance and improved infection prevention and treatment practices globally.
Researchers extracted genetic programs for glycopeptide antibiotic production from Actinobacteria, revealing precursors date back over 1 billion years. The study shows that resistance co-evolved with production as a means of self-protection for producing bacteria.
Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth have discovered that vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) can develop resistance to daptomycin in more than one way. The study's findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, which could lead to the development of new treatment strategies or 'co-drugs' targetin...
Researchers found that cigarette smoke can change the DNA and characteristics of pathogenic microbes like MRSA, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This stress response sparks an emergency mutation, resulting in hardy variants that are better equipped to resist drugs.
Antibiotic-resistant genes were found in London's freshwater sources, with the River Thames having the highest levels. The genes come from human and animal waste, which contaminates water bodies through wastewater discharge. Researchers are now experimenting with slow sand filtration to remove these genes.
A recent study found that nearly 9% of healthy women carried multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli strains in their guts, which can transfer to the female urinary tract and cause disease. The study also showed that these strains persist in the gut for a long time and can be detected in the urine without symptoms.
A recent study found that kissing is a significant route of transmission for gonorrhoea, with rates of infection higher among men who kiss their partners compared to those who do not. The researchers argue that increased awareness and control measures are needed to address the rising global incidence of gonorrhoea.
Researchers at Inserm and Université de Rennes 1 have created new antibiotics effective against Gram-positive and negative multi-resistant bacteria. The compounds, known as peptidomimetics, also appear to prevent the development of resistance when used in mice models.
A new study from King's College London found that GP antibiotic prescribing has decreased overall, but at a slower rate for older patients and those with unclear diagnoses. The study analyzed data from 102 general practices in England from 2014 to 2017 and showed a 6.9% decline in total antibiotic prescribing per year.
Researchers discovered that multiple antibiotic resistance mutations in E. coli acquired simultaneously, rather than through gradual evolution. This finding suggests a recent emergence of the pandemic multidrug-resistant strain, possibly within the last 12 years.
Research reveals high levels of antibiotic resistance among E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae species in Ghana, posing a significant threat to the healthcare system. The spread of these resistant bacteria through contact with contaminated surfaces and person-to-person contact is a major public health concern.
Researchers have identified a combination of penicillin and clavulanic acid that can overcome resistance in some MRSA strains, making them potentially effective against the superbug. The study suggests that existing medicines could be used to treat one of the world's major strains of MRSA.