Articles tagged with Antibiotic Resistance
A new lab test, Carba NP, has been developed to detect carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in just 2.5 hours, with a specificity of 100%. The test is highly sensitive and specific for detecting carbapenemase production, making it a crucial tool for preventing the spread of CRE.
A hospital stay significantly increases the risk of acquiring a multidrug-resistant infection, with each additional day boosting the likelihood by 1%, according to new research. The study found that the percentage of infections classified as multidrug-resistant rose sharply after four or five days of hospitalization, peaking at over 35%.
Researchers found that contaminated blood cultures can serve as diagnostic predictors for more targeted antibiotics. The study showed that highly resistant skin germs could indicate high mortality rates for the actual disease-causing bacteria.
The study found that gram-positive bacteria, including staph and strep infections, accounted for 95 percent of endophthalmitis cases. The findings suggest better treatment with targeted antibiotics, but also highlight increasing resistance to certain antibiotics.
A highly virulent, multidrug-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been discovered in patient samples in Ohio. The strain contains a gene for a drug-resistant enzyme called metallo beta-lactamase, making it resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Drug-resistant malaria parasites have spread to critical border regions of Southeast Asia, posing a significant threat to global malaria control efforts. The study found artemisinin resistance in several countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar, with signs of emerging resistance in other areas.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that less than 1% of UK public and charitable funding was allocated to bacteriology projects, with only around 0.7% dedicated to antibiotic research. This inadequate funding poses a significant threat to tackling the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance.
Research found Aspergillus fungus resistant to life-saving drugs in UK rural areas treated with fungicides. The study highlights a worrying link between fungicide use and the emergence of multi-resistant fungal strains posing a significant threat to transplant patients and those with weakened immune systems.
Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully developed a new compound with improved antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant strains of tuberculosis. The findings offer an important new avenue for treatment of the disease, which is responsible for over 1 million deaths annually.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a fungus-derived molecule called AMA that can stop the spread of the deadly antibiotic-resistant gene NDM-1. Testing revealed that the molecule rescues carbapenem antibiotics' activity, providing a new way to combat superbugs.
Researchers used experimental evolution to study E. coli populations under strong and mild antibiotic selection conditions. They found higher cross-resistance in strongly selected strains with increased pathway-specific mutations.
Scientists at the University at Buffalo are developing novel dosing regimens for polymyxin antibiotics to combat 'superbugs' like Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The research aims to maximize antibacterial activity while minimizing resistance and toxicity.
Growing resistance to antibiotics demands a united global response, with experts calling for an independent body to oversee surveillance and set evidence-based targets. The world faces a future where simple infections become deadly diseases, with treatment relying on just one or two drugs.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discover that pulsed electrical fields can kill resistant bacteria infecting burns, reducing bacterial levels up to 10,000-fold. The technology has the potential to provide a chemical-free way of disinfecting burns and other wound infections.
Researchers discovered antibiotic resistance genes in all 71 environments tested, including soil, oceans, and human feces. The most common types of resistance uncovered were efflux pumps and genes conferring resistance to vancomycin, tetracycline, or beta-lactam antibiotics.
Researchers discovered that 'lonely' microbes are more likely to mutate, resulting in higher rates of antibiotic resistance. The rate of mutation varies according to the number of bacteria present, with more 'lonely' bacteria developing greater resistance to antibiotics like Rifampicin.
Rutgers University has secured a five-year, $26 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to lead the development of new antibiotics. The research effort aims to combat rising cases of antibiotic-resistant infections, which claim at least 23,000 lives annually in the US.
A new MRSA superbug has been identified in Brazil, with high levels of resistance to vancomycin. The superbug belongs to a genetic lineage commonly found outside hospitals and can affect not only sick individuals but also healthy people, posing a serious public health concern.
A UK awareness campaign has shown some success in delaying the onset of drug-resistant gonorrhea by prompting healthcare professionals and policy-makers to change treatment practices. However, resistance to cefixime and ceftriaxone is still a concern, and continued vigilance is necessary to prevent widespread emergence.
Scientists have discovered the atomic-scale mechanism of action for NpmA, an enzyme that imparts chemical changes to bacterial ribosomes, making them resistant to aminoglycoside antibiotics. This finding poses a significant threat to public health, but also reveals potential targets for developing new drugs.
The Joint Programme on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR) has presented a strategic research agenda to tackle the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The initiative brings together 19 countries and aims to improve current antibiotics, diagnostics, and prevention strategies to minimize the spread of resistance.
The threat of antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis that requires a multi-faceted approach, including strong basic, clinical and translational research. NIAID's new directions in antimicrobial resistance research aim to develop vaccines, point-of-care diagnostics, and new antibiotics to prevent and treat infections.
Researchers find trimethoprim to be an effective antibiotic against streptococcal infections in some regions, with a lower frequency of resistance than previously believed. The study also identifies three causes for rapid spread of resistance, highlighting the need for responsible antibiotic use.
Researchers have discovered the mechanism of bacterial type IV secretion, which plays a crucial role in spreading antibiotic resistance. The system, uncovered by scientists at UCL and Birkbeck, differs substantially from other bacterial secretion systems and could lead to new tools for genetic modification.
Researchers found significant variations in definitions and isolation procedures for multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria across hospitals. The inconsistent detection and treatment practices may hinder communication between healthcare centers, contributing to the spread of these deadly pathogens.
Researchers have identified a self-resistance mechanism in Streptomyces platensis bacteria that can bypass antibiotic fatty acid synthesis inhibition. This discovery could lead to the development of new, potent antibiotic drug candidates.
Researchers found high levels of antibiotic-resistant genes in river water during peak pilgrimage season, linked to overcrowding and poor waste management. The study emphasizes the importance of protecting sacred sites while preventing the spread of 'superbugs', highlighting the need for improved sanitation and waste treatment.
The €85 million ENABLE project aims to develop novel antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria, addressing a growing epidemic of resistance. The public-private partnership will create an anti-bacterial drug discovery platform and deliver at least one new candidate into Phase 2 clinical trials by 2019.
Researchers found that carvacrol can break down the outer coat of norovirus, making it more susceptible to other antimicrobials. This discovery could lead to the development of a new food sanitizer and surface sanitizer for settings where traditional bleach or alcohol-based cleaners are not effective.
A Virginia Tech engineer is studying the impact of the recent Colorado flood on antibiotic resistance genes. The researcher aims to understand how floodwaters can transport and disseminate these genes, which could have significant implications for human and animal health.
Research found that adult nomograms for Vancomycin dosage calculations are not accurate for children over 10, highlighting the need for personalized dosing regimens. The study's authors recommend further studies to determine the most effective dosing methods for teenagers between 10 and 18 years old.
A study found that sublethal doses of biocides can enhance antibiotic resistance in bacteria, forming harmful biofilms and increasing survival rates. This poses a risk to public health and highlights the need for proper guidelines on biocide use in food production.
Scientists have discovered 'superbugs' carrying multidrug-resistant bacteria in treated wastewater from two plants in northern China. The study reveals the microbes breed and spread their dangerous cargo, highlighting a significant public health risk.
The UK has released updated evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS hospitals. The epic3 guidelines provide the best available scientific evidence for preventing healthcare infections, focusing on standard principles for infection prevention and control.
A recent study funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests that restricting antibiotic use may not stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant typhoid. In laboratory tests, resistant strains of Salmonella Typhi bacteria outcompeted sensitive strains even without antibiotics.
Narrow-spectrum antibiotics, such as ampicillin and penicillin, are equally effective as broad-spectrum antibiotics in treating less severe childhood pneumonia. The study, published in Pediatrics, compared outcomes among children hospitalized with pneumonia between 2005 and 2011, receiving either narrow-spectrum or broad-spectrum antib...
Researchers at UC San Diego used quantitative models and microfluidic devices to study bacterial growth and evolution of drug resistance. They found that the expression of resistance genes depends on the bacterial colony's growth status and the effectiveness of the resistance mechanism. The interaction between drug and resistance is co...
A study led by the University of Leeds has identified a resistance protein in bacteria that allows them to survive chlorhexidine, an antiseptic commonly used in hospitals. The discovery is critical for developing new chemicals to combat superbugs, which pose a catastrophic threat to the medical system.
The report highlights the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, its major causes and consequences, and identifies key areas in which action is urgently needed. The authors call for a fundamental shift in how antibiotics are developed, financed, and prescribed to address this threat.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Josѐ A. Vazquez emphasizes the need for improved education on antibiotic use to combat multidrug-resistant organisms. The overuse of antibiotics in hospitals and communities contributes to resistance, which can spread through casual encounters.
Northeastern researchers have developed a new treatment to cure MRSA infections by targeting dormant cells called persisters. The approach uses a drug called ADEP, which effectively wakes up and eliminates these expert survivors, leading to complete eradication of the bacterial population.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine found that healthy children have numerous antibiotic resistance genes in their gut microbes. The research highlights the need for responsible antibiotic use to prevent the spread of resistance and serious illness.
A new method developed in collaboration with Unisensor A/S can determine the optimal antibiotic treatment for a given bacterial infection within 2-4 hours, reducing the response time by half. This faster diagnosis can help prevent the development of resistant bacteria and shorten disease courses.
The cantilever technology measures drug-bacteria interactions in real-time, detecting rupturing of individual hydrogen bonds and resolving forces of ~10 pN. It offers a sensitive alternative for drug experimentation and early detection of infectious diseases.
Researchers have developed PPMOs, which target specific genes in bacteria, offering a more precise and effective alternative to antibiotics. In animal studies, PPMOs showed significant control of certain strains of Acinetobacter, a bacterium resistant to many antibiotics.
Cesar Arias has received the Oswald Avery Award for Early Achievement from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) for his groundbreaking work on superbugs and antibiotic resistance. His research aims to combat the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and has been recognized globally.
Notre Dame researchers discovered how MRSA regulates its cell wall in response to beta-lactam antibiotics, enabling drug resistance. They also found a way for a new antibiotic, ceftaroline, to target and inhibit the enzyme responsible for resistance.
A study found that antimicrobial therapy was a significant risk factor for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a Greek NICU. Adherence to infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship policies are crucial to prevent VRE outbreaks.
Researchers found resistance genes for five common antibiotics and the Clostridium botulinum toxin gene in vacuum dust, which could lead to infant botulism infections. The study suggests that vacuum cleaners can act as a vehicle for indoor bioaerosol exposure.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a revolutionary method to identify and characterize antibiotics, providing a powerful tool to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The new approach enables the rapid prioritization of promising molecules, accelerating the development of new medicines.
A genomic study found that Salmonella populations in humans and animals living side by side have distinct genetic variations, challenging the notion that local animals are a primary source of antibiotic-resistant infections. The research also revealed greater diversity in antibiotic resistance genes in human-infecting bacteria.
A UK study finds that only 3.9% of total infectious disease research funding was allocated to antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need for increased investment in this area. The study calls for strong leadership and sustained targeted spending to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant infections.
A new study found that a prescribing protocol with automatic stop dates and pharmacist support significantly reduced antibiotic use and side-effects. The protocol led to a near 20% reduction in antibiotics prescribed and a 40% reduction in related side-effects.
Researchers have identified changes in the microbiome that can predict chemotherapy-induced diarrhea and developed new diagnostics, including a breath test for fungal disease. A single dose of an antibiotic candidate has been found to be as effective as a week-long course of vancomycin for certain skin infections.
A new method developed by Michael DiMarzio identifies and tracks antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium strains, which account for 15% of human salmonellosis infections. The study uses CRISPR sequences to separate isolates with common resistance patterns in both animals and humans.
A new study published in PLOS Pathogens highlights the importance of balancing the gut microbiome to prevent food-borne infections. The researchers found that SIGIRR protein plays a critical role in protecting the gut against bacterial pathogens, and its dysfunction can lead to increased susceptibility to colonization by harmful microbes.
The article reveals that antibiotic resistance among hospital-acquired infections is much greater than prior CDC estimates, with resistance rates ranging from 11% to over 50%. The FDA's promise to reboot antibiotic development rules has fallen short, and the authors conclude that more than an FDA 'reboot' is needed to combat this crisis.
A new study published in The Lancet found that internet-based training can significantly lower antibiotic prescribing rates for acute respiratory tract infections. Clinicians who received training in using CRP tests or enhanced communication skills reduced their prescribing rates by 47% and 32%, respectively. Combining both types of tr...
Reducing overall antibiotic consumption does not necessarily decrease resistance, particularly for MRSA, where some antibiotics like clindamycin and methicillin are more effective in reducing resistance. The success of antibiotic reduction programs depends on the targeted antibiotics that are reduced.
The overuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry poses a significant risk to human health, according to experts. A growing body of evidence suggests that routine antibiotic use in animal feed can worsen the epidemic of antibiotic resistance, with many public health authorities agreeing that it is a major concern.