Research on how bacteria evade antibiotics. Covers adaptive metabolism, water-source resistance, drug-efflux pumps, and microplastic pollutant shuttles.
Anton Y. Peleg receives the American Society for Microbiology's ICAAC Young Investigator Award for his groundbreaking work on carbapenemase genes, tigecycline resistance, and prokaryote-eukaryote interactions in multidrug-resistant bacteria.
A new study found that antibiotic-resistant TB strains cause longer-lasting infections but with lower transmission rates. The research team estimated the rate of evolution of drug resistance and compared the relative reproductive fitness of resistant and drug-sensitive strains.
Research reveals that bacteria's survival rate increases when resistant to two antibiotics, contrary to expected outcomes. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding genetic interactions in determining antibiotic resistance.
Research on clarithromycin resistance in Helicobacter pylori isolates from Malaysian patients revealed low prevalence rates and specific mutations. The study found transitions of adenine to guanine at positions 2142 and 2143 of the 23S rRNA gene, detectable through restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.
Researchers studied DNA from 1,930 pneumococcus strains and found a link between bacterial recombination and antibiotic resistance. Bacteria that undergo sex with other species are more likely to develop resistance to antibiotics, making treatment increasingly difficult.
A soil microbe uses an enzyme to produce a herbicidal compound by breaking a non-activated carbon-carbon bond in a single step. The study provides the first three-dimensional structure of the enzyme and proposes a mechanism for its task.
Researchers have detected vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) in Swedish sewage sludge, highlighting the potential for antibiotic resistance genes to spread through the food chain. The study emphasizes the need for more efficient treatment of sewage sludge to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
A national survey reveals that nearly all oncologists and ID specialists are highly concerned about the negative impact of infection on treatment outcomes in chemotherapy patients. Infections among chemotherapy patients are common, with one in four patients experiencing an infection in the last 12 months.
Infection control methods could reduce hospital-acquired neonatal infections, which account for one-third of global child deaths. Multidrug-resistant GNRs were found in over 1,900 colonizing and infecting neonates, with high-risk factors including mechanical ventilation and prematurity.
A new study by Uppsala University reveals a mechanism to delay the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Inhibiting drug efflux pumps can mask the effect of mutations that reduce antibiotic binding, providing clues to delaying resistance development.
A new combination of antimicrobial drugs and peptides has been developed to target MRSA, resulting in a 99.97% kill rate and 1000x increased effectiveness compared to existing treatments. This approach also prevents bacteria from producing toxins and is unlikely to lead to resistance.
Researchers have developed a new generation of natural antibiotics using bioengineering, targeting harmful micro-organisms like MRSA and Listeria monocytogenes. These enhanced nisin variants possess greater activities against clinical pathogens and could become acceptable alternatives to current antimicrobials.
Severe injuries on battlefields increase risk of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in war-wounded soldiers. Effective personal protective equipment and medical care have improved survival rates but not mitigated the risk of wound infections.
A new study found that a rigorous environmental cleaning intervention can reduce the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) in hospital intensive care units (ICUs). The multi-modal cleaning protocol reduced MRSA acquisition by 61%, while VRE acquisition decreased by...
A 6-part CMAJ series tackles antibiotic resistance in hospitals, clinics, and homes, providing practical treatment guidelines. Enhanced monitoring, hand washing, and infection control measures can help limit the spread of resistant microbes in Canada.
Researchers find increasing risk of staph infections from ocean beach users, but also discover sponge and coral-derived chemicals that could break down antibiotic-resistant compounds. New tools to fight antibiotic resistance have been identified, including novel antibiotics and chemicals with potential for personalized medicine.
A study found a significant increase in quinolone-resistant gonorrhea from 2% to 28% in Ontario between 2001 and 2006. Infections among heterosexual men are linked to the rising rate of resistance.
Resources for the Future launches Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership to explore incentives for slowing antibiotic resistance development and spread. The three-year initiative will build on the Extending the Cure project, focusing on five emerging economies with rapidly rising antibiotic use.
Researchers identified the structure of a key component facilitating the exchange of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria. This discovery sheds light on how type IV secretion systems, which also transport toxins, contribute to disease-causing properties and public health concerns.
Northwestern University researchers have discovered a CRISPR locus that can impede the spread of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic staphylococci by blocking plasmid transfer. This mechanism could provide a means to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in bacteria.
A new strategy targets the cooperation among pathogens, which is more effective than killing individual cells with traditional drugs. By disrupting the teamwork, the immune system can combat any remaining infection.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases review highlights the growing concern of Acinetobacter baumannii infections, which can be caused by environmental exposure, skin colonization, or hospital-acquired conditions. Researchers emphasize the need for strict hygiene compliance and further research on antibiotic treatment options to prevent major...
Scientists have obtained visual evidence of how deadly 'superbugs' acquire and disseminate antibiotic resistance. The discovery sheds light on the role of conjugative pili in spreading antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have developed a new grape called Improved Chancellor that is resistant to the popular herbicide 2,4-D. The discovery of the gene that makes this grape resistant came about by accident, and it has the potential to help salvage the wine and grape industry in the Midwest.
Research found that low levels of disinfectants can make Staphylococcus aureus remove toxic chemicals from the cell more efficiently, potentially making it resistant to antibiotics. This increase in efflux pumps may lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria, threatening patients with infections.
A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology found that HeF A expression levels are significantly higher in multidrug-resistant strains of H. pylori compared to their susceptible counterparts. The HeF A mutant was more susceptible to four out of ten antibiotics, confirming its role in multidrug resistance.
UVA researchers have developed a method to reduce MRSA infections by rotating antibiotics every three months, resulting in a significant decrease in infection rates from 1.9 to 1.4 patients per 100 admissions. In-hospital mortality from surgical ICU-acquired MRSA infections also fell to zero.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a rapid test that can detect multiple diseases and antibiotic resistance in a single sample, reducing the diagnosis time from days to just 24 hours. The test has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis of animal and human infections, as well as enhance our response to bioterrori...
California officials have identified 18 cases of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) between 1993 and 2006. The state has also seen a rising trend of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) cases, with XDR TB being resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics.
A study of 174 tuberculosis patients found that extensively drug-resistant TB patients were almost eight times as likely to die as those with multi-drug resistant TB. The study emphasizes the critical importance of optimal management of multi-drug resistant cases to prevent progression to XDR-TB and associated poorer outcomes.
Current TB treatment regimens are insufficient in countries with high MDR-TB prevalence, leading to significantly higher failure and relapse rates. Studies reveal that for every 1% increase in MDR-TB, there's a corresponding 0.3% rise in new case treatment failure and a 1.1% increase in retreatment failure rate.
Researchers have discovered two new β-Lactam antibiotics that target MRSA, a major global health threat responsible for approximately 20,000 US deaths annually. The novel compounds interact with the MRSA cell wall enzyme PBP 2a, inhibiting its function and leading to bacterial cell death.
The study reveals stark differences in antibiotic resistance between European countries, with major antibiotics being less effective in certain nations. Resistance to oxacillin and cephalosporins is of particular concern, suggesting the presence of MRSA in some countries.
Researchers at Rockefeller University tested Ceftobiprole against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, achieving a 100% kill rate. The new antibiotic successfully targeted the gene that confers resistance, offering hope in combating staphylococcal infections worldwide.
A new laser-powered treatment has been shown to kill a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, without causing significant heat damage. The treatment uses indocyanine green dye activated by near-infrared light, which penetrates deep wounds and increases the area cleansed.
Researchers identified Mfd as a key factor promoting fluoroquinolone resistance in Campylobacter. Eliminating Mfd from the bacteria resulted in a 100-fold reduction in antibiotic-resistant mutants.
A study found that using silver-coated endotracheal tubes reduced ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates by nearly 40% and highly resistant infection rates by less than half. The average costs associated with VAP treatment were also significantly reduced due to the impact on length of stay in ICU.
The genome of Steno, a newly emerging superbug, has been sequenced, revealing an organism with exceptional drug resistance. Understanding its genetic makeup may help researchers develop biochemical compounds to combat this resistance.
A recent study found that proteins in alligator blood have potent antimicrobial properties, effective against MRSA and Candida albicans yeast infections. Researchers believe these proteins could be used to develop new treatments for diabetic ulcers, severe burns, and other infections
A team of researchers has identified a molecular switch controlling multidrug resistance in fungi, which could lead to novel therapies for resistant fungal infections. The discovery was made using genetic, biochemical, and molecular approaches, and found to be similar to the regulatory switches controlling drug detoxification in humans.
Scientists warn of an impending crisis due to superbugs like Acinetobacter that have become resistant to all available antibiotics, including those thought safe. The bacteria cause severe infections, pneumonia, skin, and wound infections, and even meningitis, leading to significant patient mortality.
A standard sampling regime is being developed to identify superbug genes in intensive care unit environments. The technique uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to characterise micro-organism genes and spot antibiotic resistance, allowing for the detection of MRSA and other drug-resistant bacteria.
Researchers found that antibiotics offer little benefit for patients with acute rhinosinusitis-like complaints. The study suggests that doctors should not prescribe antibiotics to adults with rhinosinusitis symptoms lasting longer than 7-10 days, as there is no clear subgroup of patients who would benefit from treatment.
Researchers have uncovered how Streptococcus pneumoniae builds its penicillin immunity and opened up ways to disrupt this mechanism, potentially restoring penicillin as a weapon against the bacterium. The discovery also offers hope for treating MRSA using penicillin.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is addressing the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance through a multifaceted research approach. The institute is investing over $800 million annually in basic and translational research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatments of antimicrobial dru...
Researchers have solved the structure of two proteins that enable bacteria to develop resistance to various types of antibiotics, providing insights into their evolution and design strategies for new drugs. This discovery could aid in developing effective treatments against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Recent reports show antibiotic-resistant E coli strains causing bloodstream infections, with β lactamases contributing to resistance. Rapid identification of these resistant bacteria is crucial to prevent their spread and select effective antibiotics.
The study proposes antimicrobial cycling and patient isolation as effective strategies to curb dual-resistant bacteria in hospitals. The model's results indicate that these methods can reduce the prevalence of dual resistance, making them crucial in combating the growing threat of superbugs.
Researchers found that biofilms composed of resistant microbial cells are the cause of corneal infections fueled by soft contact lens use. They recommend improved testing with modern fungal strains and adherence to lens care best practices.
A new strain of MRSA bacteria has been discovered in sexually active gay men, showing a high rate of transmission through intimate contact and skin-to-skin contact. The study found that these men are 13 times more likely to be infected than the general population, highlighting the need for increased awareness and prevention measures.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have pioneered new methods to modify antibiotics' molecular structure, enabling the development of new types of antibiotics capable of combating increasingly resistant bacteria. This innovation provides access to thousands of lipopeptide variants that cannot be produced easily in any other way.
A new model of HIV dynamics accurately predicts the emergence and growth of recombinant forms of the virus in infected individuals. This framework also establishes scaling relationships between the prevalence of these resistant strains and overall infection extent.
A recent study found that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are more common than previously thought, affecting certain populations disproportionately. The study estimated that 94,360 invasive MRSA infections occurred in the US in 2005, resulting in 18,650 deaths.
Researchers detected BlaKPC gene in Midwestern patients, indicating spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The gene's presence can impact treatment options and contain its spread through isolation.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois found that tetracycline resistance genes migrate from hog waste lagoons into groundwater wells, often diluting or amplifying these genes. The study, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, tracks the passage of these genes across species and environments.
The study aims to identify effective off-patent antibiotics for treating uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by MRSA. Researchers hope to find an optimal treatment to stop progression of serious infections or prevent recurrence, with Olive View–UCLA Medical Center as the principal study site.
Research by Dr James Chin and colleagues reveals that antibiotics not only kill bad bacteria but also maintain a pool of resistant genes within microbial communities. This means that subsequent therapy with another antibiotic may be ineffective due to increased resistance.
General Practitioners (GPs) are still over-prescribing antibiotics for common infections like sore throats and sinusitis, hindering efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. The analysis of the world's largest primary care database found that prescriptions for these conditions rose to 80% despite guidance warnings.
A review of type 2 diabetes treatment found older agents have similar or superior effects on glycemic control and intermediate endpoints compared to newer, pricier medications. Gonorrhea is becoming resistant to fluoroquinolone antibiotics, leading to recommendations for alternative treatments.
A study published in JAMA Network found that antibiotic treatment after a first urinary tract infection (UTI) in children may not reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs, but increases the risk of resistant infections. The study identified risk factors for recurrent UTI and estimated the effectiveness of antimicrobials in preventing recurrence.