Research on how bacteria evade antibiotics. Covers adaptive metabolism, water-source resistance, drug-efflux pumps, and microplastic pollutant shuttles.
Scientists have found a key weakness in the enzyme that helps bacteria swap genes for drug resistance, allowing them to block the spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes. Bisphosphonates, widely prescribed for bone loss, can annihilate antibiotic-resistant bacteria in laboratory cultures.
Research suggests that food can be an important avenue for antibiotic-resistant bacterial evolution and dissemination through horizontal gene transfer with commensal bacteria. Many food samples tested contained antibiotic-resistance gene-carrying bacteria, highlighting the prevalence of these microbes in the retail food supply.
A study found XDR-TB accounts for 8% of multi-drug-resistant cases in India, compared to 4% in the US. The disease leaves patients virtually untreatable with currently available anti-TB drugs, with a high mortality rate of 42%.
A University of Georgia study reveals high levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in chickens raised on antibiotic-free farms and lab conditions. The resistances don't come from antibiotic use, suggesting that banning farm use won't help, but may require new management practices to reduce the risk of human illness.
The MOSAR project aims to control and study antimicrobial resistance in hospitals, with a focus on four types of microorganisms. IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic participates in the network, led by INSERM, and has expertise in bacteriology and public health.
A randomized double-blind trial found that macrolide antibiotics increased resistance in oral streptococcal flora, with azithromycin showing a higher effect. The study highlights the ecological side-effects of antibiotics and suggests a causal link between antibiotic use and resistance.
Researchers have developed pharmaceuticals that prevent E. coli from assembling pili, rendering it non-pathogenic and susceptible to elimination. This approach aims to slow the growth of antibiotic-resistant infections and minimize the development of resistance.
The global epidemic of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) may be larger than previously thought, with an estimated 424,000 cases worldwide in 2004. High levels of resistance were found in countries such as China, India, and Russia.
The study reveals that asymptomatic carriers played a crucial role in the evolution and global transmission of Typhi, leading to antibiotic resistance and hindering treatment efforts. The research also highlights the importance of healthy carriers in facilitating the spread of the bacteria.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has successfully synthesized an antibiotic called fosfomycin in a non-native host, paving the way for new treatments against bacterial infections. The development is significant as it addresses the rising threat of antibiotic resistance.
A three-year study funded by the CDC found a link between consuming poultry, handling raw poultry, and increased risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The investigation focused on the use of virginiamycin in poultry, which is linked to an increased risk of developing Synercid-resistant E. faecium.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that hospitals implementing specific measures to control antibiotic use were more likely to succeed in controlling antibiotic resistance. Measures such as limiting broad-spectrum drug availability and restricting formularies were associated with lower rates of antibiotic resistance.
Two studies reveal that contaminated carrots are a source of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection, while exposure to antibiotic-treated poultry increases the risk of antibiotic-resistant gut bacteria. The findings highlight the need for improved food safety regulations and hygiene practices to prevent such outbreaks.
Researchers at Cardiff University have been awarded £800,000 to commercially develop a protein-based therapeutic for treating infectious diseases. The 'Resolution Therapeutics' approach aims to enhance the body's natural defence mechanisms to promote infection clearance and reduce inflammation.
Key findings highlight the need for rapid screening programs and strict contact precautions in hospitals to prevent MRSA transmission. Community-acquired MRSA poses a critical public health priority, requiring immediate action to control outbreaks and prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Twenty-four scientists honored for developing life-saving antibiotics, chemotherapy treatments, eco-friendly refrigerants, and safer toxic gas transport methods. Their innovations have significantly improved human well-being and the environment.
Patients with highly resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are twice as likely to die from hospital-acquired pneumonia. Inappropriate antibiotic treatments contribute to higher mortality rates.
A recent study published in Annals of Surgery found AVELOX to be equally effective as a multi-dose combination therapy for treating intra-abdominal infections, with improved cure rates among hospital-acquired infections. The treatment showed a significantly higher cure rate and better safety profile compared to the standard regimen.
The launch of Tygacil (tigecycline) in the UK marks a significant step forward in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA and Escherichia Coli. The new antibiotic has been developed to overcome common mechanisms of resistance and offers a single effective therapy for complicated skin and soft tissue infections.
A study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that reducing antibiotic prescribing was associated with an increase in hospital admissions for respiratory infections. The research analyzed data from over 15 million hospitalizations and suggested that limiting antibiotic use may not be beneficial in all cases.
The overuse of antibiotics in fish farming can lead to increased bacterial resistance and disease risk. Consuming contaminated fish products can transfer these resistant bacteria to humans, posing a significant health threat.
Research reveals that non-pathogenic bacteria from cow manure share antibiotic-resistance genes with multi-drug resistant Salmonella strains on the same farm. Ecology appears to play a major role in the spread of drug resistance, rather than therapeutic antibiotic use.
A new treatment using fosfomycin has shown promise in treating Listeria infections, which cause severe food-borne diseases. The drug was ineffective in laboratory tests but proved effective in the body, highlighting the need to revise testing methods.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute determined the x-ray structure of EmrD, a multidrug transporter protein in E. coli, which could help understand its mechanism and develop new drugs. The study revealed an internal cavity composed primarily of hydrophobic residues that contribute to drug specificity.
Researchers found that bacteria gain resistance through only a small fraction of the 120 possible mutational paths in a key gene. Most pathways fail to continuously improve resistance, contradicting traditional views on evolution by natural selection.
Researchers successfully synthesized a novel vancomycin analogue with enhanced binding ability, showing promise in treating vancomycin-resistant infections. The new compound could potentially lead to the development of more effective antibiotics against these resistant strains.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can export molecules similar to communication signals, blocking the effectiveness of drugs. This process, called quorum sensing, allows bacteria to evade treatment and develop resistance to multiple drugs, making infections harder to treat.
Researchers genetically engineered E. coli to lack its outer protective layer, making it more vulnerable to antibiotics. Synthetic versions of natural substrates for gram-positive bacteria's membrane formation are also being developed, potentially leading to new antibiotic designs.
Researchers screened 480 strains of soil bacteria for resistance to 21 antibiotics and found that all were multi-drug resistant. The study suggests that studying resistance in the soil can help predict future clinical problems and guide the development of new therapies.
A team of scientists discovered a massive genomic island containing a large number of antibiotic resistance genes in the A. baumannii bacterium, which has become a major public health concern globally. The island was found to contain new and previously unknown resistance genes that have enabled the bacterium to acquire resistance quickly.
The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other drug-resistant bacteria has been increasing in intensive care units nationwide. Researchers found a decrease in MRSA strains resistant to multiple drugs, which they attribute to community MRSA strains replacing hospital-associated strains.
A clinical decision system (CDSS) helped decrease inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing rates by 10% in communities with the intervention. The CDSS tool guided diagnosis and management of acute respiratory infections, reducing the use of macrolides and antibiotics for viral respiratory tract infections.
The prevalence of drug-resistant gonorrhoea is increasing in South Africa, with reports of treatment failure coinciding with the emergence of ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates. The country's health department has been urged to take action and conduct nationwide surveillance to assess the extent of the problem.
A review by Stephen Gillespie and Philippe Gay finds no evidence of antibiotic resistance from GM crops being transferred to bacteria, which would be dwarfed by the impact of human antibiotics use. The authors conclude that while it's possible for transfer to occur, its contribution to antibiotic resistance is low.
Researchers discovered four mutations that increase the efficiency of a bacterial enzyme rendering penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics useless. The mutations influenced the enzyme's active site, allowing it to survive on a drug dose 64 times higher than the original enzyme.
Researchers found DDT-resistant fruit flies confer a two-fold advantage when inheriting the resistance gene, allowing them to thrive even without pesticide use. This discovery has implications for antibiotic resistance in bacteria, suggesting measures may not halt its spread.
Research by University of Bath scientists shows that DDT resistance confers an advantage when inherited through females, leading to its global spread. This discovery challenges the common assumption that genetic resistance always carries a fitness cost.
A new study shows that taking antibiotics within two months increases the likelihood of developing resistant bacteria. GPs are responsible for most antibiotic prescriptions in the UK, but may underestimate the individual risk.
California continues to experience cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which requires prolonged treatment and poses significant public health risks. The majority of MDR-TB cases are foreign-born, highlighting the need for international TB control measures.
Researchers at Scripps Institute find a protein called LexA promotes mutations in bacteria, enabling them to evolve resistance to antibiotics. By inhibiting this protein, the bacteria's ability to evolve can be halted, potentially prolonging the potency of existing antibiotics.
Researchers propose that antibiotic-mediated DNA damage triggers a bacterial repair mechanism, increasing the likelihood of mutations leading to antibiotic resistance. Blocking this pathway could provide a promising strategy for controlling the spread of superbugs.
Two studies document a significant rise in superbugs, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), affecting people worldwide. The prevalence of MRSA has more than doubled, with 76% of community-acquired isolates being resistant to antibiotics.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, including macrolides and lincosamides. The study revealed new details about the structural basis of drug resistance and identified potential targets for developing new hybrid antibiotics.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a key mechanism behind antibiotic resistance in bacteria. By analyzing the structural changes caused by a single nucleotide mutation, they found that this alteration reduces the ability of antibiotics to bind to ribosomes, allowing resistant bacteria to rapidly cause infections.
A five-year study in Mexico found that the Directly Observed Therapy (DOTS) strategy significantly reduced drug-resistant TB transmission. The results showed a decline from 22% to 7.8% of new patients carrying drug-resistant strains, with no cases of multiple-drug resistance.
Researchers have identified a missing enzyme in M. tuberculosis that plays a crucial role in the bacterium's ability to acquire iron through mycobactin synthesis. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the iron scavenging pathway in TB and provides new avenues for developing effective anti-TB drugs.
The introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine led to significant reductions in invasive pneumonia rates, with a 71% decrease in children aged 2-4 years and an 82% decrease in those under 2. The vaccine also showed herd immunity effects, reducing antibiotic resistance in adults who did not receive the vaccine.
A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology has uncovered the structure of resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf), a key player in TB bacteria. The discovery holds promise for developing new methods to 'wake-up' dormant bacteria, allowing antibiotics to kill and cure the disease.
A randomized trial found that 3-day regimens of amoxicillin-clavulanate were less effective than ciprofloxacin in treating acute uncomplicated cystitis in women. Amoxicillin-clavulanate was also less effective among susceptible bacterial strains, highlighting the need for alternative treatments.
Despite advances in molecular biology, microbes have outpaced pharmaceutical companies in developing resistance to antibiotics. Dr. Julian Davies highlights over 300 known genes that confer resistance, and notes the need for a deeper understanding of microbial evolution.
A study found significant variations in antibiotic use across European countries, with higher rates in southern and eastern regions. The research suggests that population-based studies are needed to understand the motivations behind antibiotic use and develop effective strategies to reduce resistance.
Evolutionary adaptation leads to permanent antibiotic resistance in fungi, making it difficult to prevent its spread. Researchers focus on reducing dependence on antibiotics to combat this growing issue.
A study found that women treated with clindamycin for bacterial vaginosis experienced more frequent increases in E. coli concentrations and higher rates of clindamycin-resistant bacteria compared to those treated with metronidazole. In contrast, metronidazole therapy resulted in increased colonization by protective Lactobacillus species.
A new quick test has been developed to detect drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea by identifying genes linked to resistance in urine samples or leftover products from other diagnostic techniques. The test uses probe technology to simplify analysis of samples that cannot be used for culturing organisms.
Paratek Pharmaceuticals has demonstrated disease protection in preclinical studies using non-antibacterial tetracycline compounds, which have no detectable antibacterial activity. These compounds show efficacy comparable to minocycline in reducing limb paralysis in the EAE model of MS.
Researchers found no statistically significant increase in antimicrobial resistance among patients with CRS over time. In fact, many patients showed reversion to lesser degrees of resistance, suggesting a possible decrease in antimicrobial use and its impact on resistance patterns.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have uncovered the structure of an enzyme that produces folate, a nutrient essential for bacterial survival. The team created images of the molecular structure using X-ray crystallography and discovered a new target for drugs that could avoid antibiotic resistance in anthrax bacteria.
A new study by the European Union shows that group A streptococci (GAS) infections are more common than previously thought, with an estimated 18-20,000 cases per year across the EU. The study also reveals a higher number of different bacterial types, with nearly 200 types currently identified, and potential antibiotic resistance issues.
A new model shows that antibiotic cycling, alternating between classes of antibiotics every few months, probably won't work in stopping the spread of hospital-acquired antibiotic resistance. Instead, a mixing approach, where patients receive different antibiotics randomly, may be more effective in reducing resistance levels.
A recent study challenges previous fears that triclosan contributes to antibiotic resistance. Researchers found only two types of bacteria, E. coli and Klebsiella, developed resistance to triclosan in a laboratory setting.