Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers identified seven bacteria with a potential barrier effect against vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The addition of the bacterial mixture reduced the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in mice, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach.
A recent study found that Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) can detect pathogens in 86% of cases, outperforming conventional microbiological tests which identified pathogens in only 67% of cases. mNGS guides treatment decisions and improves patient outcomes by detecting rare/atypical pathogens.
Researchers found that cholera bacteria acquired multiple distinct immune systems protecting them from diverse types of phages. These defense systems, including WonAB, GrwAB, and Vc SduA, contribute to the bacterial population's resistance spectrum.
Roundworm C. elegans avoids deceased conspecifics due to olfactory cues from metabolites AMP and histidine, leading to reduced fitness and increased egg laying. The detection of these signals may be an evolutionarily maintained mechanism for detecting cellular death.
A new method using artificial intelligence and DNA decoding can predict how well disease-causing bacteria like Listeria tolerate disinfectants. The research may lead to smarter hygiene strategies and faster responses when pathogenic bacteria are present in food production.
A new study found that many home washing machines are insufficient for decontaminating healthcare worker uniforms, allowing antibiotic-resistant bacteria to survive. The researchers propose revising laundering guidelines or using on-site industrial machines to improve patient safety.
Researchers have discovered a protein, Mfd, that promotes bacterial resistance and spontaneous mutations. A new compound, NM102, has been developed to block this protein, reducing the bacteria's ability to develop resistance and effectively combat antibiotic-resistant strains.
Researchers at UMass Amherst's New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases have identified a new strain of Rickettsia bacteria that causes spotted fever infections in humans. The discovery in Maine suggests rabbit ticks could be a zoonotic vector for serious infections, contradicting the usual dog tick vector.
Researchers found that pathogenic bacteria like Pseudomonas syringae produce glycosyrin, a molecule that blocks plant immune surveillance. Plants have evolved countermeasures to strip away sugars from flagellin, but this bacterial strategy disrupts these defenses and creates conditions favorable for bacterial growth.
Researchers detected widespread contamination of retail chicken meat in Bangladesh with antibiotic-resistant E. albertii, a lesser-known but deadly pathogen. The study highlights the need for improved hygiene measures and stricter regulations to prevent foodborne infections.
A new study confirms copper-based fungicides as a reliable solution for aerial stem rot in potatoes. The research found that copper fungicide treatments consistently slowed disease spread and improved yields over a 10-year period.
A new class of antibiotic has been shown to be effective in treating MRSA infections, with a daily dose of epidermicin NI01 demonstrating equal efficacy to the current standard of care. The findings justify further pre-clinical development and could lead to new gel-type therapies for skin infections.
Researchers have developed an effective approach to tackle intestinal pathogens by administering oral vaccinations combined with harmless bacteria that starve out pathogenic microbes. This method has shown promising results in preventing colonization with salmonella and effectively tackling established E. coli bacteria.
A study analyzing over 3 million bacterial samples found that antibiotic resistance initially rises but stabilizes over time, reaching an equilibrium in most species. The study suggests that continued increase in antibiotic resistance is not inevitable and provides new insights to monitor drug resistance.
The BfR conference discusses the role of microorganisms in food production, focusing on both beneficial and pathogenic properties. The event explores topics such as E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and the importance of food microbiology in ensuring public health.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports a rise in tuberculosis cases among children and adolescents in the EU/EEA, with a slight increase in the notification rate from 2.0 to 2.5 per 100,000 population. The highest proportion of paediatric TB was observed in children aged 1 to 4 years old.
Researchers have discovered a family of genes essential for tuberculosis survival during airborne transmission, providing new drug targets. The study sheds light on the bacterium's protective mechanisms, which could prevent infection spread and treat existing cases.
A recent study in Nature Communications reveals that white blood cells employ a novel mechanism to dislodge bacteria from human tissues using brute force and integrin-based adhesion rings. The research, led by Xuefeng Wang, has significant implications for understanding the role of macrophages in cleaning up environmental pollutants.
A groundbreaking study has identified a dual-target approach that significantly prevents the development of resistance in bacteria. This approach combines membrane disruption with an additional critical cellular pathway, offering a potential solution to mitigate the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers discovered that erucamide inhibits Type III Secretion injectisome assembly in Gram-negative bacteria, enhancing plant immunity and reducing disease susceptibility. Exogenous application of erucamide protects crops from bacterial diseases, offering a potential biopesticide for sustainable agriculture.
Research finds over 25% of Egyptian milk and dairy products contain E. coli, with one strain causing a Japanese school outbreak; experts hope for effective treatment and prevention methods.
The University of Cambridge has launched an Engineered Pandemics Risk Management Programme to address the urgent challenge of managing future engineered pandemics. The programme aims to build a network of experts from academia, government, and industry to understand social and biological factors that drive engineered pandemic risks.
A team of scientists has developed a cutting-edge technology to analyze bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) using genome sequencing. The 'target enrichment' method enables high-resolution analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis and other pathogens, revealing new insights into their transmission and development pathways.
Researchers discovered symbiotic bacteria accompanying single-celled protists in the ocean's upper layer. The bacteria, including close relatives of pathogenic species like Coxiella and Rickettsia, may aid or harm their protist hosts, depending on context.
A recent study found that cold temperatures allow the bird pink eye pathogen to survive on bird feeders for up to seven days, causing more severe disease in birds compared to warmer temperatures. Regular cleaning of feeder surfaces with bleach can help mitigate the spread of the disease.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, including K. pneumoniae and E. coli, pose a significant risk to EU/EEA patients and healthcare systems. The epidemiological situation has deteriorated since 2019, with high-risk lineages spreading in hospitals.
Recent studies have found that new antibiotics are prone to rapid development of resistance, even before they are widely used. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of these treatments in the long run. To address this issue, researchers call for a shift in antibiotic development prioritizing novel modes of action and responsible...
A study found a link between oral microbiome and dementia risk, with certain bacteria associated with better executive function. A nitrate-rich diet may favor beneficial oral bacteria, potentially delaying cognitive decline.
According to hygiene expert Dr. Heidi Wichmann-Schauer, small negligence in everyday life can transfer pathogens to food, causing serious illnesses and fatalities, especially among vulnerable groups. The BfR advises proper kitchen cleanliness, handwashing, and cooking meat thoroughly to prevent cross-contamination.
A new Dartmouth study reveals that 50% of adult blacklegged ticks in the Northeast carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The study found small changes in tick abundance but a significant increase in pathogen prevalence over 30 years, highlighting the need for continued prevention measures.
Researchers discovered that bacteria use cell wall fragments as an alarm signal to initiate protective biofilm formation. Biofilms provide protection from immune cells, antibiotics, and viruses, highlighting universal survival strategies across bacterial species.
Researchers have discovered a new target for antibiotics, the methylerythritol phosphate pathway, which is essential for bacteria's energy metabolism. By blocking this pathway, bacteria can be killed without affecting human cells.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson laboratory is working on discovering new ways to neutralize harmful microorganisms using copper. The researchers aim to understand how copper kills bacteria by flooding their environment with excess copper, tricking them into building essential proteins with the wrong materials.
Researchers found that a person's microbiome signature can predict the likelihood of Enterobacteriaceae colonization. Fiber-rich foods support the growth of beneficial Faecalibacterium, which produce short-chain fatty acids protecting against infection.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered plant cells enter an immune state to fight pathogens, using Primary IMmunE Responder (PRIMER) cells as hubs for the immune response. These cells are surrounded by bystander cells that enable long-distance cell-to-cell communication.
A new system can quickly identify emerging virus variants and provide information on their genetic changes, helping to understand why they spread differently in human populations. This enables the development of more effective vaccines and targeted treatments for diseases such as flu, COVID, and tuberculosis.
A new study finds that disease-causing bacteria can infect a wide range of plant species, including non-flowering plants, using a common set of pathogenicity factors. The research suggests that the toxin syringomycin interferes with cell membranes across diverse plant species.
Researchers found that silver did not reduce overall bacteria in water samples from silver-containing showerheads, but its composition varied with each type of fixture tested. The study suggests that rare microbes in these showerheads could be more prone to forming biofilms in response to the stressful environment.
A new study from the University of Illinois aims to determine the most effective risk management strategies for the produce supply chain. The researchers found that improved process controls, such as washing, provided a greater reduction in overall risk than additional product testing.
Researchers discovered that serine inhibits the cell wall remodeling necessary for Clostridium perfringens to form spores, preventing food poisoning. The study provides insights into the underlying mechanism of spore formation and may lead to new strategies for preventing foodborne illnesses.
University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science professors William Epling and Roseanne Ford were elected as fellows to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. They are recognized for their expertise in environmental catalysis and bacterial chemotaxis, respectively.
Research finds that Streptococcus mutans's collagen-binding protein may induce hematuria and IgA deposition in kidney disease, suggesting a potential pathogenic role. The study suggests a link between oral pathogens and renal lesions.
In-shell pecans are susceptible to pathogens due to soil contact with wildlife and livestock. A recent study found that hot water treatment significantly reduced Shiga toxin-producing E. coli populations on pecans, regardless of treatment time, and prevented cross-contamination.
A new UC Davis Health study has uncovered the mechanisms by which Salmonella bacteria evade the body's natural defenses in the gut. The research found that Salmonella alters the gut's nutrient environment to fuel its replication in the large intestine, creating an imbalance that helps the pathogen survive. This new understanding could ...
Researchers at Tufts University discovered that TB bacteria maintain a consistent growth rate throughout their life cycle, defying expectations. The study also reveals new growth behaviors of TB bacteria, including the ability to grow from either end after division.
A new study developed an innovative approach to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by tagging them with a chimeric agent that activates the immune system towards them. This tagging technique helps the immune system recognize and eliminate elusive pathogens, offering a promising new direction for fighting drug-resistant infections.
A groundbreaking metagenomic sequencing test has proven effective in rapidly diagnosing almost any kind of pathogen, including viruses, bacteria, fungus or parasite. The test analyzes all nucleic acids present in a sample, replacing multiple tests with a single one and speeding up diagnosis.
A new study finds that pathogens like Listeria and E. coli can survive on microplastics in wastewater treatment plants. These biofilms, called plastispheres, protect the pathogens from treatment processes, highlighting a challenge for safely reusing treated water.
A German-French research team has been awarded an 11 million euro ERC Synergy Grant to develop an AI-based solution for the systematic search of new antibiotics. The team aims to analyze seven bacterial species and their genetic mutants using advanced methods, including deep learning analyses, to identify potential new antibiotic agents.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have identified a new strain of bacteria, Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE), linked to increasingly severe human infections. The study used integrative analysis to investigate the genome, transcriptome, and virulence of SDSE strains, shedding light on their molecular pathogenesis.
A recent study by Mizzou researchers found that infections are a significant problem for white-tailed deer on Missouri farms. The study identified the three most common types of bacteria causing pneumonia in farmed deer, providing actionable data for veterinarians and farmers to make informed decisions.
The study found that P. aeruginosa adapts to the lung's mucus by relying on sugars and lactate, but also needs to synthesize essential nutrients through metabolic independence. Biofilm formation imposes a metabolic burden, slowing down the bacteria's ability to spread, while disrupting biofilms makes them more vulnerable to antibiotics.
A new study reveals widespread resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to commonly used cleaning agents, including quaternary ammonium compounds. The researchers identify biocides that work well against the pathogen, highlighting the need for revised sanitation protocols in hospitals and homes.
A three-decade study found polar bears exposed to increased pathogens due to environmental changes, with females at higher risk. The study, published in PLOS ONE, highlights the need for further disease screening in polar bear populations.
The study describes the full molecular structure of the phage DEV, which infects and lysates Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The researchers discovered a genome ejection motor that pulls the DNA out of its head after infection, with conserved design principles across all Schitoviridae phages.
A new study reveals how three species of bacteria coexist in biofilms by playing a game of 'nice' and then moving out when the surface becomes too crowded. The dominant species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, disperses to allow other species to thrive.
A team of researchers discovered a mechanism that determines the spiral shape of Rhodospirillum bacteria, revealing a novel link between cell shape and fitness. The study found that an outer membrane porin-lipoprotein complex modulates elongasome movement to establish cell curvature in R. rubrum.
Researchers have discovered that Listeria monocytogenes loses its cell wall and becomes round when entering a dormant state, making it undetectable by growth-based tests. Developing antibodies to detect dormant forms of the bacterium could lead to specific tests for better protection.
A team of researchers at UMC Utrecht has identified 29 novel antibodies against the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae, an important cause of drug-resistant infections. The antibodies were found to interact with antigens on the bacterial surface and some act synergistically to neutralize the pathogen.
A Virginia Tech research team has identified a molecular mechanism by which Shigella flexneri bacteria manipulate host molecules to ensure their survival. The study provides a new understanding of the infection pathway and its potential implications for preventing similar infections in other bacteria.