Our intestinal microbiome influences metabolism -- through the immune system
A new study shows that innate immune pathways in the intestine fine-tune body metabolism to diet and conditions in response to
Bacterial Pathogens
Articles tagged with Bacterial Pathogens
Synthetic peptides enhance antibiotic attack of skin infections in mice
Researchers found that combining antibiotics with synthetic peptides can significantly reduce the number of infecting bacteria and the size of abscesses in mouse models. The peptides disrupt the bacterial response to stressors like antibiotics, amplifying their uptake and increasing treatment efficacy.
Tumor suppressor protein plays key role in suppressing infections
A tumor suppressor protein called Arl11 has been found to play a crucial role in the functioning of the immune system, particularly in detecting and destroying pathogens. By initiating a signaling cascade, Arl11 helps macrophages to engulf bacteria and release signaling molecules that activate other immune cells.
WSU researchers see human immune response in the fruit fly
Researchers have identified a protein called STING, which is nearly identical in both humans and fruit flies, triggering an immune response to invading bacteria. This discovery provides a new model organism for studying human immunity and developing infection-fighting medicines.
New compound as effective as FDA-approved drugs against life-threatening infections
Researchers at Purdue University identified a new compound F6 that is as effective as FDA-approved antibiotics against life-threatening infections. Preliminary tests showed it was less susceptible to bacterial resistance. The compound has been tested against various antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA and VRSA.
Gum disease may be a key initiator of rheumatoid arthritis related autoimmunity
A study found significantly higher gum disease prevalence in at-risk RA individuals compared to healthy controls. Increased abundance of bacteria, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis, was also detected in at-risk individuals.
Fast-acting cholera vaccine could curb outbreaks
Researchers have developed a fast-acting cholera vaccine that protects against the deadly disease within a day, offering promise in curbing outbreaks. The vaccine, HaitiV, works by using harmless, lab-designed bacteria as a protective shield, preventing the pathogen from causing trouble.
Turning the tables on the cholera pathogen
Researchers have developed a probiotic intervention that suppresses Vibrio cholerae colonization in the intestinal tract and detects its presence through stool sampling. The approach leverages Lactococcus lactis to create an inhospitable environment for V. cholerae and incorporates synthetic gene circuits to sense secreted signals from...
1.45 million children's lives saved by HiB and pneumococcal vaccines since 2000
Since 2000, conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae have prevented a significant decline in child mortality from these bacterial infections, with estimated reductions of 90% and 51%, respectively. The introduction of these vaccines has been instrumental in reducing the global burden o...
Bacteriophages offer promising alternative to antibiotics
A clinical study confirms the safety and tolerability of using bacteriophages to eliminate disease-causing bacteria in the gut, promoting beneficial bacteria growth. The treatment shows no apparent side effects and improves inflammatory markers and gut bacterial diversity.
Kitchen towels could contribute to the growth of potential pathogens that cause food poisoning
Research shows that kitchen towels can harbor pathogens, including coliforms, Enterococcus spp., and S. aureus, which can cause food poisoning. Factors such as family composition, dietary habits, and towel usage patterns impact bacterial growth on towels.
Bone apetit: How bacteria eat bone to sustain invasive infection
Staphylococcus aureus uses specific amino acid biosynthesis pathways to obtain essential nutrients from host tissues during invasive infection. The discovery sheds light on how bacterial pathogens survive in bone and may lead to the development of new antimicrobial therapies.
ARS scientists are working to ensure safe waterways in Georgia
ARS researchers found 34 E. coli isolates with resistance to antimicrobial drugs in the Upper Oconee Watershed. The presence of pathogenic strains like ST131 poses a risk of antimicrobial resistance in surface waters, but scientists assure it's not a threat to public health due to proper disinfection methods.
Organic insect deterrent for agriculture
Researchers at TUM have developed a biodegradable insect deterrent that repels pests without poisoning them, potentially saving bees and other beneficial insects. The new product is produced by bacteria that use terpenoid-based compounds to protect themselves from pests, offering an alternative to traditional synthetic pesticides.
Wellcome Sanger Institute sequences reference genomes of 3,000 dangerous bacteria
The Wellcome Sanger Institute has sequenced the genomes of over 3,000 bacteria, including some of the world's most dangerous pathogens. This collection will help researchers better understand antibiotic resistance and develop new diagnostic tests, vaccines, or treatments for deadly diseases such as tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, and cholera.
Cell-like nanorobots clear bacteria and toxins from blood
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed cell-like nanorobots that can swim through blood to remove harmful bacteria and toxins. These nanorobots combine platelet and red blood cell membranes, allowing them to target pathogens and neutralize toxins, making them a potential tool for detoxifying biological fluids.
Probe into farm animals could help treat drug-resistant bacteria
A study published in Foodborne Pathogens and Disease suggests that farm animals may play a role in helping to combat drug-resistant infections. Researchers analyzed the transfer of resistant E. coli between farm animals and humans, highlighting the need for more robust data and state-of-the-art genome analysis.
Hospital superbug uses tiny sticky fingers to infect medical tools and devices
Researchers discovered Acinetobacter baumannii attaches to plastic medical devices using its 'fingers' to form biofilms. Developing antibodies that prevent bacterial attachment could help reduce pathogen spread in hospitals.
New compound effective against drug-resistant pathogens, could lead to new antibiotics
Researchers at North Carolina State University have synthesized a new compound inspired by a natural product that is effective against drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. The molecule, JJM-35, has been shown to be up to 50 times more effective than the original natural product against several bacterial strains.
NIH scientists show how tularemia bacteria trick cells to cause disease
Scientists at the NIH have unraveled the process by which the tularemia bacteria cause disease, finding that it tricks host cell mitochondria in two phases of infection. This understanding could lead to the development of effective treatment strategies for the life-threatening disease.
Could we work together with our bacteria to stop infection?
Researchers at Oxford University have created a lab-based approach to develop defensive relationships between hosts and bacteria, which can work together to prevent infection. The study found that these relationships can evolve quickly in a matter of weeks, providing a new potential solution to the growing superbug crisis.
Virus genes from city pond rescue bacteria
Researchers discovered that bacteriophages can transfer genes to E. coli bacteria, enabling them to break down a crucial cell component and reset their metabolism for new survival functions. This study highlights the importance of investigating hidden potential in bacterial cells to understand antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity.
Molecular network boosts drug resistance and virulence in hospital-acquired bacterium
A gene regulation network in Acinetobacter baumannii boosts both virulence and antibiotic resistance when faced with antibiotics. The network, known as BfmRS, controls key processes involved in cell envelope construction and division, leading to increased drug resistance and disease severity.
Complementing conventional antibiotics
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt reveal atomic details of Legionella's enzymatic weapon and develop the first inhibitor. The discovery has implications for tackling antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which threaten global health and economic stability.
A hidden world of communication, chemical warfare, beneath the soil
Researchers have discovered that soil microbes use chemical signals to defend against each other and devastating crop diseases. The study found that certain bacteria can induce fungi to produce protective compounds, while the fungus's own defense mechanisms are triggered by the bacterial invasion.
Texas A&M, USDA research aimed at nitrite poisoning leads to methane mitigation
Researchers developed an animal probiotic that can reduce methane emissions and prevent nitrite poisoning in cattle. The probiotic uses a bacteria-based approach to increase feed efficiency and decrease pathogen carriage, with potential benefits for greenhouse gas reduction.
How bacteria behave differently in humans compared to the lab
Researchers found increased expression of genes responsible for antibiotic resistance in human clinical infections compared to laboratory experiments. This discovery could help scientists draw more accurate conclusions and provide better information on treating bacterial infections.
Variations in placental microbiota appear related to premature birth
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found a surplus of pathogenic bacteria in placentas from premature births, supporting the hypothesis that maternal infection may cause preterm birth. The research also discovered evidence of placental bacteria in healthy pregnancies, challenging conventional wisdom.
Under certain conditions, bacterial signals set the stage for leukemia
Researchers found that bacterial signals play a crucial role in developing pre-leukemic myeloproliferation, a precursor condition to leukemia, in mice with TET2 mutations. The study suggests that targeted treatments could reverse the disease by blocking aberrant IL-6 signals.
First clues to the causes of multiple sclerosis
UNIGE researchers found that a DNA-binding factor called TOX triggers immune cells to cause autoimmune tissue destruction in the brain. This discovery provides important insights into understanding and treating auto-immune diseases.
'Universal antibodies' disarm various pathogens
Researchers have discovered universal antibodies that can recognize and neutralize a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, and viruses. These breakthrough findings hold promise for developing new treatments for life-threatening infections, particularly in patients with weakened immune systems.
Stanford scientists use dietary seaweed to manipulate gut bacteria in mice
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that manipulating a mouse's diet can favor the engraftment of specific bacterial strains. By adding a carbohydrate-rich compound, they were able to control how much a bacterium grows in the intestine and even introduce new strains into the gut microbiome.
Machine learning flags emerging pathogens
A new machine learning tool can identify genetic changes in emerging strains of Salmonella that are more likely to cause dangerous bloodstream infections. The tool was developed using a dataset of old lineages and identified almost 200 genes involved in determining the pathogen's behavior.
Deadly duet
Researchers at TUM have deciphered the mechanism of action for a class of pore-forming bacterial toxins. This breakthrough could lead to new substances that inhibit toxin interaction and prevent fatal cell damage.
AI detects patterns of gut microbes for cholera risk
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to identify patterns within human gut bacteria that predict susceptibility to cholera. The study found that a set of 100 microbes associated with the disease can be predicted by AI, potentially leading to improved vaccines and preventive approaches.
A gut bacterium's guide to building a microbiome
A new study from Caltech sheds light on how a specific species of beneficial bacteria harnesses the body's immune response to settle in the gut. The researchers found that the bacteria are encased in a thick capsule made of carbohydrates, which is necessary for colonization and helps anchor them to epithelial cells.
How a type of beneficial bacteria colonize the gut
A new study reveals that a type of beneficial bacteria, Bacteroides fragilis, uses the host's immune protein IgA to colonize the gut. The research suggests that IgA fosters colonization of microbiota with beneficial properties during healthy circumstances, while disease states may disrupt this balance.
Researchers move toward understanding deadly citrus disease
Researchers at UCR have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the molecular mechanism of huanglongbing, a devastating citrus disease that costs billions worldwide. The team discovered that a bacterial protein called SDE1 helps infect plants by attacking specific proteases that could help trees resist infection.
New resistance mechanism in the often multidrug resistant pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii
Researchers discovered a new resistance mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii that blocks the critical antibiotic colistin. The mechanism involves disruption of the hns gene by an insertion sequence element, leading to increased expression of genes that boost colistin resistance.
Study reveals how bacteria communicate in groups to avoid antibiotics
Researchers found that bacteria in Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonies produce dual signal responses to antibiotic tobramycin, including a localized and community-wide response. This communication may enable the bacteria to develop tolerance to some antibiotics.
Bacteria in the small intestine indispensable for fat absorption
A recent study published in Cell Host and Microbe found that bacteria in the small intestine play a vital role in fat digestion and absorption. The researchers discovered that high-fat Western diets stimulate the growth of beneficial microbes in the small intestine, which then produce digestive enzymes to break down dietary fat.
Researchers assassinate disease-causing bacteria with virus cocktail
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have successfully targeted and killed E. coli using a cocktail of viruses, preserving the surrounding community of commensal bacteria in a simulated small intestinal microbiome. This breakthrough could lead to a new treatment method for food-borne illnesses without the use of antibiotics.
Virulence switch in 'Iraqibacter': Potential Achilles heel?
Researchers have discovered a genetic switch in the bacteria that can be targeted by small molecules to prevent its virulent form from emerging. By disabling this switch, the bacteria become more vulnerable to host defense molecules and disinfectants, making it a potential key for new antibiotics.
Scientists identify genetic catalysts that speed up evolution of antibiotic resistance
Researchers at Oxford University have identified a genetic catalyst, ampR, that accelerates the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The study found that species carrying the ampR gene evolve resistance at a higher rate than those lacking it.
Fight against Zika, dengue get boost from reliable spread of bacteria
A Vanderbilt team has deciphered the key to infecting entire mosquito populations with virus-killing Wolbachia bacteria. By hijacking insect reproductive systems, Wolbachia spreads rapidly, reducing risk of dengue and Zika virus transmission.
Bacterial 'gene swapping' sparks disease outbreaks
Researchers uncover how bacterial 'gene swapping' fuels emergence and spread of infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistance crisis.
Even short travel can spread colistin-resistant bacteria
Researchers at Osaka University found that short trips to developing countries significantly increase the appearance of colistin-resistant bacteria in Japanese travelers. The study tracked 19 participants who traveled for less than 2 weeks and discovered nearly 90% of travel events resulted in resistant strains.
Survival strategy: How one enzyme helps bacteria recover from exposure to antibiotics
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame discovered that lytic transglycosylase Slt helps gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa recover from antibiotic damage by repairing its cell wall. The enzyme rapidly attempts to rebuild the organism's structural entity, allowing it to survive and continue causing infection.
Substance that guides ant trail is produced by symbiotic bacteria
A team of researchers has found that a specific bacterium in the microbiota of leafcutter ants produces trail pheromones, which guide the ants to their nests without deviation. The pyrazine-producing bacteria were discovered by chance while investigating the ants' defense against parasitic fungi.
How pathogenic bacteria prepare a sticky adhesion protein
Pathogenic bacteria use a unique secretion system to export adhesins, which enable them to adhere to host cells. The study found that the adhesin protein needs to be modified with specific sugars by three enzymes acting in a specific sequence.
A new class of antibiotics to combat drug resistance
Researchers have identified a new class of antibiotics, odilorhabdins, which target bacterial ribosomes and disrupt protein synthesis. The unique compounds have shown potential in treating drug-resistant infections.
UMD researcher uncovers protein used to outsmart the human immune system
A University of Maryland researcher has discovered a protein produced by the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, allowing it to evade the body's first immune response. This breakthrough understanding has significant implications for treating tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, which is increasingly chronic and prevalent.
Monash discovery uncovers clue to disarm gonorrhea superbug
Gonorrhoea superbugs have developed resistance to all known antibiotics, targeting human immune cells called macrophages. Monash researchers discovered the mechanism of evasion, which could lead to new strategies for combating gonorrhea infection.
Scientists develop sugar-coated nanosheets to selectively target pathogens
Researchers have developed a process for creating ultrathin, self-assembling sheets of synthetic materials that can function like designer flypaper in selectively binding with viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. The sugar-coated nanosheets are made from bio-inspired polymers known as peptoids and can effectively mimic cell surfaces.
Colon signaling pathway key to inflammatory bowel disease
A Tokyo Medical and Dental University-led study found that a protein signaling pathway enhances expression of genes encoding inflammatory mediators in macrophages, contributing to colonic inflammation. The research may lead to novel targets for IBD therapy.
Biophysics: Bacterial adhesion in vitro and in silico
A study has characterized the physical mechanism that enables a widespread bacterial pathogen to adhere to human host tissues. The researchers used atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to reveal a unique cooperation of non-covalent hydrogen bonds in the adhesion process.
Understanding the resurgence of whooping cough in the US
Scientists link whooping cough resurgence in the US to incomplete adult vaccination and declining vaccine efficacy over time. School-aged children are identified as a key transmission hub for future vaccination efforts.
First proof a synthesized antibiotic is capable of treating superbugs
Scientists have successfully created a simplified version of teixobactin, a natural antibiotic discovered in 2015, which has been shown to kill superbug-causing bacteria. The synthetic form was used to treat a bacterial infection in mice, demonstrating its potential as a new class of antibiotic drug.
Staphylococcus aureus: A new mechanism involved in virulence and antibiotic resistance
Researchers identify SpdC as a key player in controlling S. aureus virulence, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance; Inhibiting SpdC may offer new approach to combating S. aureus infections.
The universal language of hormones
Cytokinins have been found to play a vital role in the communication mechanisms of bacteria, plants and animals, regulating growth, development and disease resistance. The research has also uncovered new details on how cytokinins evolve and activate enzymes, challenging previous assumptions.