Articles tagged with Bacterial Pathogens
Methanotrophic bacteria have the unique ability to take in copper for use in methane metabolism, a process that also digests the potent greenhouse gas. A Northwestern University study has pinpointed two proteins, MbnB and MbnC, as key players in this process.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified a protein, LIpA bacteriocin, that targets and kills the deadly Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The protein's mechanism of action involves binding to the bacterial cell wall protein BamA, effectively shutting it down and allowing the bacteria to die quickly.
Researchers studied 192 COPD patients over 15 years to understand how the nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) pathogen survives in human airways. The study reveals genetic changes that help the pathogen adapt and thrive, providing insights for developing a vaccine or treatment.
Researchers created an integrated imaging approach that uses multiple techniques to study Staphylococcus aureus infections. This method revealed new insights into abscesses and the bacteria's response to their environment. The findings have implications for vaccine and therapeutic development, as well as culture-free diagnosis.
Scientists at Leibniz-Institute of Photonic Technology developed a rapid test that identifies bacterial strains and their resistances in under three hours. This breakthrough reduces the analysis time from 72 hours, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment for infectious diseases.
Researchers developed a microbial detection technique that can reveal previously undetectable bacteria in various environments. KatharoSeq detected bacteria on surfaces at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a neonatal intensive care unit, and an endangered abalone rearing center, revealing new insights for improving environmental health.
Water troughs on farms can spread toxic E. coli in cattle, which can then infect humans through contaminated beef and salad greens. Reducing water volume in troughs paradoxically increases E. coli prevalence.
Researchers at Emory University have discovered heteroresistance to colistin in already carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, making it harder to monitor and treat. The findings pose a significant threat to public health, highlighting the need for novel diagnostics to rapidly detect colistin resistance.
Researchers found that nerve cells in the lungs suppress immune response during infection with Staphylococcus aureus, leading to poorer outcomes. Disabling these neurons improved immune cell recruitment and cleared bacteria from the lungs, boosting survival rates.
A study in house finches reveals that immune systems can inadvertently help bacteria become stronger over time, leading to a catch-22 situation. Researchers found that birds with stronger immunity to more virulent strains were more likely to exclude low-virulence strains from future infections.
A study found that incomplete immunity to a pathogen in birds makes it stronger and more dangerous for its next victim. The findings suggest that imperfection can be deadly, and the results have implications for human health.
Wolbachia blocks viral replication in mosquito cells by degrading viral RNA, with XRN1 playing a key role. The bacterium's ability to prevent disease transmission depends on the virus's replication rate.
Researchers identified a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis that produces a chemical compound 6-N-hydroxyaminopurine (6-HAP), which inhibits the growth of some cancers. In mice exposed to UV rays, those with 6-HAP-producing bacteria had significantly reduced skin tumors.
Researchers discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa rapidly overexpresses genes coding for proteins capturing host's iron and uses lactate, lipids, and collagen as nutrients. This knowledge opens the way to develop innovative treatments to counter its strategies.
Researchers at Penn State revealed new insights into the 'magic spot' molecule that controls gene expression in bacteria under stress. The study provides clues about key processes that could be targeted in the search for new antibiotics and contributes to fundamental understanding of bacterial adaptation and survival.
A study by Georgia State University found that carbon monoxide improves the efficacy of antibiotics like metronidazole against H. pylori, a type of bacteria causing peptic ulcers. By making bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics, carbon monoxide could help combat drug resistance and allow for smaller doses or increased effectiveness.
Researchers have discovered how Xanthomonas bacteria manipulate nutrient supply and hormonal balance in plants. The study found that a specific protein, XopH, targets phosphorus supplies inside plant cells, weakening plant defences and allowing bacteria to multiply.
Chromobacterium piscinae produces cyanide as a defense mechanism against Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100, inhibiting predation but not being toxic. The study suggests microbes can resist predation through secondary metabolites in certain environments.
Researchers found that two red wine polyphenols, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid, effectively cut back on the ability of oral pathogenic bacteria to stick to cells. When combined with an oral probiotic, the polyphenols were even more effective in fending off these bacteria.
Researchers have found four bacteriophages effective in eliminating Yersinia enterocolitica from food and kitchenware. The study's results suggest phage treatment could become a routine method in food production to prevent foodborne infections.
A study on humpback whales' skin microbiome found that nearly all whales had six core communities of bacteria, which changed with seasonal and environmental conditions. Monitoring these microbes could aid in assessing the whales' health and detecting climate change impacts.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have unraveled the immune cascade driving complications and tissue damage in chlamydia infections. The study reveals two distinct immune pathways: one clearing bacteria and another fueling inflammation, offering a roadmap for vaccine development and precision-targeted treatments.
Beewolves have successfully used a combination of antibiotics produced by symbiotic bacteria to protect their offspring from mold fungi for over 68 million years. The antibiotic cocktail has remained surprisingly stable despite the emergence of new pathogens.
Researchers have identified the crucial role of peptide uptake in Borrelia burgdorferi's viability and ability to infect mammals. Blocking this process could lead to novel therapeutic interventions for Lyme disease.
Research suggests that e-cigarette vapour can increase susceptibility to lung infection with pneumococcal bacteria, similar to traditional cigarette smoke or particulate matter from fossil-fuel pollution. Long-term vaping may raise the risk of bacterial lung infection.
A new study has found that the immune system uses a specific balance of T cell types to tolerate beneficial bacteria, while triggering inflammation in pathogenic species. The discovery could lead to new treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
Scientists have developed a new method to rank the risk of resistance genes in bacteria, allowing for better prediction of antibiotic evolution and development. By analyzing 200 genes, researchers identified key factors influencing gene transfer and integration into new hosts.
Researchers created human intestinal 'mini-guts' to study the immune response to bacteria at different developmental ages. The study found that premature infants have an exaggerated immune response, contributing to NEC's pathogenesis.
A study found that Pseudomonas protegens, a soil-dwelling bacterium, releases toxins through its type VI secretion system to protect plants from diseases. The toxins target NAD+, destroying other bacterial species and allowing the plant-protective bacteria to outcompete them.
Researchers have discovered a new form of flagella-mediated motility shown by symbiotic bacteria, which enables them to swim by wrapping their flagellar filaments around their cell bodies. This unique motility mechanism allows the bacteria to pass through narrow constricted passages and is essential for symbiotic relationships with bea...
Researchers used a novel lab-on-a-chip to study gene regulation in single E. coli bacteria under changing environmental conditions. The chip allows for the precise growth and behavior of individual bacteria to be tracked over several days, revealing new insights into bacterial adaptation strategies.
Bacterial diversity may have a much longer lifespan than previously thought, according to University of Montana researchers. They found that some specialized cells called heterocysts can produce different kinds of bacteria, which has been preserved for tens of millions of years.
Researchers identify a new source of botulinum toxin in Enterococcus faecium bacteria, which can be transferred between species and has implications for protein therapeutics and monitoring emerging pathogens.
A Penn State research team has created a system that uses microbial reactors to rapidly break down solid and liquid waste, producing a nutritious food source for astronauts on deep-space missions. The system, which can minimize pathogen growth, uses anaerobic digestion to convert human waste into edible biomass.
Researchers found that lung bacterial infections and inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients start much earlier than expected in childhood. Therapies to break up mucus may offer the best route to a longer life for CF patients, as early intervention could dramatically increase quality of life.
A recent study at Tampere University found that an eNose can identify the most common bacteria causing soft tissue infections without prior sample preparation. The device differentiates between MRSA and MSSA with high accuracy, reducing treatment times and costs.
Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg found that a fiber-rich diet can reduce arthritis symptoms by changing the intestinal bacteria and increasing short-chained fatty acids. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can help slow bone degradation.
A new study found that different strains of the same bacterial species can trigger vastly different immune responses in humans. Researchers discovered that distinct genes in each strain contribute to this variability, and may help explain why individuals respond differently to the same pathogens.
A study published in Veterinary Record found that commercial raw meat diets (RMDs) are contaminated with zoonotic bacteria and parasites, which can be transmitted to humans. The research highlights the need for pet owners to be aware of these risks and take proper hygiene measures to minimize exposure.
A team of scientists has developed SAAP-148, a compound that effectively targets and eliminates drug-resistant bacteria in biofilms. The peptide-based treatment shows promise in treating MRSA and Acinetobacter baumannii infections, with plans for a clinical trial in 2018.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a novel method called SLAY to screen hundreds of thousands of potential antibiotics. The method involves genetically engineering bacteria to produce and test molecules that are potentially toxic to themselves, allowing for rapid screening and efficient testing.
Scientists have discovered predictable sensitivities to other classes of antibiotics in Pseudomonas infections, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies. The findings suggest that targeting specific mutations could lead to more effective treatments for cystic fibrosis patients.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center used precision editing to target metabolic pathways in the gut, reducing inflammation in mouse models of colitis. The strategy, which targets specific bacterial species, prevented or reduced inflammation without affecting healthy gut bacteria.
Researchers at TUM and Harvard University discovered a substance that interferes with the formation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis' mycomembrane. Combining this beta-lactone inhibitor with known antibiotics increases effectiveness by up to 100-fold, making it a promising new therapy for TB.
Researchers have discovered that bacteria can inject toxic proteins into their competitors, causing cell lysis and death, and then acquire antibiotic resistance by incorporating the released genetic material. This ability allows bacteria to rapidly develop resistance to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to patients in hospitals.
A South Korean study reveals that the bacterium Chromobacterium piscinae produces cyanide when attacked by a microbial predator, inhibiting its growth without killing it. The researchers suspect that the bacteria use nutrient-rich environments to trigger the production of this protective compound.
A functional genomics database has been developed to study the plant microbiome, revealing key genes involved in bacterial adaptation to plants. The database combines 3837 genomes from various organisms, including plants and human gut bacteria, allowing researchers to identify genes that aid in bacterial colonization.
A new study reveals that platelets actively migrate to sites of infection, collecting bacteria into aggregates and facilitating the activation of neutrophils. This active function has significant implications for our understanding of immune defense and potential therapeutic targets for inflammation reactions.
Scientists from Friedrich Schiller University Jena have developed nanoparticles that transport antibiotics more efficiently to their destination, killing off pathogens without problems. The particles are able to penetrate thick layers of mucus and biofilms, making them a promising solution against antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Arizona State University have created a high-throughput technology that can produce up to 1,000 doses of antimicrobial treatments within a week. The system uses synthetic antibodies, or synbodies, which are made from short protein fragments and can be quickly screened against a large number of pathogens.
A team led by OSU professor Kerry McPhail will study stromatolites in South Africa's barrage pools, seeking insights into chemical signaling and metabolite production among ancient microbial communities. The research aims to advance our understanding of the origins of life and develop new medicines.
Researchers at Lund University developed a specially designed protein that targets and kills multiple bacterial species, including Gram-positive bacteria. The fusion protein works by removing Factor H from the surface of bacteria, activating the immune system to kill them.
A team of OSU researchers identified beneficial and pathogenic species of Rhodococcus bacteria using genome sequencing. The study found that plasmids, separate DNA molecules, facilitate the transition between these two forms of bacteria.
Researchers have developed a new antibiotic, EZ120, that targets the mycomembrane biosynthesis of tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. By inhibiting key enzymes, EZ120 significantly increases the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics, offering a novel approach for tuberculosis treatment.
Researchers have developed a novel photothermal treatment that leverages the self-activation of certain bacteria to target and kill antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The innovative approach uses a supramolecular radical anion complex that absorbs near-infrared light, generating heat and denaturing proteins in targeted bacteria.
The ASCB Celldance program premiered two new videos at the 2017 ASCB|EMBO Meeting in Philadelphia. The videos, created by Guillaume Duménil, Dyche Mullins, and Lillian Fritz-Laylin, visualize how pathogens invade the body and proliferate, as well as single cells crawling through complex environments.
Researchers found that certain bacterial strains can produce factors that increase or decrease the susceptibility of another bacterium to antibiotics. The study identified three specific factors: LasA, rhamnolipids, and HQNO, which could be used to create new antibiotics or develop genetic tests to detect antibiotic resistance
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new dental material that can kill bacteria and resist biofilm growth without harming surrounding tissue. The material is effective with minimal toxicity and can withstand severe mechanical stress.
Research found that red-bellied lemurs with strong social bonds have similar gut microbiomes, which may contribute to their immunity. The study suggests that sharing a similar microbiome within a social group can have a positive health impact and potentially prevent infections.
Researchers discovered Listeria monocytogenes can change its behavior when infecting liver and placenta cells, producing a dormant form that is more tolerant of antibiotics. This finding explains the long incubation period of listeriosis and may lead to new therapeutic strategies.