Articles tagged with Bacterial Pathogens
Tiny soil predators called protists 'eavesdrop' on bacteria's communication using scent, helping them choose the best prey. The discovery could lead to practical applications in biological pest control and agricultural research.
Scientists at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) are working on a novel treatment approach for blood poisoning. They aim to remove bacteria from the blood using magnetic purification, which could potentially replace antibiotics in some cases.
Recent experiments by Loessner and his group have shown that L-forms are an independent form of life that can multiply indefinitely. They form a crazy network of vesicles with elastic connector tubes, enabling them to exchange cytoplasm and multiply without cell walls or genetic material.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered a bacterium, Vibrio fischeri, releases an enzyme that induces choanoflagellates into full mating frenzy. This finding suggests bacteria may influence animal mating.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University have isolated a unique strain of lactic acid bacteria, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis 194, from Buryat milk that possesses a wide range of antimicrobial action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The strain also shows antifungal properties, making it a promising candida...
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new compound that can render Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptible to the immune system. The compound inhibits the bacterial proteasome, making proteins damaged by nitric oxide accumulate and cause bacteria death.
A Melbourne-based team has developed a vaccine for chronic periodontitis, aiming to reduce the need for surgery and antibiotics. The vaccine targets enzymes produced by a specific bacterium, triggering an immune response that neutralizes its toxins.
New research reveals the mechanism by which probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei DG promotes health. The probiotic releases a novel polysaccharide that stimulates the immune system to release anti-inflammatory chemicals.
A research team at the University of Georgia has discovered that a pathogen's ability to move through the body triggers an immune response. The study found that bacterial motility induces the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, which are web-like structures of DNA associated with antimicrobial molecules.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are using cross-assembly phage (crAssphage) as an indicator of fecal contamination in water, which can help prevent disease outbreaks and improve public safety. The study aims to establish a correlation between crAssphage presence and pathogens in irrigation water.
A new metagenomics methodology can quickly diagnose foodborne bacterial outbreaks by analyzing DNA sequencing data. This approach identified Salmonella pathogen variants and detected co-infections with Staphylococcus aureus, revolutionizing disease surveillance.
Researchers discovered that Staph bacteria use the nitric oxide synthase enzyme to colonize nasal passages, allowing them to thrive in low-oxygen environments. This mechanism may contribute to the virulence and resistance of staphylococcus bacteria, making it a potential target for prevention strategies.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz are developing nano factories that can prevent bacterial colonization on surfaces. The team, led by Sebastian Polarz and David Schleheck, plans to create a cocktail of chemical compounds that specifically target bacteria, reducing the need for antibiotics.
A new study by Michigan State University scientists reveals that certain virulent bacteria can directly inject a protein into plant cells, increasing water content and disease prevalence. This discovery highlights the critical role of humidity in plant-disease outbreaks, particularly under conditions of prolonged high humidity.
Norovirus can shed for months or years, especially in immunocompromised individuals, and triggers other gut problems like IBS and IBD. Researchers discuss strategies to slow down the virus, including new vaccine approaches.
A new study published in Nature's Ecology & Evolution journal reveals that the shape of bacteria does not affect their ability to move, challenging long-held theories. The researchers analyzed data from 325 different species of Firmicutes bacteria and found no association between shape and mobility.
A new study by the University of Leicester reveals that small amounts of damage to salad leaves in bagged salads encourage the presence of Salmonella enterica. Juices released from damaged leaves also boost the pathogen's ability to attach to the salad's plastic container, doubling its motility and allowing it to multiply rapidly.
Researchers have developed a novel technique to study bacterial infections at the single-cell level, revealing that Salmonella adopt two survival strategies: replicating or adopting a non-growing state. Macrophages infected with Salmonella express different signaling molecules depending on their growth behavior.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that flagellar motility of P. aeruginosa is the main factor required to induce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The researchers developed an assay to quantify the levels of P. aeruginosa flagellin and found that immotile strains failed to stimulate NET formation.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered two promising new antibiotics, humimycin A and humimycin B, produced by bacteria in the human body. The compounds work by inhibiting an enzyme that builds bacterial cell walls, offering a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.
Researchers found a 'cross-talk' between the immune system, gut bacteria, and glucose metabolism, with implications for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila plays a critical role in regulating glucose metabolism.
A recent study by European researchers found that patients with acute bacterial lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) had only slightly worse symptoms and returned more often to their physician than those without bacterial LRTIs. The authors conclude that these infections are generally mild and self-limiting, allowing physicians t...
Research findings suggest that gut microbiomes of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome show higher levels of phospholipid-producing bacteria, pointing to microbes as a trigger for the disease. The study identified Slackia bacteria as a promising candidate, which can produce phospholipids including cardiolipin.
Researchers analyzed over 1,000 M. abscessus isolates from 500 global CF center patients, finding near-identical clones in different geographies and suggesting widespread transmission within the CF community. The study also highlights airborne transmission via contaminated surfaces as a potential mode of infection.
Scientists have discovered human leprosy in British red squirrels, revealing a reservoir for ancient bacteria that drove outbreaks in medieval Europe. The study suggests that the disease may be working against efforts to eradicate it in humans.
Researchers from Concordia University found that vermicomposting can inactivate harmful bacteria like E. coli in compost, producing high-quality material for plant fertilizers. The worms also generate valuable by-products as animal feed, promoting sustainable waste management and upcycling.
Researchers have discovered a new class of proteins in Francisella tularensis that promote the growth of bacteria within macrophages, overcoming cellular defenses. The findings shed light on the mechanisms behind the bacterium's severe disease-causing capabilities.
Researchers have developed a new approach to prevent gastrointestinal disease caused by Salmonella and other bacteria. The immunization targets a molecule that allows these microbes to scavenge iron, reducing growth and bacterial levels.
Researchers found that bacteria that become dependent on their environment for essential nutrients outperform those that can produce them independently. The study's results suggest that this loss of autonomy may be an evolutionary advantage driving adaptation in bacterial populations.
Research reveals that isolates of Helicobacter pullorum from Indian poultry markets are resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics, posing a potential public health risk. The study suggests that the bacterium could be transmitted from poultry to humans, highlighting the need for increased awareness and regulation.
A team of scientists analyzed TB bacterial strains and found they can be genetically subdivided into generalists with worldwide distribution and specialists with localized ecological niches. Generalists have a slightly increased diversity of antigens, allowing them to adapt more specifically to different human populations.
A University of California, Irvine study found that beneficial gut microbes produce proteins called microcins, which help block illness-causing bacteria like salmonella and invasive E. coli in inflamed intestines. The researchers hope to develop targeted antibiotics based on these findings.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified another bacterium that can cause symptoms similar to salmon poisoning in dogs, complicating the problem. The new discovery makes it clear that dogs are not immune to salmon poisoning after a single infection and treatment.
Gene expression data from E. coli grown in space reveal reduced glucose uptake and increased extracellular acidity, suggesting altered bacterial behavior due to reduced transport of molecules.
A study has found a link between chlorhexidine exposure and antibiotic resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria. The researchers discovered that certain strains of the bacteria could survive high concentrations of chlorhexidine and develop resistance to colistin, a last resort antibiotic.
A Duke University study reveals that hospital rooms and patients can spread germs through contact with healthcare personnel. The research found that nurses' clothing and patient room surfaces were frequently contaminated with pathogens, highlighting the need for enhanced infection control measures.
A team of scientists from Germany has identified a class of quinone-like substances with an epoxide functional group that can kill problematic Salmonella pathogens. The compounds work by interfering with the bacterial stress response system, making them a potential tool in the fight against multidrug resistance.
A team of scientists at Gakushuin University has developed a novel 'cross-kymography' method to visualize the rotation and morphology of archaella, which enables the direct observation of these structures for the first time. This breakthrough reveals new insights into the swimming mechanism of archaea.
A CSIC study is using genetic sequencing to identify new bacterial regulators that can be used to design compounds to manipulate bacterial processes. This research aims to develop new antimicrobials to fight against infections.
Researchers at the University of Basel discovered that calcium induces the transition from acute to chronic infections in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a life-threatening pathogen. This shift enables the bacteria to adapt and survive in the lungs, making treatment more challenging for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers tracked a single bacterial cell as it grew into a mature biofilm of 10,000 cells. They found that the bacteria secrete a glue-like substance to keep from getting washed away and protect themselves from competing bacteria. A key gene, RbmA, plays a crucial role in developing a denser, stronger biofilm.
Researchers developed computer simulations demonstrating how lasers attack bacterial colonies, suggesting benefits for oral debridement and periodontal treatment. The study confirms the effectiveness of 810 nm diode lasers and 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers in killing bacteria with minimal heating of surrounding tissue.
Scientists at Griffith University identified a unique sensory structure in bacteria that binds host-specific sugar and is present on virulent strains of Campylobacter jejuni. Disabling this sensor reduces the ability of campylobacteria to colonize chickens, offering a potential target for antimicrobial drugs.
Scientists at University of Würzburg have discovered a third RNA binding protein, ProQ, which controls gene activity and allows bacteria to quickly adapt to changing conditions. ProQ binds to nearly 100 regulatory RNAs in Salmonella enterica, influencing their activities.
Research suggests that spinal cord injuries alter the type of bacteria living in the gut, exacerbating neurological damage and impairing recovery. Probiotics may counteract these changes, aiding patients' recovery from spinal cord injuries by activating regulatory T cells and promoting neuronal growth.
Researchers from UTMB have developed three new potential vaccines against the plague that protect animals from developing pneumonic plague as late as four to five months after vaccination. The vaccines were engineered by deleting and modifying genes in Yersinia pestis bacteria, resulting in safe vaccine candidates.
Penn Vet researchers have discovered a new mechanism for antibacterial immunity, where caspase-8 regulates inflammatory cytokine production. In mice lacking caspase-8, innate immune cells have a general defect in responding to microbial products, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.
A new study revises the understanding of childhood diarrhea's causes, finding nearly 90% of cases are linked to pathogens. The research provides a roadmap for developing vaccines and treatments for six top causes, aiming to reduce deaths by 70 percent annually.
Researchers have engineered a bacteriophage called NanoLuc that causes E. coli O157:H7 to emit light, allowing for faster and cheaper detection of contaminated food products. The new method can detect as few as four bacteria in eight hours.
A six-month study in Pennsylvania found that eggs from small flocks have a higher prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis than those from large commercial flocks. The bacteria was present in internal and external egg contents, highlighting the need for education and quality-assurance practices in backyard and small layer flocks.
Researchers developed a hybrid nanosensor that can detect pathogenic strains of E. coli, including O157:H7, in less than an hour. The sensor combines magnetic resonance and fluorescence techniques to rapidly identify contaminated food products.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem show for the first time how bacterial superantigen toxins work and how short peptides can block them. A novel host-oriented therapeutic approach prevents lethal immune responses, remaining effective against antibiotic-resistant strains.
Scientists at Technical University of Munich developed a new bioinformatics tool to search all bacterial sequences in databases and find similarities or check existence. The tool allows researchers to explore microbial communities and their habitats in detail, with potential applications in clinical diagnostics.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital identified a bacterial molecule that trains the immune system to tolerate infection without inducing illness. The molecule, 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AA), reprograms innate immune cells to accept the presence of certain pathogens by suppressing inflammatory responses.
David Wendell's technology targets harmful pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, and protozoa while preserving healthy bacteria in public drinking water. It uses light-generated hydrogen peroxide to eliminate outbreaks, without adding contaminants to the environment.
The bacterium causing citrus greening disease triggers a gut-wrenching immune response in the insect vector, Asian citrus psyllid. Researchers suggest targeting cell death in the midgut to prevent bacterial spread.
A team of researchers has uncovered the detailed structure of a Type IV pilus, revealing how it binds to and disrupts endothelial cell junctions to breach the blood-brain barrier. This discovery could lead to new ways of treating meningococcal infection and potentially even therapies that deliberately open the blood-brain barrier.
Scientists discovered that a common intestinal microbe produces an enzyme called SagA, which protects worms and mammals from harmful bacteria like Salmonella typhimurium. The findings could lead to the development of probiotics against Clostridium difficile, a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections.
Researchers have identified Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the trigger for Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious nervous system disease. The study found that antibodies against the bacteria's surface structure react with human nerve sheaths, leading to an immune reaction and potentially life-threatening paralysis.
Bacteria can share molecular spear guns and toxic molecules with closely related strains, allowing them to reuse proteins and produce new weapons. This cooperation enables bacteria to form a survival advantage against competitors, recycling harpooned proteins and toxins to assemble their own T6SSs.