Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers have discovered that a variety of normally harmless bacteria can cause bleaching disease in seaweeds when stressed. Three new pathogens from the Alteromonas, Aquimarina and Agarivorans genera were identified as the culprits.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can amplify disease-inducing genes to quickly cause infection. The study found that the essential proteins needed to form the poisonous syringe are produced through a 'copying machine' when the bacteria come into contact with host cells, enabling rapid infection.
Researchers at UVA Health System identified a link between C. difficile infection and allergy-causing immune cells, offering potential solutions for prevention through targeted probiotics. The discovery has immediate implications for therapy, as maintaining the natural gut microbiome may prevent life-threatening infections.
Researchers found that oral bacteria cooperate to make a pathogenic bacterium more infectious by providing an oxygen-rich environment. This cross-respiration allows the pathogen to grow and thrive, leading to worse infections.
Scientists at CNIC discover how immune cells adapt to live bacteria through mitochondrial metabolism changes. The study found that detection of live bacteria triggers a change in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, enabling macrophages to redirect metabolic routes for efficient energy production.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect mycobacterial pathogens directly from patient samples using genetic analysis, reducing detection time to 1-2 days. The new method was found to be equally accurate as traditional culture-based techniques and can also detect resistance to standard medicines.
Plant pathogens use DNA-degrading enzymes to escape extracellular DNA traps generated by host root border cells. The researchers found that a soil-borne bacterium causes destructive wilt disease in plants and uses endonucleases to destroy the traps, compromising its ability to invade roots.
Researchers found MAIT cells can bypass specific receptors to react to cytokine combinations, previously only known for fighting bacteria. The discovery suggests MAIT cells could be involved in defending against or reducing the effects of viruses.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine successfully diagnosed or ruled out suspected brain infections using next-generation genetic sequencing. The technique has the potential to bring diagnosis rates for inflammatory brain disorders and infections closer to 100 percent, enabling more effective treatment.
Researchers found that contaminated gloves can spread healthcare-associated pathogens to hospital surfaces, with types of bacteria affecting transmission rates. Proper glove use is crucial to reduce HCAI risk.
Research at UC Davis Health System identified a mechanism by which antibiotics alter gut microbiota, increasing nutrients that benefit pathogen growth. The study found that oral antibiotic treatment increases the synthesis of an enzyme generating nitric oxide radicals, which oxidize sugars and promote Salmonella growth.
A male-killing bacterium has been identified as the cause of female-biased sex ratios in green lacewings. The bacterium is closely related to plant pathogens and may have jumped hosts to infect lacewings. Further research is needed to investigate possible host suppressors against male-killing.
Scientists mapped all RNA structures of a diarrheal pathogen at once, identifying temperature-responsive structures that sense temperature changes. These 'RNA thermometers' can reveal gene sequences and proteins controlling disease progression.
Washington State University researchers created a simple sensor that can detect and amplify the signal of E. coli 0157:H7, a harmful pathogen causing severe diarrhea and kidney damage. The biosensor uses a nanoflower particle with organic and inorganic components to recognize and amplify the bacteria's signal.
A rapid and specific diagnostic assay can detect pathogens in blood within an hour, distinguishing between infectious and non-infectious causes of inflammation. The assay uses FcMBL, a genetically engineered pathogen-binding protein, to identify infection-causing pathogens with high sensitivity and broad specificity.
A new method enables rapid isolation and concentration of infectious bacteria from complex clinical samples, accelerating bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. This breakthrough uses an engineered pathogen-binding protein to capture live pathogens from joint fluids, allowing for faster and more accurate diagno...
Researchers found that fluid shear forces regulate disease progression in multidrug-resistant Salmonella ST313 strains, accelerating disease onset and enhancing survival. The study's findings have significant implications for the development of therapeutics against these deadly bacteria.
A single strain of plague bacteria caused the Black Death in Europe and later led to multiple outbreaks on the continent before spreading to China, triggering a global pandemic. The researchers sequenced ancient DNA from mass graves and compared them to modern strains to reveal a link between the Black Death and modern-day epidemics.
Researchers at Zhejiang University have developed a potential biomarker for bacterial pneumonia using breath analysis. The study found a link between volatile organic compounds in exhaled air and patients diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia.
Recent research reveals that antibiotic-resistant strains may be fitter and more virulent, complicating the fight against bacterial infections. The discovery challenges the long-held paradigm of a fitness cost associated with antibiotic resistance.
A new vaccine identifies strains by proteins attached to the surface of pneumococcus, promoting an immune response that targets specific threats. The vaccine is 100% effective in defending against more than 12 strains and may one day stamp out pneumonia, meningitis, and other illnesses.
A study published at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting found bacteria in women's ovaries and fallopian tubes. Women with ovarian cancer have distinct bacterial profiles, suggesting potential links to cancer development or progression.
Researchers have found that tromethamine, a drug approved to treat metabolic acidosis, can raise the pH of the airway surface liquid (ASL) and enhance bacterial killing activity in cystic fibrosis patients. This suggests that tromethamine may be beneficial in treating CF airway disease.
Researchers found that tobacco smoke increases the likelihood of certain bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis colonizing the body. Biofilms formed by these pathogens can be difficult to eradicate and promote antibiotic resistance.
Researchers discovered a bacteriophage virus in Connecticut that targets multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, making it susceptible to existing antibiotics. This 'phage' therapy has the potential to treat life-threatening infections and preserve medical options against deadly bacteria.
David Low's innovative project targets enteric pathogen-specific T2 bacteriophage to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded $100,000 GCE grant will support his research on a new approach using bacteriophage targeting essential outer membrane protein BamA.
Taxonomer analysis software rapidly identifies pathogens and profiles gene expression, revolutionizing infectious disease diagnosis. This technology can help reduce mortality rates of children in resource-limited settings by quickly detecting treatable infections.
Scientists have identified a novel metal scavenger, staphylopine, produced by the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics targeting the bacteria's addiction to metals.
Research at Osaka University reveals Lypd8's role in preventing intestinal bacteria invasion, shedding new light on ulcerative colitis pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. The study found that Lypd8 decreases in patients with ulcerative colitis, leading to increased susceptibility to inflammation.
A team of researchers identified a single enzyme that can independently control ubiquitination, a crucial cellular process. This finding has the potential to lead to the development of new therapeutic targets for diseases, including infection.
Bacterial spore formation is triggered by the slowdown of cellular growth, according to a new study published in Molecular Systems Biology. The research reveals that stressed-out bacteria make life-or-death decisions to form spores due to the concentration of a key protein, which builds up during starvation.
Researchers found that low temperatures trigger genes involved in biofilm formation, toxin production, and cold adaptation in Vibrio cholerae. Expression of virulence factors is reduced at low temperatures, suggesting a link to environmental lifecycle.
A new study found that triclosan exposure causes rapid changes in the gut microbiome of zebrafish, compromising its function. This disruption may contribute to disease development or severity.
Researchers have identified a specific gene mutation in Staphylococcus aureus that reduces the bacterium's ability to destroy human immune cells, making it more likely to cause life-threatening diseases. This discovery provides new insights into the complex relationships between bacteria and their hosts.
A study found that pathogenic bacteria use Opa proteins to bind human CEACAM proteins on mucosal cells, making them stickier and less likely to detach. This prevents exfoliation, allowing the bacteria to gain extra time to colonize or penetrate the mucosa.
Scientists have created a synthetic molecule that mimics the sugar coating on C. difficile bacteria, triggering an immune response and protecting against infection. The potential vaccine could be cost-effective and used to boost the immune system in patients.
Researchers identified a novel tuberculosis pathogen, Mycobacterium mungi, transmitted through environmental urine and anal gland secretions in banded mongooses. This discovery radically changes the understanding of TB transmission, with implications for wildlife and livestock health.
Antibiotics disrupt gut microbiome communication with the immune system, impairing immune function. New approaches aim to restore balance by targeting infectious bacteria or modifying the microbiota, such as using bacteriocins, CRISPR-CAS9 gene editing, or fecal material transplants
A new study suggests that statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol, can reduce the burden of infection in Lyme disease reservoir hosts, potentially leading to a decrease in human cases. Researchers hope to modify statins to primarily affect the survival of Lyme disease bacteria.
Researchers at Denver Health have developed a new diagnostic tool to identify multidrug-resistant organisms in combat-related infections, allowing for faster treatment. The test can characterize multiple pathogens within 2 hours, including MRSA, and determine antibiotic susceptibility with high accuracy.
A UGA study found that Saharan dust increases iron levels in ocean surface water, leading to large blooms of Vibrio bacteria. These bacteria can cause serious illness in humans and other marine organisms, and their rapid growth rate short circuits the theory of phytoplankton as the first responders to nutrient plumes.
A targeted antibiotic, Debio 1452, was found to minimize disruptions to the gut microbiome in mice compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The study suggests that pathogen-selective approaches to antibiotic development can help preserve beneficial bacteria and prevent secondary infections.
New research reveals Saharan dust enriches underwater plants in the Caribbean with iron and other nutrients. However, this increase in nutrients also supports an explosive bloom of toxic bacteria such as Vibrio.
A new antibiotic, Debio 1452, shows promise in selectively targeting Staphilococcal pathogens while sparing the gut microbiome. Conventional broad spectrum antibiotics cause significant damage to the gut microbiome.
Researchers discovered that genetic mutations in certain genes can impair the immune-enhancing effects of beneficial bacteria, leading to reduced efficacy of probiotic therapies in treating Crohn's disease. The study suggests a new potential cause for the disorder and may lead to advances in personalized medicine.
New research from the University of Oxford used bacteria to show that acquiring duplicate copies of genes can provide a template for developing new traits. Gene duplication has been proposed as playing a key role in innovation since the 1970s, but these findings add important empirical evidence to support this theory.
A Massachusetts General Hospital team has developed a compact system that rapidly diagnoses bacterial infections in under two hours, bringing testing to the point of care. The PAD system uses genetic testing and optical components to identify key pathogens, offering improved diagnosis and treatment options.
Researchers at Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have catalogued over 130 human intestine bacteria, enabling them to study the microbiome's role in health and disease. The discoveries hold promise for creating tailored treatments with specific beneficial bacteria.
Researchers at Washington State University and Harvard University have discovered a critical mechanism that enables bacteria to efficiently infect the gut. The 'type III secretion system' directs bacterial traffic, controlling whether bacteria become trapped inside vacuoles or break out into cell fluid.
A study found that gut bacteria can predict the risk of life-threatening blood infections following high-dose chemotherapy in cancer patients. The researchers created an algorithm that uses bacterial DNA sequencing to identify good and bad bacteria, predicting infections with around 85% accuracy.
Researchers developed a computer model to explain how antibiotic-resistant microbes develop and spread. The study reveals that even after antibiotic therapy, more bacteria may be sensitive to the effects of antibiotics than resistant ones.
Researchers discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can multiply within human fluids from burn wounds, leading to increased virulence factors. Exudates from burns contain immune molecules and enzymes that favor P. aeruginosa growth, making it difficult to treat infections.
Scientists at UC Riverside discovered a strain of beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria that has spread across California, forming tumor-like nodules on plant roots. The epidemic strains were found to be highly successful in the soil and in competition to infect plants, explaining their persistence and dominance.
Researchers at University of Guelph found that soy isoflavones and peptides can effectively inhibit the growth of certain bacterial pathogens, including Listeria and Pseudomonas. This natural alternative could benefit the food industry by reducing reliance on synthetic additives and addressing growing concerns about antibiotic resistance.
Researchers discovered Vibrio cholerae attraction to bile taurine, shedding light on its survival and pathogenicity. The finding may lead to prevention of infection and development of new drugs for cholera.
Molecular microbiologists at UMass Amherst identify a distinct domain on the plasma membrane of Mycobacterium smegmatis, crucial for bacterial growth. The discovery provides insight into lipid metabolism and regulatory mechanisms in mycobacteria, potentially leading to new methods of inhibiting bacterial growth.
Scientists discovered that Cpf1, a CRISPR-associated enzyme, can cut both RNA and DNA. This dual activity enables efficient targeting of multiple sites in parallel, or multiplexing, for sequence-specific genome engineering.
Researchers have mapped the core set of genes that enable strep bacteria to acquire new genes for antibiotic resistance and escape the immune response. The study identifies 83 specific genes in 29 regions of the strep chromosome that are required for DNA uptake.
The pandemic E. coli strain H30 causes persistent and deadly infections, often undetected until severe complications arise. Researchers found that patients with underlying conditions and those in healthcare facilities are at higher risk for infection.
Researchers develop a new mathematical framework to compare different treatment therapies, including aggressive and moderate approaches. The model considers the role of the host immune system in infection clearance, suggesting that optimized treatments can minimize drug resistance without compromising patient health.