Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
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 discovered that TB bacteria trick immune cells into building up fat to feed them, rather than destroying them. This finding provides new insights into the mechanisms of TB infection and potential treatment approaches using antisense oligonucleotides.
A researcher at Lehigh University is pioneering a unique approach to treat bacterial infections by targeting outer membrane vesicles, which can deliver toxins to healthy cells. Her work has the potential to develop broad-range antibacterial molecules and improve antibiotic stewardship.
Bacteria's ability to form membrane vesicles and biofilms, crucial for disease-causing abilities and antibiotic resistance, has been linked to explosive cell lysis. The study reveals that a previously unknown enzyme disrupts the cell wall, releasing essential cellular components.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing novel aminoglycoside antibiotics with reduced toxicity and decreased resistance, aiming to combat multidrug-resistant diseases. The project, led by David Crich, will evaluate synthetic compounds in vitro and animal models for efficacy and antibacterial activity.
Research by Michigan State University found that large-scale swine farms in China and the US are breeding ground for multidrug-resistant bacteria. Partner genes, which can confer resistance to multiple antibiotics, were discovered in Chinese soils and manure, highlighting the need for prudent agricultural antibiotic use.
Research reveals typhoid toxin promotes long-term colonization without disease in infected hosts, reducing intestinal inflammation and altering gut microbiome. Chronic infection was not linked to cancer development, highlighting a novel immune modulating role for the toxin.
Researchers used electron cryotomography to visualize bacterial 'motors' in three dimensions, revealing the complexity of type IVa pilus machine and flagellum structures. The study provides insights into pilus assembly, structure, and function, as well as correlations between motor strength and torque-generating protein complexes.
Research finds that botulism in waterbirds is spread by an invasive species of freshwater snail carrying Clostridium botulinum, which thrives in polluted wetlands. Global warming is expected to exacerbate outbreaks due to increased temperatures and drought.
Researchers identified a human enzyme called fibrillarin as crucial for henipavirus infection, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target. The study's findings have implications for the development of an anti-henipavirus drug, and may also offer broader use against other paramyxoviruses.
Researchers propose using 'sticky molecules' like IgA to target good bacteria in the gut, preventing pathogenic species from taking hold. This approach has the potential to reduce inflammation and prevent diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
Researchers at Osel have engineered Lactobacillus jensenii to stably express broadly neutralizing antibody fragments against the HIV-1 virus, offering a cost-effective and long-lasting new barrier to HIV-1 transmission. The engineered bacteria reduced vaginal HIV transmission in a primate animal model by over 63%.
A new study reveals that bacteria in biofilm form are stronger than single-celled bacteria and outcompete them for nourishment. This challenges the traditional view of bacterial infections and highlights the importance of treating biofilms as a distinct entity.
A large-scale genomic study found that the Shigella dysenteriae pathogen, responsible for life-threatening bloody diarrhea, originated in Europe. The bacterium was transmitted to other continents via human migration and military operations, leading to devastating epidemics worldwide.
Scientists at Umea University have discovered chemical compounds that attenuate Listeria monocytogenes virulence without killing the bacteria, reducing resistance risks. The findings provide a promising platform for developing new antimicrobial strategies against this foodborne pathogen.
Researchers found that all ticks contained symbiotic bacterial species, while over half were infected with multiple pathogens. The study highlights the importance of accounting for interactions between symbionts and pathogens in tick-borne disease diagnosis and treatment.
Research shows that aging alters antibody responses to oral bacteria, with significant positive correlations observed across the population. Specifically, antibody levels to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola increased with age, while those to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans did not.
The gut microbiome remains healthy due to functional redundancy among microbe species, which ensure stability in the face of constant disturbance. This study highlights the importance of understanding the role of these bacteria in the human body and their contribution to clinical symptoms.
Macrophages produce antimicrobial substances and fatty acids during activation to combat pathogens, contrary to previously assumed metabolism. The study provides a new approach for treating chronic inflammatory diseases by targeting the production of pyruvate in the citric acid cycle.
Researchers developed compound inhibitors that target ribosomes in the translation phase of a virulent bacteria's genetic process. These compounds halt the bacterial rescue operation, making it difficult for the bacteria to grow and proliferate. The study's findings offer new hope against biowarfare agents and resistant pathogens.
Researchers discovered that volatile compounds from Pseudomonas aeruginosa stimulate the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus found in lung infections. The most potent signal was dimethyl sulfide, which is taken up by the fungus to support growth.
A study by Ohio State University found that PulseNet, a CDC-coordinated network, prevents about 276,000 cases of foodborne illness each year. The network's early detection capabilities and encouragement of safer business practices contribute to this significant reduction in illnesses.
Researchers discovered novel bacteria species in shower hoses of a US hospital, closely related to known opportunistic pathogens. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes raises concerns about the potential health implications for immunocompromised patients.
The NIFA-NSF Joint Plant-Biotics Interactions program supports research on plant-biotic interactions, focusing on fundamental mechanisms and translational efforts. Funding is available for projects addressing agriculture and relevance to plant health, with applications due in June and April.
The Massachusetts General Hospital research team discovered a crucial interaction between intermediate filaments and the Shigella injection protein IpaC, required for efficient delivery of effector proteins into host cells. This finding suggests that similar mechanisms may apply to other pathogens using type 3 secretion systems.
E. coli bacteria attach to the surface of the urinary tract via protein FimH, binding more tightly under flow conditions. This discovery could lead to development of FimH antagonists, reducing antibiotic use and resistance.
Researchers found that strains resistant to bacteriocins grew poorly in iron-poor environments, suggesting a potential advantage in targeting resistant bacteria. The study suggests that bacteriocins could be used to target specific strains of multidrug-resistant or highly virulent bacteria.
Scientists are studying graphene oxide to create bacteria-killing catheters and medical devices, reducing the need for antibiotics and speeding recovery times. Graphene oxide wraps around bacteria, puncturing its membrane and killing it, making it a potential alternative to traditional methods that are toxic to the environment.
Researchers found a promising adjuvant, chitosan, induces immune response through a DNA-sensing pathway in cells. This discovery provides a roadmap for developing vaccines that trigger 'cell-mediated immunity',
A new study found that El Niño events transport waterborne diseases like cholera thousands of miles across oceans. The research suggests links between organisms causing illnesses in Asia and those emerging in Latin America.
Duke University researchers have engineered microbes that can't run away from home; those that do will quickly die without protective proteins produced by their peers. The system could be used to reliably program colonies of bacteria to respond to changes in their surrounding environment, such as releasing specific molecules on cue.
Researchers found bacteria can recognize and disrupt viruses using a novel RNA-based defense mechanism. This discovery could lead to improved ways to prevent crop diseases and dairy industry infections, and may inspire new gene-editing techniques.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a simpler method to produce antibodies against a range of infectious agents using DNA-based genetic immunization. The technique successfully expressed membrane proteins in mice and induced the animals to produce critical antibodies to bacterial and viral targets.
A new Penn study reveals that fish induce production of a specific antibody, IgT, in response to pathogen exposure on their gills. The researchers found that IgT coats the microbiota in the gills, helping control the community of friendly microbes.
Researchers at UEA have discovered a mechanism to target the defensive barrier of superbugs, bringing bacteria down without developing resistance. This breakthrough paves the way for a new generation of drugs that could revolutionize the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Scientists at Université de Genève found a novel regulatory mechanism in the HigBA toxin-antitoxin system that can selectively kill bacteria when they suffer from DNA damage. This discovery could lead to new treatments for bacterial infections by forcing bacteria to turn their weapons against themselves.
The study reveals novel adaptations and traits in infectious species of Leptospira that help illuminate its evolutionary history and provide new preventive and treatment approaches. It identifies key pathogen-specific features, including the CRISPR-Cas genetic machinery, which are unique to pathogenic Leptospira.
Researchers have provided a molecular blueprint of Globomycin, an antibacterial candidate with promise in stemming the post-antibiotic tide. The blueprint may aid the design of better globomycin analogues and explore thousands of new antibiotic solutions to common infections.
Researchers found that certain bacteria, including Francisella tularensis and Salmonella enterica, can spread rapidly throughout the body by interacting with immune cells called macrophages. This process, known as trogocytosis, allows bacteria to evade detection and survive inside infected cells.
A critical discovery about how bacteria feed on an unusual sugar molecule found in leafy green vegetables could hold the key to explaining how 'good' bacteria protect our gut and promote health. Leafy greens are essential for feeding good gut bacteria, limiting the ability of bad bacteria to colonise the gut.
Researchers found that urban homes have more human bacteria, such as Streptococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae, while rural homes have higher proportions of environmental bacteria like soil species. This shift could contribute to immune disorders like asthma and obesity in the industrialized world.
The INNUENDO project aims to integrate whole genome sequencing into routine surveillance and outbreak investigations, addressing the need for accessible IT frameworks and expertise. The cross-sectorial framework will standardize process, simplify data analysis, and enhance public health microbiology capabilities.
Researchers identify RimK as a crucial regulator of bacterial movement, which is essential for initiating infections. Disabling this protein significantly reduces the ability of bacteria to infect plants and humans, offering a new target for anti-infective drugs.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered the mode of action of antibiotic tropodithietic acid (TDA), revealing its ability to kill cancer cells. TDA's unique mechanism involves disrupting cell membrane function, rendering it a potential anticancer agent.
Researchers found that antiperspirant and deodorant significantly influence the type and quantity of bacteria on human skin. The study revealed a drastic shift in microbial ecosystems when participants used these products.
Researchers have discovered a natural clay deposit that exhibits strong antibacterial activity against the ESKAPE group of bacterial pathogens, including MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant strains. The clay, named Kisameet clay, has been used for centuries by indigenous communities to treat various ailments.
Research provides new insights into Group A Streptococcus by demonstrating its toxin, Streptolysin S, targets a specific protein on red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. Chemical inhibition of this protein reduces the toxin's activity and alters the pathology of GAS in skin infections.
A recent study published in Journal of Molecular Medicine found that e-cigarette vapor boosts bacterial virulence and inflammation, suppressing the human immune system. The research also revealed that exposure to e-cigarette vapor increases the risk of bacterial infections and suppresses lung function.
The BARDOT technology uses optical scattering techniques to create a unique 'fingerprint' pattern for each pathogen, eliminating the need for reagents. This innovation has shown great promise in identifying dangerous pathogens such as Listeria, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Vibrio, and E. coli.
Researchers found that ancient medicinal clay exhibits potent antibacterial activity against ESKAPE strains of bacteria, including Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus. The rare mineral clay may provide a new treatment option for serious infections caused by these resistant pathogens.
Researchers found that the bacterium Yersinia pestis persisted in Europe, causing repeated devastating waves of plague epidemics. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of the pathogen and its potential role in modern-day antibiotic resistance.
A team of biologists at UC San Diego has developed a new method to determine if bacteria are susceptible to antibiotics within a few hours. The approach allows doctors to rapidly identify the appropriate treatment for patients with life-threatening bacterial infections, potentially slowing the emergence of drug resistance.
A new machine-learning technique, denoising autoencoder, uncovers previously unknown gene-expression patterns in P. aeruginosa, a notorious pathogen resistant to standard antibiotic therapies. The system identified characteristic patterns in response to antibiotics and low oxygen conditions.
The grant will explore various dosing regimens of daptomycin, a lipopeptide antibiotic, to treat vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) bacteria. The research aims to prevent resistance development and improve treatment outcomes for patients with life-threatening infections.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have identified a virulence factor secreted by the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii, which is resistant to traditional antibiotics. The discovery could lead to the development of new antivirulence antibiotics that can suppress pathogen growth without eliminating susceptible bacteria.
Scientists uncover the structural and functional properties of the BabA protein, which adapts to different ABO blood group sugars in humans. The discovery provides perspectives on developing drugs that disrupt bacterial attachment and eradicating Helicobacter pylori infections.
A UBC study found that rats can absorb disease agents from their environment and spread them, posing a significant health threat to both poultry and humans. The researchers discovered avian pathogenic E. coli in the feces of farm rats, with over one quarter carrying multidrug-resistant strains.
A Georgia State University researcher is investigating how the adaptive immune system can control intestinal bacteria to prevent inflammation in the gut. The project aims to identify a way to activate the mucosal immune system to reduce levels of bacteria with high potential to promote inflammation.
Researchers found that bacterial growth and biofilm formation depend on fluid flow and space shape. Fluid flow can interfere with quorum sensing, affecting disease-causing bacteria behavior.
Researchers found that short-term exposure to different outside host resource types and concentrations affects Serratia marcescens' virulence in Galleria mellonella-moth. This suggests that even genetically similar bacteria can differ in their virulence depending on the source of nutrients.