Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
A Twin study led by TGen researchers found that a person's environment is more important than their genes in determining nasal bacteria. Some common nasal bacteria may even protect against MRSA colonization, according to the study published in Science Advances.
Researchers introduce a two-pronged system to combat antibiotic resistance by eliminating genes that cause resistance and conferring protection against lethal phages. The system, based on bacterial viruses called phages, has the potential to turn the tide on untreatable infections.
A study reveals that Obg plays a crucial role in bacterial persistence, allowing certain cells to survive antibiotics. The researchers' findings suggest that targeting the novel persistence pathway could lead to more effective treatment strategies for bacterial infections.
Scientists from HIPS and HZI discover cyclohexylgriselimycin, a variant of griselimycin, effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with low risk of resistance development. The new agent targets DNA clamp, preventing bacterial proliferation and offering potential therapeutic approach to drug-resistant tuberculosis.
A study found that at least 60% of toothbrushes were contaminated with fecal coliforms, even after decontamination methods. The researchers advise better hygiene practices for students who share bathrooms to prevent the transmission of potentially pathogenic organisms.
Research found that 90% of bacteria on human skin are either dead or inactive, with different areas harboring varying proportions of metabolically active, inactive, and dead microbes. Activity levels decreased with age, suggesting a possible relationship between the microbiome and immune system function.
Researchers at NYU Langone found that contact lens wearers have a diverse set of microorganisms in the eyes that resemble those on their eyelid skin. This study suggests that improved eyelid and hand hygiene may help prevent eye infections
Researchers discovered that bladder cells can physically eject bacteria that invade the host cell, similar to vomiting. This finding may help treat recurring UTIs by eliminating bacterial reservoirs in the bladder cells. The study also identified a potential way to accelerate and amplify this expulsion mechanism using chemical targets.
Researchers at Georgia State University found that an existing anti-stroke drug, Vinpocetine, is effective in suppressing mucus overproduction and improving bacterial clearance in animal studies. The study could lead to a novel, non-antibiotic treatment for otitis media, potentially reducing hearing loss and enhancing host defense.
Researchers found phages in 49 out of 50 chicken samples that can transduce antimicrobial resistance genes to E. coli bacteria, highlighting the need for phage therapy and improved disinfection methods.
E. coli O104:H4 acquired genes through horizontal gene transfer, increasing virulence and antibiotic resistance. The bacterium's genome comprises prophage elements involved in Shiga toxin production.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a method to preserve milk using short pulsed electric fields, which can kill bacteria and extend shelf life. The technology is energy-efficient and does not require constant electricity supply, making it suitable for use in developing countries.
A study by University of Liverpool researchers reveals that pneumolysin released during Streptococcus pneumoniae infection causes cardiac injury and death. Liposome therapy has been shown to neutralize the toxin, mitigating damage to heart muscle cells.
A Virginia Tech team, led by Amy Pruden and Monica Ponder, is examining the impact of antibiotic use in agriculture on human health. They aim to identify ways to control the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in the food chain.
A study found that repeated schistosome exposure leads to a limited immune response due to the presence of IL-10-producing CD4+ T cells in the skin. These cells help prevent excessive inflammation and allow the parasite to survive by suppressing the immune system.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that Tokay geckos harbor bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, posing a risk to pet owners. The study highlights the importance of pathogen screening in the pet trade to prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria from entering households.
A novel antibody, Ab926, has been discovered that can prevent E. coli from attaching to human cell surfaces and also dislodge bacteria already attached. This antibody works by binding to the side of the FimH pocket, rather than directly competing with free-floating mannose.
Researchers at the Institute of Food Research have visualized the structural changes Clostridium spores undergo during germination, which could help control pathogenic bacteria. The study provides new insights into the genetic controls of spore germination and reveals that spores have polarity that aligns structures correctly.
Researchers discovered that certain bacteria can block their own growth and that of resistant mutants, providing a potential new strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. This finding could lead to improved treatments for infections caused by resistant bacteria.
A landmark genomic study reveals a single clade of typhoid bacteria, H58, is driving global spread, displacing other strains and creating a previously underappreciated epidemic. The study highlights the urgent need for global surveillance and coordinated efforts to prevent and control antimicrobial-resistant typhoid.
The EU-funded MycoSynVac project combines gene engineering and biotechnology to design a novel veterinary vaccine chassis based on Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This chassis will be used to create specific vaccines against two highly detrimental pathogens, as well as for cell therapy and infectious lung disease treatment.
Researchers developed a novel approach using a molecular homing beacon that attracts pre-existing antibodies to attack pathogenic bacteria. The technology shows promise in targeting multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, and could potentially be applied to other infections, viruses, or cancer cells.
University of Adelaide researchers identified a common building block called PATR in virulence factors of many major harmful bacteria. The discovery could lead to the development of broad-spectrum bacterial virulence inhibitors, revolutionizing antibiotic treatments.
A new experimental drug increases HIF-1α levels in human bladder cells, making them resistant to UTI-causing bacteria. The treatment also protects mice against UPEC infection and reduces colonization rates.
Researchers have discovered an experimental drug that stabilizes the immune defense protein HIF-1alpha, increasing its levels in human bladder cells and mice. This leads to improved resistance against major UTI pathogen E. coli, highlighting a new approach to combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers developed biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles with effective antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and B. subtilis. The NPs disrupt bacterial walls, induce reactive oxygen species, and cause cell invagination, making them a promising antimicrobial agent.
Researchers identify a time window when moderately resistant bacteria are sensitive to antibiotics, allowing for optimal treatment design. A new approach may help reintroduce antibiotics that were previously disregarded due to treatment failure concerns.
Researchers have identified a single, simple metric to guide antibiotic dosing that could bring first-line antibiotics back into the fight against drug-resistant pathogens. A computer simulation revealed that a regimen based on a pathogen's recovery time could eliminate an otherwise resistant strain of bacteria.
A study by University of Chicago scientists reveals how immune cells shape the gut microbiota to naturally limit infections. Intestinal immune cells, called type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), play a crucial role in detecting harmful bacteria.
Researchers found that a concentrated maple syrup extract makes disease-causing bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics, leading to lower antibiotic usage. The extract also reduces biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria, making it a potentially simple and effective approach for reducing antibiotic resistance.
Researchers analyzed data on 325 cancer patients hospitalized with pneumonia and found that severe illness and organ dysfunction are better predictors of outcome than multiresistant bacteria. The study suggests personalized treatment protocols can reduce mortality in these patients.
The NIH has awarded $11 million to develop diagnostic tools for hospital-associated pathogens, including those resistant to most antimicrobials. The goal is to provide rapid and efficient tests that can detect the presence of these bacteria in three hours or less.
Researchers have identified a new compound produced by freshwater bacteria that is effective against drug-resistant tuberculosis and other infections. The discovery provides a promising alternative to current treatments and could help combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance worldwide.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the complex relationship between bacteria and the deadly frog disease chytrid fungus. The study found that only a small proportion of bacteria inhibited all forms of the disease, highlighting the need for diverse probiotic treatments to combat its shifting targets.
Scientists deciphered bacterial communication mechanisms, revealing new ways bacteria regulate gene expression. Quorum sensing controls a variety of biologically relevant processes, and the study expands our understanding of regulation in Bacillus subtilis.
Researchers are testing Zinkicide, a nanoparticle bactericide, to combat citrus greening in Florida. The treatment aims to target the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing, a disease that has devastated the state's $10.7 billion citrus industry.
Researchers found that cigarette smoke made MRSA bacteria more resistant to killing by the immune system, increasing their ability to invade human cells. In mouse experiments, smoke-exposed MRSA caused pneumonia with a higher mortality rate.
Low doses of Imatinib can stimulate the bone marrow to produce more innate immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, to combat bacterial infections. This finding suggests that Imatinib or related drugs may be useful in treating a variety of infections in patients with weakened immune systems.
Researchers have developed a mass spectrometry-based process to detect the toxic bacteria's emetic toxin, cereulide. The new method identified 18 variants of cereulide and is being evaluated for its reliability in detecting contaminated products.
Researchers found that nasal drops of harmless bacteria can inhibit the spread of meningococcal disease-causing bacteria. The study suggests a possible new approach for preventing outbreaks using a related but harmless type of bacteria, which appeared to prevent the disease-causing pathogen from colonizing the upper airway.
Researchers have developed a new technology to preserve milk without refrigeration or chemicals, reducing waste and increasing income for small farmers. Pulsed electric fields can kill bacteria and extend shelf life without constant electricity supply.
A recent study found that sudden growth of Burkholderia multivorans preceded periods of acute illness in a CF patient. The team used an extensive collection of lung sputum samples to analyze the bacterial community, providing critical context for their research.
Researchers have found that clindamycin and TMP-SMX are equally effective in treating uncomplicated skin infections caused by community-associated MRSA. The study's findings suggest that these off-patent antibiotics can be used successfully to combat MRSA skin infections acquired outside of hospitals.
A study published in Cell Reports reveals a potential strategy for promoting the right balance of gut microbes in antibiotic-treated mice by manipulating the autoinducer-2 (AI-2) chemical signal. The researchers found that high levels of AI-2 increased the expansion of Firmicutes phylum, leading to a healthy state of the gut microbiota.
A large multicenter study validates MeMed's ImmunoXpert test, which accurately characterizes the cause of acute infections by decoding the body's immune response. The test outperforms routine biomarker and laboratory tests, enabling physicians to make better informed treatment decisions.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method to test the most common cause of life-threatening infection in people with cystic fibrosis. The approach allows scientists to identify several genes necessary for Pseudomonas aeruginosa survival, improving efforts to study and combat the illness.
Researchers at University of Utah discovered a disposable molecular ruler that determines bacterial needle length, enabling efficient infection and potential applications in developing new antibiotics and nanotechnology.
A team of researchers is working on a five-year program to create a bioreactor that more closely simulates the complex tissues and dynamic movements of the intestinal track. This project aims to deliver a simple, easy-to-use and relatively inexpensive system for infectious disease labs.
Researchers develop novel approach to target bacterial lipids, labeling and sparing healthy cells. The new strategy exploits covalent chemistry of lipids, enabling selective recognition and labeling of bacterial cells.
A new method called TFUMseq enables researchers to study the functions of hard-to-grow bacteria that contribute to the gut microbiome. The tool allows for the identification of genes that enhance microbial fitness and provides insights into how bacteria colonize living organisms.
A University of Missouri research team has uncovered new regulations of defense pathways for plants, enabling them to fight off certain bacteria more effectively. The discovery has implications for various crops, including tomatoes, soybeans, rice, and ornamental plants like roses.
A team of scientists successfully transferred a receptor gene from Arabidopsis to wheat, demonstrating that the signalling pathways are conserved between monocots and dicots. The resulting gene confers durable resistance to bacterial diseases, with potential applications in breeding wheat for improved disease resistance.
Researchers discovered that graphene oxide effectively eliminates bacteria linked to tooth decay and gum disease, potentially providing a new tool for fighting these common health problems. The material destroys bacterial cell walls and membranes, slowing the growth of pathogens.
Researchers discovered a plant immunosensor that detects lipopolysaccharide, a substance occurring in pathogenic bacteria. The LipoOligosaccharide-specific Reduced Elicitation (LORE) protein initiates an immune response in plants, similar to the toll-like receptor 4 in mammals.
A study by the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna found Listeria monocytogenes in 2% of lavatory samples, highest at park facilities and mobile container lavatories. Shoes with deeper treads show higher prevalence rates.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed chemical compounds that enhance conventional antibiotics' effectiveness and inhibit bacterial biofilms. The compounds block quorum sensing signals, preventing biofilm formation and alerting the immune system to their presence.
Scientists have found a tool that could help fight bacterial infections, including strep throat and flesh-eating disease. A drug approved to treat HIV has been shown to inhibit the production of a deadly toxin in lab tests, offering new hope for developing therapies against these deadly pathogens.
A large study found that viral infections are more common than bacterial infections in children with pneumonia, with respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus being major culprits. The results suggest a need for improved prevention and treatment strategies to address the growing burden of childhood pneumonia.
Researchers found that garlic extract's allicin component inhibits bacterial growth and kills certain plant pathogens, potentially offering a new treatment option for people with cystic fibrosis. The study suggests using allicin-containing remedies in combination with existing antibiotics to treat life-threatening lung infections.
Researchers identify thiocillin as an antibiotic that activates biofilm formation in a way unrelated to its killing ability, suggesting that antibiotics may evolve to produce biofilms rather than kill other bacteria.