Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
The study found that Listeria monocytogenes adapts its metabolism specifically to the host genotype, correlating with the severity of symptoms in infected mice. Bacteria retain a 'memory effect' that reverts to a common metabolic fingerprint after laboratory cultivation.
Scientists at Washington State University have discovered a probiotic toxin that can combat Coldwater Disease in rainbow trout, killing the bacteria with a toxic protein. The probiotics could be a game-changer for the global salmonid aquaculture industry, reducing disease losses and improving animal welfare.
Researchers identified a bacteriophage from Jerusalem sewage that can infect and eliminate Enterococcus faecalis biofilms, a common cause of persistent root canal infections. This phage therapy approach may offer a new solution for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers at Concordia University have grown mutant E. coli bacteria up to 3/4 millimeter long, 750 times their normal length, by blocking cell division. This breakthrough has potential applications in the nanoscale industry and may lead to a better understanding of pathogens.
Ticks that spread disease are emerging earlier and expanding their geographic range due to warmer spring temperatures. This shift may lead to increased risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, with the potential for an earlier start date for Awareness Month.
Researchers are excavating an ancient graveyard in Italy to uncover the history of cholera, hoping to find DNA clues about its evolution. The site contains victims from the 1850s epidemic and provides a thousand-year window into the health of a village.
A study on the Thames river found that greater numbers of resistant bacteria exist close to waste water treatment works, which are likely responsible for increasing antibiotic resistance. The researchers suggest that improvements in treatment processes could hold the key to reducing the prevalence of resistant bacteria in the environment.
Researchers discovered that Yersinia pestis bacteria traffic to lymph nodes on their own, not relying on human phagocytic cells. Most microbes get trapped in a bottleneck in the skin or node, and only a few break free to cause disease.
Researchers found that a common oral pathogen can grant tumors an anti-immune defense mechanism, protecting them from destruction by natural killer cells. Blocking this interaction might improve anti-tumor immunity in human patients.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that Listeria monocytogenes bacteria are widespread in retail delis, with 6.8% of samples tested positive before operation and 9.5% during operation over six months. The bacteria can persist in growth niches, posing a risk to vulnerable immune systems. To mitigate this risk, experts recomm...
A study found that a single genomic change can turn beneficial bacteria into pathogenic bacteria by boosting bacterial density inside the host. The research team identified a region of the Wolbachia genome responsible for regulating bacterial densities in flies.
A team of Indiana University researchers has been awarded a major grant to develop and use chemical tagging methods to understand how bacterial cells build their cell walls, a key target for new antibiotics. The team plans to create new probes to track peptidoglycan synthesis in bacteria such as E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. pneumoniae.
TLR9 binds to pathogen DNA, activating the innate immune system. Researchers elucidated its structure, revealing two rings bound together when recognizing CpG motifs.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that mosquitoes increase production of immune system proteins called leucine-rich repeat immune proteins (LRIMs) after feeding on blood, which helps fight off parasites that may be present in the blood.
Researchers create first comprehensive map of NYC subway system microbes, finding mostly harmless bacteria, but also detecting disease-causing and treatment-resistant strains. The study provides baseline data for city-wide disease surveillance and bioterrorism threat mitigation.
Scientists at the University of Utah and Georgia have discovered a pharmacological target that could enable development of novel drugs against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. The target is based on a unique pathway for making heme, an essential iron-carrying molecule specific to Gram-positive bacteria.
A SLU scientist has discovered an evolutionary mechanism used by bacteria to evade antibiotics like azithromycin. The discovery reveals a universal stalling mechanism, suggesting a way to improve existing drugs' effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant strains.
Research reveals that a balanced gut bacterial community is crucial for digestive health, and the immune system plays a key role in shaping this balance. Fecal transplants may also offer new hope for treating IBD by restoring a healthy gut microbiome.
Researchers have identified a new bacterial communication pathway, dialkylresorcinol, that is widely distributed among pathogenic bacteria. This discovery offers a promising therapeutic target for new medicines, potentially reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
A new study by University of Bristol researchers has significantly advanced the understanding of haemoplasma immunity in cats. The findings suggest that cats who have previously recovered from infection may be protected against re-infection, paving the way for potential vaccine development.
Researchers have discovered a novel signaling pathway critical to the immune response of cells associated with allergic asthma. Increasing cAMP levels inhibited the cells' inflammatory response, suggesting a potential target for new therapies.
A broadly neutralizing cross-reactive antibody targets multiple virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus, including alpha-hemolysin. The antibody shows high protective efficacy in animal models and is being developed as Arsanis' ASN100 product candidate.
Researchers have discovered that hoophoe birds cover their eggs with a secretion containing beneficial bacteria that increase successful hatching rates. The bacteria produce antimicrobial compounds that protect the embryo from pathogens and facilitate its development.
Researchers at Northeastern University have discovered a novel antibiotic called teixobactin that eliminates pathogens without developing detectable resistance. This breakthrough presents a promising new opportunity to treat chronic infections caused by staphylococcus aureus and tuberculosis, two highly resistant bacterial strains.
Researchers have identified distinct gene pathways altered by infection and diet in vascular tissue, suggesting future therapies may need to be tailored. This discovery sheds light on the complex development of atherosclerosis and its association with infections like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Research shows that defensins can disable bacterial toxins by binding to specific locations on these proteins, triggering misfolding. This discovery offers a promising model for developing drugs that could mimic the activity of defensins and reduce pathogens' infectious power.
A team of scientists led by UC Riverside expert Richard Vetter analyzed spider bite data to conclude that the evidence for spider-vectored infections is scarce. The study found that bacterial infections are often misattributed to spider bites, and spiders should not be blamed for human skin infections.
Fat cells in the skin produce antimicrobial peptides that help protect against bacterial infections, contradicting previous assumptions about the immune response. The study's findings suggest that these peptides can provide a crucial first line of defense against infection.
The cholera bacterium uses a tiny spear to stab and kill neighboring bacteria, then steals their DNA through horizontal gene transfer. This mechanism allows the bacterium to become more resistant to threats, including antibiotics.
A study found that leafy greens can be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 up to 180m away from a cattle feedlot, highlighting the need for revised buffer zone guidelines. The research suggests that airborne transport of bacteria can contribute to contamination, particularly in dry and dusty conditions.
Researchers found that endogenous retroviruses play a critical role in the body's immune defense against common bacterial and viral pathogens. The ERV DNA can activate B cells to produce protective antibodies, suggesting that these viruses have an 'physiological' function.
Researchers investigated how Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria swarm in groups containing millions of cells. They found that appendages called 'pili' link together to alter group motion and give swarming groups braking power, helping them avoid toxins.
Researchers explore how bacteria survive destruction from antimicrobial peptides and uncover a strategy that can be disabled. A two-component system helps bacteria remove antimicrobial peptides, blocking their bactericidal effect.
A study published in Science highlights the importance of nutritional immunity in fighting infectious diseases. The research reveals that humans have developed a defense mechanism to starve bacteria by hiding circulating iron, but pathogens have adapted to steal this resource.
A Danish research team has gained a new understanding of the diarrhea-causing bacteria, ETEC, and is exploring its potential for developing an entirely new class of vaccines. The research aims to create a vaccine that can activate the immune system to recognize the agent as foreign and destroy it.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) uses Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to worsen its own infection by stealing scarce resources from other gut bacteria. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding how microbiota composition impacts infection outcomes.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by using molecular decoys. By administering fragments of antimicrobial agents alongside the full compounds, the researchers were able to increase their effectiveness against efflux pumps that stand guard along bacterial cell membranes.
A team of scientists has created a synthetic surface that can control the adhesion of E. coli bacteria using light. By switching on and off specific wavelengths, researchers can reverseorientate carbohydrate structures to influence bacterial bonding.
Microbial succession in restrooms begins with gut and vaginal bacteria, followed by skin and outdoor microbes. Skin and outdoor taxa comprise most of the cultured communities, suggesting restrooms are not significantly unhealthy or healthy.
Researchers found that blocking angiogenesis can reduce bacterial numbers, limit their spread and increase survival rates in infected lab animals. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic approach targeting the body's response to tuberculosis rather than directly attacking the bacteria.
Scientists have discovered that animals, including ticks and mites, have stolen bacterial toxin genes to defend against microbial infections. The transfer of these genes has been found in various animal species, including the deer tick, which can transmit Lyme disease.
Researchers used whole genome sequencing to track and control an Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, identifying transmission hotspots and implementing new decontamination protocols. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of real-time genome sequencing in controlling hospital outbreaks.
Research found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses a sense of touch to detect hosts, allowing it to initiate infection without relying on chemical signals. The bacteria's ability to infect is linked to the PilY1 protein, which can be targeted for treatment.
Researchers found that bacterial infections due to Staphylococcus aureus aggravate neurodermatitis by triggering the formation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which suppress both harmful and beneficial immune responses in the skin. This can lead to chronic inflammation, itching, and social stigmatization in patients.
A recent report reveals that Vibrio coralliilyticus is not only more widespread and deadly than previously believed but also infects various fish, shellfish, and oysters, including rainbow trout and larval brine shrimp. Researchers have developed a rapid diagnostic assay for this bacteria to assess problems in oyster and coral health.
Scientists have identified three proteins - GapA, CrmA and Mgc2 - essential for the gliding mechanism of Mycoplasma gallisepticum. This discovery could lead to developing a vaccine by targeting non-motile, non-pathogenic bacteria.
The Carnegie Institution has received Phase II Grand Challenges Explorations funding to develop a transformative strategy for controlling rice blight, a major challenge to food security. The project aims to achieve broad, durable resistance to the disease and apply its findings to existing rice breeding initiatives.
The UCI team has created a new technology called Integrated Comprehensive Droplet Digital Detection (IC 3D) that can detect bacterial invaders in blood samples with unprecedented speed and accuracy. In as little as 90 minutes, IC 3D can identify bacteria at single-cell sensitivity without the need for cell culture.
Researchers mapped ETEC bacteria's genetic composition to reveal its spread and identify potential vaccine targets. The study suggests a single bacterium has divided worldwide, leading to the development of a globally beneficial vaccine.
Researchers found that salivary mucin MUC5B limits biofilm formation by keeping S. mutans suspended in the liquid medium, preventing cavities. Boosting native defenses may be a better way to fight dental caries than relying on exogenous materials.
A new UCSB study reveals that a fungal pathogen in amphibians disrupts the skin microbiome, leading to dramatic changes in bacterial communities. The research has significant implications for understanding infectious disease dynamics and developing responses to diseases causing amphibian extinction.
Researchers from RIKEN found that a subtle change in the Lon enzyme allows bacteria to quickly adapt between low-oxygen gut environments and high-oxygen outside conditions. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for enteric diseases.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new agent in fungi that kills bacteria, known as copsin, which has the same effect as traditional antibiotics but belongs to a different class of biochemical substances. The substance was found in the common inky cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea and is responsible for its antibiotic effect.
Researchers have found that bats carry the bacterial species Bartonella mayotimonensis, which causes deadly human infections in the USA. Bats are ideal reservoirs for pathogenic viruses and play a vital role in natural ecosystems.
A study found that a gut bacterium, Csp_P, can reduce infection of mosquitoes by malaria parasites and dengue virus. The bacterium directly inhibits these pathogens in test tubes and shortens the life span of mosquitoes that transmit both diseases.
Researchers have developed a system to detect and monitor dangerous Gram-negative bacteria in real-time using PET scans. The approach uses a chemical tracer that selectively tags specific types of bacteria, providing rapid feedback on how they respond to antibiotics.
Researchers found that antibiotics can exacerbate Salmonella infection in mice, turning non-superspreaders into superspreaders. The study highlights concerns about the routine use of sub-therapeutic doses of antibiotics in livestock.
Antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria can exchange nutrients with each other and even with normal microbes to increase virulence during an infection. This challenges existing dogma on infectious diseases and may inform new treatment strategies.
Scientists identify tannic acid as a potential treatment for bacterial lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, counteracting the harmful effects of the Staphylococcus aureus enzyme SMaseC. The discovery suggests that tannic acid may improve therapeutic outcomes for CF patients.
A new study reviewing nearly 70 antimicrobial resistance studies suggests that aggressive treatment may not always be the best way to prevent resistant pathogens. The review found that varying drug dosages and treatment durations may affect resistance emergence, and moderate treatment could be a more effective strategy for some diseases.