Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
A recent study found that naturally occurring protein IL-10 can prevent and reverse brain damage caused by meningitis in newborns. The research suggests that IL-10 acts to clear antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant E. coli from the circulation, thereby preventing or restoring damaged brain tissue.
Researchers elucidated the basic principles of bacterial transport channel assembly, a mechanism used by pathogens to deliver virulence factors. The discovery opens doors to developing anti-infective drugs that can target this process before antibiotics, offering a major advantage in infection treatment.
Researchers developed a biosensor to study cell division in bacteria, finding that the regulatory messenger c-di-GMP is distributed unevenly between swimming and stay-put cells. This asymmetrical distribution affects enzyme production and cell function, with implications for bacterial behavior and disease.
The study reveals a small chemical makes Staphylococcus aureus stronger, more infectious and resistant to antibiotics. Shutting down this synthesis renders the bacteria non-functional and non-infectious.
Plants with enhanced disease resistance, like mouse ear cress, produce fewer and smaller leaves, but excel against pathogens. This tradeoff allows for coexistence of large, vulnerable plants with small, protected ones in nature.
A new treatment stimulates the host immune system to destroy invading microbes, protecting against tularemia and other disease-causing bacteria. The therapy has broad usage and potential for future use as a treatment alternative to antibiotics.
Dr Pellegrini's research focuses on HIV, tuberculosis, and how the human immune system responds to these infections. His work aims to develop therapies that target the host immune system to eradicate chronic infections.
Researchers discovered a new bacterial signaling molecule, cyclic-di-AMP, which stimulates a strong immune response in host cells. This molecule may be used to improve vaccines that use live or disabled bacteria, making them more effective against pathogens such as Listeria.
Plectasin disrupts the forming of the cell wall in bacteria, preventing division and ultimately leading to bacterial death. Despite its potential, the authors caution that no permanent solution exists to antibiotic resistance.
Scientists found that M. tuberculosis antigens remain unchanged and homogenous, unlike many viruses and parasites, allowing the bacteria to be transmitted from person to person.
BBSRC funded researchers found that applying Bt to young plants enhances the bacteria's ability to infect insect pests. The study also reveals that the natural abundance of Bt in the environment plays a significant role in its effectiveness.
A University of Tennessee study found high-risk water sources in East Tennessee contain fecal contamination, including E.coli, coliforms, Bacteroides, and infectious viruses. This highlights a potential health hazard for rural residents who drink untreated groundwater.
Researchers at USAMRIID have found a novel approach to defeating the anthrax pathogen by inducing high levels of CapD enzyme, releasing capsule fragments and leaving bacteria vulnerable to immune destruction. This breakthrough could lead to new treatment options for anthrax infection.
Scientists have found a way for pathogenicity islands to detect viruses and eliminate repression, allowing them to transfer virulent genes to other harmless bacteria. This discovery could lead to new treatments for bacterial infections and diseases caused by toxins.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have constructed a powerful phylogenetic tree for the gamma-proteobacteria using hundreds of genes and integrating more information than traditional single-gene approaches. The consensus tree provides a tool for predicting shared biology and analyzing bacterial adaptations to their environments.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a genetic sensing mechanism that allows E. coli to form colonies in cattle, and found that interfering with this system can prevent the bacteria from colonizing and reaching humans. This discovery could lead to new strategies for preventing food-borne illnesses.
A new laboratory technique using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows for rapid detection of eye pathogens, including bacteria and fungi, in corneal scrapings. This method provides faster diagnosis and treatment for corneal ulcers compared to traditional bacterial culture, which can take up to 48 hours.
Researchers found several new bacteria originating in the mouth can travel through the blood to cause an inflammatory reaction in the placenta and lead to health issues such as miscarriages and stillbirths. Oral bacteria that colonize in the placenta can stimulate an inflammatory response leading to cervical and membrane weaknesses and...
Researchers have identified a new outermost layer of protection on bacterial spores, known as the 'spore crust', which may be a common feature of all spore-forming bacteria. This discovery was made using advanced microscopy techniques and offers new insights into the survival methods of these resilient organisms.
Scientists found pathogens thrive in marine snow aggregates, which can skew water sampling procedures and predict disease transmission to humans. The study applies island biogeography theories to microscopic drifting aggregates.
The Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA) detects viruses and bacteria with probes in a checkerboard pattern, identifying over 2,000 viruses and 900 bacteria. This technology enables rapid detection of pathogens, improving biodefense, public health, and product safety.
Researchers found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria can inhibit Candida albicans biofilm formation on silicone surfaces. This discovery could lead to the development of new antimicrobial drugs and additives to prevent hospital-acquired fungal infections.
Scientists have engineered Bacillus anthracis to produce higher-than-normal amounts of capsule depolymerase, releasing the protective capsule and leaving the bacterium vulnerable to detection and destruction by the immune system.
Researchers at Caltech have discovered a crucial balance between beneficial and potentially harmful gut microbes that can either promote health or lead to diseases like IBD. The study reveals how altering this balance can affect the host's immune system, leading to inflammation.
Research reveals that pathogenic strains of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) cause urinary tract infections by binding to bladder cells and triggering high levels of interleukin, an inflammatory cytokine. GBS infection may be more common than previously thought due to lack of clear risk factors.
A team of Virginia Tech students sequenced the genome of a previously unknown bacterium isolated from the university's garden. The nonpathogenic strain belongs to Pseudomonas syringae and has similarities to closely related pathogens, offering insights into disease mechanisms and potential for controlling devastating diseases like snap...
A 21-month study found that incoming raw poultry is the primary source of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in commercial chicken cooking plants. The research team tracked sources of contamination, including employees, fresh air, and the surrounding environment, and found that floor drains were consistently positive for the bacteria.
The study found that Poly-ICLC treatment increased lung bacterial load and damage in mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This was attributed to the recruitment of myeloid immune cells, which supported bacterial growth and exacerbated lung damage.
Researchers at Michigan State University found a bacterium, Wolbachia, that can stop the dengue virus from replicating in mosquitoes, blocking disease transmission. The study provides new hope for controlling dengue fever, which affects 2.5 billion people worldwide.
Bile secretions in the small intestine send signals to disease-causing gut bacteria, enabling them to adapt and prepare to cause disease. The presence of bile triggers genes that increase iron uptake, a crucial nutrient for bacterial growth.
The study reveals that Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses small RNAs to subtly tweak bacterial production in response to environmental signals, enhancing its survival. This understanding can lead to the design of new drugs targeting persistent TB forms.
Bile helps E. coli O157:H7 bacteria survive by increasing iron uptake, while reducing attachment to host cells in the large intestine. This study could lead to better protection of food from contamination and a deeper understanding of bacterial disease mechanisms.
A team of researchers at Imperial College London developed a mathematical model to explain chemotaxis in bacteria. They found that Escherichia coli adapts to potentially toxic molecules more quickly than to nutrients.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to understand bacterial community dynamics behind coral bleaching and disease. The models reveal how beneficial bacteria protect corals from pathogens when waters are normal, but switch to pathogenic bacteria when corals are stressed by elevated temperatures.
Researchers have identified a molecule that blocks a key signaling pathway in pathogenic gut bacteria, reducing toxin production and preventing infection. This breakthrough discovery represents a novel class of antimicrobial agents with broad-spectrum efficacy.
Researchers have discovered that Mycobacterium tuberculosis stimulates macrophages to accumulate fat droplets, turning them into 'foamy' cells that can reawaken the latent TB infection. This cellular transformation allows the bacteria to leak out into the airways and progressively destroy lung tissue.
Scientists at Sainsbury Laboratory have discovered a new way to produce crops with broad-spectrum disease resistance using pattern recognition receptors. This breakthrough could lead to enhanced resistance in various crops, reducing yield losses and pesticide use.
Researchers found that periodontal pathogens activate HIV-1 promoters in T-cells, monocytes/macrophages, and dendritic cells. TLR2 and TLR9 play a key role in this response.
Scientists have identified a specific N-glycan that enables arabidopsis plants to recognize and resist bacterial infections. This discovery could lead to the development of new plant varieties with built-in immunity against diseases.
Dr. Diggle's research focuses on the ability of pathogenic bacteria to coordinate cooperative behaviours to exploit their hosts. His work has been published in top journals Nature and Current Biology, and he will deliver a key lecture at the Society for General Microbiology Spring Meeting
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center suggests that mitochondria released into the bloodstream following physical injury elicit a sepsis-like immune response. This finding could lead to new strategies for managing trauma and developing tests to differentiate between infective and non-infective inflammation.
Thalassemia Foundation of Canada awards Concordia University professor Dr. Peter Pawelek a two-year grant to study a receptor protein found on the surface of a lethal bacterial pathogen that can 'hijack' thalassemia treatment drugs. The research aims to develop new antibiotics to combat opportunistic infections in thalassemia patients.
A new study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that simvastatin impairs immune cells' ability to kill pathogens and enhances inflammation. Researchers found that simvastatin also increases cytokine production, which triggers and sustains inflammation.
Beewolves have evolved a symbiotic relationship with bacteria of the genus Streptomyces that produce nine different antibiotics, providing effective protection against various pathogens. This natural defense mechanism, known as combination prophylaxis, has been used by beewolves for millions of years to safeguard their offspring.
Researchers from Catholic University of Rome discover that a non-pathogenic bacterium can trigger an autoimmune disease similar to multiple sclerosis in mice. The study suggests that environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease, and could potentially lead to the development of a vaccine.
A team at Washington University in St. Louis has identified a link between white-tailed deer populations and emerging tick-borne diseases, including human ehrlichiosis and southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). The study used a sophisticated DNA assay to track the transmission of pathogens from wildlife to ticks.
A recent study suggests that nitric oxide synthase inhibition may be a promising approach to treating neonatal meningitis caused by Escherichia coli K1. The research found that inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase enhanced phagocytosis of the bacteria, reducing pathogen load and brain damage.
Researchers have identified 60 small RNA particles (sRNAs) in Helicobacter pylori, a surprising finding given the pathogen's previously thought lack of sRNAs. The discovery could provide new insights into gene regulation and potentially lead to the development of a vaccine against H. pylori.
Researchers have discovered that aphids lack critical immune genes, instead relying on reproduction to protect themselves. This finding could lead to new methods for controlling these pests and better understanding human health.
Dr. Kim Orth's pioneering work focuses on mechanisms bacteria use to cause disease, expanding the frontiers of chemistry through innovative research. Her discoveries have important implications in medicine, especially in understanding and treating infectious diseases.
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered how Listeria monocytogenes triggers an endogenous pathway that dampens the host's own immune response. The bacteria makes infected immune cells release interferon-αβ, which reduces immune resistance to infection and causes food poisoning. This finding highlights the crosstalk betwee...
One-third of analyzed milk samples exceed EU microbe contamination limits, according to a study by researchers from the University of Valencia. The experts advise against keeping milk in jugs and recommend better cleaning practices for utensils.
Researchers discover that beneficial gut bacteria play a crucial role in priming the immune system to combat future infections. The study found that these 'good' bacteria influence neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, and suggest that prolonged antibiotic use may compromise immune function.
A new study suggests that flu can increase susceptibility to secondary bacterial super-infections, which can lead to high mortality rates. The research found a lethal synergy between the influenza virus and Haemophilus influenzae, mediated by innate immunity, and highlights the need for early antiviral and antibiotic treatment.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new visible light photocatalyst that can kill bacteria and viruses, even after the light is turned off. The catalyst's unique catalytic memory effect allows it to continue killing pathogens for up to 24 hours.
Researchers developed a rapid-acting disinfectant that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi on surgical instruments, including those resistant to conventional disinfectants. The new formula is safer, cheaper and more effective than existing treatments against prions, which cause deadly illnesses.
Researchers found that firing low temperature plasma beams at dentin reduced the amount of dental bacteria by up to 10,000-fold. The technology could be used to remove infected tissue in tooth cavities, replacing conventional drilling methods.
A study published by The Translational Genomics Research Institute found that circumcision significantly alters the bacterial communities of the penis, reducing anaerobic bacteria and increasing aerobic bacteria. This change may contribute to lower HIV risk and protection against bacterial vaginosis in women.
Researchers at UNC have discovered a single calcium atom controls bacterial motility required for infection. By blocking this site, the bacteria can't move, stopping its ability to establish infections like meningitis. The finding identifies a key step in bacterial infection and could lead to new drug targets.
Researchers at Binghamton University identified specific types of chronic wound bacteria producing cell-cell signaling molecules AI-2 and AHLs. The 'good' bacteria produce AI-2, while pathogenic species produce AHLs, which can be targeted to improve wound healing.