Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers at NC State University and CDC have isolated a new Bartonella species, B. melophagi, from human blood samples, linking it to human illness. The discovery expands the list of documented human pathogens and highlights the need for further research into transmission routes and disease development.
A large study of 704 babies found no cases of bacterial meningitis in children with simple febrile seizures. The researchers suggest that lumbar punctures may not be necessary for well-appearing children who have had a single, uncomplicated seizure.
The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science has awarded grants to university investigators to conduct early studies in translational science. These studies may lead to improvements in human health if successful.
Scientists used live animal imaging to study chronic Listeria infection harbored in bone marrow, finding persistent patches of bacteria. The researchers also explored attenuated strains of Listeria for cancer treatment, but it's unclear if bacterial persistence affects therapeutic effects.
Researchers at Arizona State University discovered a key survival circuit that allows Salmonella bacteria to overcome the body's defense mechanisms. The bacteria use a complex system of regulatory proteins and genes to adapt to changing environments, including nutrient starvation and antimicrobial peptides.
A study found that variations within Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria can affect its response to antibiotics, highlighting the need for targeted therapy in infectious disease. The analysis of six genomes revealed unique sets of genes among isolates, with some genes shared but others specific to different subsets.
Researchers at the University of Illinois and Massachusetts have found a way to target a bacteria's evolutionary machinery, programming its own death. The synthetic antimicrobial depends on phosphoethanolamine lipids in bacterial membranes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that a fruit fly's immune system responds to infections based on its daily cycle and circadian rhythms. The study suggests that understanding the relationship between sleep patterns and immunity could have significant implications for human health.
Researchers have discovered that manipulating salmonella bacteria in space can reduce their infectiousness. The study found that microgravity alters the expression of genes related to virulence, with pathogenic cells displaying a significant increase in disease potential.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered Paneth cells, which line the gut and secrete antimicrobial proteins to keep harmful bacteria from invading tissues. These cells serve as a defense mechanism to prevent disease and illnesses such as food poisoning.
A new study found that a bacterial pathogen disables the tomato plant's intruder alarm system by deactivating cell surface receptors, allowing the bacteria to spread rapidly without resistance. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new ways of tackling plant diseases without pesticides.
Researchers have uncovered how a bacterial pathogen interacts with blood coagulation protein fibrinogen to cause MRSA infections. They found that agents could be designed to inhibit the ClfA–Fg interaction without interfering with platelet activation, offering new avenues for anti-staphococcal treatment.
Researchers found increased levels of pathogenic bacteria on surfaces and in the air inside cars behind trucks carrying broiler chickens. The study, published in the Journal of Infection and Public Health, suggests a real exposure potential for antibiotic-resistant organisms, particularly during summer months when windows are open.
Researchers found that brown rats in Europe carry several pathogenic species of Bartonella bacteria, including B. elizabethae, which can cause heart disease in humans. The study raises concerns about the existence of other reservoirs and vectors for this emerging infection.
Researchers have identified a key chemical, bicarbonate, that signals Bacillus anthracis to become lethal, offering a potential target for new antibacterial treatments. The study builds on earlier observations of the bacterium's response to host conditions, confirming bicarbonate as the essential component for virulence gene expression.
A new strategy targets the cooperation among pathogens, which is more effective than killing individual cells with traditional drugs. By disrupting the teamwork, the immune system can combat any remaining infection.
A study found that antibiotic treatment can cause pervasive and persistent changes to the human gut microbiota, affecting the balance of bacteria in the gut. The researchers identified over 3,300 different types of bacteria in the human distal gut and found that antibiotic treatment influenced the abundance of about a third of those taxa.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine found at least 5,600 separate species or strains of bacteria in the human colon, surpassing previous estimates. The research uses pyrosequencing technology to assess bacterial ecosystems and reveals the critical functions performed by intestinal microbes.
Between 2002 and 2006, antibiotic use increased significantly at academic medical centers, driven by broader-spectrum agents and vancomycin. This trend is concerning, as it can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria, increasing illness, death, and healthcare costs.
Researchers found that applying a probiotic bacterial solution in place of antiseptics effectively prevents respiratory illness in ventilated patients. The friendly bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum 299, has no negative side effects and does not contribute to antibiotic-resistant strains.
A CU-Boulder study found that women's hands harbor a significantly greater diversity of microbes than men, with an average of 150 different species detected. The researchers also discovered that the diversity of bacteria on individual hands was not significantly affected by regular hand washing.
New research finds bacteria can directly cause human blood to clot by forming clusters, a process previously thought lost in vertebrate evolution. This discovery may lead to new clinical methods for treating sepsis and anthrax, improving understanding of coagulation during bacterial infections.
A study found that disease-causing bacteria exploit the killing machinery of immune cells by increasing the production of an enzyme called arginase. This allows them to survive within macrophages, a type of white blood cell. The researchers observed improved outcomes in mice lacking this enzyme when infected with certain pathogens.
Researchers have discovered a gene-protein combination that renders the lethal bacterium B. pseudomallei harmless, allowing for potential vaccine development. The Toll2 receptor is found to be effective in fending off the bacteria, contrary to previous assumptions about its limited importance.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Eastman Dental Center's Hyun Koo $1.6 million to continue his work on preventing dental caries by disrupting bacterial biofilm formation. Koo's team has discovered compounds in cranberry and red wine grapes that may reduce the ability of bacteria to form plaque and cause cavities.
A new study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality examines the health hazards of treated sewage sludge application to land. The risks of aerosol-borne infection for biosolids workers are generally low, at less than 1 or 2% per year.
Researchers have discovered that plants can send out an S.O.S. to their roots when attacked by pathogens, triggering a response from beneficial bacteria that brings relief. The study sheds light on the remarkable signaling system in plants, which rivals human and animal nervous systems.
Scientists have identified a new species of bacteria that can cause bone infections, offering hope for improved diagnosis and treatment. The discovery relates to Mycobacterium species, which also cause tuberculosis and leprosy, and may lead to the development of new drugs to combat resistance.
Researchers from HZI and Rutgers University discover new mode of action against pathogenic bacteria, inhibiting RNA polymerase. The natural substances also kill bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics, making them promising candidates for development as novel medicines.
A new NYU study reveals that specific types of bacteria in the intestine trigger the generation of pro-inflammatory immune cells, which could lead to novel treatments for inflammatory bowel disease and other diseases. The finding adds to research showing that gut flora have a significant impact on human health.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that the nervous system of the minuscule worm Caenorhabditis elegans induces a change in its susceptibility to bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By manipulating the secretion patterns of nerve cells, they identified a particular molecule that binds to receptors i...
Research found that low levels of disinfectants can make Staphylococcus aureus remove toxic chemicals from the cell more efficiently, potentially making it resistant to antibiotics. This increase in efflux pumps may lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria, threatening patients with infections.
Researchers found that commensal bacteria DNA binds to receptors on immune cells, boosting protective T cells and clearing pathogens. This natural adjuvant mechanism enables the immune system to distinguish between harmful and beneficial microbes.
Beetles form a mutualistic relationship with bacteria to create an environment for their larvae, but this also allows the beetles to destroy pine forests. The discovery of a specific molecule that neutralizes pathogenic fungi could lead to new medicines for human infections.
A recent study by University of Chicago researchers found that animals farmed for meat are the primary source of campylobacteriosis, a common food poisoning bug. The bacteria were commonly found in chicken and livestock, with 57% of cases linked to chicken consumption.
A new technology developed by Oregon State University can detect toxic behavior of contaminating bacteria, improving food protection while reducing costly recalls and waste. The approach uses pigment-bearing cells from Siamese fighting fish to assess toxicity in minutes.
Researchers found that probiotic bacteria can efficiently mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells, leading to the production of specific cytokines. The maturation process was triggered by different bacterial strains, with some inducing pro-inflammatory and others anti-inflammatory responses.
Researchers have discovered a new bacterium responsible for dermatitis and septicaemia in desert-dwelling lizards. The discovery could help control the disease and protect endangered species, particularly those bred in captivity for release into the wild.
Tiny amounts of food soil can act as a reservoir for pathogenic bacteria in food processing factories. The study suggests that using more precise methods to detect food residue and micro-organisms on surfaces can lead to improved hygiene practices, including the use of targeted cleaning products.
Researchers found that titanium coating can reduce the attachment of bacteria like E. coli to food contact surfaces, making them easier to clean and reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The study suggests that hygienic surfaces with comparable scratch sizes retain bacteria poorly, which can be achieved through titanium coatings.
A recent study has uncovered the mechanism by which Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg attaches to salad leaves, causing contamination and health risk. The bacteria use their long stringy appendages called flagella to bind to the leaves, and understanding this process is crucial for developing new methods of prevention.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 can limit damage from infection-related inflammation. The research demonstrates the anti-inflammatory and pathogen protection benefits of this strain, suggesting potential benefits beyond gastrointestinal health.
Researchers found molecule LED209 interferes with biochemical signals causing bacteria to release toxins, allowing pathogen to grow but not become virulent. The study showed potential new way to combat illness and develop novel antimicrobial compounds targeting bacterial pathogens.
Salmonella bacteria use random molecular processes during cell division to form two groups that engage in job-sharing, with one group sacrificing itself to generate a greater common good. This phenomenon allows the bacteria to improve their chances of survival and spread in the gut.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a rapid test that can detect multiple diseases and antibiotic resistance in a single sample, reducing the diagnosis time from days to just 24 hours. The test has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis of animal and human infections, as well as enhance our response to bioterrori...
Researchers found that V para hijacks host cell processes to trigger rapid autophagy, leading to cell death within three hours. The study highlights the importance of understanding this pathogen's molecular mechanisms to develop effective treatments.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered that flesh-eating bacteria can survive and spread in the body by degrading a key immune defense molecule. By inactivating this molecule, white blood cells become slower and weaker, allowing infections to spread out of control.
A UCR graduate student has discovered a new bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous, closely related to citrus greening disease, that causes yellowing of tomato and potato leaves. The bacterium is vectored by the tomato/potato psyllid into host plants, resulting in yield losses up to 85% in commercial crops.
A study by the University of Tennessee investigates the temporal patterns and statistical persistence of total coliform bacteria in a stream. The research found that short-term persistence is dominated by runoff events, while longer-term persistence is likely related to baseflow, or groundwater supply.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified a key membrane protein, Rv3671c, essential to Mycobacterium tuberculosis' defense against immune cell acidification. Disabling this protein makes the bacterium vulnerable to acidification and killing.
Researchers found hundreds of genes affected by bacterial partnership in a squid host, including those associated with human responses to bacteria. This discovery may change our understanding of the main purpose of the immune system.
A vaccine for tularemia, caused by Francisella tularensis, is being developed as the disease's potential as a bioterrorism agent has increased. Researchers have made progress in understanding the bacterium's pathogenesis and identifying potential targets for a vaccine.
Researchers at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research discovered that biofilm bacteria use violacein, a pigment produced in response to threats, to neutralize attackers and trigger a suicide mechanism in phagocytes. This finding presents a new avenue for combating human parasites causing diseases like sleeping sickness and malaria.
A new study has identified a molecular alarm system in which intracellular pathogens send signals to kick the immune response into gear. The findings shed light on how cells recognize and destroy pathogenic bugs living within their walls, potentially providing new targets for vaccine and drug research.
Researchers have developed molecules that can mimic Yersinia pestis, a type of plague bacteria, to stimulate the innate immune response and protect against pneumonic plague. These synthetic modified lipid A compounds have been shown to be effective in treating infected animals, with up to 93% survival rate.
A new laser-powered treatment has been shown to kill a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, without causing significant heat damage. The treatment uses indocyanine green dye activated by near-infrared light, which penetrates deep wounds and increases the area cleansed.
Microbiologists track B. burgdorferi movement and interaction with vascular walls in mice to understand dissemination mechanisms, shedding light on disease processes. Real-time imaging provides critical insight into the complex process of spirochete spread.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered that the Legionella pneumophila bacterium uses Ank proteins to evade the immune system, allowing it to survive and cause disease. By understanding this mechanism, scientists hope to develop a vaccine targeting specific elements of the protein.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed a real-time test to monitor bacterial syringe activity, discovering new properties that could lead to drug development. This breakthrough has the potential to combat diseases caused by pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
A study by Ohio State University found that pigs raised outdoors without antibiotics carried higher rates of Salmonella and parasitic disease than conventionally raised pigs. This poses a risk to human health if pork is not cooked thoroughly, according to federal guidelines.