Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
Researchers suggest that increasing white blood cell count or enhancing infected cells' interaction with the immune system could be effective strategies for developing vaccines or treatments specifically for elderly TB patients. Aging affects the immune response, leading to a slower and less effective fight against the infection.
Scientists have isolated a new bacterium, Helicobacter suis, in pigs' stomachs using a pioneering technique. The bacterium is associated with stomach ulcers in pigs, which may cause sudden death, and has been linked to an increased risk of infection in humans who are close to the animals.
Researchers identified Mfd as a key factor promoting fluoroquinolone resistance in Campylobacter. Eliminating Mfd from the bacteria resulted in a 100-fold reduction in antibiotic-resistant mutants.
Research by JMU researchers suggests that adding probiotic bacteria to the skin of mountain yellow-legged frogs can lessen the effects of a lethal skin pathogen. Field studies have also shown that populations with higher proportions of individuals with anti-pathogen bacteria are more likely to survive.
A new study by Cardiff University researchers found that antimicrobial-containing wipes used in hospitals can spread pathogens after first use. The study highlights concerns over the suitability of these wipes and the importance of regular surveillance programs to reduce infection risks.
A study by Cardiff University found that current hospital protocols for antimicrobial wipes can spread pathogens like MRSA. Implementing a single-use, one-surface-per-wipe approach could reduce MRSA incidence in hospitals.
Researchers discovered that chickens are born with healthy intestinal bacteria, challenging conventional wisdom on how birds acquire these microorganisms. The study suggests that administering probiotics in ovo could improve growth and reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
Researchers discovered a diverse community of beneficial bacteria within chicken embryos, suggesting that birds acquire these microbes from their egg environment. This finding could lead to improved poultry production and reduced risk of foodborne illness by administering probiotics in ovo.
A study found high levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria in infant deaths that couldn't be explained. The researchers suggest these infections may be associated with unexplained cases of SUDI.
Researchers at Caltech identified a sugar molecule produced by beneficial gut bacteria that induces immune cells to produce anti-inflammatory molecules, potentially treating inflammatory bowel diseases. The discovery suggests a new approach to treating human diseases linked to the loss of beneficial microbial interactions with our bodies.
A molecule produced by gut bacteria, called polysaccharide A (PSA), has been shown to eliminate symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in animal models. PSA promotes immune system cells to secrete IL-10, which suppresses inflammation caused by IBD.
A study found that using silver-coated endotracheal tubes reduced ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates by nearly 40% and highly resistant infection rates by less than half. The average costs associated with VAP treatment were also significantly reduced due to the impact on length of stay in ICU.
Leptospirosis is a major public health problem in South East Asia and South America, with over 500,000 severe cases every year. Researchers have discovered that bacteria can form biofilms, which protect them against harsh conditions and make them more resistant to antibiotics.
Bubonic plague bacteria produce excessive aspartic acid due to missing enzyme, contributing to its high lethality. Researchers found that a single genetic mutation in Yersinia pestis leads to this imbalance.
Researchers discovered Vibrio cholerae interacts with chitin in aquatic environments, influencing survival, spread, and human infection. This knowledge can inform risk assessments and develop new responses to combat pathogens.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of infection for American Foulbrood, the deadliest bee disease, allowing for potential prevention and control measures to be developed. The study provides a better understanding of pathogen-host interactions, crucial for combating infectious diseases in honeybees.
Researchers found that certain bacteria can activate genes that protect them from antibiotic action, leading to effective treatment options. The study could lead to more targeted and efficient antibiotics for various infections.
University of Iowa researchers have successfully wiped out established Staphylococcus aureus biofilms by activating the bacteria's quorum-sensing system. The discovery offers insight into a dispersal mechanism for biofilms and might help identify new therapeutic targets to combat chronic infections.
A Virginia Tech researcher is investigating the evolution of bacterial speck disease in tomatoes, which may hold clues about how plant pathogens adapted to monoculture farming. The study aims to identify molecular mechanisms allowing pathogens to specialize to specific plant species and become more aggressive.
New research suggests that irradiation can effectively kill internalized pathogens beyond the reach of conventional chemical sanitizers, including E. coli and Salmonella. Studies show that washing alone may not be enough to reduce foodborne illnesses, highlighting the potential benefits of irradiation in reducing the risk.
Researchers study the function of biofilm in Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC), a major economic problem affecting feedlot cattle. The goal is to understand how biofilms contribute to disease and develop effective vaccines.
Researchers found that lactic acid bacteria in Feta cheese can kill off dangerous food-poisoning bacteria like Listeria. The unique taste of local cheeses is mainly due to the enterococcal bacteria they contain, which have natural anti-bacterial properties.
Recent coral die-off events can be attributed to changes in the microbes living in and around reefs. Warmer sea temperatures allow disease-causing bacteria to thrive, weakening corals' defences. Scientists stress the need for better understanding of microbe processes to reduce reef decline.
A new species of bacteria, Leptospira licerasiae, has been identified as a cause of severe leptospirosis in the Peruvian Amazon region. The pathogen was found to have novel biological features and is significantly different from other forms of the bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered that TB bacteria accumulate body fat to aid survival during transmission, increasing resistance to anti-TB drugs. This finding challenges established views on bacterial transmission and offers new insights into developing targeted treatments.
Scientists have discovered two proteins that guide pathogenic bacteria's outer shell development, paving the way for new antibiotic targets. Researchers aim to create small molecule inhibitors to disable this mechanism, potentially leading to effective treatments against E. coli and salmonella.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have been awarded a $6.5 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop a new anti-microbial compound targeting bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. The goal is to combat increasing microbial resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers have identified a finely tuned control system in Pseudomonas bacteria that enables them to form biofilms, which contribute to chronic infections. The WspR enzyme plays a crucial role in this process, and its regulation helps balance the production of c-di-GMP.
Researchers found that Staph aureus produces lactic acid in the presence of nitric oxide, allowing it to thrive. This mechanism makes it difficult for our bodies to defend against the bacteria, making traditional antibiotics less effective.
Researchers at University of Toronto have identified compounds that block the activity of a key protein (ExoS) in cystic fibrosis patients. These compounds may also serve as a model for future therapies against the HIV virus, according to a new study published in PLoS Genetics.
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing a vaccine that targets both Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and Salmonella, two leading causes of poultry disease and food-borne illness. The project has the potential to provide benefits not only to the poultry industry but also to human health by preventing outbreaks of diseases ...
Researchers have identified a new defense mechanism in the intestine that protects against pathogenic bacteria, which could lead to targeted treatments for diseases like Crohn's disease. The Caspase-12 protein regulates this mechanism, limiting defensin production and triggering an inflammatory reaction.
Scientists at Michigan State University have developed a new genetic technique that allows for rapid analysis of E. coli bacteria using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This breakthrough enables the identification of specific bacterial groups and their associated toxins, which can help predict disease outbreaks.
Researchers will study how germs change when exposed to space, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention and treatment of diseases. The experiment aims to confirm earlier results on Salmonella's increased virulence in space.
Researchers at Stanford University have identified synthetic peptoids as a potential new class of antibiotics, which could overcome the limitations of natural peptides. These manmade molecules show promise in treating bacterial infections, including diabetic foot ulcers, with minimal harm to human cells.
The new device can detect 24 pathogens, including anthrax, plague, and E. coli, and identify them within three minutes, significantly advancing current detection times.
Brent Christner's team found biological particles in precipitation, which can catalyze freezing at warmer temperatures, affecting precipitation patterns. The discovery has implications for understanding agricultural pathogens and their role in the global warming process.
A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago has identified a crucial enzyme for bacterial growth in blood, offering a potential target for antibiotics. The study found that most E. coli bacteria strains cannot grow in human blood if they lack a specific gene involved in nucleotide biosynthesis.
Researchers have found that the YscJ lipoprotein component determines the location of a key injection device in plague bacteria. This discovery sheds light on how Yersinia pestis causes the bubonic plague and could lead to new treatments.
Researchers at Ohio State University identified two proteins, MprF1 and MprF2, that contribute to bacterial resistance by altering the electrical charge of cell membranes. This finding could lead to the development of new drugs targeting bacterial resistance at its cellular source.
A new animal study suggests small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO) contributes to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) pathogenesis. Treatment with cidomycin alleviates NASH severity by lowering serum ALT, AST, and TNF-α levels.
Researchers have identified the proteins forming the structure of carboxysome microcompartments, a key step in understanding their role in bacterial protection. The discovery may lead to new strategies for targeting these structures, potentially rendering bacteria harmless.
A new study maps emerging disease hotspots worldwide, revealing that human-wildlife conflict and drug-resistant pathogens are major contributors. The research, which analyzed 335 diseases from 1940 to 2004, shows that disease emergence has roughly quadrupled over the past 50 years.
A study published in PNAS identifies intestinal alkaline phosphatase as an enzyme that blocks the action of lipopolysaccharide, a molecule responsible for bacterial toxins' toxic effects. The findings suggest that feeding critically ill patients can prevent infection by stimulating IAP production.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have discovered a new control mechanism for genetic code translation in bacteria, which differs from humans. This discovery strengthens the theory that the initial genetic code evolved separately in distinct branches of life, highlighting the plasticity and complexity of the genetic code.
A novel approach strips Staphylococcus aureus of its virulence by blocking pigment formation, which acts as an antioxidant to hinder immune system's ability to kill bacteria. The method reduces bacterial population by 98% in mice infected with S. aureus.
A Vanderbilt University team has discovered a protein that blocks the growth of 'staph' bacteria by sopping up manganese and zinc, offering a new way to treat infections. The protein, calprotectin, is naturally produced by immune cells in response to bacterial infections, making it a potential target for therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified interleukin 22 (IL-22) as a crucial factor in the immune response to bacterial pneumonia. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that stimulating the Th17 arm of the immune system may lead to more efficient treatment and prevention of pneumonia.
Researchers have reidentified the main cause of necrotic enteritis in chickens as Clostridium perfringens, producing extracellular toxins that attack the bird's intestines. The discovery of a new toxin, NetB, has led to hope for the development of effective vaccines within two years.
Researchers discover polyphenols in winemaking waste inhibit the ability of bacteria to cause cavities and form biofilms, potentially leading to new treatments for oral diseases. The findings also suggest the compounds may hold clues for lessening the ability of bacteria to cause life-threatening infections.
Researchers have developed a key small molecule inhibitor targeting 'virulence factors' used by bacteria to thrive, offering an alternative means of stopping TB, leprosy, and other bacterial illness. The findings highlight a paradigm shift in infectious disease research beyond antimicrobials like antibiotics.
A Cornell research team used gene chips to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis and found that the bacteria's genes are activated after being engulfed by a macrophage. The study also compared the responses of M. tuberculosis to BCG, finding that BCG may be less capable of protecting itself once inside a macrophage.
A recent breath test can accurately detect SIBO by measuring hydrogen levels in expired air. The disorder has severe systemic consequences including sepsis and multiorgan failure if left untreated.
A study published in PLoS Medicine finds IBCs in cystitis patients, associated with E coli and filamentous bacteria, suggesting a need for longer antibiotic treatment. The researchers collected urine samples from women with cystitis and found IBCs in nearly one in five cases.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that arsenic-tainted wells require tailored treatment approaches, depending on their source and geology. Chlorine disinfection can effectively control pathogenic bacteria but may not address all types of arsenic contamination.
Roman Ganta has received a National Institutes of Health grant to study how to stop Ehrlichia chaffeensis from making animals and people sick. The bacteria can evade the immune system, leading to serious symptoms in humans, particularly those with compromised immune systems.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have pioneered new methods to modify antibiotics' molecular structure, enabling the development of new types of antibiotics capable of combating increasingly resistant bacteria. This innovation provides access to thousands of lipopeptide variants that cannot be produced easily in any other way.
A new aerosol launches an immune response in the lungs to wipe out lethal infections, including bacterial and fungal infections. The treatment showed an 83% survival rate against pneumococcal pneumonia in mice treated with the aerosol before exposure.
A CU-Boulder technology has been used to identify unexpected bacteria strains in the lung fluid of Denver children suffering from cystic fibrosis. The method uses nucleic acid gene sequencing to rapidly detect and classify pathogens found in the lungs, identifying over 60 species of bacteria in samples from 28 patients.
A new study found that benzethonium chloride is more effective in killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria than other antibacterial products. The compound kills common types of non-hospital MRSA bacteria better than others, with a genuine bactericidal effect against all four tested strains.