Research on disease-causing bacteria and how they spread. Covers waterborne bacteria, Lyme disease ecology, pathogenic genetics, and biofilm treatments.
A new study reveals how bacteria, such as Haemophilus influenzae, stimulate the immune system to eliminate competitors like Streptococcus pneumoniae. The findings also suggest that antibiotics and vaccines targeting one microbe can impact interactions among other species present.
A new study in PLoS Pathogens found that HIV's Vif protein exhibits natural variation, which can impact its ability to replicate. This variability may accelerate the evolution of the virus by partially or fully inactivating host defensive proteins.
A new biosensor can detect fewer than 100 cells of a pathogen in just half an hour, making it faster and more efficient than traditional gene amplification techniques. The method uses ribosomal RNA to identify specific microbe sequences, allowing for quick identification of illness-causing bacteria.
The study reveals that overexpression of Pkn protein leads to a cell shape defect. The findings suggest that this mechanism is widely conserved among gram-positive bacteria, with related signaling molecules present in multiple species.
Researchers discovered that hawkmoth caterpillars infected with non-pathogenic bacteria produce antibacterial peptides that confer resistance against lethal insect pathogens. This finding suggests that field-immunized insects may exhibit different immune responses than laboratory models, challenging the validity of current studies.
Researchers found that a yellow-orange pigment produced by Staphylococcus aureus helps the bacteria resist neutrophil killing and produce disease. The discovery provides an novel target for treatment of serious Staph infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant MRSA.
Researchers sequenced the genome of Rickettsia felis to understand its biology and behavior. They discovered two unexpected plasmids that can replicate on their own, leading to novel techniques for study. The discovery also revealed a conjugation mechanism, forcing a reevaluation of how intracellular bacteria exchange genetic material.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be transmitted from animals to humans through contaminated food and handling practices. The European Union ban on agricultural antibiotics has led to a decline in resistant bacteria, suggesting that transmission from agriculture can have a greater impact on human populations than hospital transmission.
Researchers show that HIF-1 alpha regulates bactericidal agents and enhances expression of bacteria-killing cells. Increasing HIF-1 activity increases the killing capacity of phagocytes, providing a novel approach to treating bacterial infections.
The structure reveals new details about TLR3's binding site for double-stranded RNA and its potential role in detecting viral invaders. This breakthrough may help scientists understand the function of TLR proteins and identify potential therapeutic targets for diseases.
A study found that smoking parents had a higher rate of disease-producing bacteria in their children compared to non-smoking parents. Bacterial interference against these pathogens was also less common in smoking parents' children.
Research reveals how a molecule helps Brucella bacteria evade destruction within macrophages, leading to a deeper understanding of the pathogen. This discovery has significant implications for developing new vaccines and treatments against Brucellosis.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that plants have a dual defense system against pathogens, using both PAMP and R-protein pathways. The study reveals that these pathways work together to provide stronger immune responses, allowing plants to resist infections more effectively.
Researchers have captured a detailed picture of the large doughnut-shaped base of the syringe barrel embedded in bacterial membranes. This discovery may lead to the development of new antibacterial drugs that can selectively target disease-causing bacteria, rendering them harmless while sparing beneficial ones.
Researchers investigated Vibrio interactions with the bivalve immune system, identifying factors that influence vibrios' fate within the host. Different Vibrio species and strains adopt a common strategy to undermine host cell functions, disregulating signaling pathways.
Researchers have developed a new combination vaccine that is highly effective in protecting against pneumonic plague, with antibody levels 500,000 times higher when flagellin is added to the vaccine. The vaccine also shows promise for multiple uses and requires only a few drops in the nose for protection.
Bacteria require a critical number of individuals, called quorum sensing, to engage in activities like bioluminescence and biofilm formation. Research on Vibrio cholerae and other bacteria aims to develop strategies to prevent disease-causing bacteria from becoming virulent.
A French genetics study comparing leprosy-causing bacteria strains reveals a single bacterial clone has spread globally over centuries. The research also suggests the disease may have originated in East Africa and spread to Europe and North America through human migrations.
Researchers analyzed how neutrophils respond to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-borne bacterium that causes granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans. The study found that A. phagocytophilum can delay apoptosis in human neutrophils, allowing bacteria to replicate and cause infection.
The study identifies the BptA protein as essential for Borrelia burgdorfei's survival in ticks and potentially offers a new target for Lyme disease eradication. Without this protein, bacteria were unable to utilize blood from tick feeding, resulting in a significant decrease in bacterial levels.
Scientists have found that Pseudomonas bacteria can switch between two phases, improving their competitive advantage. The switches are caused by spontaneous gene mutations, enabling the bacteria to respond more quickly to changes.
Researchers found that bacterial lineages can be traced despite widespread gene-swapping, which affects medicine and treatment. The study also identifies common genetic material transmission mechanisms.
A novel vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been successfully tested in mice, inducing antibody production and protection against the deadly bacteria. The vaccine uses a modified adenovirus vector expressing a region of the bacteria's outer membrane, which was previously recognized as a promising vaccine candidate.
A novel genetic vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been developed using a modified adenovirus vector expressing a region of the outer membrane called OprF. Immunization with this vaccine induces antibody production and protects mice from deadly doses of the bacteria, even after repeated exposure.
Researchers discovered that blue light can rapidly kill certain oral bacteria associated with periodontitis, and may restore a healthy bacterial balance in the mouth. A handheld device using this technology is being developed to combat periodontal disease.
A new study reveals that adult non-biting midges serve as vectors for the spread of cholera. The researchers found that these insects can carry and transmit the bacteria across continents through wind currents, air travel, and human migration.
Bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are major causes of neonatal infections and deaths in hospital settings. Infections can be spread through unhygienic conditions, contaminated hands of healthcare providers, and antimicrobial resistance.
Listeria uses host cell lipids to move within cells and spread through the body. The bacteria hijack the host cell's actin cytoskeleton using two membrane lipids, PIP2 and PIP3, which are essential for their movement.
Researchers solved the three-dimensional crystal structure of CD14, providing insights into its binding to LPS. The receptor has a large hydrophobic pocket that accommodates various ligands, including LPS and other microbial products.
Researchers at UW-Madison develop a system using living microbes as templates for fabricating nanoscale structures. The ability to capture and analyze individual microbes could lead to new ways of assembling nanodevices and detecting biological threats.
Conventional poultry producers like Tyson and Perdue have higher rates of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter contamination than completely antibiotic-free brands like Eberly and Bell & Evans. The study's findings suggest a long-term threat to public health from using antibiotics in poultry production.
Max Planck scientists have developed a novel therapeutic strategy against anthrax using defensins. These molecules can neutralize the lethal toxin of anthrax bacilli, preventing its deadly effect and protecting against fatal consequences.
A recent study by Washington University researchers used a molecular survey to detect Mycobacterium avium in the lungs of nine lifeguards who developed hypersensitivity pneumonitis after exposure to pool water. The bacterium, known for its resistance to disinfection, was found at high levels in air samples taken near the pool.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) produces nitric oxide, contributing to inflammation and host defense. eNOS-derived NO accelerates host-defense responses but also leads to excessive inflammation and sepsis.
Dr. Curtis has received the Basic Research in Periodontal Disease Award for his outstanding contributions to understanding bacterial protease function and glycosylation of bacterial virulence determinants. The award recognizes his work in developing novel antimicrobial strategies against periodontal pathogens.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Norovirus causes 65% of traveler's diarrhea in US visitors to Mexico and Guatemala. The researchers also discovered a higher rate of dual infections with E. coli, suggesting that these co-infections may be more common than previously thought.
Researchers discovered a symbiotic relationship between a wasp species and a new bacterial species that protects against pathogenic fungi. The European beewolf's larvae benefit from the antibiotics produced by the Streptomyces bacteria, leading to increased survival rates.
Researchers are studying entomopathogenic nematodes, tiny worms that kill insects by releasing bacteria inside their hosts. The goal is to develop non-chemical and non-toxic pest control programs using these natural agents.
Despite advances in molecular biology, microbes have outpaced pharmaceutical companies in developing resistance to antibiotics. Dr. Julian Davies highlights over 300 known genes that confer resistance, and notes the need for a deeper understanding of microbial evolution.
Researchers at Michigan State University have found significant differences in genetic libraries among bacteria strains previously thought to be similar. The study suggests that current definitions may need revision as many bacteria share as few as 65% of their genes, highlighting the importance of ecological distinctiveness.
A recent NIH study found a direct link between cardiovascular disease and four types of bacteria commonly found in periodontal infections. The study monitored 657 participants' oral bacteria and carotid thickness, revealing that the same bacteria were present throughout, suggesting a specific association.
The genome sequence of V. fischeri reveals surprising parallels with Vibrio cholerae and other pathogens, indicating toxin activity genes. The research sheds light on the connection between quorum sensing and global regulatory networks in bacterial cell communication.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health have developed a new technology platform that can identify multiple pathogens simultaneously, providing high sensitivity and breadth. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize differential diagnosis and detection in various fields, including clinical medici...
A substance called poly-gamma-DL-glutamic acid (PGA) has been shown to protect Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria from natural human defenses. The discovery could lead to new treatments for S. epidermidis infections, which can cause serious conditions like sepsis and endocarditis.
S. epidermidis produces poly-gamma-glutamate (PGA) to protect itself from innate host defenses during infection. The findings suggest PGA as a promising target for drug development to combat related illnesses.
Research from Imperial College London finds that bacterial communities mirror human social life, with close contacts more likely to share infections. Despite potential advantages like antibiotic resistance, the variation in pathogen strains' ability to spread is largely explained by chance.
The study compared the complete genome sequences of four Campylobacter strains, identifying novel phages and megaplasmids that may help scientists understand the bacteria's virulence. The analysis also revealed sequence variations among the strains, including major structural differences related to DNA insertions.
The NIDCR-launched study aims to detect unique patterns of gene expression in oral bacterial communities that predict periodontal diseases. The researchers will store biological information in a searchable online database, allowing for more precise diagnosis and treatment.
A new study by UGA researcher Rob Maier found that Salmonella uses molecular hydrogen as an energy source, expanding previous findings on major human pathogens. This discovery has profound implications for the treatment of some diseases and could lead to therapeutic interventions by targeting unique metal clusters in bacteria.
A clinical study found that roughly half the population produces more than 98% of potentially pathogenic bioaerosols. Administration of nebulized saline can reduce droplet exhalation in high-producers for up to six hours.
Scientists found significant differences in Salmonella and E. coli's use of a gene linked to processes that govern antibiotic resistance, altering their ability to survive in different environments. The study suggests that understanding such changes will help develop new treatments for disease-causing microorganisms.
Researchers studying Acetobacter bacteria have discovered enzymes that resist acid, shedding light on potential treatments for diseases caused by misfolded proteins. The findings could lead to more stable proteins and environmentally friendly industrial processes.
A Yale University study identified a tick gut receptor used by spirochete bacteria to colonize ticks, which the bacteria use to survive. Blocking this receptor disrupts the bacteria's life cycle, opening up new strategies for improving Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers investigated anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in a study on photodynamic therapy. The photosensitizers were able to completely suppress the anaerobic key pathogens, but facultative anaerobic bacteria tested responded less effectively to PDT.
A toxic molecule from bacteria causes massive tissue damage in humans but promotes organ development in a tiny Pacific Ocean squid. This discovery challenges long-held perceptions of microbes and their role as pathogens, highlighting the importance of context-dependent relationships between bacteria and host organisms.
The RetS gene product in P. aeruginosa activates virulence factors for acute infection while repressing those required for long-term, chronic infection. This system may orchestrate the transition from acute colonization to chronic infection in this human pathogen.
Researchers at Cornell University have created a device that can detect as few as six viruses using a tiny paddle oscillator. The device, which uses the natural resonant frequency of the paddles to sense changes in mass, has the potential to differentiate between various pathogens and toxic organic chemicals.
The NIAID's Large-Scale Antibody and T Cell Epitope Discovery Program aims to deepen understanding of immune function against certain infectious agents. Researchers will discover new epitopes from various microbes, including those that could be used in bioterrorist attacks, to design improved medical countermeasures.
A study found that women treated with clindamycin for bacterial vaginosis experienced more frequent increases in E. coli concentrations and higher rates of clindamycin-resistant bacteria compared to those treated with metronidazole. In contrast, metronidazole therapy resulted in increased colonization by protective Lactobacillus species.
Researchers identify Photorhabdus asymbiotica, a bioluminescent bacterium that causes pustulent sores and is linked to the plague. The study highlights the potential for emerging diseases to evolve from insect pathogens.