All articles tagged with #antimicrobial resistance
Scientists have discovered a new, highly potent antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone within a well-studied bacterium, which is over 100 times more effective against resistant bacteria like MRSA and VRE, and shows no resistance development, offering a promising new approach to combat antimicrobial resistance.
The article discusses the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), highlighting the insufficient pipeline of new antibiotics, the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, and the challenges in reducing antibiotic use in humans and livestock, which threaten global health efforts to combat resistant infections.
Dr. Fred Mutisya, a Kenyan medical doctor and AI innovator, developed antimicro.ai, an open-source AI tool to analyze data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). His work aims to improve antibiotic use and combat AMR, which poses a significant global health threat. While successful in Europe, the tool has yet to be adopted widely in Kenya, highlighting challenges in local healthcare innovation adoption.
AI is being used to rapidly design thousands of potential antibiotics to combat rising antimicrobial resistance, with some candidates showing promise in early tests, but challenges remain in manufacturing and stability before they can be tested in humans.
Cases of drug-resistant 'nightmare bacteria' in the U.S. have increased nearly 70% from 2019 to 2023, driven mainly by bacteria with the NDM gene, which are difficult to treat and may lead to community spread and more chronic infections, raising significant public health concerns.
Researchers designed a hospital-specific phage cocktail, Entelli-02, targeting Enterobacter cloacae complex to combat antimicrobial resistance, demonstrating broad efficacy in vitro, in vivo, and on clinical isolates, with potential for rapid clinical deployment.
Infection rates from drug-resistant 'nightmare bacteria' with the NDM gene have increased nearly 70% in the US from 2019 to 2023, driven by limited treatment options and increased antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic, posing a significant public health threat.
Infection rates from drug-resistant 'nightmare bacteria' in the US have increased nearly 70% from 2019 to 2023, driven mainly by bacteria with the NDM gene, which are difficult to treat and may lead to community spread and more chronic infections, highlighting a growing public health concern.
Imperial College London researchers discovered how 'pirate phages' hijack other viruses to transfer genetic material between bacteria, potentially advancing new treatments for drug-resistant infections and enhancing rapid diagnostics. They found that cf-PICIs hijack tails from unrelated phages to broaden their host range, facilitating the spread of resistance traits. This understanding could lead to innovative therapies and diagnostic tools, with ongoing efforts to develop applications and validate AI-driven research acceleration.,
Scientists in China are developing a new vaccine against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by targeting a specific surface loop on the MntC protein, which is essential for the bacteria's survival, potentially overcoming past vaccine failures caused by the bacteria's presence as a common commensal organism.
A recent study shows that Salmonella Dublin strains infecting cattle are genetically very similar to those infecting humans and environmental sources in the U.S., indicating active cross-transmission and the need for integrated control strategies across animal, human, and environmental health to prevent severe illness and antimicrobial resistance.
Many Americans who believe they are allergic to penicillin are not actually allergic, which can lead to less effective and more expensive treatments. Proper testing, including skin tests or small dose challenges, can accurately determine true allergies, allowing for safer and more appropriate antibiotic use, and reducing antimicrobial resistance.
Models predict that if antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to rise without intervention, superbugs could cause millions of deaths and nearly $2 trillion in annual economic losses by 2050, with the US, UK, and EU among the hardest hit. The study highlights the importance of investing in new antibiotics and treatment programs, as current aid cuts may worsen the problem, leading to increased healthcare costs and workforce reductions worldwide.
Oncologists are urged to recognize antimicrobial resistance as a critical crisis impacting cancer treatment, with studies showing cancer patients are at higher risk of resistant infections, which threaten to undermine advances in cancer therapies. The article emphasizes the need for integrated efforts across disciplines to improve infection control, develop new antibiotics, and update treatment guidelines to address this emerging threat.
Researchers from the University of Georgia have found colistin resistance genes in bacteria on imported seafood, highlighting a potential pathway for the spread of antimicrobial resistance globally, especially through international food trade. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced monitoring and international collaboration to combat this public health threat.