E. coli News and Research

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E. coli or Escherichia coli is the name of a type of bacteria that lives in your intestines. Most types of E. coli are harmless. However, some types can make you sick and cause diarrhea. One type causes travelers' diarrhea. The worst type of E. coli causes bloody diarrhea, and can sometimes cause kidney failure and even death. These problems are most likely to occur in children and in adults with weak immune systems. You can get E. coli infections by eating foods containing the bacteria. To help avoid food poisoning and prevent infection, handle food safely. Cook meat well, wash fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking them, and avoid unpasteurized milk and juices. You can also get the infection by swallowing water in a swimming pool contaminated with human waste. Most cases of E. coli infection get better without treatment in 5 to 10 days.

VBI researchers establish new tree of life for gamma-proteobacteria

A new "tree of life" has been constructed by researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech for the gamma-proteobacteria, a large group of medically and scientifically important bacteria that includes Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and other disease-causing organisms.

18 May 2010

Nymox attributes increase in first-quarter net losses to higher clinical trial expenditures

Nymox Pharmaceutical Corporation announced today its financial results for the first quarter of 2010. Nymox reported a net loss of $1,269,550, or $0.04 per share for the quarter ending March 31, 2010, compared to $1,004,259, or $0.03 per share for same period in 2009. Net losses include stock compensation charges of $195,220 in 2010 and $309,650 in 2009.

14 May 2010

Microbiologists identify potential target in cattle to prevent E. coli strain

Microbiologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center, working with the Department of Agriculture, have identified a potential target in cattle that could be exploited to help prevent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses caused by a nasty strain of Escherichia coli.

13 May 2010

FDA, CDC confirm connection between romaine lettuce and E.coli 0145 foodborne illness outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its state health partners have confirmed that the strain of E. coli O145 detected by the New York State Public Health Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, in Albany, in an unopened bag of shredded romaine lettuce distributed by Freshway Foods, matches the outbreak strain of E. coli O145.

11 May 2010

Newly updated informational website on E. coli

An outbreak of E. coli O145 in three states has hospitalized 12, three of whom have developed hemolytic Uremic syndrome, a severe complication of E. coli infection. Victims in Michigan, Ohio, and New York are ill with E. coli O145, which has been linked to a recall of tainted lettuce by Freshway Foods.

7 May 2010

Manual provides laboratory methods, information and resources on new collection of model species

Mice, frogs, and E. coli are standard organisms in biology laboratories. But in the last few years, due in part to technical advances, the reduced costs of genome sequencing, and increased interest in evolution and development, the range of organisms used for research has greatly expanded. Scientists now have more flexibility in choosing a model system that might better address their specific research question.

7 May 2010

NIH awards $3.4M grant for preclinical development of novel Staphylococcus aureus vaccine

GlycoVaxyn AG, a leader in the development of innovative bioconjugate vaccines, and Professor Jean Lee, principal investigator at the Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, announced today that they have received a USD 3.4 million NIH grant to finance preclinical development of a novel Staphylococcus aureus vaccine. S. aureus is a major cause of hospital-based infections.

4 May 2010

Implementation of quality improvement intervention reduces medication use in premature babies: Study

A new study by Pediatrix Medical Group researchers has found that the implementation of a quality improvement intervention significantly reduces the use of a large number of medications in premature babies across a broad neonatal intensive care network.

3 May 2010

FDA approves Abbott Prism Chagas test to screen blood, tissue and organ donors for T. cruzi

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a second test to screen blood, tissue and organ donors for a blood-borne parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease, a serious and potentially fatal parasitic infection.

3 May 2010

CBC, Scarab Genomics form agreement to increase manufacturing yield of Solinex rhu-pGSN

Critical Biologics Corporation (CBC) and Scarab Genomics announced today a strategic agreement to substantially increase the manufacturing yield of CBC's lead therapeutic protein candidate, Solinex™, an intravenous formulation of recombinant human plasma gelsolin (rhu-pGSN).

30 Apr 2010

DNASTAR, Scarab Genomics announce launch of DNA and RNA sequencing services business

DNASTAR and Scarab Genomics, sister companies founded by genomics pioneer Fred Blattner, announce the launch of a next-generation DNA and RNA sequencing services business. Using their combined expertise, the companies will be offering a full range of sequencing services including library preparation, coordinating the most appropriate sequencing technology and platform, assembly, analysis, annotation, and visualization of end results.

27 Apr 2010

Driving evolution of antibiotic resistance backwards

The use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections causes a continual and vicious cycle in which antibiotic treatment leads to the emergence and spread of resistant strains, forcing the use of additional drugs leading to further multi-drug resistance.

26 Apr 2010

New method helps study interactions needed for formation of lipopolysaccharides

Scientists have combined chemistry and biology research techniques to explain how certain bacteria grow structures on their surfaces that allow them to simultaneously cause illness and protect themselves from the body's defenses.

26 Apr 2010

GBS serotype III more commonly associated with urinary tract infections

Research suggests pathogenic strains of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) are an under-recognised cause of urinary tract infections.

24 Apr 2010

Resistance to antibiotics on the increase in intestinal bacteria in animals: Study

Anne-Mette R. Grønvold has through her doctoral research shown that resistance to antibiotics is on the increase in intestinal bacteria in animals as a direct result of antibiotic treatments. The antibiotics also alter the composition of bacteria in the intestines.

19 Apr 2010

Escherichia coli cases drop in 2009

As per a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a 12 % drop in rates of Escherichia coli (E.coli) infection has been noted in 2009 as compared to statistics for 2008. This is being seen by federal health officials as a sign that the new food safety measures are effective. Most of the pathogens under study are from the bacteria family like E.coli 0157, salmonella, campylobacter, listeria and vibrio. It was found that food poisoning rates for the most common pathogens have changed little from statistics collected in 2004.

16 Apr 2010

Nottingham and Japanese scientists to study genetic variation of E. coli bacteria

University of Nottingham scientists will join forces with Japan in the fight against a common bacterium - thanks to an international research award.

16 Apr 2010

Achaogen announces completion of $56M Series C round of financing

Achaogen, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat life-threatening, multi-drug resistant bacterial infections, today announced the completion of a $56 million Series C round of financing. The round was led by new investor Frazier Healthcare Ventures, and also included new investor Alta Partners.

7 Apr 2010

Bile secretions in small intestine send signals to disease-causing gut bacteria

Bile secretions in the small intestine send signals to disease-causing gut bacteria allowing them to change their behavior to maximize their chances of surviving, Montana State University research associate Steve Hamner told the Society for General Microbiology during its spring meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland.

1 Apr 2010

DIATHERIX GI test panel can detect nine types of GI infections

DIATHERIX Laboratories adds a gastrointestinal panel to its lineup of highly sensitive, rapid response diagnostic tests. In a single result, the DIATHERIX GI panel can detect and differentiate nine types of GI infections so physicians can quickly identify patients who have severe, life-threatening infections.

30 Mar 2010