Microbiology News and Research

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Research may lead to alternatives to antibiotic drugs for treating bacterial diseases

UCLA microbiologists report the discovery of a new class of genetic elements, similar to retroviruses, that operate in bacteria, allowing them to diversify their proteins to bind to a large variety of receptors.

23 Sep 2004

Potential new way to control drug-resistant bacteria

The researchers, who encountered this genetic property while working on an unrelated project, believe that this discovery could lead to the use of genetically engineered phages to treat bacterial infections that have become resistant to antibiotics.

23 Sep 2004

THC in marijuana may block the spread of forms of cancer causing herpes viruses

The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.

22 Sep 2004

Genome researchers to look at 1918 Spanish flu

University of Washington researchers will be taking part in a multi-site project examining a portion of the genome of the strain of influenza responsible for the "Spanish Flu" outbreak in 1918.

20 Sep 2004

Strep A is showing up in increased numbers of head and neck abscesses

Head and neck abscesses are infrequent complications of upper respiratory infections, but they can occur suddenly and be rapidly progressive. If untreated, the abscesses can lead to airway obstruction, vision loss, intracranial infections, and even death.

17 Sep 2004

Crohn’s disease may be caused by same bacterium that causes Paratuberculosis or Johne’s disease in cattle, sheep, and goats

A study in this week’s issue of THE LANCET suggests that Crohn’s disease may be caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the same bacterium that causes a similar intestinal disorder (known as Paratuberculosis or Johne’s disease) in cattle, sheep, and goats.

17 Sep 2004

Serious concerns about spa pools and jacuzzis being a cause of Legionnaires’ disease

A new study by Britain's Health Protection Agency has raised serious concerns about spa pools and jacuzzis being a cause of Legionnaires’ disease because they are not managed or maintained properly.

14 Sep 2004

Missing genes may help explain why plague bacteria are so deadly

What makes the germ that causes plague so fearsomely lethal, while a close relative only produces digestive disorders and is rarely fatal?

10 Sep 2004

Friendly bacteria helps control upset stomachs and gut diseases amongst elderly population

Upset stomachs and gut diseases are a common problem amongst our increasingly elderly population, but now help may be on hand using friendly bacteria isolated from the intestines of healthy elderly individuals

8 Sep 2004

Controlling diarrhoea and constipation in autistic children without using antibiotics

Scientists checking bacteria which live in the intestines of autistic children may have found a way to control gut problems, such as diarrhoea or constipation, without using antibiotics

8 Sep 2004

MRSA bugs immunity to hospital disinfectants and antiseptics

Dangerous multi-drug-resistant bacteria are also developing immunity to hospital disinfectants and antiseptics, according to new research presented today at the Society for General Microbiology’s 155th Meeting at Trinity College Dublin.

8 Sep 2004

Pigs and other farm animals are harbouring major reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

The scientists were concerned about the effects that decades of use of antibiotics to treat infections, prevent diseases, or promote growth, have had on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in common farm bacteria.

8 Sep 2004

Scientists have traced the first steps in the way some new diseases emerge

Scientists have traced the first steps in the way some new diseases emerge, and how harmless bacteria living in insects become dangerous disease-causing bugs which can affect humans, like the plague or anthrax.

8 Sep 2004

Researchers have successfully produced small quantities of a new vaccine for anthrax using Bacillus bacteria

Tiny types of soil bugs already make many of the products we use in washing detergents, foods, and waste treatment, but scientists now hope that similar bacteria will also make the vaccines and drugs of the future

7 Sep 2004

New way of killing dangerous bacteria like the ones which cause anthrax and pneumonia

The new bug-smashing technique uses the bacteria’s own natural enemies, tiny viruses called bacteriophages (or phages), which can infect bacterial cells. The phages make thousands of copies of themselves inside infected bacteria, but then need to dissolve the bacteria’s cell wall to get out and infect other bacterial cells.

7 Sep 2004

Mucus on the skin of rainbow trout may be a possible source of new medicines to fight infectious diseases

The slippery mucus on the skin of rainbow trout is being studied by scientists as a possible source of new medicines to fight infectious diseases, according to research presented Monday at the Society for General Microbiology’s 155th Meeting at Trinity College Dublin.

7 Sep 2004

Bee stings may provide a solution to overcome MRSA superbugs

Bee stings may provide a solution to overcome the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in bacteria according to new research presented Monday by Belfast scientists at the Society for General Microbiology’s 155th Meeting at Trinity College Dublin.

7 Sep 2004

Stopping bacteria from talking to each other could help prevent serious infections

Stopping bacteria from talking to each other could help prevent serious infections say scientists from Aberdeen, in new research presented Monday at the Society for General Microbiology’s 155th Meeting at Trinity College Dublin.

7 Sep 2004

Scientists crack tooth decay

About half of today’s children have tooth decay, so a new solution that blocks the action of bacteria which attack teeth could bring significant benefits, according to scientists speaking Monday at the Society for General Microbiology’s 155th Meeting at Trinity College Dublin.

7 Sep 2004

Stress won't cause stomach ulcers, but it can make them worse

“Stress won't cause stomach ulcers, but it can make them worse,” says Dr. David Graham, professor of medicine and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine. “Stress causes the body to produce higher amounts of acid, which can irritate preexisting ulcers.”

27 Aug 2004

Microbiology News and Research

Research may lead to alternatives to antibiotic drugs for treating bacterial diseases

Potential new way to control drug-resistant bacteria

THC in marijuana may block the spread of forms of cancer causing herpes viruses

Genome researchers to look at 1918 Spanish flu

Strep A is showing up in increased numbers of head and neck abscesses

Crohn’s disease may be caused by same bacterium that causes Paratuberculosis or Johne’s disease in cattle, sheep, and goats

Serious concerns about spa pools and jacuzzis being a cause of Legionnaires’ disease

Missing genes may help explain why plague bacteria are so deadly

Friendly bacteria helps control upset stomachs and gut diseases amongst elderly population

Controlling diarrhoea and constipation in autistic children without using antibiotics

MRSA bugs immunity to hospital disinfectants and antiseptics

Pigs and other farm animals are harbouring major reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Scientists have traced the first steps in the way some new diseases emerge

Researchers have successfully produced small quantities of a new vaccine for anthrax using Bacillus bacteria

New way of killing dangerous bacteria like the ones which cause anthrax and pneumonia

Mucus on the skin of rainbow trout may be a possible source of new medicines to fight infectious diseases

Bee stings may provide a solution to overcome MRSA superbugs

Stopping bacteria from talking to each other could help prevent serious infections

Scientists crack tooth decay

Stress won't cause stomach ulcers, but it can make them worse

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