Pathogen News and Research

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Putting genomic surveillance of pathogens at the forefront of future pandemic preparedness

The Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. In fighting it, one of our most important weapons was genomic surveillance, based on whole genome sequencing, which collects all the genetic data of a given microorganism.

25 Apr 2024

Meta-analysis reveals drivers of antibiotic resistance in infants

A meta-analysis of genetic studies analyzing the microbiota (bacteria in the gut) of 1,275 infants from 10 countries finds that cesarean delivery and antibiotic use are driving the increase of antibiotic resistance genes load among infants, according to new research being presented at this year's ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain (27-30 April).

24 Apr 2024

Innovative peptide-based hydrogel therapy for virus prevention

Vaccines remain the gold standard of protection against dangerous pathogens, but take considerable time and vast resources to develop.

23 Apr 2024

WHO publishes report introducing updated terminology for airborne pathogens

Following consultation with public health agencies and experts, the World Health Organization (WHO) publishes a global technical consultation report introducing updated terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air.

22 Apr 2024

The path to a better tuberculosis vaccine runs through Montana

A team of Montana researchers is playing a key role in the development of a more effective vaccine against tuberculosis, an infectious disease that has killed more people than any other.

18 Apr 2024

Vaccines targeting chronic diseases show promise in combatting age-related conditions

Vaccine-based therapeutics for age-related disorders.

17 Apr 2024

Arabica coffee's genetic legacy unveiled

The key to growing coffee plants that can better resist climate change in the decades to come may lie in the ancient past.

15 Apr 2024

Breast milk's secret weapon against RSV revealed in new study

Researchers explored how human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), suggesting that these components in breast milk may prevent or reduce the severity of RSV infections through multiple mechanisms including gut microbiome modulation and direct antiviral actions.

15 Apr 2024

Hospital sinks fuel antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control reports the infection prevention steps taken to control a months-long multispecies outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales that occurred in a pediatric ward at the Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo in 2017.

12 Apr 2024

Blocking polyphosphates could help treat chronic infections

Most disease-causing bacteria are known for their speed: In mere minutes, they can double their population, quickly making a person sick.

12 Apr 2024

Rising antibiotic resistance prompts shift to ecological research strategies in infection control

The need to enhance research on the interactions between bacterial pathogens and commensals within human microbiomes.

12 Apr 2024

Rethinking the germ theory: A balanced take on microbes and disease outcomes

Review explores the complexities of infectious disease outcomes through a balanced perspective, emphasizing the interplay between pathogenic microbes and host conditions, challenging the traditional germ-disease theory by proposing a more integrated view that considers both pathogen virulence and host immunity's impact on disease manifestation.

10 Apr 2024

Human-wildlife interface: Starling movements linked to E. coli carriage

Research unveils how spotless starlings' movements, monitored via GPS, relate to the carriage and potential spread of Escherichia coli (E. coli), emphasizing the significant role of bird movement patterns in transmitting pathogens across different environments.

10 Apr 2024

Pioneering vaccine strategy promises to outmaneuver antimicrobial resistance

Study introduces Reverse Vaccine Development as a strategic approach to identify correlates of protection early in vaccine development against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, aiming to mitigate risks such as significant phase-III clinical trial failures.

7 Apr 2024

Wound warriors: How microbes influence healing and infection risks

Study explores how wound microbiota affect skin repair and infection risk by altering host immune responses, underscoring the complexity of microbial interactions in wound healing.

7 Apr 2024

Study links pneumonia transmission in seniors to contact with young children

New research being presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) in Barcelona, Spain (27-30 April) finds that pneumonia-causing bacteria are common in the over 60s and that contact with pre-school and young school-aged children appears to be the most important factor in the onward transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) to the over 60s.

3 Apr 2024

Generative AI revolutionizes antibiotic development against resistant pathogens

With nearly 5 million deaths linked to antibiotic resistance globally every year, new ways to combat resistant bacterial strains are urgently needed.

28 Mar 2024

Simple pre-surgical protocol can help prevent dangerous post-surgical infections

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) demonstrates the use of a simple pre-surgical infection prevention protocol to prevent dangerous post-surgical infections.

28 Mar 2024

DNA damage in neurons crucial for creating stable memories

Just as you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs, scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found that you can't make long-term memories without DNA damage and brain inflammation. Their surprising findings were published online today in the journal Nature.

27 Mar 2024