Rutgers researchers have discovered that the Chlamydia bacterium, which causes a sexually transmitted disease (STD), shares an evolutionary heritage with plants. That shared evolutionary heritage, which is not found in most other bacteria, points to a prime target for development of an effective cure for Chlamydia infections.
Ear infections are among the most common diseases seen in pediatric practice. They have generally been considered bacterial diseases and are therefore usually treated with antibiotics. New research, published in the Dec. 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases and currently available online, provides evidence that viruses are found in a great many ear infection cases and may complicate treatment.
The Centre for Health Protection has cautioned the public to be vigilant against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, as many places, including Hong Kong, have seen its occurrence in the community.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic version of MetroGel-Vaginal (metronidazole vaginal gel), a treatment for bacterial vaginosis. The approval is an important step in the agency’s effort to increase the availability of lower-cost generic medications.
A newly identified antibody capable of neutralizing the inhalation anthrax toxin in rabbits and monkeys may offer an alternative method of preventing and treating infection in humans say US researchers. Their findings appear in the October 2006 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity.
A research consortium, supported by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today announced the publication of a high-quality draft genome sequence of the western honey bee, finding that its genome is more similar to humans than any insect sequenced thus far.
A group of scientists representing the UCLA School of Dentistry; the UCLA Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, and C3 Jian Corporation have succeeded in creating a pheromone-guided “smart” anti-microbial peptide capable of selectively eliminating Streptococcus mutans, a leading bacterial cause of tooth decay, in 30 seconds.
A fast, sensitive and inexpensive diagnostic tool called MassTag PCR has been developed that can identify the specific pathogen that causes a particular case of respiratory infection, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research team ? headed by scientists in the Jerome L. and Dawn Greene Infectious Disease Laboratory at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and their colleagues at the Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health ? used MassTag PCR to identify previously undiagnosed pathogens that caused influenza-like illnesses in New York State during the winter of 2004.
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, L.L.C. today announced that ceftobiprole, a novel cephalosporin(1) antibiotic in Phase III clinical trials, was found to be active against complicated skin infections caused by common, potentially deadly bacteria, including MRSA. These data were from two poster presentations given at the 46th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC). These data also were highlighted by ICAAC. Ceftobiprole is being co-developed with Basilea Pharmaceutica, Ltd. through an exclusive worldwide collaboration.
An ointment containing the antibiotic mupirocin does not speed healing or prevent infection when applied to clean surgical wounds before the wound is sealed, research suggests. In fact, the ointment may increase the risk of skin edge necrosis (death), an Australian research team found.