Infections

Scientists have discovered a new species of yeast in the guts of mice and humans that could have remarkable health benefits.Named Kazachstania weizmannii by researchers from Israel and Germany, the new species appears to fight off another yeast called Candida albicans, which has the potential to spread into a dangerous fungal infection. C. albicans lives on many people's skin and mucous membranes without much bother, though overgrowth can cause the irritating condition candidiasis (commonly called thrush). Under some…

A protein obtained from mussels could one day keep infections from occurring at the site of bone implants such as artificial hips. And while the protein does kill the microbes, it should still limit the development of antibiotic-resistant "superbacteria."Bacterial infections at the sites of recently installed implants can be very serious, potentially leading to complications such as a weakening of the bond between the implant and the bone. When this happens, subsequent surgeries are often required in order to keep the…

A study from the University of Oxford reveals that a significant number of COVID-19 infections persist for over a month, potentially contributing to the emergence of new variants and Long COVID symptoms. Analysis of over 90,000 participants found that up to 0.5% of infections could last 60 days or more, with some infections showing high mutation rates.Recent research conducted by the University of Oxford has found that a high proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the general population lead to persistent infections…

If someone is already suffering from heart failure, they certainly shouldn't have to deal with a serious infection on top of that. A new type of electrical wire, designed for powering implanted heart pumps, could help keep that from happening.When a heart failure patient is on the waiting list for a donor heart, it's not uncommon for them to receive an implanted electric pump that keeps their existing heart beating normally until it can be replaced. That pump is powered by a connected battery, which is worn on the outside…

The specter of COVID has haunted the globe for four years now—the disease has killed at least seven million people worldwide. Yet the pandemic’s long-term effects are still hazy—because when it comes to a novel virus such as SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID, scientists still have a lot to learn.What we do know is that COVID is here to stay—and that catching it doesn’t give people permanent immunity. Four years into the pandemic, researchers and clinicians know that people are racking up multiple infections, but the…

A new study has demonstrated that a natural bacterial defense mechanism against invading viruses can be used as a weapon to combat bacterial infection. The finding opens the door to new anti-bacterial therapeutics, particularly important in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.When certain bacteria are infected by a virus, they initiate a self-destruct mechanism called the cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling system (mercifully shortened to CBASS) to prevent the spread of that virus to other bacterial…

A team of researchers has discovered a method to activate a bacterial defense system, known as CBASS, to self-destruct and prevent the spread of viruses among bacteria, potentially offering a new way to manage bacterial infections and combat antibiotic resistance. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearchers unveil how the self-killing activity of bacteria can be harnessed in the fight against antibiotic resistance.Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have identified a new approach to controlling bacterial…

Recent research has revealed that neurological damage from acute viral infections, like Zika and COVID-19, is caused by the immune system’s response, particularly by a unique population of T cells. This discovery shifts the focus from the viruses to the immune system, offering new avenues for treatment. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA new study discovered that T cells, not viruses, are responsible for neurological damage in diseases like Zika and COVID-19, suggesting new treatment strategies.For years, there has been a…

White blood cells are important foot soldiers in the immune system, but their numbers can be cut by health conditions or treatments like chemotherapy. Yale scientists have now discovered a molecule that can be given to quickly boost their numbers back up, to help fight off infections without antibiotics.Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that are among the first responders to foreign threats like bacteria, viruses or fungi. Unfortunately, their levels can drop in a condition called neutropenia, which can be the…

A report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims antifungal creams and combinations of antifungal treatments with corticosteroids are likely to be contributing to the rise and spread of severe skin, scalp, and nail fungal infections.In 2023, dermatologists detected the first known cases in the US of highly contagious drug-resistant fungal skin infections that don't respond to the few fungal treatments we have.First concentrated in Southeast Asia, these drug-resistant fungal infections have spread to…