Bacteria Archives

Local biosurveillance data can improve individual patient care

Think locally when treating individually — A population perspective can improve individual patient care and clinical decision making for communicable diseases – By taking local biosurveillance data into account when assessing patients for communicable diseases, doctors may be able to make better diagnostic decisions, according to researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston. For instance, in the case of strep throat, awareness of local epidemiology at the time of diagnosis could help more than 166,000 people avoid unnecessary antibiotic treatment in the United States every year and catch more than 62,000 missed cases.

Multistate outbreak of Listeria in US

FDA investigates multistate outbreak of listeriosis – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health agencies to investigate a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis.

No cases Salmonella of from recalled ground turkey products in Washington US

Outbreak of 77 cases in 26 other states is reminder of importance of safe food handling and prep – No cases of Salmonella Heidelberg associated with recalled ground turkey products have been reported in Washington. Thoroughly cooking and safely handling and preparing meat and poultry will kill bacteria like Salmonella Heidelberg, which prevents illness.

Copper reduces infection risk by 40%

Copper reduces infection risk by more than 40 percent – Copper touch surfaces could have a key role in preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infections. Extensive laboratory tests have demonstrated copper’s antimicrobial efficacy against key organisms. A 97% reduction in surface pathogens in rooms with copper surfaces has been demonstrated.

New strain of MRSA discovered, found in both humans and dairy cows

New strain of MRSA discovered — Antibiotic resistant bacteria found in both humans and dairy cows – Scientists have identified a new strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which occurs both in human and dairy cow populations. The study, led by Dr Mark Holmes at the University of Cambridge, identified the new strain in milk from dairy cows while researching mastitis (a bacterial infection which occurs in the cows’ udders).

Swiss US team finds indigenous cases of leprosy in Southern US

Swiss-US team finds indigenous cases of leprosy in the Southern United States — Study confirms human contamination through contact with armadillos – Using advanced DNA analysis and extensive field work, an international research team has confirmed the link between leprosy infection in Americans and direct contact with armadillos.

Bariatric surgery better than dieting for glucose control

Bariatric surgery better than dieting for glucose control – Researchers have uncovered a new clue for why bariatric surgery is more effective than dietary remedies alone at controlling glucose levels. The study conducted at Duke University Medical Center and St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University.

Combination therapy provides hope for cure of infections in cystic fibrosis

Combination therapy provides hope for cure of dangerous infections of cystic fibrosis patients – An over-the-counter drug used to treat diarrhea combined with minocycline, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, could one day change the lives of those living with cystic fibrosis.

Immigrant screening misses majority of imported latent TB

Immigrant screening misses majority of imported latent TB, finds study – Current UK procedures to screen new immigrants for tuberculosis (TB) fail to detect more than 70 per cent of cases of latent infection, according to a new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Vaccine to prevent meningococcal disease in infants and toddlers

FDA approves the first vaccine to prevent meningococcal disease in infants and toddlers – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the use of Menactra in children as young as 9 months for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y and W-135. Menactra already is approved for use in people ages 2 through 55 years.

What’s your intestinal bacteria type?

New research shows that an individual?s intestinal bacteria flora, regardless of nationality, gender and age, organises itself in certain clusters. – As partners in the international research consortium named MetaHit, scientists from the University of Copenhagen have contributed to show that an individual’s intestinal bacteria flora, regardless of nationality, gender and age, organises itself in certain clusters.

Skippy Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread recalled

Unilever Announces Recall of Skippy? Reduced Fat Peanut Butter Spread Due to Possible Health Risk Limited Recall of 6 Best-If-Used-By Dates – Unilever United States, Inc. announced a limited recall of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.