Harmful Bacterium

UCSD Biologists Discover Cell’s Defense Mechanism Against Class Of Disease-Causing Bacterial Toxins

admin — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:48:40 +0000

A group of biologist from University of California, San Diego discovers a latest mechanism that will permit the cells to fight class of toxins which came from various type of disease causing bacteria. Biologist believed that this study they made could give way in forming or formulating a new and more effective treatment for bacterial diseases, which killing or sickening million people. These bacterial diseases usually cause pneumonia, strep throat, scarlet fever and the likes. (more…)

Cardiovascular Disease and Periodontal Bacteria

admin — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:46:29 +0000

This article released by the National Institutes of Health explains a study, published in the journal Circulation and supported by four agencies of the NIH, reports that periodontal bacteria are a strong, possible precursor for the development of cardiovascular disease. (more…)

The Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

admin — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 04:50:28 +0000

Penicillin was considered a medical miracle. It became famous during the Second World War because it quickly eliminated the biggest wartime killer, the infected wounds. It is the product of the soil mold known as Penicillium. It crippled many types of disease-causing bacteria. Four years after its mass-production in 1943, microbes began to appear that could resist it. (more…)

Airborne Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from a Concentrated Swine Feeding Operation

admin — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 02:54:45 +0000

An article about airborne multidrug-resistant bacteria that is found isolated from a concentrated swine feeding operation. It was noted that the use of nontherapeutic levels of antibiotics in swine production can choose for antibiotic resistance in commensal and pathogenic bacteria in swine. As a result therefore, retail pork products, as well as surface and groundwaters contaminated with swine waste, have been shown to be sources of human exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, it is not certain whether the air within swine operations also serves as a basis of exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. (more…)

Resistant Bacteria Blamed for High Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Deaths

admin — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 02:31:51 +0000

A resistant bacteria is responsible for so-called hospital-acquired pneumonia that inevitably results to death. Patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by highly resistant bacteria are twice as likely to die as patients infected with other, less-resistant bacteria, according to a new Brazilian study. (more…)

Biological Agents

admin — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:16:16 +0000

Biological agents have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways. Some of them are even used as weapons in war or biterrorism.
A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs agents used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. These agents are typically found in nature, but it is possible that they could be changed to increase their ability to cause disease, make them resistant to current medicines, or to increase their ability to be spread into the environment. Biological agents can be spread through the air, through water, or in food. Terrorists may use biological agents because they can be extremely difficult to detect and do not cause illness for several hours to several days. Some of the most virulent and prevalent biological agents and their descriptions are the following:
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How Bacteria Swim to Dinner

admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:33:32 +0000

For a while scientists were intrigued and puzzled about bacterial behaviors in particular their ability to move towards the food. Studies were conducted on the Escherichia coli bacteria. They discovered the presence of chemical sensors at both ends of the bacterium. This bacteria can be clearly seen under a microscope. (more…)

Bacteria Attack

admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:25:10 +0000

One of the major reasons why scientists and researchers study the biochemical and physiological processes of the bacteria is the rise of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria pathogenic to man. Different avenues are searched in farther understanding the bacterial cells. But despite the new advances in drugs, harmful bacteria continue to be tough. And it is wise to reckon that drugs usually have untoward side-effects, so instead of being beneficial it causes deterioration of the patient’s condition. (more…)

Molecular Image of Genotoxin Reveals How Bacteria Damage Human DNA

admin — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:55:27 +0000

The scientists at the Rockefeller University have visualized the three-dimensional DNA structure damaged by bacterial toxin. The molecular image of the toxin shows exactly how the toxin is put together at the molecular level and damages human DNA. This toxin molecular image is shown in the May 27 issue of the journal Nature. According to the researchers of the study, knowledge of the structure of the said bacterial toxin could help scientists to design new drugs to fight a wide variety of bacteria that use this toxin. (more…)

Ciprofloxacin as Prophylactic Therapy

admin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:24:49 +0000

This article discusses the use of Ciprofloxacin as a prophylactic therapy for pregnant women exposed to an acute infectious disease caused by a spore forming harmful bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. It is generally acquired following contact with anthrax infected animals or anthrax contaminated animal products. Anthrax infection can occur in three forms, cutaneous or skin, inhalation and gastrointestinal. The harmful bacterium sporulates when exposed to air and is infective only in the spore form. Eating undercooked meat from infected animals can also spread anthrax. Direct person to person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely to occur. Communicability is not a concern in managing or visiting with patients with inhalational anthrax.

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