Link Between Antibiotics, Bacterial Biofilms and Chronic Infections Found

The bacteria called non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae are a common cause of infection in the upper respiratory tract. By attaching to surfaces in the body the bacteria form a biofilm. Researchers have reported that when the bacteria encounter non-lethal amounts of specific antibiotics they are stimulated to form a biofilm, a structure that causes chronic infection and which can be highly resistant to antibiotics.

“This research addresses the long standing issues surrounding chronic ear infections and why some children experience repeated ear infections even after antibiotic treatment,” said Paul Webster, PhD, lead author, senior staff scientist at USC and senior faculty at the Oak Crest Institute of Science. “Once the biofilm forms, it becomes stronger with each treatment of antibiotics.”

During the study, non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) bacteria a common pathogen of humans was exposed to non-lethal doses of ampicillin, a class of antibiotics commonly used to treat respiratory, sinus and ear infections, or other beta-lactam antibiotics. The dose of the antibiotic was not enough to kill the bacteria which allowed the bacteria to react to the antibiotic by producing glycogen, a complex sugar often used by bacteria as a food source, to produce stronger biofilms when grown in the laboratory.

Biofilms are highly structured communities of microorganisms that attach to one another and to surfaces. The microorganisms group together and form a slimy, polysaccharide cover. This layer is highly protective for the organisms within it, and when new bacteria are produced they stay within the slimy layer. With the introduction of antibiotic-produced glycogen, the biofilms have an almost endless food source that can be used once antibiotic exposure has ended.

There are currently no approved treatments for biofilm-related infections. Therefore, bacteria forced into forming stronger biofilms will become more difficult to treat and will cause more severe chronic infections. Adults will suffer protracted lung infections as the bacteria hunker down into their protective slime, and children will have repeated ear infections. What may appear to be antibiotic resistance when an infection does not clear up may actually be biofilms at work.

Webster believes modern medicine needs to find ways of detecting and treating biofilm infections before the bacteria are able to form these protective structures. The difficulties of treating biofilm infections, which can be up to 1,000 times more resistant to antibiotics, have prompted some physicians to propose a gradual move away from traditional antibiotic treatments and toward non-antibiotic therapies.

“If antibiotics are to continue to be relevant for treating bacterial infections it is important that their effects on biofilms be explored,” says Dr. Webster. “One step in this direction would be to develop routine screening methods to test the effects of antibiotics on in vitro formed biofilms.”

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Electric field-based dressing fights bacterial infections

A new study has revealed that the electric field-based dressing can not only disrupt biofilm infection but also prevent such infections from forming in the future.

Amid growing antibiotic resistance,  researchers have developed a way to charge up the fight against  bacterial infecctions using electricity.

The electric field-based dressing can not only disrupt biofilm infection, it can also prevent such infections from forming in the future, said the study.

Bacterial biofilms are thin, slimy films of bacteria that form on some wounds, including burns or post-surgical infections, as well as after a medical device is placed in the body.

These bacteria generate their own electricity, using their own electric fields to communicate and form the biofilm, which makes them more hostile and difficult to treat.

The dressing electro-chemically self-generates 1 volt of electricity upon contact with body fluids such as wound fluid or blood, which is not enough to hurt or electrocute the patient, said the study.

The researchers discovered the dressing is not only successful in fighting the bacteria on its own, but when combined with other medications can make them even more effective.

The researchers believe that the discovery has the potential to create significant changes in the way physicians treat patients with bacterial infections which are resistant to antibiotics.

“This shows for the first time that bacterial biofilm can be disrupted by using an electroceutical dressing,” said a researcher.

“This has implications across surgery as biofilm presence can lead to many complications in successful surgical outcomes,” he added.

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Food addictives might be affecting your gut

A study has found that nanoparticles present in common food additive could affect gut microbiota in human beings. The study investigated the health impacts of food additive E171 (titanium dioxide nanoparticles) which are commonly used in high quantities in foods and some medicines as a whitening agent.

Found in more than 900 food products such as chewing gum and mayonnaise, E171 is consumed in high proportion every day by the general population. The study conducted on mice found that consumption of food containing E171 has an impact on the gut microbiota (defined by the trillions of bacteria that inhabit the gut) which could trigger diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer.

Increasing rates of dementia, auto-immune diseases, cancer metastasis, eczema, asthma, and autism are among a growing list of diseases that have been linked to soaring exposure to nanoparticles. Co-lead author  said the study added substantially to a body of work on nanoparticle toxicity, safety and their impact on health and environment.

"The aim of this research is to stimulate discussions on new standards and regulations to ensure the safe use of nanoparticles in Australia and globally," he said. While nanoparticles have been commonly used in medicines, foods, clothing, and other applications, the possible impacts of nanoparticles, especially their long term effects, are still poorly understood.

Titanium dioxide consumption has considerably increased in the last decade and has already been linked to several medical conditions, and although it is approved in food, there is insufficient evidence about its safety.

"It is well established that dietary composition has an impact on physiology and health, yet the role of food additives is poorly understood," he said. "There is increasing evidence that continuous exposure to nanoparticles has an impact on gut microbiota composition, and since gut microbiota is a gatekeeper of our health, any changes to its function have an influence on overall health," he added.

"This study presents pivotal evidence that consumption of food containing food additive E171 (titanium dioxide) affects gut microbiota as well as inflammation in the gut, which could lead to diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer," he said.

Another co-lead author said, "Our research showed that titanium dioxide interacts with bacteria in the gut and impairs some of their functions which may result in the development of diseases. We are saying that its consumption should be better regulated by food authorities."

"This study investigated effects of titanium dioxide on gut health in mice and found that titanium dioxide did not change the composition of gut microbiota, but instead it affected bacteria activity and promoted their growth in a form of undesired biofilm. Biofilms are bacteria that stick together and the formation of biofilm has been reported in diseases such as colorectal cancer," he added.

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A New Way to Fight Against Cavities

Most of us brush at least once a day, many do it after each meal, floss daily, but then still end with cavities ! One of the worst thing is to sit on the dental chair, with all the drilling, which gives you not just headache, but jaw pain due to opening your jaws wide for long. Above all the dentist charges are at times equal to a minor surgery ! Quite often dentists makes sure that they take the fees in advance, so you've to keep going to them as and when you're told ! You pay for the transport/ fuel and above waste couple of hours commuting, waiting and the pain to add to your woes. Now when you read about the new possible treatment to overcome all those dreadful days of visiting the dentist, you'll be amazed !

The best defense against cavities might not be your own attentiveness, much less those fillings, sealants, or fluoride treatments. In fact, what could work better is warm, moist, and a bit slimy. That's correct, mucus.

Mucus, along with tears and skin, makes up our first line of defense against disease. They all form a barrier against invading germs. And, as it turns out, according to a study published recently in the "Applied and Environmental Microbiology" journal, the crucial proteins found in mucus known as salivary mucins can protect our teeth from cavity causing bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans. Unlike toothpaste and mouthwash, which destroy bacteria, mucins prevent bacteria from attaching themselves onto your teeth and secreting acid that bores holes through the enamel. Now,the researchers who led the study are trying to engineer synthetic mucus that could be added to toothpaste or bubble gum. Sounds lovely doesn't it?

As disgusting as this sounds, synthetic mucus might go well beyond just preventing cavities. Studies have suggested that mucins might also be able to defend against respiratory infections, stomach ulcers, and even HIV. Since mucins do not actually kill bacteria (they merely prevent bacteria from causing damage), they are seen by some as a much better alternative to antibiotics, which may kill not only harmful bacteria, but helpful bacteria as well, allowing more dangerous strains to take their place. This means that synthetic mucin might offer a less intrusive alternative, used "not necessarily to resolve infections but to stabilize or prevent infections," says Katharina Ribbeck, an assistant professor in the department of biological engineering at MIT, who co-authored this study alongside Erica Shapiro Frenkel, a Ph.D student in her lab. 


We get cavities when bacteria such as S. mutans cling to our teeth, forming an intricate, mesh-like arrangement known as biofilm. The bacteria that make up this biofilm feed on the sugars found in the food we eat to produce acid that can then dissolve the tooth enamel. To investigate how much mucus might be needed to guard against this process, Ribbeck's group got down to the molecular level and homed in on a mucin known as MUC5B. This is the most commonly found mucin in the mouth.

 First, the researchers isolated MUC5B from saliva samples of some volunteers. Then, they grew S. mutans bacteria with sugar and a special broth in plates containing wells that were made from a plastic which imitates a tooth's enamel. Some of the wells also contained MUC5B. At the end of the experiment, Ribbeck and Frenkel counted the number of attached S. mutans bacteria at several points in time and found more of them floating in the growth broth than attached to the plastic in the wells containing MUC5B. This suggests that the mucin somehow prevents S. mutans from sticking to the surface of the tooth.

How, exactly? The researcher aren't sure, but, according to Ribbeck, it's possible that MUC5B encases S. mutans in a "3-D spiderweb" that traps the acid that they secrete. MUC5B might even form a bacteria-repellent coating over the tooth's surface, or even turn off S. mutans genes that are involved in attachment and biofilm formation. Ribbeck and Frenkel are still trying to find the most likely mechanism, though they suspect that mucins might maintain bacterial diversity in the mouth by not only keeping S. mutans alive, but by also neutralizing the toxins that different bacterial strains release to outdo each other.


Of course, scientists still need to confirm the protective role of mucins before investigating the mechanisms involved. William Bowen, a professor at the University of Rochester's School of Medicine and Dentistry, also points out that cavity-causing bacteria embed themselves in plaque - not directly to the surface of the tooth. And many other bacteria in the mouth cause cavities, not just S. mutans, which is not a "major acid producer."

 Still, having said that, Ribbeck and Frenkel have reported similar results with other surfaces, hinting at "a more general mechanism" of MUC5B. Translation? Benefits of synthetic mucus could extend far beyond human health, and could be used to prevent food spoilage, and the accumulation of bacteria on ship hulls and other surfaces, for example. "The applications are enormous," Ribbeck declared.

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5 Things That Happen When You Don't Brush Your Tongue

While it may be common practice to brush your teeth twice a day, and floss regularly before going to sleep, how many people take the time to brush their tongues too? As it turns out, it may be high time that you give your oral health habits an upgrade. 

  Not convinced? Did you know that 700 different bacteria species live in the mouth? While not all of these microbes are harmful, when the bad ones set up shop and multiply, or small bumps surface on the tongue, they can cause some real damage. Your tongue can be seen as a bacteria sponge spreading bad bacteria throughout the mouth, causing problems and disease. Here are some possible conditions you may encounter: 

 

One of the main problems you may encounter with not brushing your tongue is bad breath. The bacteria on your tongue will give off a foul smell. They tend to lurk at the back of the mouth, so brush your tongue to get rid of the bad breath. 

If you don't brush your tongue you may notice a nasty coating of bacteria, food particles and dead skin cells called a biofilm, that can cover up your taste buds. To get your taste buds going again, use a tongue scraper, removing the biofilm.

As strange as it may sound, black hairy tongue is a condition that arises when the papillae on your tongue get strained from leftover food or drink particles. As the particles are never brushed away it gives the tongue a dark, furry appearance. While harmless, once you start tongue brushing, it should disappear. 

Known as oral thrush, this tends to happen when the bacteria levels in your mouth get out of control, usually due to not brushing your tongue. As a result, yeast tends to grow out of control, resulting in white patches on the tongue. While an antifungal medication can cure it, regular tongue brushing should keep it at bay. 

 Bacterial buildup on your tongue can spread to your teeth, causing gingivitis, or red, inflamed gums. If left untreated, the inflammation can advance to periodontal disease, where the gums pull away from the teeth and the space between the gums becomes infected. This may cause your teeth to fall out. Furthermore, chronic inflammation caused by periodontal disease is linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and miscarriage. 

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Honey can destroy harmful fungus and save lives!

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 Researchers from Britain have identified the effect of honey used since ancient times for the treatment of several diseases, on pathogenic fungi that can cause devastating infections in vulnerable people.

Researchers from the University of Manchester in Britain discovered a powerful link between Surgihoney -- a medicinal type of honey and the destruction of Fusarium -- a fungus that can cause blindness or even death.

The researchers used different concentrations of Surgihoney, a biologically engineered honey that produces chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen, to test how effective it could be in destroying the fungus Fusarium, which is found on plants and in soil.

Even the lowest concentrations had a significant effect in breaking down the cell wall of the fungus, demonstrating its potential as a future treatment for patients, the study revealed. 

 Chronic infections, such as those found in long-lasting wounds comprise about 60-80 percent of infectious diseases in humans and the way fungi invades wounds is associated with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.


Chronic infections, such as those found in long-lasting wounds, in which fungi invades, comprise about 60-80 percent of infectious diseases in humans.

Biofilms -- thin layers of micro organisms, which group together -- contribute to the severity and delayed healing of such chronic wounds, the researchers said.

"Through my research I wanted to show the potential for honey as a healing agent to break through these biofilms and in doing so increase the process of healing. What I found amazing is that honey actually works better than some antifungals," Zain Habib Alhindi, research student at the Manchester University said in an official statement.

The study opens door for further work on the application of honey for many fungal infections and allows scientists to adopt different options for treating a range of superficial infections, researchers concluded.

Peppermint Oil and Cinnamon Heal Persistent Wounds

Infectious colonies of bacteria called biofilms that develop on chronic wounds and medical devices can cause serious health problems and are tough to treat. But now scientists have found a way to package antimicrobial compounds from peppermint and cinnamon in tiny capsules that can both kill biofilms and actively promote healing. The researchers say the new material, reported in the journal ACS Nano, could be used as a topical antibacterial treatment and disinfectant.

Many bacteria clump together in sticky plaques in a way that makes them difficult to eliminate with traditional antibiotics. Doctors sometimes recommend cutting out infected tissues. This approach is costly, however, and because it’s invasive, many patients opt out of treatment altogether. Essential oils and other natural compounds have emerged recently as alternative substances that can get rid of pathogenic bacteria, but researchers have had a hard time translating their antibacterial activity into treatments. Vincent M. Rotello and colleagues wanted to address this challenge.

The researchers packaged peppermint oil and cinnamaldehyde, the compound in cinnamon responsible for its flavor and aroma, into silica nanoparticles. The microcapsule treatment was effective against four different types of bacteria, including one antibiotic-resistant strain. It also promoted the growth of fibroblasts, a cell type that is important in wound healing.

The authors acknowledge funding from Firmenich, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation.

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