Latest news with #Pseudomonas
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Wockhardt's proprietary antibiotic Zaynich gets mentioned in leading U.K. Medical Journal
For its successful use in a critically ill U.S. liver transplant patient suffering from a pan-drug resistant infection A clinically challenging case involving Wockhardt's novel antibiotic Zaynich was recently published in the July 17, 2025 issue of the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy - AMR, a leading publication by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. The publication details the successful use of Zaynich, a combination of Zidebactam and Cefepime, in treating a critically ill U.S. liver transplant patient suffering from a pan-drug resistant infectionan infection resistant to all available antibiotics in the United States. This case report is jointly authored by US clinicians from leading hospitals, Houston Methodist Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College and Johns Hopkins. Notably, this patient was infected with two different pathogens - Pseudomonas and Klebsiella, both resistant to all the recently introduced antibiotics such as cefiderocol, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, imipenem/relebactam. The case report detailed the results of genetic analysis of bacterial DNA and determined that Pseudomonas and Klebsiella harbored 4 distinct resistance mechanisms each leading to pan-drug resistance. Initially, the patient was treated for 10 weeks with cefiderocol and eravacycline (a novel tetracycline antibiotic), but the infection persisted, and the Pseudomonas strain became resistant to cefiderocol. The patient continued to suffer from fever and chills, and imaging tests showed new abscesses in the liver clear signs that the infection was not under control. Given the high risk of transplant failure due to these MDR infections, a multidisciplinary team, including microbiologists, infectious disease experts, oncologists, and transplant surgeons, sought emergency access to Zaynich. The antibiotic was administered for 14 days around the time of the liver transplant. The results were remarkable - within 11 days, the patient improved clinically and transferred from ICU to regular floor, and follow-up imaging showed no signs of active infection. Importantly, the patient remained infection-free even after six weeks of completing treatment with Zaynich, making liver transplant successful and allowing doctors to safely resume chemotherapy for the underlying cancer. The authors highlighted the role of Zaynich as a potential treatment option for extensively drug resistant infections with extremely limited/no treatment options. Zaynich is a novel, proprietary antibiotic developed by Wockhardt, combining Zidebactam and Cefepime to combat multi-drug resistant Gram-negative infections. The drug recently completed a global, pivotal Phase III clinical trial, which will support its marketing authorization across international markets. Prior to this, multiple Phase I clinical pharmacology studies involving the Zidebactam/Cefepime combination were successfully conducted in the United States. Zaynich has also completed a multi-indication clinical study in India, specifically targeting carbapenem-resistant infections. To date, more than 50 patients in India and the U.S. suffering from highly resistant infections have been treated with Zaynich under compassionate use programs.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jackie 'O' Henderson reveals shock toilet confession: 'I can't sit there doing nothing'
Jackie 'O' Henderson has made a shock bathroom confession. The radio queen, 50, admitted on Friday's The Kyle and Jackie O Show that she always takes her mobile phone with her when she goes to the toilet. 'There's no better place to hang out than the bathroom, because no one can come join you or talk to you,' Jackie told her co-host Kyle Sandilands. 'You get that true alone time. Peace and quiet for once! I just sit there on my phone for ten minutes, locked in a bathroom.' Jackie added she never makes a bathroom trip without her mobile phone in her hand. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I can't go to the toilet without my phone. It's like I go, "Oh I can't sit here doing nothing",' she quipped. Taking your phone to the toilet may keep you entertained while you do your business, but last month Mail+ revealed it is not always safe to do so. It was reported that this common habit can turn your device into a haven for dangerous microorganisms, a scientist warned. Dr Primrose Freestone, professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, said faecal bacteria can easily reach your phone in the bathroom. This includes E. coli, which can result in nasty diarrhea and stomach cramps, and Pseudomonas, which causes infections in the blood and lungs. Even after you've washed your hands with soap, these bugs can travel back to your hands once you touch your phone again. As a result, phones should be kept out of the toilet altogether, and regularly sanitised with alcohol wipes. 'The phone will at some point get contaminated, so periodically disinfecting your phone is a good idea,' she told MailOnline. The radio queen revealed on The Kyle and Jackie O Show that she always takes her mobile phone with her when she goes to the toilet It comes after Jackie revealed what started her painkiller addiction. On Thursday, the presenter was chatting to KIIS FM's Dr Sam Hay about the nature of addiction and told Kyle & Jackie O listeners she began taking painkillers to help cope with a problem that many women experience. 'I got addicted because I got prescribed Endone. I was prescribed for a true pain that I was experiencing because I was going to the hospital every month with my endometriosis,' Jackie began. Endometriosis is a painful condition affecting many women, where tissue similar to the womb lining grows in other parts of the body, often causing cramps, fatigue and fertility issues. Jackie added she was prescribed the powerful painkiller Endone - another name for Oxycodone - to help manage the issue but soon became dependent on it. 'It just got so out of control, I had to go to the hospital to get morphine. And then so they prescribed the Endone as a way to manage it,' she said. 'It is dangerous. When they handed me the drug they said, "it's so addictive. Be really careful." And it really, really is. 'I took those pills and thought, "I'll be fine." And I realised you're not fine because they are so addictive.'
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
New threat to marine life discovered: sunscreen meeting plastic
Scientists at the University of Stirling led by Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget carried out the analysis, which is the first to study co-pollution – where plastics in the sea act as carriers for other chemical contaminants, including ultraviolet (UV) filters from sunscreen. Now, Dr Matallana-Surget, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is appealing to policymakers to take urgent action to tackle what she calls the invisible threat of sunscreen. She said: 'These changes matter. By suppressing the aerobic bacteria that help degrade plastic, and selecting those that stabilise or reinforce the biofilm, UV filters would prolong the life of plastics in the ocean – making them more resistant to breakdown by sunlight or microbes. 'Targeted research and policy interventions are therefore urgently needed to mitigate these compounded ecological threats.' Read More: Plastic waste in the ocean provides a new surface where microbes can grow, forming slimy layers called the plastisphere. As well as forming the plastisphere, plastics also absorb other pollutants, including sunscreens washed off human skin that are insoluble in water, and these can then attach to marine plastic surfaces. Sunscreens, like oil, are hydrophobic – meaning that they do not dissolve in water. This makes them a combined threat, as they can accumulate on plastics and remain in the environment. Scientists have previously studied the role of the plastisphere, but little is known about how additional chemicals such as EHMC affect the microbes living on the plastic. The new study, published today, shows that when plastics are co-contaminated with EHMC, not only do pollutant-degrading bacteria like Marinomonas decline, but bacteria like Pseudomonas develop more proteins that stabilise biofilms and improve their ability to survive. Pseudomonas includes species known for being resilient in polluted environments and for their ability to break down a wide range of contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. However, some Pseudomonas strains are also classified as opportunistic pathogens, capable of causing serious infections that can require antibiotic treatment – raising potential public health concerns that researchers hope will be further investigated. One key finding of the study is the much higher level of a protein called outer membrane porin F (OprF) in Pseudomonas that was exposed to EHMC. This protein plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of biofilms, protective layers that help bacteria survive hostile environments. Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget (Image: University of Stirling)Researchers also observed a shift toward anaerobic respiration – where cells can generate energy in the absence of oxygen – revealing a complete shift in the microbial metabolism within the plastisphere. The research shows that EHMC could hinder the development of useful aerobic bacteria that help break down plastic pollutants at an early stage, by favouring more stress-tolerant anaerobic biofilm-forming bacteria. Dr Matallana-Surget added: 'The UV-protective properties of EHMC, combined with its suppression of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, may indirectly protect plastics from photodegradation and biodegradation, further contributing to their persistence in marine environments. 'This impact, combined with the enrichment of potentially pathogenic bacteria, raises significant concerns for ecosystem stability and human health, particularly in coastal regions with high rates of tourism, and high levels of plastic pollution.' The paper, The Invisible Threats of Sunscreen as a Plastic Co-Pollutant: Impact of a Common Organic UV Filter on Biofilm Formation and Metabolic Function in the Nascent Marine Plastisphere, is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Dr Matallana-Surget led the research in collaboration with Dr Charlotte Lee – who undertook the core experimental work – and Dr Lauren Messer at the University of Stirling, alongside Professor Ruddy Wattiez at the University of Mons in Belgium. The project, which stemmed from Dr Matallana-Surget's initial concept of investigating the emerging double pollution issue, has built on 15 years of joint work between the teams in Stirling and Mons. Research was funded by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the National Research Foundation Singapore. It was further supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Walloon Region, Belgium. It builds on previous research published last year by Dr Matallana-Surget which uncovered the crucial roles of bacteria living on plastic debris. Dr Matallana-Surget has also published a study assessing the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on microscopic seawater bacteria that perform a significant role in ecosystem functioning.
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Scientists discover new threat to marine ecosystems: sunscreen
Scientists at the University of Stirling led by Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget carried out the analysis, which is the first to study co-pollution – where plastics in the sea act as carriers for other chemical contaminants, including ultraviolet (UV) filters from sunscreen. Now, Dr Matallana-Surget, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is appealing to policymakers to take urgent action to tackle what she calls the invisible threat of sunscreen. She said: 'These changes matter. By suppressing the aerobic bacteria that help degrade plastic, and selecting those that stabilise or reinforce the biofilm, UV filters would prolong the life of plastics in the ocean – making them more resistant to breakdown by sunlight or microbes. 'Targeted research and policy interventions are therefore urgently needed to mitigate these compounded ecological threats.' Read More: Plastic waste in the ocean provides a new surface where microbes can grow, forming slimy layers called the plastisphere. As well as forming the plastisphere, plastics also absorb other pollutants, including sunscreens washed off human skin that are insoluble in water, and these can then attach to marine plastic surfaces. Sunscreens, like oil, are hydrophobic – meaning that they do not dissolve in water. This makes them a combined threat, as they can accumulate on plastics and remain in the environment. Scientists have previously studied the role of the plastisphere, but little is known about how additional chemicals such as EHMC affect the microbes living on the plastic. The new study published today (Friday) shows that when plastics are co-contaminated with EHMC, not only do pollutant-degrading bacteria like Marinomonas decline, but bacteria like Pseudomonas develop more proteins that stabilise biofilms and improve their ability to survive. Pseudomonas includes species known for being resilient in polluted environments and for their ability to break down a wide range of contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. However, some Pseudomonas strains are also classified as opportunistic pathogens, capable of causing serious infections that can require antibiotic treatment – raising potential public health concerns that researchers hope will be further investigated. One key finding of the study is the much higher level of a protein called outer membrane porin F (OprF) in Pseudomonas that was exposed to EHMC. This protein plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of biofilms, protective layers that help bacteria survive hostile environments. Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget (Image: University of Stirling)Researchers also observed a shift toward anaerobic respiration – where cells can generate energy in the absence of oxygen – revealing a complete shift in the microbial metabolism within the plastisphere. The research shows that EHMC could hinder the development of useful aerobic bacteria that help break down plastic pollutants at an early stage, by favouring more stress-tolerant anaerobic biofilm-forming bacteria. Dr Matallana-Surget added: 'The UV-protective properties of EHMC, combined with its suppression of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, may indirectly protect plastics from photodegradation and biodegradation, further contributing to their persistence in marine environments. 'This impact, combined with the enrichment of potentially pathogenic bacteria, raises significant concerns for ecosystem stability and human health, particularly in coastal regions with high rates of tourism, and high levels of plastic pollution.' The paper, The Invisible Threats of Sunscreen as a Plastic Co-Pollutant: Impact of a Common Organic UV Filter on Biofilm Formation and Metabolic Function in the Nascent Marine Plastisphere, is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Dr Matallana-Surget led the research in collaboration with Dr Charlotte Lee – who undertook the core experimental work – and Dr Lauren Messer at the University of Stirling, alongside Professor Ruddy Wattiez at the University of Mons in Belgium. The project, which stemmed from Dr Matallana-Surget's initial concept of investigating the emerging double pollution issue, has built on 15 years of joint work between the teams in Stirling and Mons. Research was funded by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the National Research Foundation Singapore. It was further supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Walloon Region, Belgium. It builds on previous research published last year by Dr Matallana-Surget which uncovered the crucial roles of bacteria living on plastic debris. Dr Matallana-Surget has also published a study assessing the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on microscopic seawater bacteria that perform a significant role in ecosystem functioning.
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Doctor urges people to never use their electronic devices whilst on the toilet
People who use their electronic devices on the toilet risk their chance of getting diarrhea and stomach cramps. Fecal bacteria, such as E. coli, and Pseudomonas - which can trigger infections in the blood and lungs - can get onto the smart devices when they are in the bathroom. Even if people wash their hands with soap, the germs can travel back to a person's hands. Therefore, it is recommended that smartphones, tablets or other electronic devices are kept out of the bathroom, and regularly sanitised with alcohol wipes to prevent people from coming into contact with fecal bacteria. Doctor Primrose Freestone, a professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, told MailOnline: "The phone will at some point get contaminated, so periodically disinfecting your phone is a good idea. "My Nokia gets a disinfectant wipe over twice a week. "Toilet areas adjacent to toilets, because of the toilet spray trajectory, are pretty contaminated. "It does not matter where you go, there will be faecal bacteria on lots of [bathroom] surfaces. "So soaps and taps, toilet and wash basin surfaces, door handles, bath mats – the list is long." Dr. Freestone also said to avoid putting electronic devices on the floor around the toilet because it would - if not disinfected frequently - have traces of faeces." The expert said: "The floor around the toilet will – if not disinfected regularly – have traces of faeces with lots of gut bacteria, which will stay alive for hours and days. "So I would not put your phone on the floor next to the toilet as it is likely to pick up the faeces and the bacteria associated with the waste product."
