In the Press

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common and important pathogen in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). With the advent of modern genotyping, a number of clonal strains of P. aeruginosa have been identified, some of which are associated with increased morbidity. The route of cross-infection between people with CF is not clear, but there is evidence that an airborne route may be important. Laboratory studies have shown that P. aeruginosa can survive within droplet nuclei and can potentially remain suspended within aerosols for prolonged periods

Since the WHO Disease Outbreak News on Acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology – the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was published on 15 April 2022, there have been continuing further reports of cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin among young children. It is not yet clear if there has been an increase in hepatitis cases, or an increase in awareness of hepatitis cases that occur at the expected rate but go undetected. While adenovirus is a possible hypothesis, investigations are ongoing for the causative ag

Another airborne pathogen.

Mammals can't typically regenerate organs as efficiently as other vertebrates, such as fish and lizards. Now, Salk scientists have found a way to partially reset liver cells to more youthful states—allowing them to heal damaged tissue at a faster rate than previously observed. The results, published in Cell Reports on April 26, 2022, reveal that the use of reprogramming molecules can improve cell growth, leading to better liver tissue regeneration in mice.

Study links drug-resistant infections circulating in hospital patients to bacteria from Danish pigs

Person-to-person transmission of respiratory pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a challenge facing many cystic fibrosis (CF) centres. Viable P aeruginosa are contained in aerosols produced during coughing, raising the possibility of airborne transmission.

In studies of the oral flora associated with respiratory infection induced by exposure to bacterial aerosols, the source of the bacterial agene recovered from oral sample would be expected to change with the passage of time as influenced by the host’s reaction.  Immediately following aspiration of a bacterial aerosol cells mechanically trapped on the mucous surfaces above the pharynx are normally transported to the pharyngeal region and then swallowed, as describe by Bloofield and Arnold e al. 

Significant reductions in cigarette use were found among U.S. adults with major depression, substance use disorder, or both from 2006 to 2019, according to a new analysis of nationally representative survey data published today in JAMA. The study was conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These findings suggest that groups at higher risk of cigarette smoking can be reached by, and may have benefitted from, tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts that have led to significant declines in tobacco use in the general population. At the same time, the findings highlight remaining disparities, documenting higher smoking rates in people with psychiatric disorders than in those without.

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Apr 23 declared an Ebola outbreak after the virus was confirmed in a man who died from his infection at an Ebola treatment center in Equateur province, marking the region's third outbreak since 2018.

Three new observational studies from Scotland, Denmark, and the United States detail reduced hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits for Omicron COVID-19 infections relative to those caused by the Delta variant, as well as strong but waning third-dose vaccine effectiveness over time against Omicron.