Staphylococcus

Chemical pollutants can change your skin bacteria and increase your eczema risk − new research explores how

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Research, Itch, Dicarboxylic acid, Temperature, Isocyanate, Polyurethane, Gene, Oil, Industrial Revolution, Growth, Atopic dermatitis, Paint, Environment, Risk, Genetics, Lipid, Inflammation, Revolution, Mouse, Child, Bacteria, Detergent, Life, Dermatitis, Staphylococcus aureus, Asthma, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus cohnii, Sensation, EPA, Skin, Plastic, Ceramide, Atmosphere, Lysine, Roseomonas, Staphylococcus, Pain, Air pollution, Wildfire, Vaccine

Also known as atopic dermatitis, this chronic skin disease affects about 1 in 5 children in the industrialized world.

Key Points: 
  • Also known as atopic dermatitis, this chronic skin disease affects about 1 in 5 children in the industrialized world.
  • Some studies have found rates of eczema in developing nations to be over thirtyfold lower compared with industrialized nations.
  • Scientists know that factors such as diets rich in processed foods as well as exposure to specific detergents and chemicals increase the risk of developing eczema.
  • Living near factories, major roadways or wildfires increase the risk of developing eczema.

There’s something in the air

  • Then we looked at databases from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to see which chemicals were most common in those areas.
  • Diisocyanates were first manufactured in the U.S. around 1970 for the production of spandex, nonlatex foam, paint and polyurethane.
  • The manufacture of xylene also increased around that time, alongside an increase in the production of polyester and other materials.
  • After 1975, when all new cars became outfitted with a new technology that converted exhaust gas to less toxic chemicals, isocyanate and xylene both became components of automobile exhaust.
  • How directly exposing mice to these toxins compares to the typical levels of exposure in people is still unclear.

Skin microbiome and pollution

  • Every person is coated with millions of microorganisms that live on the skin, collectively referred to as the skin microbiome.
  • You’ve probably seen moisturizers and other skin products containing ceramides, a group of lipids that play an important role in protecting the skin.
  • To see which toxins could prevent production of the beneficial lipids that prevent eczema, my team and I used skin bacteria as canaries in the coal mine.
  • Lysine helps protect the bacteria from the harms of the toxins but doesn’t provide the health benefits of ceramides.
  • Bacteria that help keep skin healthy could live on any fabric, but, just as with air pollution, the amount of beneficial lipids they made dropped to less than half the levels made when grown on fabrics like cotton.

Addressing pollution’s effects on skin

  • Detectors capable of sensing low levels of isocyanate or xylene could help track pollutants and predict eczema flare-ups across a community.
  • Better detectors can also help researchers identify air filtration systems that can scrub these chemicals from the environment.
  • In the meantime, improving your microbial balance may require avoiding products that limit the growth of healthy skin bacteria.
  • I believe that it may one day allow us to get back to a time when these diseases were uncommon.


Ian Myles receives funding from the Department of Intramural Research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He is the author of, and receives royalties for, the book GATTACA Has Fallen: How population genetics failed the populace. Although he is the co-discoverer of Roseomonas mucosa RSM2015 for eczema, he has donated the patent to the public and has no current conflict of interest for its sales.

Recce Pharmaceuticals Granted New Patent in Israel for RECCE® Anti-Infectives

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Escherichia coli, Central Bureau, Statistics, Burn, PCT, Shingles, Biotechnology, Growth, Disease, HIV, Klebsiella pneumoniae, COVID-19, Inhalation, HCMV, ASX, RCE, Recce, Viral, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Virus, EBV, SARS-CoV-2, Staphylococcus aureus, Gonorrhea, Cytomegalovirus, Ross River virus, Neisseria meningitidis, GDP, Urinary tract infection, Skin, Streptococcus pyogenes, Patent, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Simplex, Infection, USD, Administration, Biology, Ageing, Pharmaceutical industry

SYDNEY, Australia, April 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE, FSE: R9Q), the Company developing a new class of synthetic anti-infectives, today announced that the State of Israel Patent Office has formally granted Recce a new family four patent (patent number: 295116), “Process for Preparation of Biologically Active Copolymer Comprising an Acrolein Derivative and a Polyalkylene Glycol Oligomer,” with expiry in 2041.

Key Points: 
  • SYDNEY, Australia, April 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE, FSE: R9Q), the Company developing a new class of synthetic anti-infectives, today announced that the State of Israel Patent Office has formally granted Recce a new family four patent (patent number: 295116), “Process for Preparation of Biologically Active Copolymer Comprising an Acrolein Derivative and a Polyalkylene Glycol Oligomer,” with expiry in 2041.
  • “We are thrilled to have received this newly granted patent in Israel,” said James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Recce Pharmaceuticals.
  • Israel’s pharmaceuticals and biotechnology market has a reputation for high R&D spending and an impressive international reach, with world-class export numbers and a growing market value.
  • Other examples include influenza A, Ross River virus, and coronaviruses, including those responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Basilea announces US FDA approval of antibiotic ZEVTERA® (ceftobiprole medocaril) for three indications

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Disease, MSSA, MRSA, Development, TARGET, Associate, Partnership, CABP, New Drug Application, Patient, HHS, Mortality, NDA, Fungal infection, Staphylococcus aureus, Bronchopneumonia, Infection, Safety, SAB, ASPR, Staphylococcus, Ceftobiprole, Administration, FDA, ABSSSI, Pharmaceutical industry

David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer of Basilea, said: “We are excited with the US approval of ZEVTERA.

Key Points: 
  • David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer of Basilea, said: “We are excited with the US approval of ZEVTERA.
  • The positive decision by the FDA is a key milestone towards bringing ZEVTERA to patients in the US.
  • This approval is a landmark for ceftobiprole and reflects its broad clinical utility.
  • Through this partnership, Basilea has been awarded approximately USD 112 million, or approximately 75 percent of the costs related to the SAB and ABSSSI phase 3 studies, regulatory activities and non-clinical work.

Evaxion and Undisclosed Collaborator Announce Encouraging Results for EVX-B1 Vaccine Antigens Against Staphylococcus Aureus Infection

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
S. aureus, Risk, Patient, Tissue, Staphylococcus aureus, Infection, CDC, Staphylococcus, Animal, Antigen, Vaccine

In the animal studies, the EVX-B1 antigens significantly reduced disease burden.

Key Points: 
  • In the animal studies, the EVX-B1 antigens significantly reduced disease burden.
  • Birgitte Rønø, Chief Scientific Officer at Evaxion, expresses enthusiasm: “We are very thrilled about the encouraging data and believe that our EVX-B1 vaccine antigens hold the potential for efficacy in human trials – a milestone that previous vaccine attempts have failed to achieve.”
    There is no S. aureus vaccine available for human use.
  • Also, the presence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus is limiting available treatment options.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 120,000 bloodstream infections associated with S. aureus in the US annually.

BiomX Announces Entry into Merger Agreement with Adaptive Phage Therapeutics and Concurrent $50 Million Financing

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Conference call, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, DFO, Staphylococcus, Infection, Biotechnology, Cystic fibrosis, EST, NESS, Sale, Conference, Staphylococcus aureus, Amputation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Phage therapy, Patient, APT, OrbiMed, Pharmaceutical industry

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and NESS ZIONA, Israel, March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BiomX Inc. (NYSE American: PHGE) (together with its subsidiaries and/or associates, “BiomX”), a clinical-stage company advancing novel natural and engineered phage therapies that target specific pathogenic bacteria, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Adaptive Phage Therapeutics, Inc. (“APT”), a U.S.-based privately-held, clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of phage-based therapies to combat bacterial infections (the “Acquisition”). Immediately after the effective time of the Acquisition, and before giving effect to the concurrent private placement the former stockholders of BiomX will own approximately 55% and the former stockholders of APT will own approximately 45% of the consolidated entity of BiomX and APT. The Acquisition is expected to close within the next 30 days, subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions described in the definitive merger agreement. Concurrently with entering into the definitive merger agreement, BiomX entered into a definitive purchase agreement for the sale of shares of newly created non-voting convertible preferred stock (“Series X Preferred Stock”) and warrants to purchase shares of BiomX common stock in a private placement to certain institutional accredited investors led by affiliates of Deerfield Management Company and the AMR Action Fund, and additional investors including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, OrbiMed and Nantahala Capital. The private placement is expected to result in gross proceeds to BiomX of $50 million before deducting placement agent and other offering expenses. The proceeds from the private placement are expected to provide funding through the results from a planned Phase 2b trial that will evaluate BiomX’s lead product candidate, BX004, for the treatment of chronic pulmonary infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) in CF patients expected in the third quarter of 2025 and Phase 2 results from APT’s clinical-stage product candidate, now named BX211, for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections in DFO patients expected in the first quarter of 2025. The private placement is expected to close substantially concurrently with, and subject to the closing of, the Acquisition.

Key Points: 
  • Immediately after the effective time of the Acquisition, and before giving effect to the concurrent private placement the former stockholders of BiomX will own approximately 55% and the former stockholders of APT will own approximately 45% of the consolidated entity of BiomX and APT.
  • The Acquisition is expected to close within the next 30 days, subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions described in the definitive merger agreement.
  • The private placement is expected to result in gross proceeds to BiomX of $50 million before deducting placement agent and other offering expenses.
  • The private placement is expected to close substantially concurrently with, and subject to the closing of, the Acquisition.

Nigeria’s popular wara cheese has a short shelf life: we’ve found a way to keep it fresh for longer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Sorbic acid, Calotropis, Staphylococcus, Temperature, Wara, Whey, Codex, Growth, Sale, Staphylococcus aureus, Safety, Metabolism, Eating, Milk, Supermarket, Refrigeration, Overalls, Escherichia coli, Taste, Bacteria, Research, Physical examination, Ginger, Food preservation

The global market value of cheese was about US$83.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to exceed US$120 billion in 2028.

Key Points: 
  • The global market value of cheese was about US$83.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to exceed US$120 billion in 2028.
  • In Nigeria, the most popular cheese is wara, a soft product with a mild, sweet taste and milky flavour.
  • Wara also has a very short shelf life of about two or three days.
  • As Nigerian food scientists, we set out to find a way to preserve wara more effectively in its indigenous form.

Our research

  • In our experiment we preserved wara with chemical and natural preservatives: sorbic acid and ginger respectively.
  • We kept the wara in whey for three weeks.
  • Sorbic acid was added to different samples at a concentration of 0.05% and 0.1%, which is below its maximum permissible limit of 0.3% in cheese according to the international Codex Alimentarius standard.


5% ginger to portion A
2.5% ginger and 0.05% sorbic acid to portion B
0.1% sorbic acid to portion C
no preservatives in portion D.

  • The curd (the solid which separates from the liquid whey) was moulded into a cone shape.
  • Microorganisms are important in fermenting milk and most are beneficial, but could cause spoilage if their growth is not controlled.

The outcome

  • The use of 0.1% sorbic acid to preserve wara was the most effective in reducing bacterial and fungal count.
  • The addition of 2.5% ginger and 0.05% sorbic acid to wara reduced the microorganisms present and was much more effective than the addition of 5% ginger alone.
  • The physical examination of the stored wara showed that samples stored inside the refrigerator retained their fresh aroma throughout the period of storage.
  • Freshly made wara samples without preservatives had the highest score for taste, flavour, colour, texture and overall acceptability.
  • Adding 2.5% ginger and 0.05% sorbic acid reduced the sensory scores of wara compared to the 0.1% sorbic acid sample.


Malomo Adekunbi Adetola works for Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria. She receives funding from Carnegie and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

LimmaTech Biologics Adds Additional $3 Million in Series A Second Closing Bringing Total Raised to $40 Million

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Health, Infectious Diseases, Other Science, Research, Science, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Vertically transmitted infection, Infection, CHF, Staphylococcus aureus, Series, Gonorrhea, Staphylococcus, AXA, Pharmaceutical industry

LimmaTech Biologics today announced a second closing of its Series A financing, raising an additional USD 3 million from new investor Tenmile, bringing the total raised to USD 40 million (CHF 34,7 million).

Key Points: 
  • LimmaTech Biologics today announced a second closing of its Series A financing, raising an additional USD 3 million from new investor Tenmile, bringing the total raised to USD 40 million (CHF 34,7 million).
  • LimmaTech is committed to providing solutions against increasingly dangerous infections, with specific programs addressing Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea.
  • The new funding follows the initial Series A closing co-led by Adjuvant Capital, AXA IM Alts, and the Novo Holdings REPAIR Impact Fund.
  • Paul Wolfrom, Chief Financial Officer and Co-founder of LimmaTech added: “It is exciting to so rapidly complete this second close bringing an additional high-value investor into the syndicate.

Recce Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Phase I/II Trial Results of RECCE® 327 for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infections

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Diabetes, Obesity, Type, Patient, Diabetic neuropathy, Meta-analysis, Hypertension, Infection, Male, Foot, History, DFI, Dyslipidemia, Staphylococcus aureus, Recurrence, Amputation, Ulcer, Prevalence, Staphylococcus, Presser foot, Blood, Pharmaceutical industry

The patient was on systemic therapy and was required to stop treatment to meet the trial protocol of R327, requiring solely topical application.

Key Points: 
  • The patient was on systemic therapy and was required to stop treatment to meet the trial protocol of R327, requiring solely topical application.
  • On day 15 (midpoint), post-R327 treatment, the initial redness of the wound and swelling of the foot had minimized and reduced in size.
  • Due to patient comorbidities and the complexity of the wound, the patient was returned to systemic therapy, resulting in disqualification from the trial.
  • After three doses of R327 treatment (midpoint – day 7), the infection was significantly reduced, with the wound drying and rapidly improving.

Basilea provides portfolio status update

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 5, 2024
European Commission, Partnership, Yeast, ABSSSI, Fungus, FDA, Antifungal, PDUFA, DXR, WHO, European, Staphylococcus aureus, Genetically modified bacteria, NDA, Bronchopneumonia, SAB, Civil service commission, USD, Infection, Candida auris, Fungal infection, World Health Organization, Biofilm, Patient, Staphylococcus, CABP, Pharmaceutical industry

By year-end 2023, Cresemba was marketed in more than 70 countries, including the United States (US), most EU member states, China and Japan.

Key Points: 
  • By year-end 2023, Cresemba was marketed in more than 70 countries, including the United States (US), most EU member states, China and Japan.
  • In August, Basilea submitted a similar application for a pediatric label extension of Cresemba in the European Union and anticipates a decision by the European Commission around mid-2024.
  • Basilea expects to enter into a commercialization partnership agreement for ceftobiprole in the US prior to the FDA decision.
  • For fosmanogepix, Basilea anticipates to start a phase 3 study in invasive yeast infections mid-2024 and a phase 3 study in invasive mold infections, by year-end 2024.

Eden Park to Launch MobileShield222 at CES: Introducing Continuous Disinfection for Personal and Crowded Spaces

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Technology, Medical Devices, Infectious Diseases, Other Health, Biotechnology, Hardware, Health, Consumer Electronics, Science, Other Science, Atmosphere, MRSA, Immunodeficiency, Staphylococcus, Pet, Risk, RSV, Multimedia, Far, Respiratory syncytial virus, Virus, Disinfectant, Hepatitis, Yerger, Plant, SARS-CoV-2, FAR, Bacteria, Vaccine

Eden Park, an industry-leading manufacturer of Far UV-C technology, is excited to introduce MobileShield222, the most advanced mobile handheld continuous disinfection device available to consumers.

Key Points: 
  • Eden Park, an industry-leading manufacturer of Far UV-C technology, is excited to introduce MobileShield222, the most advanced mobile handheld continuous disinfection device available to consumers.
  • No matter where you use it, MobileShield222 provides continuous disinfection of air, surfaces, and personal devices to help halt the spread of harmful pathogens.
  • “Everyone has the right to indoor spaces free of pathogens and viruses,” said John Yerger, CEO of Eden Park.
  • Yerger continued, “Made in the USA, MobileShield222 has virtually limitless applications in enclosed and crowded spaces.