PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Scientists reveal steps leading to necrotizing fasciitis

Research opens way to possible new treatments for bacterial infections

2014-01-16
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Jerry Barach
jerryb@savion.huji.ac.il
972-258-82904
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Scientists reveal steps leading to necrotizing fasciitis Research opens way to possible new treatments for bacterial infections

How does Streptococcus pyogenes, or Group A streptococcus (GAS) — a bacterial pathogen that can colonize humans without causing symptoms or can lead to mild infections — also cause life-threatening diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis (commonly known as flesh-eating disease) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome?

This mystery has intrigued many researchers in the field. Now, researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Faculty of Medicine have discovered how this bacterium turns deadly. This opens the door to possible future treatments to curb this and other potentially fatal bacteria.

Annually, GAS infections lead to at 500,000 deaths worldwide and cause severe consequences to those infected. The flesh-eating disease, in particular, is an extremely vicious infection which progresses rapidly throughout the soft tissues of the body, often leaving doctors with little time to stop or delay its progress. The main treatments include administration of antibiotics and surgical removal of infected tissues. Yet despite prompt treatment, the bacteria disseminate and cause death in approximately 25% of patients.

In probing how GAS progresses, Prof. Emanuel Hanski of the Institute of Medical Research Israel Canada at the Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, together with Ph.D. student Moshe Baruch and an international research team, discovered a novel mechanism that influences GAS virulence at the early steps of the infection. The results of their study are published in the scientific journal Cell.

They found that when GAS adheres and infects the host's cells, it delivers into these cells two streptolysin toxins. These toxins impair the body's mechanism for quality control of protein synthesis. This in turn triggers a defensive stress response which, among other things, also increases the production of the amino acid asparagine. GAS senses the increased asparagine level and alters its gene expression profile — and its rate of proliferation, which can be deadly in the host.

The research team further discovered that asparaginase, a protein that digests asparagine and is a widely-used chemotherapeutic agent against leukemia, arrests GAS growth in human blood and in a mouse model of human bacterial infection. Asparginase has never before been used to treat GAS infections.

The findings of this study constitute a major advance of the concept that understanding the metabolic changes occurring between the pathogen and its host during infection can lead to development of new and more effective treatments against infectious diseases.

Yissum Research Development Company, the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University, registered a patent for the discovery and is seeking commercial partners to help develop effective therapies against invasive streptococcus infections.



INFORMATION:



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Increased mobility thanks to robotic rehab

2014-01-16
Increased mobility thanks to robotic rehab This news release is available in German. The survivors of a stroke often struggle with persistent loss of function of the central nervous system. Around the world strokes are one of the most frequent causes of paresis. Physiotherapy ...

Findings bolster fiber's role in colon health

2014-01-16
Findings bolster fiber's role in colon health Augusta, Ga. - Scientists have more reasons for you to eat fiber and not abuse antibiotics. They've shown that a receptor doctors already activate with mega-doses of niacin to protect patients' ...

Important discovery for the diagnosis of genetic diseases

2014-01-16
Important discovery for the diagnosis of genetic diseases IRCM researchers show the importance of the DNA architecture in controlling the activity of genes Montréal, January 16, 2014 – A study conducted by Marie Kmita's team at the ...

How vision captures sound now somewhat uncertain

2014-01-16
How vision captures sound now somewhat uncertain Duke study finds neurons can use 2 different strategies when responding to sound DURHAM, N.C. -- When listening to someone speak, we also rely on lip-reading and gestures to help us understand what the person is saying. To ...

Thousands of potentially harmful natural gas leaks found in Washington, DC

2014-01-16
Thousands of potentially harmful natural gas leaks found in Washington, DC High levels of natural gas are escaping from the aging pipes beneath the streets of the nation's capital, creating potentially harmful concentrations in some locations, a new study ...

Narcissism and leadership: Does it work to be a jerk?

2014-01-16
Narcissism and leadership: Does it work to be a jerk? University of NebResearch finds leaders benefit from a certain amount of vanity Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 16, 2014 -- Ask most workers if they've ever had a narcissist for a boss and you'll hear stories of leaders ...

Researchers target sea level rise to save years of archaeological evidence

2014-01-16
Researchers target sea level rise to save years of archaeological evidence TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Prehistoric shell mounds found on some of Florida's most pristine beaches are at risk of washing away as the sea level rises, wiping away thousands of years of ...

Research finds finds potential treatment for drug-resistant H7N9 influenza virus

2014-01-16
Research finds finds potential treatment for drug-resistant H7N9 influenza virus Project supported by the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The novel avian H7N9 influenza virus has caused more than 130 human infections ...

CCNY team models sudden thickening of complex fluids

2014-01-16
CCNY team models sudden thickening of complex fluids Levich Institute simulation of discontinuous shear thickening could lead to improved processing of materials in suspension Because many materials are handled in industrial applications as suspensions, engineers ...

Study: University rankings influence number and competitiveness of applicants

2014-01-16
Study: University rankings influence number and competitiveness of applicants WASHINGTON, D.C., January 16, 2014 - How universities fare on reputational quality-of-life and academic rankings – such as those published by the Princeton Review or U.S. ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Lizard genetics provide new perspective on evolution

Can a Stevia-derived sweetener improve hair loss treatment?

Method to assess the status of wild reindeer may help with conservation efforts

Do imported cut flowers spread livestock viruses?

Does prior incarceration contribute to poor health later in life?

Could slime mold microbes be a source of potent antimicrobials?

Record-breaking 2024 Amazon fires drive unprecedented carbon emissions and ecosystem degradation

Birds thrive despite pollution from ‘forever’ chemicals

Deadwood brings wild orchids to life

Changes in gut microbiota influence which patients get AIG-related neuroendocrine tumors

Medicaid expansion linked to improved long-term survival in cancer patients

Women with surgical menopause may exit workforce earlier, but hormone therapy could help

Trailblazing Young Scientists honored with $250,000 prizes at Blavatnik National Awards Gala

Revolutionary blood test for ME / Chronic Fatigue unveiled

Calorie labelling linked to 2% average reduction in energy content of menu items

Widely prescribed opioid painkiller tramadol not that effective for easing chronic pain

Exercise snacks may boost cardiorespiratory fitness of physically inactive adults

15,000 women a year with breast cancer could benefit from whole genome sequencing, say researchers

Study highlights risks of Caesarean births to future pregnancies

GLP-1 agonists pose emerging challenge for PET-CT imaging, study finds

Scripps Research scientists unlock new patterns of protein behavior in cell membranes

Panama Canal may face frequent extreme water lows in coming decades

Flash Joule heating lights up lithium extraction from ores

COMBINEDBrain and MUSC announce partnership to establish biorepository for pediatric cerebrospinal fluid and CNS tissue bank

Questionable lead reporting for drinking water virtually vanished after Flint water crisis, study reveals

Assessing overconfidence among national security officials

Bridging two frontiers: Mitochondria & microbiota, Targeting Extracellular Vesicles 2025 to explore game-changing pathways in medicine

New imaging tech promises to help doctors better diagnose and treat skin cancers

Once dominant, US agricultural exports falter amid trade disputes and rising competition

Biochar from invasive weed shields rice from toxic nanoplastics and heavy metals

[Press-News.org] Scientists reveal steps leading to necrotizing fasciitis
Research opens way to possible new treatments for bacterial infections