Editorial Treatment of bacterial infections This issue of the journal has again a theme-that of diagnosis and treatment of infection in its various guises. It is not that long since a simple cut or abrasion could result in overwhelming septicaemia and death due to lack of suitable treatment by antibiotics – which today we all take for granted. Hedley-Whyte and Milamed nicely illustrate the prog...

Despite well-studied bacterial strategies to target actin to subvert the host cell cytoskeleton, thus promoting bacterial survival, replication, and dissemination, relatively little is known about the bacterial interaction with other components of the host cell cytoskeleton, including intermediate filaments (IFs). IFs have not only roles in maintaining the structural integrity of the cell, but ...

Epigenetic mechanisms regulate expression of the genome to generate various cell types during development or orchestrate cellular responses to external stimuli. Recent studies highlight that bacteria can affect the chromatin structure and transcriptional program of host cells by influencing diverse epigenetic factors (i.e., histone modifications, DNA methylation, chromatin-associated complexes,...

Patients with cirrhosis are highly susceptible for bacterial infections and their severe courses. Infections occur more often in advanced stage of liver disease, impair hepatic function, trigger the onset of complications, and are significant factors of mortality as well. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage confers a higher risk for infections and infections play important role in provoking of variceal...

Bacterial infections occur when the natural host defenses are overwhelmed by invading bacteria. The main component of the host defense is impaired when neutrophil count or function is too low, putting the host at great risk of developing an acute infection. In people with intact immune systems, neutrophil count increases during bacterial infection. However, there are two important clinical case...

The bacterial gastrointestinal infections cholera, salmonellosis, shigellosis, campylobacteriosis, and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli are prevalent in tropical regions. These diseases impose an immense cost and contribute significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality. Management is hampered by limited access to diagnostic facilities and by antimicrobial drug resistance. Rapid point-of-care...