Anne

Inhaled bacteriophage therapy shows promise in cystic fibrosis patients

In a small study, CF patients treated with the therapy saw a reduction in multidrug-resistant lung bacteria and improved lung function.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...

Apparently Gweneth Paltrow is back to touting raw milk.

Here are some common infectious diseases you can get from raw milk: Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, tuberculosis, brucellosis, and avian flu. Among others.

Trump administration yanks CDC flu vaccine campaign As flu rages, the Trump administration has pulled the plug on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu immunization campaign that targeted high-risk groups, including pregnant women.

Looks like they came for the flu vaccine first. No words for any of this. #IDSky

Graphic provided by NFID that says: 3 MEASLES AND VITAMIN A Measles is making a comeback around the world Every year, measles is brought into the US by unvaccinated travelers who get infected by the virus while in other countries. Anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk of getting measles. Misinformation continues to circulate about the role that vitamins, specifically vitamin A, plays in managing the disease. 1. Vitamins do NOT prevent measles Only the measles vaccine can prevent measles-All children should get 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine to prevent measles Vitamins should NOT be used to prevent measles 2. Giving high doses of vitamins may be dangerous Routinely getting an overload of vitamins can actually hurt you-For example, too much vitamin A can cause dizziness, nausea, headache, coma, and even death K Due to the danger of overdoses, high-dose vitamin A should only be used in the management of measles under the direct supervision of a healthcare professional once a diagnosis is confirmed 3. The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination Stay up-to-date with all recommended vaccines, including MMR Stay healthy by exercising and eating a balanced diet. The best sources of vitamin A include: milk, eggs, cheese, fortified breakfast cereals, leafy green vegetables, orange vegetables, and fish. #GetVaccinated to #PreventMeasles LEARN MORE AT www.nfid.org/measles

Measles guidance provided by RFK Jr. includes information about administering vitamin A to measles patients, so I wanted to share this helpful graphic from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Vitamin A alone does not prevent measles. Vaccination does. @nfidvaccines.bsky.social

Many thanks to my friends at our sister colleges for their support as my students and I learn to phage hunt. Thanks also to followers who provided advice. We are slowly improving.

😆

Looking at these again I agree this is contamination. I’ll go over importance of aseptic technique again. We are filter sterilizing.

This is a Spot Test for phages following an enrichment procedure. The “spots” at CH are confusing me. Seeking opinions from other phage hunters. (I’m still new at this.)

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I had that thought this morning, too.

In 3 days, the number of measles cases in a highly unvaccinated area of Texas has doubled. There are now 48 cases, all of whom are unvaccinated, and 13 of whom have been hospitalized so far, for a hospitalization rate of 27%. This is huge figure in epidemiology. This outbreak will keep spreading.

PYCA agar plate showing lawn of Arthrobacter globiformis and phage plaques.

What I’m hoping at least a few of my students find next week on this week’s plates. The tan color is Arthrobacter globiformis. The dark circles are areas of lysing caused by bacteriophages. This photo is from a training workshop I attended last summer.

I remember when I was in HS I’d watch Dr. Who reruns late on Saturday nights (mostly Tom Baker) and Space: 1999 would follow. I had a little B/W TV until I asked for a small color one Sr year.

Cloudy top agar

Top agar should not have its components precipitating out of solution!

I learned the same day that HHMI sent out an email that an ingredient that we use in our growth. Media causes calcium chloride to precipitate. And not only looks bad but the agar won’t set up properly.

And now we’re stopped again.

😂

Yay! More Expanse to read!

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Kevin has gotten into learning how to play the recorder. He takes lessons and bought both an alto and bass recorder.

I’m fumbling through how to post. My kids would be rolling their eyes. Have to agree with you. Not there yet.

@kinetictom.bsky.social

My students can finally move forward with hunting for viruses in our local soils. Grant payment delays on both my projects are infuriating me, but now we’re moving!