Medical Bulletin 27/August/2025

Published On 2025-08-27 09:30 GMT   |   Update On 2025-08-27 11:06 GMT
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Here are the top medical news for the day:
Common Painkillers Like Ibuprofen, Paracetamol May Accelerate Antibiotic Resistance: Study

New research published in npj antimicrobials and resistance journals reveals that commonly used over-the-counter drugs-ibuprofen and paracetamol-may be silently fueling one of the world's most pressing health crises: antibiotic resistance. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of South Australia, is the first of its kind to show that these medications, widely used for pain and fever, not only contribute to antibiotic resistance individually but may also amplify it when used together.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat, with the World Health Organization warning of its significant impact on public health. The current study adds a new dimension to this challenge by demonstrating that non-antibiotic medications can influence bacterial behaviour and resistance patterns.

In their methodology, researchers assessed how Escherichia coli (E. coli)—a common bacterium responsible for gut and urinary tract infections—reacted when exposed to the broad-spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin alongside non-antibiotic medications such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. The results were alarming. The combination not only increased genetic mutations in E. coli but also made the bacteria highly resistant to ciprofloxacin and several other antibiotics across different classes.

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“When bacteria were exposed to ciprofloxacin alongside ibuprofen and paracetamol, they developed more genetic mutations than with the antibiotic alone, helping them grow faster and become highly resistant,” said Associate Professor Rietie Venter, lead researcher of the study. “Worryingly, the bacteria were not only resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, but increased resistance was also observed to multiple other antibiotics from different classes.”

The research also identified that both ibuprofen and paracetamol activated bacterial defence mechanisms, enabling them to expel antibiotics and reduce their effectiveness. The study evaluated nine commonly prescribed drugs in aged care settings, including tramadol, diclofenac, metformin, and pseudoephedrine, raising concerns about the role of polypharmacy in elderly populations.

Researchers have called for further studies into long-term medication regimes to better understand how everyday medicines may be contributing to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

Reference: Chen, H., Sapula, S.A., Turnidge, J. et al. The effect of commonly used non-antibiotic medications on antimicrobial resistance development in Escherichia coli. npj Antimicrob Resist 3, 73 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00144-w

Can Catching A Cold Help You Avoid COVID? New Research Say Yes

A new study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases has found that recent infection with the common cold—typically caused by rhinoviruses—may provide short-term protection against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

The research draws on data from the Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2 (HEROS) study, a large nationwide investigation that monitored over 4,100 individuals across 1,394 households between May 2020 and February 2021. The aim was to understand how common respiratory viruses interact with SARS-CoV-2, particularly in children.

Researchers discovered that participants—especially children—who had recently been infected with rhinovirus were significantly less likely to contract SARS-CoV-2 in the following weeks. This protective effect appears to be linked to the body’s natural antiviral response. Rhinoviruses trigger the release of interferons, a group of proteins that prime the immune system to fight off other viruses by acting as a first line of defense in the airways.

“Our findings suggest that the immune boost from a recent cold may give the body an early advantage in fighting SARS-CoV-2 before it has a chance to take hold,” said Max Seibold, PhD, senior author of the study and Director of the Regenerative Medicine and Genome Editing Program (REGEN) at National Jewish Health. “This may help explain why children, who tend to get more colds than adults, generally experience fewer and less severe COVID cases.”

The study involved thousands of self-collected nasal swabs, which were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, including rhinovirus. Researchers also assessed airway gene expression and found that children had higher baseline levels of interferon-related genes compared to adults, potentially giving them a stronger innate immune response.

The findings build on earlier HEROS study data showing children are six times less likely than adults to develop symptomatic COVID-19. The new results highlight how both age and recent viral exposures may contribute to this natural resilience.

Reference: Camille M Moore, Elizabeth A Secor, Jamie L Everman, Ana Fairbanks-Mahnke, Nathan Jackson, Elmar Pruesse, Katrina Diener, Andrew Morin, Samuel J Arbes, Leonard B Bacharier, Casper G Bendixsen, Agustin Calatroni, William D Dupont, Glenn T Furuta, Tebeb Gebretsadik, Rebecca S Gruchalla, Ruchi S Gupta, Gurjit K Khurana Hershey, Meyer Kattan, Andrew H Liu, Stephanie J Lussier, Liza Bronner Murrison, Mari Numata, George T O’Connor, Katherine Rivera-Spoljaric, Wanda Phipatanakul, Marc E Rothenberg, Christine M Seroogy, Edward M Zoratti, Sharon Castina, Daniel J Jackson, Carlos A Camargo, Christine C Johnson, Rachel Ethridge, Sima Ramratnam, Lia Stelzig, Stephen J Teach, Alkis G Togias, Patricia C Fulkerson, Tina V Hartert, Max A Seibold, on behalf of the HEROS study team, The Common Cold Is Associated With Protection From SARS-CoV-2 Infections, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2025;, jiaf374, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf374

Mediterranean Diet Combined With Lifestyle Changes May Lower Diabetes Risk By 31%

A Mediterranean-style diet, when paired with calorie restriction, moderate physical activity, and professional weight loss support, can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by 31%, according to a new study set to be published on August 25, 2025, in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The findings come from the PREDIMED-Plus clinical trial—the largest nutrition and lifestyle trial ever conducted in Europe—and were co-authored by researchers from 23 Spanish universities and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The study focused on understanding whether additional healthy lifestyle changes could amplify the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which is already associated with a lower risk of T2D due to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation

In the trial, 4,746 participants aged 55 to 75, all overweight or obese and diagnosed with metabolic syndrome but free from T2D at the start, were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group followed a calorie-restricted Mediterranean diet, cutting about 600 calories daily, engaged in regular moderate physical activity—including brisk walking and strength exercises—and received professional guidance on weight management. The control group adhered to the Mediterranean diet without any restrictions, exercise plans, or additional support.

After six years, the intervention group showed a 31% lower incidence of type 2 diabetes compared to the control group. They also achieved greater weight loss, averaging 3.3 kilograms versus 0.6 kilograms in the control group, and saw a larger reduction in waist circumference—3.6 centimeters compared to just 0.3 centimeters.

“We’re facing a global epidemic of diabetes,” said co-author Frank Hu, Chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard Chan School. “With the highest-level evidence, our study shows that modest, sustained changes in diet and lifestyle could prevent millions of cases of this disease worldwide.”

“In practical terms, adding calorie control and physical activity to the Mediterranean diet prevented around three out of every 100 people from developing diabetes—a clear, measurable benefit for public health,” added co-author Miguel Martínez-González of the University of Navarra.

The results highlight the potential of comprehensive lifestyle interventions in preventing chronic disease and underscore the importance of combining dietary approaches with behavioral support for long-term impact.

Reference: Miguel Ruiz-Canela, Dolores Corella, Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, et al. Comparison of an Energy-Reduced Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity Versus an Ad Libitum Mediterranean Diet in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Ann Intern Med. [Epub 26 August 2025]. doi:10.7326/ANNALS-25-00388

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