A noval approach to monitoring pathogen progression during uterine and placental infection in the mare using biophotonic imaging technology and lux modified bacteria

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Uterine and placental infections are the leading cause of abortion, stillbirth, and preterm delivery in the mare. Whereas uterine and placental infections in women have been studied extensively, a comprehensive examination of the pathogenic processes leading to this unsatisfactory pregnancy outcome ...

Does cervical ureaplasma/mycoplasma colonization increase the lower uterine segment bleeding risk during cesarean section among patients with placenta previa? A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Aydogan, P; Kahyaoglu, S; Saygan, S; Kaymak, O; Mollamahmutoglu, L; Danisman, N

2014-08-01

The underlying inflammation of endometrium may impede normal implantation of placenta during pregnancy. Our objective is to show cervical colonization of ureaplasma and/or mycoplasma as a marker of endometritis in pregnancies complicated with placenta previa that can be a risk factor for placenta accreta and peripartum hemorrhage. Cervical cultures for ureaplasma urealyticum and mycoplasma genitalium have been taken from the endocervical region of the cervix of the patients. Subsequent uterine lower segment bleeding suggesting placenta implantation defects have been evaluated during cesarean section. Of 25 patients: ten (40%) had negative cervical cultures for cervical mycoplasma and/or ureaplasma, 9 (36%) were found to be culture positive for cervical ureaplasma, 1 (4%) was found to be culture positive for cervical mycoplasma. Half of the 10 patients with positive cervical cultures for ureaplasma or mycoplasma and 6 of (40%) 15 patients with negative results had experienced lower uterine segment bleeding during cesarean section. Bacterial colonization of cervix in particular with ureaplasma and/or mycoplasma is found to be strongly associated with placenta previa. Before a planned pregnancy, treatment of this infection with appropriate antibiotics is necessary to prevent underlying uterine endometritis that increases the risk for abnormal implantation of placenta.

Uterine and systemic inflammation influences ovarian follicular function in postpartum dairy cows

PubMed Central

Sá Filho, Ocilon G.; Absalon-Medina, Victor A.; Schneider, Augusto; Butler, W. R.; Gilbert, Robert O.

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of uterine and systemic inflammatory responses to uterine bacterial contamination at calving in dairy cows on the growth and ovulatory outcomes of the first dominant follicle postpartum. Ovulatory capability of the first dominant follicle postpartum was predicted in 53 multiparous cows by using a combination of follicle growth characteristics and circulating estradiol concentrations. Endotoxin levels were assayed in follicular fluid samples that were aspirated the day after ovulatory outcome prediction. Plasma levels of haptoglobin, a proinflammatory acute phase protein, and paraoxonase, a negative acute phase protein were determined. Uterine bacteria and inflammation were evaluated in three uterine fluid samples from each cow collected on the day of calving, the day after follicle aspiration, and at 35 days postpartum. Cows that had a strong initial uterine inflammatory response (robust recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of ≥ 35% and cows with uterine pH < 8.5 on the day of calving) were more likely to have an ovulatory first dominant follicle. Follicular fluid endotoxin levels were higher in non-ovulatory cows compared with ovulatory cows. Endotoxin levels in circulation were not different between ovulatory groups but were higher prepartum than on day 7 and 14 postpartum. Systemic inflammation characterized by elevated haptoglobin concentrations was higher in non-ovulatory cows despite similar bacterial contamination and circulating endotoxin levels. Paraoxonase activity in follicular fluid was significantly associated with the paraoxonase activity in plasma, however, plasma paraoxonase concentrations were not different between non-ovulatory and ovulatory cows. Cows with a higher uterine bacterial load on the day of calving had slower ovarian follicle growth. In summary, a robust uterine inflammatory response on the day of calving was positively associated with ovarian function while elevated systemic inflammation during the early postpartum period was negatively associated with the ovulatory status of the first dominant follicle postpartum. PMID:28542500

Association between high risk papillomavirus DNA and nitric oxide release in the human uterine cervix.

PubMed

Rahkola, Paivi; Mikkola, Tomi S; Ylikorkala, Olavi; Vaisanen-Tommiska, Mervi

2009-08-01

Local cervical factors may determine the outcome of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Nitric oxide (NO) may be one such factor, since it is produced by uterine cervical cells and it takes part in both immunological and carcinogenic reactions. We studied the association between the presence of cervical high risk (hr) HPV DNA and NO in the cervical canal in women. High risk HPV DNA status was assessed from 328 women by using a specific DNA test and the release of cervical NO was assessed as nitrate/nitrite in cervical fluid. Cervical NO was then compared between women showing different status of hr HPV DNA and different cytological and histological findings. High risk HPV DNA was present in 175/328 (53%) women. The cervical NO release in women with hr HPV DNA was 90% higher compared to hr HPV DNA negative women (p<0.001) (median 45.2 micromol/L; 95% CI 35.2-53.1 vs. 23.8 micromol/L; 95% CI 21.0-26.1). This elevation was not affected by parity, use of oral contraception, intrauterine devices, or signs of bacterial vaginosis or candida infection. Cytologically healthy epithelium and epithelium with mild cytological or histological changes showed elevated NO release if hr HPV DNA was present. The presence of hr HPV DNA is associated with an increased release of NO in the human uterine cervix. The clinical significance of this phenomenon remains open.

Test and cull of high risk Coxiella burnetii infected pregnant dairy goats is not feasible due to poor test performance.

PubMed

Hogerwerf, Lenny; Koop, Gerrit; Klinkenberg, Don; Roest, Hendrik I J; Vellema, Piet; Nielen, Mirjam

2014-05-01

A major human Q fever epidemic occurred in The Netherlands during 2007-2009. In response, all pregnant goats from infected herds were culled before the 2010 kidding season without individual testing. The aim of this study was to assess whether high risk animals from recently infected naive herds can be identified by diagnostic testing. Samples of uterine fluid, milk and vaginal mucus from 203 euthanized pregnant goats were tested by PCR or ELISA. The results suggest that testing followed by culling of only the high risk animals is not a feasible method for protecting public health, mainly due to the low specificity of the tests and variability between herds. The risk of massive bacterial shedding during abortion or parturition can only be prevented by removal of all pregnant animals from naive recently infected herds. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A non-surgical uterine lavage technique in large cats intended for treatment of uterine infection-induced infertility.

PubMed

Hildebrandt, T B; Göritz, F; Boardman, W; Strike, T; Strauss, G; Jewgenow, K

2006-10-01

This paper presents the successful use of a non-surgical, transcervical uterine lavage technique for the treatment of uterine infection-induced infertility in three female large cats. We developed a non-surgical uterine lavage technique, which allowed repeated flushing of the uterine lumen and installation of therapeutic antibiotics. The entire procedure was performed under general anaesthesia (duration of anesthesia ranged from 40 to 70 min). It was successfully applied in a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), a Corbett tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) and an Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis). The tigers were treated only once, whereas the leopard received four uterine treatments, due to re-infection after mating. Decisions to conduct uterine treatments were based on detection of uterine fluid during previous transrectal ultrasound examinations. The catheter was guided into the vagina, with the aid of an endoscope, passing the urethra, and then into the uterus, with the aid of transrectal ultrasonography. Both uterine horns were separately flushed with approximately 300 mL of cell medium M199, followed by an antibiotic infusion. Upon ultrasonographic re-examination, the topical uterine treatments resulted in an apparent decline in the inflammatory and/or degenerative processes. The Corbett tiger had the most severe uterine alterations, in addition to an aseptic pyometra. As a result, she was treated 1 month prior to ovariohysterectomy (in order to reduce the surgical risk). The Sumatran tiger was artificially inseminated twice after hormone-induced estrus, and the Amur leopard expressed a spontaneous estrus and re-initiated mating behaviour.

Vaginal and uterine bacterial communities in postpartum lactating cows

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The vaginal and uterine microbiome of cattle could provide important indicators of fertility pregnancy success; however, only recently has next-generation sequencing made it possible to deeply interrogate these microbial communities. The objective of this study was to determine the bacteriome of the...

Update on new medicinal applications of gentamicin: evidence-based review.

PubMed

Chen, Changhua; Chen, Yumin; Wu, Pinpin; Chen, Baoyuan

2014-02-01

Gentamicin (GM) was discovered in 1963 and was introduced into parenteral usage in 1971. Since then, GM has been widely used in medicinal applications. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States approved the routine prescription of GM to treat the following infectious disorders: infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae spp., Pseudomonas spp.; Staphylococcus infectious disease; bacterial meningitis; bacterial sepsis of newborns; bacterial septicemia; infection of the eye, bone, skin and/or subcutaneous tissue; infective endocarditis; peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis due to Pseudomonas and other gram-negative organisms; peritonitis due to gastrointestinal tract infections; respiratory tract infections; and urinary tract infectious disease. GM is an old antibiotic and is used widely beyond its FDA-labeled indications as follows: actinomycotic infection; Staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteremia with pyelonephritis; appendicitis; cystic fibrosis; diverticulitis; adjunct regimen for febrile neutropenia; female genital infection; uterine infection; postnatal infection; necrotizing enterocolitis in fetus or newborn; osteomyelitis; pelvic inflammatory disease; plague; gonorrhea; tularemia; prophylaxis of post-cholecystectomy infection, transrectal prostate biopsy, and post-tympanostomy-related infection; malignant otitis externa; and intratympanically or transtympanically for Ménière's disease. GM is also used in combination regimens, such as with beta-lactam antibiotics to treat mixed infection and with bacteriophage to treat Staphylococcus aureus infections. It is also added to medical materials, such as GM-loaded cement spacers for osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint-associated infections. Overall, there are many medicinal applications for GM. To reduce the development of GM-resistant bacteria and to maintain its effectiveness, GM should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected as being caused by susceptible bacteria. In the future, we believe that GM will be used more widely in combination therapy and applied to medical materials for clinical applications. A definitive, appropriately powered study of this antibiotic and its clinical applications is now required, especially in terms of its effectiveness, safety, and cost. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Influence of energy balance on the antimicrobial peptides S100A8 and S100A9 in the endometrium of the post-partum dairy cow.

PubMed

Swangchan-Uthai, Theerawat; Chen, Qiusheng; Kirton, Sally E; Fenwick, Mark A; Cheng, Zhangrui; Patton, Joe; Fouladi-Nashta, Ali A; Wathes, D Claire

2013-05-01

Uterine inflammation occurs after calving in association with extensive endometrial remodelling and bacterial contamination. If the inflammation persists, it leads to reduced fertility. Chronic endometritis is highly prevalent in high-yielding cows that experience negative energy balance (NEB) in early lactation. This study investigated the effect of NEB on the antimicrobial peptides S100A8 and S100A9 in involuting uteri collected 2 weeks post partum. Holstein-Friesian cows (six per treatment) were randomly allocated to two interventions designed to produce mild or severe NEB (MNEB and SNEB) status. Endometrial samples were examined histologically, and the presence of neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and natural killer cells was confirmed using haematoxylin and eosin and immunostaining. SNEB cows had greater signs of uterine inflammation. Samples of previously gravid uterine horn were used to localise S100A8 and S100A9 by immunohistochemistry. Both S100 proteins were present in bovine endometrium with strong staining in epithelial and stromal cells and in infiltrated leucocytes. Immunostaining was significantly higher in SNEB cows along with increased numbers of segmented neutrophils. These results suggest that the metabolic changes of a post-partum cow suffering from NEB delay uterine involution and promote a chronic state of inflammation. We show that upregulation of S100A8 and S100A9 is clearly a key component of the early endometrial response to uterine infection. Further studies are warranted to link the extent of this response after calving to the likelihood of cows developing endometritis and to their subsequent fertility.

Influence of energy balance on the antimicrobial peptides S100A8 and S100A9 in the endometrium of the post-partum dairy cow

PubMed Central

Swangchan-Uthai, Theerawat; Chen, Qiusheng; Kirton, Sally E; Fenwick, Mark A; Cheng, Zhangrui; Patton, Joe; Fouladi-Nashta, Ali A; Wathes, D Claire

2013-01-01

Uterine inflammation occurs after calving in association with extensive endometrial remodelling and bacterial contamination. If the inflammation persists, it leads to reduced fertility. Chronic endometritis is highly prevalent in high-yielding cows that experience negative energy balance (NEB) in early lactation. This study investigated the effect of NEB on the antimicrobial peptides S100A8 and S100A9 in involuting uteri collected 2 weeks post partum. Holstein-Friesian cows (six per treatment) were randomly allocated to two interventions designed to produce mild or severe NEB (MNEB and SNEB) status. Endometrial samples were examined histologically, and the presence of neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and natural killer cells was confirmed using haematoxylin and eosin and immunostaining. SNEB cows had greater signs of uterine inflammation. Samples of previously gravid uterine horn were used to localise S100A8 and S100A9 by immunohistochemistry. Both S100 proteins were present in bovine endometrium with strong staining in epithelial and stromal cells and in infiltrated leucocytes. Immunostaining was significantly higher in SNEB cows along with increased numbers of segmented neutrophils. These results suggest that the metabolic changes of a post-partum cow suffering from NEB delay uterine involution and promote a chronic state of inflammation. We show that upregulation of S100A8 and S100A9 is clearly a key component of the early endometrial response to uterine infection. Further studies are warranted to link the extent of this response after calving to the likelihood of cows developing endometritis and to their subsequent fertility. PMID:23533291

Peptidoglycan inhibits progesterone and androstenedione production in bovine ovarian theca cells.

PubMed

Magata, F; Horiuchi, M; Miyamoto, A; Shimizu, T

2014-08-01

Uterine bacterial infection perturbs uterine and ovarian functions in postpartum dairy cows. Peptidoglycan (PGN) produced by gram-positive bacteria has been shown to disrupt the ovarian function in ewes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of PGN on steroid production in bovine theca cells at different stages of follicular development. Bovine theca cells isolated from pre- and post-selection ovarian follicles (<8.5mm and >8.5mm in diameter, respectively) were cultured in vitro and challenged with PGN. Steroid production was evaluated by measuring progesterone (P4) and androstenedione (A4) concentration in culture media after 48 h or 96 h of culture. Bovine theca cells expressed PGN receptors including Toll-like receptor 2 and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 and 2. Treatment with PGN (1, 10, or 50 μg/ml) led to a decrease in P4 and A4 production by theca cells in both pre- and post-selection follicles. The mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes were decreased by PGN treatment. Moreover, A4 production was further suppressed when theca cells of post-selection follicles were simultaneously treated by PGN and lipopolysaccharide (0.1, 1, or 10 μg/ml). These findings indicate that bacterial toxins may act locally on ovarian steroidogenic cells and compromise follicular development in postpartum dairy cows. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Management of preterm labor].

PubMed

Kayem, G; Lorthe, E; Doret, M

2016-12-01

To define the management of preterm labor (MAP). The literature search was conducted using computer databases Medline and the Cochrane Library for a period from 1969 to March 2016. Leukocytosis screening may be useful in case of hospitalization for Preterm labor (PTL). Its use is not routine (professional consensus). Screening for urinary tract infection by urine culture should be systematic and antibiotic treatment should be performed in cases of bacterial colonization or urinary tract infection for a period of 7 days (grade A). The vaginal swab is useful to detect a strep B and was prescribed antibiotics during labor if positive (grade A). Routine antibiotic therapy is not recommended in case of PTL (grade A). Prolonged hospitalization does not reduce the risk of preterm delivery (NP3) and is not recommended (grade B). Bed rest does not reduce the risk of PTL (NP3), increases the risk of thromboembolism (NP3), and is not recommended (grade C). After hospitalization for PTL, a regular visit by a caregiver at home may be helpful when patients belong to a precarious environment or are psychologically vulnerable (Professional consensus). The benefit of monitoring home uterine activity repeated in the aftermath of hospitalization for PTL is not shown (NP3). It is not recommended to follow-up uterine activity systematically after hospitalization for PTL (grade C). The management of PTL should be individualized, include searching and treatment of infection and avoid prolonged hospitalization or bed rest. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Dynamics of postpartum endometrial cytology and bacteriology and their relationship to fertility in dairy cows.

PubMed

Gilbert, Robert O; Santos, Natalia R

2016-05-01

Endometrial samples were obtained from 56 consecutively calving dairy cows examined for endometrial cytology and for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial growth. Changes over time, correlations between different cell types and between cell and bacterial populations and with fertility measures were calculated. The proportion of neutrophils in cytologic preparations decreased with time postpartum. Other cell types did not change significantly with time. The proportion of neutrophils early (Day 0 and 7) postpartum was negatively correlated with neutrophil proportion at 5 or 7 weeks postpartum and positively correlated with fertility. Cows with high proportion of neutrophils at 7 days postpartum (>40%) were significantly more likely to become pregnant than those with lower proportions of neutrophils. Escherichia coli were the bacteria most frequently isolated at 0 or 7 days postpartum but were uncommon after that. Trueperella pyogenes were most prevalent at 3 weeks postpartum and were more likely to infect cows that had previously been infected with E coli. The presence of T pyogenes at 3 weeks postpartum increased the risk of concomitant or later infection with gram-negative anaerobes. The presence of T pyogenes at 3 weeks postpartum significantly reduced the risk of pregnancy at 150 days in milk. The presence of alpha-hemolytic Streptoccus spp. at 7 days postpartum was associated with improved reproductive performance. The proportion of neutrophils at 5 and 7 weeks postpartum was related to concomitant bacterial infection. These findings suggest that rapid mobilization of neutrophils to the postpartum uterus is a beneficial response for uterine health in dairy cows. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and subcutaneous cefovecin in alpacas.

PubMed

Cox, S; Sommardahl, C; Seddighi, R; Videla, R; Hayes, J; Pistole, N; Hamill, M; Doherty, T

2015-08-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of cefovecin after intravenous and subcutaneous dose of 8 mg/kg to alpacas. Bacterial infections requiring long-term antibiotic therapy such as neonatal bacteremia, pneumonia, peritonitis, dental, and uterine infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this species. However, few antimicrobials have been evaluated and proven to have favorable pharmacokinetics for therapeutic use. Most antimicrobials that are currently used require daily injections for many days. Cefovecin is a long-acting cephalosporin that is formulated for subcutaneous administration, and its long-elimination half-life allows for 14-day dosing intervals in dogs and cats. The properties of cefovecin may be advantageous for medical treatment of camelids due to its broad spectrum, route of administration, and long duration of activity. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of antimicrobial drugs in camelids is essential for the proper treatment and prevention of bacterial disease, and to minimize development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains due to inadequate antibiotic concentrations. Cefovecin mean half-life, volume of distribution at steady-state, and clearance after intravenous administration were 10.3 h, 86 mL/kg, and 7.07 mL·h/kg. The bioavailability was 143%, while half-life, C(max), and T(max) were 16.9 h, 108 μg/mL, and 2.8 h following subcutaneous administration. In the absence of additional microbial susceptibility data for alpaca pathogens, the current cefovecin dosage regimen prescribed for dogs (8 mg/kg SC every 14 days) may need to be optimized for the treatment of infections in this species. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A study on some reproductive disorders in dromedary camel herds in Saudi Arabia with special references to uterine infections and abortion.

PubMed

Khalafalla, Abdelmalik I; Al Eknah, Marzook M; Abdelaziz, Mahmoud; Ghoneim, Ibrahim M

2017-06-01

Dromedary camels complaining from conception failure or abortion were investigated and their herders interviewed in Al Ahsa province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during 2013 and 2015. The most important reproductive disorder according to the responders is uterine infection (60.2%) followed by obesity (22.3%) then physiological conditions (hormonal disturbances; 7.8%), adhesions (3.9%) and repeat breeders (2.9%). Of the camel herders, 78.6% reported previous occurrence of abortion in their herds and 46% reported abortion cases in the last season (2015/2016), while 21.4% reported no history of abortion. Most of the responders (97.1%) do not call a veterinarian for cases of abortion in their herds and 53.4% do not discard aborted materials. The majority of the herders (76.7%) deny that handling aborted materials or touching vaginal fluids can result in human infection, or replied they do not know. Uterine swab samples were collected and tested by PCR for seven potential pathogens and sera tested for antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and Brucella. Five pathogens were identified in infected uterine samples, namely Coxiella burnetii (36%), Campylobacter spp. (27%), Brucella spp. (17%), Salmonella spp. (13%), and Chlamydia spp. (7%). Sero-prevalence of Brucella and BVDV was 8.2 and 29.1% in overall sera, respectively, and varies with regard to the region. The findings of the present study demonstrate that reproductive disorders dominated by uterine infections and abortions are widespread in dromedary camels in KSA.

Intra-uterine microbial colonization and occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis†.

PubMed

Khan, Khaleque Newaz; Fujishita, Akira; Kitajima, Michio; Hiraki, Koichi; Nakashima, Masahiro; Masuzaki, Hideaki

2014-11-01

Is there any risk of intra-uterine bacterial colonization and concurrent occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis? An increase in intra-uterine microbial colonization and concurrent endometritis occurred in women with endometriosis that was further increased after GnRH agonist (GnRHa) treatment. Higher bacterial contamination of menstrual blood and increased endotoxin level in menstrual and peritoneal fluids have been found in women with endometriosis than in control women. However, information on intra-uterine microbial colonization across the phases of the menstrual cycle and possible occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis is still lacking. This is a case-controlled study with prospective collection of vaginal smears/endometrial samples from women with and without endometriosis and retrospective evaluation. Vaginal smears and endometrial smears were collected from 73 women with endometriosis and 55 control women. Twenty of the women with endometriosis and 19 controls had received GnRHa therapy for a period of 4-6 months. Vaginal pH was measured by intra-vaginal insertion of a pH paper strip. The bacterial vaginosis (BV) score was analyzed by Gram-staining of vaginal smears and based on a modified Nugent-BV scoring system. A panel of bacteria was analyzed by culture of endometrial samples from women treated with GnRHa or not treated. Immunohistochemcial analysis was performed using antibody against Syndecan-1 (CD138) and myeloperoxidase in endometrial biopsy specimens from women with and without endometriosis. A significant shifting of intra-vaginal pH to ≥4.5 was observed in women with endometriosis compared with control women (79.3 versus 58.4%, P < 0.03). Compared with untreated women, use of GnRHa therapy also shifted vaginal pH to ≥4.5 in both control women (P = 0.004) and in women with endometriosis (P = 0.03). A higher risk of increasing intermediate flora (total score, 4-6) (P = 0.05) was observed in women with endometriosis who had GnRHa treatment versus untreated women. The number of colony forming units (CFU/ml) of Gardnerella, α-Streptococcus, Enterococci and Escherichia coli was significantly higher in endometrial samples from women with endometriosis than control women (P < 0.05 for each bacteria). GnRHa-treated women also showed significantly higher colony formation for some of these bacteria in endometrial samples than in untreated women (Gardnerella and E. coli for controls; Gardnerella, Enterococci and E. coli for women with endometriosis, P < 0.05 for all). Although there was no significant difference in the occurrence of acute endometritis between women with and without endometriosis, both GnRHa-treated controls and women with endometriosis had a significantly higher occurrence of acute endometritis (P = 0.003 for controls, P = 0.001 for endometriosis versus untreated women). Multiple analysis of covariance analysis revealed that an intra-vaginal pH of ≥4.5 (P = 0.03) and use of GnRHa (P = 0.04) were potential factors that were significantly and independently associated with intra-uterine microbial colonization and occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis. These findings indicated the occurrence of sub-clinical uterine infection and endometritis in women with endometriosis after GnRHa treatment. We cannot exclude the introduction of bias from unknown previous treatment with immunosuppressing or anti-microbial agents. We have studied a limited range of bacterial species and used only culture-based methods. More sensitive molecular approaches would further delineate the similarities/differences between the vaginal cavity and uterine environment. Our current findings may have epidemiological and biological implications and help in understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis and related disease burden. The worsening of intra-uterine microbial colonization and higher occurrence of endometritis in women with endometriosis who were treated with GnRHa identifies some future therapeutic avenues for the management, as well as prevention of recurrence, of endometriosis. Further studies are needed to examine intra-uterine colonization of a broad range of common bacteria as well as different viruses and their role in the occurrence of endometritis. This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture, Science and Technology of Japan. There is no conflict of interest related to this study. Not applicable. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Dynamics of the microbiota found in the vaginas of dairy cows during the transition period: Associations with uterine diseases and reproductive outcome.

PubMed

Bicalho, M L S; Santin, T; Rodrigues, M X; Marques, C E; Lima, S F; Bicalho, R C

2017-04-01

We investigated the microbiota found in the vaginas of Holstein dairy cows during the transition period and described the differences in bacterial composition and total bacterial load (TBL) associated with disease and fertility. Vaginal swabs were collected at -7, 0, 3, and 7 d relative to parturition from 111 dairy cows housed on a commercial dairy farm near Ithaca, New York. Microbiota were characterized by next-generation DNA sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and TBL was determined by real-time quantitative PCR. We applied repeated-measures ANOVA to evaluate the associations of uterine disease and related risk factors with the microbiota and TBL. We estimated phylum-specific bacterial load by multiplying the TBL by the relative abundance of each phylum observed in the metagenomics results. We confirmed the validity of this approach for estimating bacterial load by enumerating the number of bacteria in an artificial sample mixed in vitro and in clinical and healthy vaginal samples. Phyla associated with uterine disease and related risk factors were Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Cows with retained placenta and healthy cows had similar TBL at the day of parturition, but at d 7 postpartum, cows with retained placenta showed a significantly higher TBL, mainly driven by higher estimated loads of Fusobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Cows diagnosed with metritis had a significantly higher estimated load of Proteobacteria at d -7 and at calving and higher estimated loads of Fusobacteria in the postpartum samples. Additionally, the estimated load of Bacteroidetes at d 7 postpartum was higher for cows diagnosed with endometritis at 35 days in milk. Higher estimated loads of Fusobacteria and Bacteroidetes were also evident in cows with postpartum fever, in primiparous cows, in cows with assisted parturition, and in cows that gave birth to twins. Our findings demonstrated that microbiota composition and TBL were associated with known periparturient risk factors of uterine diseases and reproductive failure, including parity, assisted parturition, and retained fetal membranes. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of exosomes from plasma of dairy cows with or without an infected uterus on prostaglandin production by endometrial cell lines.

PubMed

Almughlliq, Fatema B; Koh, Yong Q; Peiris, Hassendrini N; Vaswani, Kanchan; McDougall, Scott; Graham, Elizabeth M; Burke, Chris R; Mitchell, Murray D

2017-11-01

A contributing factor to declining fertility in dairy cows is an activated inflammatory system associated with uterine infection. Detecting uterine disease using biomarkers may allow earlier diagnosis and intervention with resultant improvements in fertility. Exosomes are known to participate in intercellular communication, paracrine, and endocrine signaling. Exosomes carry a cargo of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that represent specific cellular sources. Prostaglandins are lipids that are critical determinants of bovine fertility. In this study exosomes were isolated from the plasma of cows before (d 0) and during (d 10) the study in healthy animals or those with an induced uterine infection in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Exosomes were characterized for size and number (nanoparticle tracking analysis), exosomal marker expression (Western blot), and morphology (transmission electron microscopy). No significant differences were observed in exosome size or number. The abundance of exosome-enriched markers was confirmed in noninfected and infected animals. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the morphology of the exosomes. These exosomes were co-incubated with bovine endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. Exosomes from d-10-infected animal plasma decreased PGF 2α production in endometrial epithelial but not stromal cells. For future research, the identification of effectors in the cargo may provide a useful basis for early diagnosis of uterine infection using an exosomal characterization approach. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Inhibitory Effects of Emodin, Thymol, and Astragalin on Leptospira interrogans-Induced Inflammatory Response in the Uterine and Endometrium Epithelial Cells of Mice.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenlong; Lu, Xiaojie; Wang, Wei; Ding, Zhuang; Fu, Yunhe; Zhou, Xiaofei; Zhang, Naisheng; Cao, Yongguo

2017-04-01

Leptospirosis is a systemic infection that causes, among others, acute kidney injury, acute liver disease, muscle pain, vasculitis, bleeding disorders, and reproductive loss. In an effort to reduce uterine inflammatory responses induced by Leptospira, we evaluated the anti-inflammation effects of emodin, thymol, and astragalin in a mouse model. Our results showed that treatment with emodin, thymol, and astragalin alleviated uterine inflammation induced by leptospira infection via suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and prevented tissue damage. Furthermore, we used primary endometrium epithelial cells to show that treatment with these chemicals inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Western blot results showed that these chemicals suppressed the phosphorylation of p38, p65, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. These results indicate that treatment with emodin, thymol, and astragalin suppressed inflammatory response by regulating NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in leptospira-infected uterine and endometrium epithelial cells of mice.

Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and cytokine release: similarities and differences in endothelial cell function.

PubMed

Rao, Rashmi; Sen, Suvajit; Han, Bing; Ramadoss, Sivakumar; Chaudhuri, Gautam

2014-01-01

Gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia as well as intra-uterine infection during pregnancy affects the function of the endothelium both in the mother and the fetus leading to endothelial dysfunction. Gestational diabetes is also associated with an increased incidence of pre-eclampsia and it is likely that both the hyperglycemia as well as the release of cytokines especially TNFα during hyperglycemia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction leading to preeclampsia. Similarly, some but not all studies have suggested that infection of the mother under certain circumstances can also lead to preeclampsia as women with either a bacterial or viral infection were at a higher risk of developing preeclampsia, compared to women without infection and infection also leads to a release in TNFα. Endothelial cells exposed to either high glucose or TNFα leads to an increase in the production of H2O2 and to a decrease in endothelial cell proliferation. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are discussed.Gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia as well as intra-uterine infection during pregnancy has profound effects on the fetus and long term effects on the neonate. All three conditions affect the function of the endothelium both in the mother and the fetus leading to endothelial dysfunction. Gestational diabetes is also associated with an increased incidence of pre-eclampsia and it is likely that both the hyperglycemia as well as the release of cytokines especially TNFα during hyperglycemia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction leading to preeclampsia. It has also been suggested although not universally accepted that under certain circumstances maternal infection may also predispose to pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is also associated with the release of TNFα and endothelial dysfunction. However, the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) leading to the endothelial dysfunction by either hyperglycemia or by the cytokine TNFα appear to be different. In this chapter, we explore some of the similarities and differences leading to endothelial dysfunction by both hyperglycemia and by the inflammatory cytokine TNFα and the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) involved.

Peculiarities of the Inflammatory Process in the Reproductive Organs of C57Bl/6 Female Mice with Experimental Tuberculosis.

PubMed

Sukhikh, G T; Kayukova, S I; Bocharova, I V; Donnikov, A E; Lepekha, L N; Demikhova, O V; Uvarova, E V; Berezovskii, Yu S; Smirnova, T G

2016-04-01

Intravenous infection of C57Bl/6 female mice with M. tuberculosis H37Rv led to involvement of the lungs and dissemination of the tuberculous infection to the abdominal and pelvic organs. M. tuberculosis were detected in the lungs and spleen in 14, 35, and 90 days and in the uterine horns in 90 days after infection. Morphological analysis of organs showed successive development of exudative necrotic tuberculosis of the lungs, acute and chronic nonspecific inflammation in the reproductive organs (vagina, uterus, and uterine horns). The inflammatory process in the reproductive organs was associated with the development of anaerobic dysbiosis, that was most pronounced in 35 days after infection. Antituberculous therapy was followed by reduction of M. tuberculosis count in the lungs and spleen in 60 and 90 days after infection, eliminatation of M. tuberculosis in the uterine horns, arrest of nonspecific inflammation in female reproductive organs, recovery of the balance between aerobic and anaerobic microflora, and development of candidiasis of the urogenital mucosa.

Genetic and functional analysis of the bovine uterine microbiota. Part II: Purulent vaginal discharge versus healthy cows.

PubMed

Bicalho, M L S; Lima, S; Higgins, C H; Machado, V S; Lima, F S; Bicalho, R C

2017-05-01

The aim of this study was to characterize, using metagenomic shotgun DNA sequencing, the intrauterine microbial population and its predicted functional diversity within healthy cows and cows presenting purulent vaginal discharge (PVD). Twenty Holstein dairy cows from a single farm were enrolled in the study at 25 to 35 d postpartum. Purulent vaginal discharge was diagnosed by retrieving and scoring vaginal discharge using the Metricheck device (Simcro, Hamilton, New Zealand). Intrauterine samples for metagenomic analysis were collected by the cytobrush technique from 8 cows diagnosed with PVD and 12 healthy cows. Pair-end sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA). Metagenomic sequences were analyzed using the MG-RAST server (metagenomic rapid annotations using subsystems technology; http://metagenomics.anl.gov/), and the STAMP software (http://kiwi.cs.dal.ca/Software/STAMP) was used to study statistically significant differential abundance of taxonomic and functional features between the 2 metagenomes. Additionally, the total number of bacterial 16S rDNA copies was estimated by real-time PCR. Taxonomic analysis revealed that Bacteroidetes was the most abundant phylum in the uterine microbiota from cows with PVD, and Fusobacteria was almost completely absent in the healthy uterine microbiota. Moreover, species belonging to the genus Trueperella were present only in the uterine microbiota of PVD cows. The increased abundance of Fusobacteria and the unique presence of Trueperella in the PVD cows highlight the important role of these bacteria in the pathogenesis of PVD. Genes encoding cytolethal distending toxin were exclusive to the microbiota of PVD cows. Similarly, genes associated with lipid A modification were present only in samples from PVD cows; such modification is associated with greater resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides. Conversely, genes encoding bacteriocins and ribosomally antibacterial peptide were exclusively found in the healthy uterine microbiota and dominated by tolerance to colicin E2. No difference was observed in total bacterial load between the 2 microbiotas. This study provides deep insight into the uterine microbial community in health and disease. The observations that the healthy microbiota is tolerant to colicin E2, whereas the uterine microbiota of PVD cows produces cytolethal distending toxins and modifies its lipopolysaccharides suggest that species-intrinsic factors may be more relevant than bacterial abundance to the development of disease or maintenance of health in the dairy cow postpartum uterus. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Investigation of postpartum dairy cows' uterine microbial diversity using metagenomic pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

PubMed

Machado, V S; Oikonomou, G; Bicalho, M L S; Knauer, W A; Gilbert, R; Bicalho, R C

2012-10-12

The objective of this study was the use of metagenomic pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for the investigation of postpartum dairy cows' uterine bacterial diversity. The effect of subcutaneous supplementation of a trace mineral supplement containing Zn, Mn, Se, and Cu (Multimin North America, Inc., Fort Collins, CO) at 230 days of gestation and 260 days of gestation on dairy cows' uterine microbiota was also evaluated. Uterine lavage samples were collected at 35 DIM and were visually scored for the presence of purulent or mucopurulent secretion. The same samples were also used for the acquisition of bacterial DNA. The 16S rRNA genes were individually amplified from each sample. Pyrosequencing of the samples was carried at the Cornell University Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center using Roche 454 GS-FLX System Titanium Chemistry. The Ribosomal Database Project online tools were used for the analysis of the obtained sequences library. Bacteroides spp., Ureaplasma spp., Fusobacterium spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Sneathia spp., Prevotella spp. and Arcanobacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P<0.05) higher in samples derived from cows that had a higher uterine lavage sample score. Bacteroides spp., Ureaplasma spp., Fusobacterium spp., and Arcanobacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P<0.05) higher in samples derived from cows that were not pregnant by 200 DIM. Anaerococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus spp., Parabacteroides spp., and Propionibacterium spp. prevalence was significantly (P<0.05) lower in samples derived from cows that were trace mineral supplemented. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Premature fetal membrane rupture: report of a case of severe intrauterine fungal infection].

PubMed

Gauwerky, J; Schmidt, W; Kühn, H; Kubli, F

1983-03-01

A case of extremely rare intra-uterine candida infection is reported following premature rupture of the membranes. The diagnostic possibilities by transabdominal amniocentesis and determination of the causative organism in the amniotic fluid are presented. Even systemic antimykotic treatment is not capable of treating intra-uterine candidiasis sufficiently. This is proved among other parameters by the concentration of miconazol in the amniotic fluid and in the plasma of the newborn.

Point of Care 3D Ultrasound for Various Applications: A Pilot Study

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-04-30

Appendicitis; Evidence of Cholecystectomy; Gallstones; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Aortic Aneurysm; Kidney Stones; Intrauterine Pregnancy; Diverticulitis; Abdominal Injuries; Tumors; Pancreatitis; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intraabdominal Infections; Intestinal Diseases; Pregnancy; Vascular Disease; Uterine Fibroids; Ovarian Cysts; Uterine Abnominalies; Bladder Abnominalies; Testicular Abnominalies; Polyps

The normal vaginal and uterine bacterial microbiome in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

PubMed

Yang, Xin; Cheng, Guangyang; Li, Caiwu; Yang, Jiang; Li, Jianan; Chen, Danyu; Zou, Wencheng; Jin, SenYan; Zhang, Hemin; Li, Desheng; He, Yongguo; Wang, Chengdong; Wang, Min; Wang, Hongning

2017-06-01

While the health effects of the colonization of the reproductive tracts of mammals by bacterial communities are widely known, there is a dearth of knowledge specifically in relation to giant panda microbiomes. In order to investigate the vaginal and uterine bacterial diversity of healthy giant pandas, we used high-throughput sequence analysis of portions of the 16S rRNA gene, based on samples taken from the vaginas (GPV group) and uteri (GPU group) of these animals. Results showed that the four most abundant phyla, which contained in excess of 98% of the total sequences, were Proteobacteria (59.2% for GPV and 51.4% for GPU), Firmicutes (34.4% for GPV and 23.3% for GPU), Actinobacteria (5.2% for GPV and 14.0% for GPU) and Bacteroidetes (0.3% for GPV and 10.3% for GPU). At the genus level, Escherichia was most abundant (11.0%) in the GPV, followed by Leuconostoc (8.7%), Pseudomonas (8.0%), Acinetobacter (7.3%), Streptococcus (6.3%) and Lactococcus (6.0%). In relation to the uterine samples, Janthinobacterium had the highest prevalence rate (20.2%), followed by Corynebacterium (13.2%), Streptococcus (19.6%), Psychrobacter (9.3%), Escherichia (7.5%) and Bacteroides (6.2%). Moreover, both Chao1 and abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) species richness indices, which were operating at the same sequencing depth for each sample, demonstrated that GPV had more species richness than GPU, while Simpson and Shannon indices of diversity indicated that GPV had the higher bacterial diversity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the potential influence abnormal reproductive tract microbial communities have on negative pregnancy outcomes in giant pandas. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Transcriptional abundance of antioxidant enzymes in endometrium and their circulating levels in Zebu cows with and without uterine infection.

PubMed

Baithalu, R K; Singh, S K; Kumaresan, A; Mohanty, A K; Mohanty, T K; Kumar, S; Kerketta, S; Maharana, B R; Patbandha, T K; Attupuram, N; Agarwal, S K

2017-02-01

Oxidative stress during peripartum period may compromise the uterine immunity. In the present study, we assessed the oxidative stress and antioxidant status during peripartum period and studied their relationship with postpartum uterine infection in dairy cows. Peripheral blood concentrations of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined (day -21, -7, on the day of calving and day +7, +21, +35) in normal (n=11), puerperal metritic (n=7) and clinical endometritic (n=6) cows. Endometrial biopsy was performed on the day of calving and expression of CAT, GPx4 and SOD2 genes was studied using qRT-PCR. Puerperal metritic cows had significantly (P<0.05) lower TAC (on day -7, day 0, day +7, +21 & +35), higher MDA (on day -21, -7 & on the day of calving) and NO (on day 0, +7 & day +35) concentrations compared to normal cows. Similarly, clinical endometritic cows had significantly (P<0.05) lower TAC (on day -7, 0, +7 & +21), higher MDA (on day -21, -7, +7 and +35) and NO (on day +7, +21 & +35) concentrations compared to normal cows. The expression of CAT and GPx4 genes was lower (P<0.05) and SOD2 gene was higher (P<0.05) in endometrial tissue of cows that developed uterine infection compared to normal cows. The relationship of peripheral levels of MDA and NO with antioxidant enzymes expression in endometrial tissue was found significant. Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed that the concentrations of TAC on day -7 to day +35, MDA on day -21 to day +7 and NO on the day of calving to day +35 were highly correlated to the development of postpartum uterine infection in cows. It may be inferred that the low serum TAC level and high level of lipid peroxidation and NO during peripartum period influenced the endometrial expression of anitioxidative genes that compromised the uterine health during postpartum period. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Apoptosis Modulation in the Immune System Reveals a Role of Neutrophils in Tissue Damage in a Murine Model of Chlamydial Genital Infection.

PubMed

Zortel, Tom; Schmitt-Graeff, Annette; Kirschnek, Susanne; Häcker, Georg

2018-05-05

Chlamydial infection frequently causes damage to the female genital tract. The precise mechanisms of chlamydial clearance and tissue damage are unknown, but studies suggest immunopathology with a particular role of neutrophils. The goal of this study was to understand the contribution of the immune system, in particular neutrophils. Using Chlamydia muridarum, we infected mice with a prolonged immune response due to expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) in hematopoietic cells (Bcl-2 mice), and mice where mature neutrophils are lacking due to the deletion of Myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) in myeloid cells (LysM-cre-mcl-1-flox mice; Mcl-1 mice). We monitored bacterial clearance, cellular infiltrate, and long-term tissue damage. Both mutant strains showed slightly delayed clearance of the acute infection. Bcl-2 mice had a strongly increased inflammatory infiltrate concerning almost all cell lineages. The infection of Bcl-2 mice caused increased tissue damage. The loss of neutrophils in Mcl-1 mice was associated with substantial quantitative and qualitative alterations of the inflammatory infiltrate. Mcl-1 mice had higher chlamydial burden and reduced tissue damage, including lower incidence of hydrosalpinx and less uterine dilation. Inhibition of apoptosis in the hematopoietic system increases inflammation and tissue damage. Neutrophils have broad functions, including a role in chlamydial clearance and in tissue destruction.

Detection of Equid herpesvirus type 2 and 5 DNA in uterine flushings of mares with reproductive disorders.

PubMed

Marenzoni, Maria Luisa; Sforna, Monica; Stefanetti, Valentina; Casagrande Proietti, Patrizia; Brignone, Luca; Del Sero, Andrea; Falcioni, Fabio; Orvieto, Simona; Tamantini, Cristina; Tiburzi, Alessandra; Valentini, Silvia; Coletti, Mauro; Timoney, Peter J; Passamonti, Fabrizio

2014-12-05

In recent years, there has been increasing evidence of the potential pathogenic significance of equine gammaherpesviruses in the horse. In humans, cattle and mice, gammaherpesviruses have already been associated with uterine infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of gammaherpesviruses in uterine flushings of mares with reproductive problems and to evaluate if there was a possible statistical association with clinical and laboratory findings in these cases. A total of 80 uterine flushings were collected from 61 mares with different reproductive problems and these were tested for equine herpesviruses (EHV) 1-5 by PCR. In the case of each mare in the study, the age, history of infertility, presence of anatomical defects in the reproductive tract, presence of systemic or local disease at time of sampling, phase in the oestrous cycle, post-partum interval, nature of uterine lavage performed (low versus large volume lavage), cytological and bacteriological examination results from the uterine flushing, and PCR herpesvirus results were recorded. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify possible statistical associations and risk factors. Nine out of 61 mares (14.7%) had EHV-5 DNA in their uterine flushings. Co-infections with EHV-1 and EHV-2 were present in two cases. Of all the variables analyzed, only the cytological examination findings were associated with EHV-5 PCR positive results, both on univariate and multivariable analysis, especially in cases with an inflammation score of 3. It is postulated that presence of EHV-5 infection in the non-pregnant uterus may have a role to play in reproductive dysfunction and have a negative consequence on the pregnant uterus. Additional studies involving both healthy mares and mares with reproductive problems need to be performed, however, to elucidate whatever role equine gammaherpesviruses may play in the reproductive tract. This would be very worthwhile, since reproductive problems can have a significant impact on the equine breeding industry. Gaining a greater understanding of its causes could lead to new approaches for prevention and treatment. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantifying known and emerging uterine pathogens, and evaluating their association with metritis and fever in dairy cows.

PubMed

Cunha, Federico; Jeon, Soo Jin; Daetz, Rodolfo; Vieira-Neto, Achilles; Laporta, Jimena; Jeong, K Casey; Barbet, Anthony F; Risco, Carlos A; Galvão, Klibs N

2018-07-01

Metritis is caused by polymicrobial infection; however, recent metagenomic work challenges the importance of known pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes while identifying potential new pathogens such as Bacteroides pyogenes, Porphyromonas levii and Helcococcus ovis. This study aims to quantify known and emerging uterine pathogens, and to evaluate their association with metritis and fever in dairy cows. Metritis was diagnosed at 6 ± 2 days postpartum, a uterine swab was collected and rectal temperature was measured. 39 cows were classified into three groups: Healthy (n = 14), Metritis without fever (MNoFever; n = 12), and Metritis with fever (MFever; n = 13). Absolute copy number was determined for total bacteria and for 8 potentially pathogenic bacteria using droplet digital PCR. Both MNoFever and MFever cows had higher copy number of total bacteria, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Prevotella melaninogenica, Bacteroides pyogenes, Porphyromonas levii, and Helcococcus ovis than Healthy cows. MNoFever and MFever groups were similar. There was no difference among groups in copy number of Escherichia coli, Trueperella pyogenes, and Bacteroides heparinolyticus, and they all had low copy numbers. Our work confirms the importance of some bacteria identified by culture-based studies in the pathogenesis of metritis such as Fusobacterium necrophorum and Prevotella melaninogenica; however, it challenges the importance of others such as Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes at the time of metritis diagnosis. Additionally, Bacteroides pyogenes, Porphyromonas levii, and Helcococcus ovis were recognized as emerging pathogens involved in the etiology of metritis. Furthermore, fever was not associated with the total bacterial load or specific bacteria. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Increased mRNA expression of selected antimicrobial peptides around ovulation and during inflammatory processes in the bovine endometrium postpartum.

PubMed

Ibrahim, M; Peter, S; Gärtner, M A; Michel, G; Jung, M; Einspanier, R; Gabler, C

2016-11-01

In the uterus, the first pathogen confrontations take place at the luminal endometrial epithelium. Therefore, it is required that these cells have the potential to recognize and respond to a bacterial infection. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP), part of the innate immune system in addition to cytokines, are principal effector molecules of mucosal immunity against pathogens. One important family of AMP that can permeabilize bacterial membranes is the beta-defensin (DEFB) family, which includes the following members: DEFB1, DEFB4A, and DEFB5, lingual AMP, and tracheal AMP. The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein is also a cationic AMP that results in the death of bacteria. Another AMP family is the S100 calcium-binding protein (S100A) family including the following members: S100A8, S100A9, S100A11, and S100A12. These AMP exert their antimicrobial action through chelation of several ions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate mRNA expression patterns of selected AMP in bovine endometrial cells collected (1) at different stages of the estrous cycle (postovulatory, early-to-mid luteal, late luteal, and pre-ovulatory phase); (2) during the puerperium depending on uterine health status (healthy, subclinical, or clinical endometritis) starting on Day 24 to 30 postpartum for 3 weeks on a weekly basis; and (3) in vitro after co-culturing with Bacillus pumilus at three different multiplicities of infection (MOI 1, 5, and 10) up to 6 hours. The results reported that the mRNA expression of all candidate AMP, except DEFB1, S100A8, and S100A9, was estrous cycle dependent. In particular, around the time of ovulation, the transcription level of most AMP was higher (P < 0.05) compared with the luteal phase. Almost all candidate AMP mRNA expression was dependent on uterine health status, with a higher transcription level (P < 0.05) in inflamed endometrial tissues, especially during the late stage of the puerperium (Day 45-51 postpartum). Members of the DEFB family were nearly unaffected in their mRNA expression in primary endometrial cells co-incubated with B. pumilus. However, S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA contents were higher after 4 and 6 hours of co-incubation with B. pumilus compared with untreated controls. In conclusion, higher mRNA expression of the candidate AMP around ovulation or in inflamed endometrial tissue during the puerperium suggests their crucial role in uterine innate immunity in the defense against invading bacteria. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of bacterial growth and intramniotic infection in a guinea pig model of chorioamnionitis using PAMAM dendrimers.

PubMed

Wang, Bing; Navath, Raghavendra S; Menjoge, Anupa R; Balakrishnan, Bindu; Bellair, Robert; Dai, Hui; Romero, Roberto; Kannan, Sujatha; Kannan, Rangaramanujam M

2010-08-16

Dendrimers have emerged as topical microbicides to treat vaginal infections. This study explores the in vitro, in vivo antimicrobial activity of PAMAM dendrimers, and the associated mechanism. Interestingly, topical cervical application of 500 microg of generation-4 neutral dendrimer (G(4)-PAMAM-OH) showed potential to treat the Escherichia coli induced ascending uterine infection in guinea pig model of chorioamnionitis. Amniotic fluid collected from different gestational sacs of infected guinea pigs posttreatment showed absence of E. coli growth in the cultures plated with it. The cytokine level [tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) and interleukin (IL-6 and IL-1beta)] in placenta of the G(4)-PAMAM-OH treated animals were comparable to those in healthy animals while these were notably high in infected animals. Since, antibacterial activity of amine-terminated PAMAM dendrimers is known, the activity of hydroxyl and carboxylic acid terminated PAMAM dendrimers was compared with it. Though the G(4)-PAMAM-NH(2) shows superior antibacterial activity, it was found to be cytotoxic to human cervical epithelial cell line above 10 microg/mL, while the G(4)-PAMAM-OH was non-cytotoxic up to 1mg/mL concentration. Cell integrity, outer (OM) and inner (IM) membrane permeabilization assays showed that G(4)-PAMAM-OH dendrimer efficiently changed the OM permeability, while G(4)-PAMAM-NH(2) and G(3.5)-PAMAM-COOH damaged both OM and IM causing the bacterial lysis. The possible antibacterial mechanism are G(4)-PAMAM-NH(2) acts as polycation binding to the polyanionic lipopolysaccharide in E. coli, the G(4)-PAMAM-OH forms hydrogen bonds with the hydrophilic O-antigens in E. coli membrane and the G(3.5)-PAMAM-COOH acts as a polyanion, chelating the divalent ions in outer cell membrane of E. coli. This is the first study which shows that G(4)-PAMAM-OH dendrimer acts as an antibacterial agent. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Leptospira interrogans induces uterine inflammatory responses and abnormal expression of extracellular matrix proteins in dogs.

PubMed

Wang, Wei; Gao, Xuejiao; Guo, Mengyao; Zhang, Wenlong; Song, Xiaojing; Wang, Tiancheng; Zhang, Zecai; Jiang, Haichao; Cao, Yongguo; Zhang, Naisheng

2014-10-01

Leptospira interrogans (L. interrogans), a worldwide zoonosis, infect humans and animals. In dogs, four syndromes caused by leptospirosis have been identified: icteric, hemorrhagic, uremic (Stuttgart disease) and reproductive (abortion and premature or weak pups), and also it caused inflammation. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex mixture of matrix molecules that is crucial to the reproduction. Both inflammatory response and ECM are closed relative to reproductive. The aim of this study was to clarify how L. interrogans affected the uterus of dogs, by focusing on the inflammatory responses, and ECM expression in dogs uterine tissue infected by L. interrogans. In the present study, 27 dogs were divided into 3 groups, intrauterine infusion with L. interrogans, to make uterine infection, sterile EMJH, and normal saline as a control, respectively. The uteruses were removed by surgical operation in 10, 20, and 30 days, respectively. The methods of histopathological analysis, ELISA, Western blot and qPCR were used. The results showed that L. interrogans induced significantly inflammatory responses, which were characterized by inflammatory cellular infiltration and high expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in uterine tissue of these dogs. Furthermore, L. interrogans strongly down-regulated the expression of ECM (collagens (CL) IV, fibronectins (FN) and laminins (LN)) in mRNA and protein levels. These data indicated that strongly inflammatory responses, and abnormal regulation of ECM might contribute to the proliferation of dogs infected by L. interrogans. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fosfomycin i.v. for Treatment of Severely Infected Patients

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-05-08

Bacterial Infections; Bone Diseases, Infectious; Osteomyelitis; Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections; Meningitis, Bacterial; Encephalitis; Brain Abscess; Urinary Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Skin Diseases, Bacterial; Soft Tissue Infections; Intraabdominal Infections; Sepsis; Bacteremia; Endocarditis, Bacterial

Melatonin prevents experimental preterm labor and increases offspring survival.

PubMed

Domínguez Rubio, Ana P; Sordelli, Micaela S; Salazar, Ana I; Aisemberg, Julieta; Bariani, María V; Cella, Maximiliano; Rosenstein, Ruth E; Franchi, Ana M

2014-03-01

Preterm delivery is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and contributes to delayed physical and cognitive development in children. At present, there is no efficient therapy to prevent preterm labor. A large body of evidence suggests that intra-amniotic infections may be a significant and potentially preventable cause of preterm birth. This work assessed the effect of melatonin in a murine model of inflammation-associated preterm delivery which mimics central features of preterm infection in humans. For this purpose, preterm labor was induced in BALB/c mice by intraperitoneal injections of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 10.00 hr (10 μg LPS) and 13.00 hr (20 μg LPS) on day 15 of pregnancy. On day 14 of pregnancy, a pellet of melatonin (25 mg) had been subcutaneously implanted into a group of animals. In the absence of melatonin, a 100% incidence of preterm birth was observed in LPS-treated animals, and the fetuses showed widespread damage. By comparison, treatment with melatonin prevented preterm birth in 50% of the cases, and all pups from melatonin-treated females were born alive and their body weight did not differ from control animals. Melatonin significantly prevented the LPS-induced rises in uterine prostaglandin (PG) E2 , PGF2α, and cyclooxygenase-2 protein levels. In addition, melatonin prevented the LPS-induced increase in uterine nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible NO synthase protein, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) levels. Collectively, our results suggest that melatonin could be a new therapeutic tool to prevent preterm labor and to increase offspring survival. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Factors affecting the size of ovulatory follicles and conception rate in high-yielding dairy cows.

PubMed

Mokhtari, A; Kafi, M; Zamiri, M J; Akbari, R

2016-03-01

Two studies were designed to determine (1) the effects of Heatsynch and Ovsynch protocols versus spontaneous ovulation and (2) the effects of calving problems, clinical uterine infections, and clinical mastitis on the size of the ovulatory follicle, conception rate, and embryonic/fetal (E/F) death in high-yielding dairy cows. In study 1, cows without the history of calving problems, clinical uterine infections, and clinical mastitis were randomly allocated to either an Ovsynch (n = 45) or Heatsynch (n = 39) ovulation synchronization protocol or spontaneous ovulation (n = 43) groups. Blood samples were collected on the day of artificial insemination (AI) to measure progesterone (P4), estradiol-17β, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and 7 days later to measure P4. Study 2 consisted of cows (n = 351) with or without the history of calving problems, clinical uterine infections, and clinical mastitis which were artificially inseminated after a 55-day voluntary waiting period. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed at the time of AI to measure the ovulatory follicle size and on Days 30 and 68 after AI to diagnose pregnancy in both studies. In study 1, the mean (±standard error of the mean) diameter of the ovulatory follicle was greater (P = 0.0005) and E/F mortality was lower (P = 0.007) for the spontaneous ovulation group compared with Ovsynch and Heatsynch groups. Serum concentration of P4 on Day 7 after AI was correlated with the size of the ovulatory follicle (P = 0.007). Conception rate at Days 30 and 68 was not significantly different between the three experimental groups in study 1. Cows with serum IGF-1 concentrations greater than 55 ng/mL at AI had significantly higher Day 68 conception rate (50% vs. 24%) and lower E/F death (16.6% vs. 40%) compared to cows with serum IGF-1 concentrations lower than 56 ng/mL at AI. The conception rate on Days 30 and 68 for follicles of 10 to 14 mm in diameter (34% and 21.8%) was significantly lower than follicles of 14.1 to 19 mm in diameter (60% and 50%), respectively (P < 0.05). In study 2, the ovulatory follicle in cows with clinical uterine infections was smaller than that in cows without clinical uterine infections (16.4 vs. 17.1 mm; P = 0.04). In conclusion, the size of the ovulatory follicle is affected by ovulation synchronizing protocols and postpartum clinical uterine infections. In addition, cows with higher serum IGF-1 concentrations on the day of AI had higher Day 68 conception rate and lower E/F death. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Vaginal and uterine bacterial communities in postpartum lactating cows

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Reproductive inefficiency in cattle has major impacts on overall productivity of beef and dairy operations, increasing the environmental footprint of these industries and thereby reducing sustainability. Decreased reproductive success and associated disease states have been correlated with the prese...

An experimental infection model for Escherichia coli egg peritonitis in layer chickens.

PubMed

Chaudhari, Atul A; Kariyawasam, Subhashinie

2014-03-01

The present study describes an experimental infection model for avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC)-induced egg peritonitis in layer chickens. First, a pilot study which consisted of two separate experiments was carried out to compare two routes of inoculations of APEC to induce peritonitis and to examine if the presence of egg yolk in the peritoneum would facilitate APEC-induced peritonitis. This study showed that the presence of egg yolk in the peritoneum facilitated the development of egg peritonitis when the APEC was inoculated via the intra-uterine (IU) route. Based on the results of the pilot study, 56-wk-old white leghorn hens were divided into two groups of five chickens, Group G (inoculated with E. coli APECO78 strain) and Group H (control). Both groups were inoculated with 2-3 ml of egg yolk via the intraperitoneal route (IP). Subsequently, hens in Group H were inoculated with only egg yolk whereas the hens in Group G were inoculated with 1 x 10(9) colony-forming units of APECO78 bacteria via the IU route. Parameters such as mortality, clinical signs (anorexia, depression, and egg production efficiency), gross lesion scores, bacterial loads in internal organs, and histopathology of ovary and oviduct were assessed to evaluate the success of the infection model. Group G showed 40% acute mortality, severe depression, and anorexia with markedly reduced egg production and developed peritonitis-associated lesions such as accumulation of yellowish caseous fluid in the peritoneum, salpingitis, and oophoritis. Histopathologically, ovarian and oviduct tissues from group G exhibited severe inflammatory changes such as infiltration of mononuclear cells and edema. Group G also showed significant bacterial loads in the peritoneum, ovary, and oviduct. Interestingly, deceased birds from group G had also developed mild perihepatitis and pericarditis with heavy bacterial loads in the internal organs. On the other hand, group H birds did not exhibit any of the clinical signs and remained healthy until the end of the experiment. To summarize, our results demonstrate that IP administration of egg yolk followed by IU inoculation of APECO78 induced peritonitis in laying hens. Experimental infection models are often required to understand the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. Therefore, the present infection model will aid in the studies of pathogenesis of layer peritonitis caused by APEC and in evaluating vaccine candidates to control the disease.

Identification of Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes isolated from the uterus of dairy cows using routine bacteriological testing and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

PubMed

Jaureguiberry, María; Madoz, Laura Vanina; Giuliodori, Mauricio Javier; Wagener, Karen; Prunner, Isabella; Grunert, Tom; Ehling-Schulz, Monika; Drillich, Marc; de la Sota, Rodolfo Luzbel

2016-11-28

Uterine disorders are common postpartum diseases in dairy cows. In practice, uterine treatment is often based on systemic or locally applied antimicrobials with no previous identification of pathogens. Accurate on-farm diagnostics are not available, and routine testing is time-consuming and cost intensive. An accurate method that could simplify the identification of uterine pathogenic bacteria and improve pathogen-specific treatments could be an important advance to practitioners. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether a database built with uterine bacteria from European dairy cows could be used to identify bacteria from Argentinean cows by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Uterine samples from 64 multiparous dairy cows with different types of vaginal discharge (VD) were collected between 5 and 60 days postpartum, analyzed by routine bacteriological testing methods and then re-evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy (n = 27). FTIR spectroscopy identified Escherichia coli in 12 out of 14 samples and Trueperella pyogenes in 8 out of 10 samples. The agreement between the two methods was good with a Kappa coefficient of 0.73. In addition, the likelihood for bacterial growth of common uterine pathogens such as E. coli and T. pyogenes tended to increase with VD score. The odds for a positive result to E. coli or T. pyogenes was 1.88 times higher in cows with fetid VD than in herdmates with clear normal VD. We conclude that the presence of E. coli and T. pyogenes in uterine samples from Argentinean dairy cows can be detected with FTIR with the use of a database built with uterine bacteria from European dairy cows. Future studies are needed to determine if FTIR can be used as an alternative to routine bacteriological testing methods.

Clinical and epidemiological correlations between the infection with HPV 16 and HPV 18 and female cervical lesions.

PubMed

Stoian, M; Repanovici, R; Corniţescu, F

1995-01-01

A number of 66 specimens from female cervical lesions were examined for infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18 by nucleic acid hybridization in dot-blot techniques and 35 sera were tested by the immunodot-blot technique, in order to detect the presence of anti E4 and E7 HPV protein antibodies. The findings were compared with the histologic diagnosis. Fifty-six per cent of specimens contained HPV DNA sequences. In 47% of specimens from cervical carcinoma, HPV 11 was detected in 4 cases, HPV 16 in 21 cases, and HPV 18 in 7 cases. Serum antibodies against HPV 16 E4 and HPV 16 E7 occurred in all the cases of uterine carcinoma, in 4 of 10 cases of CIN I-II, and in 3 of 5 sera obtained from apparently healthy women. The analysis of risk factors disclosed the early onset of sexual activity, a relatively high number of births and abortions before the age of 22 years, the use of oral oestroprogestative contraceptive agents, the presence in anamnesis of genital infections with bacterial flora--Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma, etc. Our results showed that HPV typing by nucleic acid hybridization was useful for differentiating low- from high-risk cervical lesions and also tried to elucidate the risk factors associated with HPV infections and progression to malignancy.

Uterine Microbiota: Residents, Tourists, or Invaders?

PubMed Central

Baker, James M.; Chase, Dana M.; Herbst-Kralovetz, Melissa M.

2018-01-01

Uterine microbiota have been reported under various conditions and populations; however, it is uncertain the level to which these bacteria are residents that maintain homeostasis, tourists that are readily eliminated or invaders that contribute to human disease. This review provides a historical timeline and summarizes the current status of this topic with the aim of promoting research priorities and discussion on this controversial topic. Discrepancies exist in current reports of uterine microbiota and are critically reviewed and examined. Established and putative routes of bacterial seeding of the human uterus and interactions with distal mucosal sites are discussed. Based upon the current literature, we highlight the need for additional robust clinical and translational studies in this area. In addition, we discuss the necessity for investigating host–microbiota interactions and the physiologic and functional impact of these microbiota on the local endometrial microenvironment as these mechanisms may influence poor reproductive, obstetric, and gynecologic health outcomes and sequelae. PMID:29552006

Productive Infection of Bovine Papillomavirus Type 2 in the Placenta of Pregnant Cows Affected with Urinary Bladder Tumors

PubMed Central

Roperto, Sante; Borzacchiello, Giuseppe; Esposito, Iolanda; Riccardi, Marita; Urraro, Chiara; Lucà, Roberta; Corteggio, Annunziata; Tatè, Rosarita; Cermola, Michele; Paciello, Orlando; Roperto, Franco

2012-01-01

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are believed to be highly epitheliotropic as they usually establish productive infections within stratified epithelia. In vitro, various PVs appear to complete their entire life-cycle in different trophoblastic cell lines. In this study, infection by and protein expression of bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2) in the uterine and chorionic epithelium of the placenta has been described in four cows suffering from naturally occurring papillomavirus-associated urothelial bladder tumors. E5 oncoprotein was detected both by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemically. It appears to be complexed and perfectly co-localized with the activated platelet-derived growth factor ß receptor (PDGFßR) by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The activated PDGFßR might be involved in organogenesis and neo-angiogenesis rather than in cell transformation during pregnancy. The major capsid protein, L1, believed to be only expressed in productive papillomavirus infection has been detected by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical investigations confirmed the presence of L1 protein both in the cytoplasm and nuclei of cells of the uterine and chorionic epithelium. Trophoblastic cells appear to be the major target for L1 protein expression. Finally, the early protein E2, required for viral DNA replication and known to be expressed during a productive infection, has been detected by Western blot and immunohistochemically. Electron microscopic investigations detected viral particles in nuclei of uterine and chorionic epithelium. This study shows that both active and productive infections by BPV-2 in the placenta of pregnant cows can occur in vivo. PMID:22479413

Productive infection of bovine papillomavirus type 2 in the placenta of pregnant cows affected with urinary bladder tumors.

PubMed

Roperto, Sante; Borzacchiello, Giuseppe; Esposito, Iolanda; Riccardi, Marita; Urraro, Chiara; Lucà, Roberta; Corteggio, Annunziata; Tatè, Rosarita; Cermola, Michele; Paciello, Orlando; Roperto, Franco

2012-01-01

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are believed to be highly epitheliotropic as they usually establish productive infections within stratified epithelia. In vitro, various PVs appear to complete their entire life-cycle in different trophoblastic cell lines. In this study, infection by and protein expression of bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2) in the uterine and chorionic epithelium of the placenta has been described in four cows suffering from naturally occurring papillomavirus-associated urothelial bladder tumors. E5 oncoprotein was detected both by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemically. It appears to be complexed and perfectly co-localized with the activated platelet-derived growth factor ß receptor (PDGFßR) by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The activated PDGFßR might be involved in organogenesis and neo-angiogenesis rather than in cell transformation during pregnancy. The major capsid protein, L1, believed to be only expressed in productive papillomavirus infection has been detected by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical investigations confirmed the presence of L1 protein both in the cytoplasm and nuclei of cells of the uterine and chorionic epithelium. Trophoblastic cells appear to be the major target for L1 protein expression. Finally, the early protein E2, required for viral DNA replication and known to be expressed during a productive infection, has been detected by Western blot and immunohistochemically. Electron microscopic investigations detected viral particles in nuclei of uterine and chorionic epithelium. This study shows that both active and productive infections by BPV-2 in the placenta of pregnant cows can occur in vivo.

Correlation between the neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio and bacterial infection in patient with human immunodeficiency virus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusnadi, D.; Liwang, M. N. I.; Katu, S.; Mubin, A. H.; Halim, R.

2018-03-01

Parameters for starting antibiotic therapy such as CRP andleukocytosis are considered non-specific. Previous studies have shown the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio (NLCR) can serve as the basis of bacterial infection, the level of infection, and the basis of antibiotic therapy. Compared with the Procalcitonin parameter, this NLCR is rapid, an inexpensive and requires no additional sampling. To determine the correlation between The Neutrophil-LymphocyteCount Ratio to bacterial infection in HIV patients. This study was a cross-sectional observational approach to HIV subject at Wahidin Sudirohusodo and Hasanuddin University Hospital. The subjects performed routine blood, microbiology test,and blood Procalcitonin levels tests. Then performed NLCR calculations based on routine blood results. The subjects then grouped the presence or absence of bacterial infection.In 146 study subjects, there were 78 (53.4%) with bacterial infections and 68 (46.6%) without bacterial infection as controls. Subjects with bacterial infections had higher total neutrophils (84.83) compared with non-bacterial infections. Subjects with bacterial infections had total lymphocytes with an average of 8.51 lower than non-bacterial infections. Subjects with bacterial infections had higher NLCR values with an average of 12.80. The Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio can become a marker of bacterial infection in HIV patients.

Chlamydia suis and Chlamydia trachomatis induce multifunctional CD4 T cells in pigs.

PubMed

Käser, T; Pasternak, J A; Delgado-Ortega, M; Hamonic, G; Lai, K; Erickson, J; Walker, S; Dillon, J R; Gerdts, V; Meurens, F

2017-01-03

Chlamydia trachomatis infections are the most prominent bacterial sexually-transmitted disease world-wide and a lot of effort is put into the development of an effective vaccine. Pigs have been shown to be a valuable animal model for C. trachomatis vaccine development. The aim of this study was to decipher the T-cell-mediated immune response to chlamydial infections including C. trachomatis and C. suis, the chlamydia species naturally infecting pigs with a demonstrated zoonotic potential. Vaginal infection of pigs with C. suis and C. trachomatis lasted from 3 to 21days and intra-uterine infection was still present after 21days in 3 out of 5 C. suis- and 4 out of 5 C. trachomatis-inoculated animals and caused severe pathological changes. Humoral immune responses including neutralizing antibodies were found predominantly in response to C. suis starting at 14days post inoculation. The T-cell-mediated immune responses to C. trachomatis and C. suis-infections started at 7days post inoculation and consisted mainly of CD4 + T cells which were either IFN-γ single cytokine-producing or IFN-γ/TNF-α double cytokine-producing T-helper 1 cells. IL-17-producing CD4 + T cells were rare or completely absent. The T-cell-mediated immune responses were triggered by both homologous or heterologous re-stimulation indicating that cross-protection between the two chlamydia species is possible. Thus, having access to a working genital C. suis and C. trachomatis infection model, efficient monitoring of the host-pathogen interactions, and being able to accurately assess the responses to infection makes the pig an excellent animal model for vaccine development which also could bridge the gap to the clinical phase for C. trachomatis vaccine research. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A combination of lactic acid bacteria regulates Escherichia coli infection and inflammation of the bovine endometrium.

PubMed

Genís, Sandra; Sánchez-Chardi, Alejandro; Bach, Àlex; Fàbregas, Francesc; Arís, Anna

2017-01-01

Uterine function in cattle is compromised by bacterial contamination and inflammation after calving. The objective of this study was to select a combination of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to decrease endometrium inflammation and Escherichia coli infection. Primary endometrial epithelial cells were cultured in vitro to select the most favorable LAB combination modulating basal tissue inflammation and E. coli infection. Supernatants were obtained to determine expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and E. coli infection was evaluated after harvesting the tissue and plate counting. The selected LAB combination was tested in uterus explants to assess its capacity to modulate basal and acute inflammation (associated with E. coli infection). The combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Lactobacillus reuteri at a ratio of 25:25:2, respectively, reduced E. coli infection in vitro with (89.77%) or without basal tissue inflammation (95.10%) compared with single LAB strains. Lactic acid bacteria treatment reduced CXCL8 and IL1B expression 4.7- and 2.2-fold, respectively, under acute inflammation. Ex vivo, the tested LAB combination reduced acute inflammation under E. coli infection, decreasing IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-6 up to 2.2-, 2.5-, and 2.2-fold, respectively. In the total inflammation model, the LAB combination decreased IL-8 1.6-fold and IL-6 1.2-fold. Ultrastructural evaluation of the tissue suggested no direct interaction between the LAB and E. coli, although pathological effects of E. coli in endometrial cells were greatly diminished or even reversed by the LAB combination. This study shows the promising potential of LAB probiotics for therapeutic use against endometrial inflammation and infection. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Case of Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma in the Uterine Cervix.

PubMed

Takebayashi, Kanetoshi; Nishida, Masakazu; Matsumoto, Harunobu; Nasu, Kaei; Narahara, Hisashi

2015-02-11

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma occurring in the reproductive organs is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma, and this tumor of the uterine cervix accounts for 0.7% of all primary cervical uterine neoplasms. Associations with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) have been demonstrated in some studies. Some investigators suggested that EBV has an important role in the initiation of lymphoepitheliomalike carcinoma in Asian women. Here we report the case of a 45-year-old Japanese woman, gravida 2 and parity 2. She was admitted due to severe atypical genital bleeding caused by uterine cervical cancer. A >60-mm tumor was detected at the uterine cervix, and no distal metastasis or swallowing of lymph nodes was revealed by magnetic resonance imaging and a computed tomography scan. The cervical cancer stage FIGO Ib2 was diagnosed, and a radical hysterectomy was performed for this malignant tumor. The in situ hybridization for EBV was negative. HVP infection was strongly suspected because the squamous cell carcinoma was observed macroscopically in the uterine cervix. The prognosis of uterine lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is thought to be better than those of other cervical cancer types, but careful follow-up at fixed intervals is recommended. The patient has been followed up for 4 months since her surgery, and no evidence of recurrence has been detected.

Incidence and Predictors of Bacterial infection in Febrile Children with Sickle Cell Disease.

PubMed

Morrissey, Benita J; Bycroft, Thomas P; Almossawi, Ofran; Wilkey, Olufunke B; Daniels, Justin G

2015-01-01

Children with sickle cell disease are at increased risk of developing bacteremia and other serious bacterial infections. Fever is a common symptom in sickle cell disease and can also occur with sickle cell crises and viral infections. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and predictors of bacteremia and bacterial infection in children with sickle cell disease presenting with fever to a district hospital and sickle cell center in London. A retrospective analysis was performed on all attendances of children (aged under 16 years) with sickle cell disease presenting with a fever of 38.5 °C or higher over a 1-year period. Confirmed bacterial infection was defined as bacteremia, bacterial meningitis, urinary tract infection (UTI), pneumonia, osteomyelitis or other bacterial infection with positive identification of organism. Children were defined as having a suspected bacterial infection if a bacterial infection was suspected clinically, but no organism was identified. Over a 1-year period there were 88 episodes analyzed in 59 children. Bacteremia occurred in 3.4% of episodes and confirmed bacterial infection in 7.0%. Suspected bacterial infection occurred in 33.0%. One death occurred from Salmonella typhirium septicemia. C-reactive protein (CRP) level and white blood cell (WBC) count were both significantly associated with bacterial infection (p = 0.004 and 0.02, respectively.) In conclusion, bacterial infections continue to be a significant problem in children with sickle cell disease. C-reactive protein was significantly associated with bacterial infections, and could be included in clinical risk criteria for febrile children with sickle cell disease.

Comparison of abortion and infection after experimental challenge of pregnant bison and cattle with Brucella abortus strain 2308

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A comparative study was conducted using data from naive bison (n=45) and cattle (n=46) from 8 and 6 studies, respectively, in which a standardized Brucella abortus strain 2308 experimental challenge was administered. The incidence of abortion, fetal infection, uterine or mammary infection, or infec...

Improved method of laser photovaporization for endometrium cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, En-ju; Lu, Hua; Chen, En-ling; Wan, Hong-yue

1995-03-01

Endometrium was destroyed by Nd-YAG laser under B ultrasonic monitoring through direct application of a fibrous catheter specially designed by Dong-lin Lee (an optical engineer). Of the 12 patients 11 cases had dysfunctional uterine bleeding and one case had postmenopausal uterine bleeding. The mean time of laser treatment was 5' 45', the mean volume of irrigating solution was 850 ml, and the mean estimated blood loss was less than 9 ml. All patients showed neither evidence of infection nor uterine perforation. Follow-up examination for 3 - 16 months showed amenorrhea in 4 cases, spotting in 4 cases, and obviously reduced menstrual flow in 3 cases. One patient, partly treated, had normal menstruation.

Type 2 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection increases apoptosis at the maternal-fetal interface in late gestation pregnant gilts

PubMed Central

Harding, John C. S.; Al-Dissi, Ahmad N; Detmer, Susan E.

2017-01-01

The pathogenesis of fetal death associated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is hypothesized to be a consequence of PRRS virus-induced apoptosis at the maternal-fetal interface (MFI). The objectives of this study were to evaluate distribution and degree of apoptosis in the uterine and fetal placental tissues during the experimental type 2 PRRS virus (PRRSV) infection and determine associations between apoptosis at the MFI, PRRSV RNA concentration and antigen staining intensity, PRRSV-induced microscopic lesions, and fetal preservation status. A total of 114 naïve, high-health pregnant gilts were inoculated with type 2 PRRSV on gestation day 85±1 with euthanasia 21 days later; 19 sham-inoculated gilts served as controls. Two hundred and fifty samples of uterine tissue with fetal placenta were selected based on negative, low PRRSV RNA, and high PRRSV RNA concentration (0, < or > 2.7 log10 copies/mg, respectively). TUNEL assay was used to detect apoptosis in the endometrium and at the MFI. PRRSV RNA concentration and numbers of PRRSV immunopositive cells in uterine and placental tissue were positively associated with the severity of apoptosis in the endometrium and the MFI (P<0.001, P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively). The number of TUNEL positive cells at the MFI was also positively associated with the severity (P<0.001) of vasculitis, but not total numbers of inflammatory cells in the endometrium. Increased numbers of TUNEL positive cells at the MFI were associated with PRRSV load in the fetal thymus, and greater odds of meconium staining of the fetus at 21 days post infection (P<0.001 for both). These findings suggest an important role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of uterine epithelial and trophoblastic cell death at the MFI. Moreover, apoptosis at the MFI is significantly associated with fetal demise during in utero type 2 PRRSV infection. PMID:28253336

[CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and NK cells in the stroma of the uterine cervix of women infected with human papillomavirus].

PubMed

Alves, Daniella Borges; Tozetti, Inês Aparecida; Gatto, Flávia Almeida; Cassandri, Fernanda; Ferreira, Alda Maria Teixeira; Carlos Eurico Dos Santos, Fernandes; Falcão, Gustavo Ribeiro; Scapulatempo, Ilzia Doraci Lins; Padovani, Cacilda Tezelli Junqueira; Abdo, Maria Auxiliadora Gomes Sandim

2010-01-01

Immune response might be a key element regarding the progression or regression of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the stroma of the uterine cervix. This study aimed to quantify the presence of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and NK cells in the cervical stroma, by means of immunohistochemistry, in high and low grade lesions in patients infected by HPV METHODS: Fifty-six biopsy samples from the uterine cervix were used. Forty-three samples were positive for oncogenic high-risk HPV DNA and had a histopathological diagnosis of high and low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or negative for intraepithelial lesion and malignancy (NILM); while the other 13 samples were negative for HPV DNA with a histopathological diagnosis of NILM RESULTS: Higher quantities of CD4 T lymphocytes were observed in CIN II/III, carcinoma and NILM samples (p = 0.04) and in those in which the viral load was between 10 and 1.000 RLU/PCB. CD8 T lymphocytes were predominant in CIN II/III samples (p = 0.02) and also in samples with viral loads between 100 and 1,000 RLU/PCB. NK cells predominated in samples with low-grade lesions and low viral load This study proved that in the initial stages of the infection, in which no high-grade cell abnormalities have yet occurred, no cells that might trigger the effector phase of the immune response.

Effect of ovarian hormones on the phagocytic response of ovariectomized mares.

PubMed

Ganjam, V K; McLeod, C; Klesius, P H; Washburn, S M; Kwapien, R; Brown, B; Fazeli, M H

1982-01-01

The reaction between ovarian hormones and experimental uterine infection (Streptococcus zooepidemicus) was investigated in 3 groups, each containing 6 ovariectomized mares. Group 1 served as controls ('anoestrus'), Group 2 mares were injected with oestrogen ('oestrus') and Group 3 with progesterone ('dioestrus') over a period of 5 weeks. All mares received an intrauterine inoculation of the bacteria 1 week after the start of hormonal treatment, and the results of the challenge were examined by endometrial biopsy and swabs once weekly. At the end of Week 1 no bacteria were recovered from the mares in Group 2. Group 1 mares were free of bacteria at the end of Week 2 but all Group 3 mares remained infected at least for the total period examined. Streptococcal phagocytosis was quantitated by chemiluminescence. Before the challenge-inoculation, phagocytosis was not significantly different in the 3 groups of mares. Bacterial cultures were negative for all three groups. However, within 48 h after infection, there was a significant increase (P less than 0.01) in phagocytosis in Group 2 and a significant suppression (P less than 0.05) in Group 3 mares. Patterns of streptococcal clearance from the uterus closely paralleled the changes in the magnitude of chemiluminescence response. The results suggest that ovarian hormonal status can modulate the phagocytic response in episodes of streptococcal-induced endometritus in mares.

[Participation of the genital mycoplasmas: Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in the processes of preterm birth].

PubMed

Museva, A; Shopova, E; Dimitrov, A; Nikolov, A

2007-01-01

According to contemporary data Ureaplasma urealiticum and Mycoplasma hominis are considered to be the most frequently isolated causative microorganisms from the amniotic cavity. They cause intrauterine infection on preterm birth. The genital mycoplasma are detected in vaginal smears more than 25% of healthy pregnant women and the reason for their invasion towards the uterine cavity in some cases are still unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between vaginal mycoplasmal contamination and preterm birth. The observed cases are distributed into 2 groups:--patients with preterm birth--35 pregnant women,--term birth--31 pregnant women. The vaginal secretion was tested with a standard microbiological methods and with specific test mycoplasma detection and quantitative assessment. In the first group in five patients (14.3%) Ur. urealiticum was detected in association with other vaginal pathogens (bacterial vaginosis and GBS). In the term birth group 2 patients were mycoplasma positive (6.5%) and associated Enterococcus and Lactobacillus was found in them. All neonates of the mycoplasma positive mothers had sings of infection and underwent antimicrobial therapy course. The results did not demonstrate statistically significant difference in the incidence of vaginal mycoplasmal presence in preterm and term delivery but shows possible relationship between preterm birth caused by ascending mycoplasmal infection which is in association with other vaginal pathogens.

Time course of defense mechanisms in bovine endometrium in response to lipopolysaccharide.

PubMed

Swangchan-Uthai, Theerawat; Lavender, Chloe R M; Cheng, Zhangrui; Fouladi-Nashta, Ali A; Wathes, D Claire

2012-06-01

Endometritis caused by uterine infection after calving reduces fertility and causes major economic losses to the dairy industry. This study investigated the time course of an inflammatory response in bovine endometrium triggered by exposure to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mixed endometrial epithelial and stromal cells (9:1 ratio) were grown to confluence as a model system and treated with an optimized dose of 100 ng/ml LPS in vitro. Gene expression responses were measured using quantitative PCR, and gene products were investigated using assays of culture medium and Western blotting. Of 17 candidate genes tested initially, LPS treatment for 24 h up-regulated mRNA expression of TLR4 signaling (TLR4, CD14), cytokines (IL1B, TNF), chemokines (IL8, CXCL5), antimicrobial peptides (LAP, S100A8, S100A9, S100A12), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1, MMP13). A 48 h, LPS time course study showed that TNF increased first at 1 h, followed by peak expression of IL1B at 6 h, and those of S100A8, S100A12, and LAP at 12 h. The intracellular S100A8 protein content doubled at 12-24 h but with little excretion into the medium. Regarding prostaglandin biosynthesis, PTGES mRNA was slightly higher after LPS exposure, whereas expression of the PGF synthase AKR1B1 was inhibited. Despite this, LPS treatment stimulated the secretion of both PGE₂ and PGF₂(alpha) to a similar extent. These results suggest that the family of S100 Ca²⁺ binding proteins are released from damaged endometrial cells and may play a major antimicrobial role. Prostaglandin synthesis increased during the uterine infection, but we found no evidence that this was associated with a change in the PGE:PGF ratio.

Intrauterine group A streptococcal infections are exacerbated by prostaglandin E2.

PubMed

Mason, Katie L; Rogers, Lisa M; Soares, Elyara M; Bani-Hashemi, Tara; Erb Downward, John; Agnew, Dalen; Peters-Golden, Marc; Weinberg, Jason B; Crofford, Leslie J; Aronoff, David M

2013-09-01

Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus; GAS) is a major cause of severe postpartum sepsis, a re-emerging cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Immunological alterations occur during pregnancy to promote maternofetal tolerance, which may increase the risk for puerperal infection. PGE2 is an immunomodulatory lipid that regulates maternofetal tolerance, parturition, and innate immunity. The extent to which PGE2 regulates host immune responses to GAS infections in the context of endometritis is unknown. To address this, both an in vivo mouse intrauterine (i.u.) GAS infection model and an in vitro human macrophage-GAS interaction model were used. In C57BL/6 mice, i.u. GAS inoculation resulted in local and systemic inflammatory responses and triggered extensive changes in the expression of eicosanoid pathway genes. The i.u. administration of PGE2 increased the mortality of infected mice, suppressed local IL-6 and IL-17A levels, enhanced neutrophilic inflammation, reduced uterine macrophage populations, and increased bacterial dissemination. A role for endogenous PGE2 in the modulation of antistreptococcal host defense was suggested, because mice lacking the genes encoding the microsomal PGE2 synthase-1 or the EP2 receptor were protected from death, as were mice treated with the EP4 receptor antagonist, GW627368X. PGE2 also regulated GAS-macrophage interactions. In GAS-infected human THP-1 (macrophage-like) cells, PGE2 inhibited the production of MCP-1 and TNF-α while augmenting IL-10 expression. PGE2 also impaired the phagocytic ability of human placental macrophages, THP-1 cells, and mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Exploring the targeted disruption of PGE2 synthesis and signaling to optimize existing antimicrobial therapies against GAS may be warranted.

Spontaneous Abortion Associated with Zika Virus Infection and Persistent Viremia.

PubMed

Goncé, Anna; Martínez, Miguel J; Marbán-Castro, Elena; Saco, Adela; Soler, Anna; Alvarez-Mora, Maria Isabel; Peiro, Aida; Gonzalo, Verónica; Hale, Gillian; Bhatnagar, Julu; López, Marta; Zaki, Sherif; Ordi, Jaume; Bardají, Azucena

2018-05-01

We report a case of spontaneous abortion associated with Zika virus infection in a pregnant woman who traveled from Spain to the Dominican Republic and developed a rash. Maternal Zika viremia persisted at least 31 days after onset of symptoms and 21 days after uterine evacuation.

21 CFR 520.390b - Chloramphenicol capsules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... every 6 hours. (2) Indications for use. For treatment of bacterial pulmonary infections, bacterial infections of the urinary tract, bacterial enteritis, and bacterial infections associated with canine...

The effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha on ovarian function

PubMed Central

Williams, Erin J.; Sibley, Kelly; Miller, Aleisha N.; Lane, Elizabeth A.; Fishwick, John; Nash, Deborah M.; Herath, Shan; England, Gary CW; Dobson, Hilary; Sheldon, I. Martin

2009-01-01

Problem Pelvic inflammatory disease and metritis are important causes of infertility in humans and domestic animals. Uterine infection with Escherichia coli in cattle is associated with reduced ovarian follicle growth and decreased estradiol secretion. We hypothesized that this effect could be mediated by the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Method of study In vitro, bovine ovarian theca and granulosa cells were treated with LPS or TNFα and steroid secretion measured. In vivo, the effect of LPS or TNFα intrauterine infusion was determined by ovarian ultrasonography and measurement of hormones in cattle. Results LPS reduced granulosa cell estradiol secretion, whilst TNFα decreased theca and granulosa cell androstenedione and estradiol production, respectively. In vivo, fewer animals ovulated following intrauterine infusion with LPS or TNFα. Conclusion LPS and TNFα suppress ovarian cell function, supporting the concept that pelvic inflammatory disease and metritis are detrimental for bovine ovarian health. PMID:19238751

A Model of Superinfection of Virus-Infected Zebrafish Larvae: Increased Susceptibility to Bacteria Associated With Neutrophil Death

PubMed Central

Boucontet, Laurent; Passoni, Gabriella; Thiry, Valéry; Maggi, Ludovico; Herbomel, Philippe; Levraud, Jean-Pierre; Colucci-Guyon, Emma

2018-01-01

Enhanced susceptibility to bacterial infection in the days following an acute virus infection such as flu is a major clinical problem. Mouse models have provided major advances in understanding viral-bacterial superinfections, yet interactions of the anti-viral and anti-bacterial responses remain elusive. Here, we have exploited the transparency of zebrafish to study how viral infections can pave the way for bacterial co-infections. We have set up a zebrafish model of sequential viral and bacterial infection, using sublethal doses of Sindbis virus and Shigella flexneri bacteria. This virus induces a strong type I interferons (IFN) response, while the bacterium induces a strong IL1β and TNFα-mediated inflammatory response. We found that virus-infected zebrafish larvae showed an increased susceptibility to bacterial infection. This resulted in the death with concomitant higher bacterial burden of the co-infected fish compared to the ones infected with bacteria only. By contrast, infecting with bacteria first and virus second did not lead to increased mortality or microbial burden. By high-resolution live imaging, we showed that neutrophil survival was impaired in Sindbis-then-Shigella co-infected fish. The two types of cytokine responses were strongly induced in co-infected fish. In addition to type I IFN, expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 was induced by viral infection before bacterial superinfection. Collectively, these observations suggest the zebrafish larva as a useful animal model to address mechanisms underlying increased bacterial susceptibility upon viral infection. PMID:29881380

Isolation of a Breast Cancer Tumor Suppressor Gene from Chromosome 3p

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-10-01

and persistence of HPV infection and p53 mutation in cancer of the cervix uteri and the vulva. Int. J. Cancer . 63, 639-645. 17 Nancarrow, J.K., Holman...heterozygosity on the short arm of chromosome 3 in carcinoma of the uterine cervix . Cancer Res. 49, 3598-3601. 9. APPENDIX. Figure Legends: Figure 2. Map...uterine cervix . Cancer Asmssimilarities by 1Res., 49, 3598-3601.Assembled sequences were analyzed for database14. Cohen, A.J., Li, F.P., Berg, S

Differences of serum procalcitonin levels between bacterial infection and flare in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patrick, J.; Marpaung, B.; Ginting, Y.

2018-03-01

Differentiate bacterial infections from flare in SLE patients is difficult to do because clinical symptoms of infection is similar to flare. SLE patients with infection require antibiotic therapy with decreased doses of immunosuppressant while in flare diseases require increased immunosuppressant. Procalcitonin (PCT), a biological marker, increased in serum patients with bacterial infections and expected to be a solution of problem. The aim of this study was to examine the function of PCT serum as marker to differentiate bacterial infection and flare in SLE patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Adam Malik Hospital from January-July 2017. We examined 80 patients SLE flare (MEX-SLEDAI>5), screen PCT and culture according to focal infection. Data were statistically analyzed. 80 SLE patients divided into 2 groups: bacterial infection group (31 patients) and non-infection/flare group (49 patients). Median PCT levels of bacterial infection group was 1.66 (0.04-8.45)ng/ml while flare group was 0.12 (0.02-0.81)ng/ml. There was significant difference of serum Procalcitonin level between bacterial infection and flare group in SLE patients (p=0.001). Procalcitonin serum levels can be used as a biomarker to differentiate bacterial infections and flare in SLE patients.

Oxytocin plus antibiotics: A synergism of potentiation to enhance bovine uterine contractility.

PubMed

Piccinno, M; Rizzo, A; Cariello, G; Staffieri, F; Sciorsci, R L

2016-09-15

This in vitro study investigates the modulatory effect of three antibiotics (amoxicillin, enrofloxacin, and rifaximin) on contractility of the bovine uterine tissue, in follicular and luteal phases. The evaluation of the effects of these antibiotics (10(-4) M) was performed on oxytocin-induced contractility. The decision to test these antibiotics with the oxytocin (10(-6) M) comes from the reported ability of these combinations of hinder the antibiotic resistance and the formation of bacterial biofilms. The procedures were carried out in isolated organ bath, and the contractile functionality of the strip throughout the experiment was evaluated after a dose of carbachol (10(-5) M). The results demonstrate the different modulatory activity of these antibiotics, on the plateau of contraction induced by oxytocin, in both phases of the estrus cycle. The differing individual antibiotic effects of our testing made it possible to identify, only in some cases. Rifaximin in the follicular phase and enrofloxacin in both phases of the estrous cycle, induced a synergistic enhancement (potentiation) of uterine strip contraction induced by oxytocin. This result is thought important because these associations might enable, in vivo, a simultaneous increase of uterine cleaning and the antimicrobial action on bacteria in planktonic form and of those organized in biofilms. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of procalcitonin and neopterin level in serum of patients with acute bacterial infection.

PubMed

Pourakbari, Babak; Mamishi, Setareh; Zafari, Javid; Khairkhah, Hanieh; Ashtiani, Mohammad H; Abedini, Masomeh; Afsharpaiman, Shahla; Rad, Soroush Seifi

2010-01-01

Fever as a common presenting complaint in pediatric patients can be due to various causes. Differentiating bacterial infection from other causes is important because the prompt use of antibiotics is critical in bacterial infection. Traditional markers of infection such as BT and WBC count may be unspecific and culture may be late or absent. CRP and Procalcitonin (PCT) have been considered to evaluate the evolution of infections and sepsis in patients presenting with SIRS. Neopterin has also been proposed to aid in the diagnosis of bacterial infection. In this study, we compared the value of the serum PCT, neopterin level, and WBC count for predicting bacterial infection and outcome in children with fever. 158 pediatric (2-120-month-old) patients suspected to have acute bacterial infection, based on clinical judgment in which other causes of SIRS were ruled out were included in the study. WBC count with differential was determined and PCT and neopterin levels were measured. PCT level was higher in bacterial infection and patients who were complicated or expired. Rapid PCT test is superior to neopterin and WBC count for anticipating bacterial infection, especially in ED where prompt decision making is critical.

Reduction of Coxiella burnetii prevalence by vaccination of goats and sheep, The Netherlands.

PubMed

Hogerwerf, Lenny; van den Brom, René; Roest, Hendrik I J; Bouma, Annemarie; Vellema, Piet; Pieterse, Maarten; Dercksen, Daan; Nielen, Mirjam

2011-03-01

Recently, the number of human Q fever cases in the Netherlands increased dramatically. In response to this increase, dairy goats and dairy sheep were vaccinated against Coxiella burnetii. All pregnant dairy goats and dairy sheep in herds positive for Q fever were culled. We identified the effect of vaccination on bacterial shedding by small ruminants. On the day of culling, samples of uterine fluid, vaginal mucus, and milk were obtained from 957 pregnant animals in 13 herds. Prevalence and bacterial load were reduced in vaccinated animals compared with unvaccinated animals. These effects were most pronounced in animals during their first pregnancy. Results indicate that vaccination may reduce bacterial load in the environment and human exposure to C. burnetii.

Maternal infection rates after cesarean delivery by Pfannenstiel or Joel-Cohen incision: a multicenter surveillance study.

PubMed

Dumas, Anne Marie; Girard, Raphaële; Ayzac, Louis; Caillat-Vallet, Emmanuelle; Tissot-Guerraz, Françoise; Vincent-Bouletreau, Agnès; Berland, Michel

2009-12-01

Our purpose was to evaluate maternal nosocomial infection rates according to the incision technique used for caesarean delivery, in a routine surveillance study. This was a prospective study of 5123 cesarean deliveries (43.2% Joel-Cohen, 56.8% Pfannenstiel incisions) in 35 maternity units (Mater Sud Est network). Data on routine surveillance variables, operative duration, and three additional variables (manual removal of the placenta, uterine exteriorization, and/or cleaning of the parieto-colic gutter) were collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for infection. The overall nosocomial infection and endometritis rates were higher for the Joel-Cohen than Pfannenstiel incision (4.5% vs. 3.3%, 0.8% vs. 0.3%, respectively). The higher rate of nosocomial infections with the Joel-Cohen incision was due to a greater proportion of patients presenting risk factors (i.e., emergency delivery, primary cesarean, blood loss > or =800 mL, no manual removal of the placenta and no uterine exteriorization). However, the Joel-Cohen technique was an independent risk factor for endometritis. The Joel-Cohen technique is faster than the Pfannenstiel technique but is associated with a higher incidence of endometritis.

Diagnostic test accuracy of a 2-transcript host RNA signature for discriminating bacterial vs viral infection in febrile children

PubMed Central

Shailes, Hannah; Eleftherohorinou, Hariklia; Hoggart, Clive J; Cebey-Lopez, Miriam; Carter, Michael J; Janes, Victoria A; Gormley, Stuart; Shimizu, Chisato; Tremoulet, Adriana H; Barendregt, Anouk M; Salas, Antonio; Kanegaye, John; Pollard, Andrew J; Faust, Saul N; Patel, Sanjay; Kuijpers, Taco; Martinon-Torres, Federico; Burns, Jane C; Coin, Lachlan JM; Levin, Michael

2018-01-01

Importance As clinical features do not reliably distinguish bacterial from viral infection, many children worldwide receive unnecessary antibiotic treatment whilst bacterial infection is missed in others. Objective To identify a blood RNA expression signature that distinguishes bacterial from viral infection in febrile children. Design Febrile children presenting to participating hospitals in UK, Spain, Netherlands and USA between 2009-2013 were prospectively recruited, comprising a discovery group and validation group. Each group was classified after microbiological investigation into definite bacterial, definite viral infection or indeterminate infection. RNA expression signatures distinguishing definite bacterial from viral infection were identified in the discovery group and diagnostic performance assessed in the validation group. Additional validation was undertaken in separate studies of children with meningococcal disease (n=24) inflammatory diseases (n=48), and on published gene expression datasets. Exposures A 2-transcript RNA expression signature distinguishing bacterial infection from viral infection was evaluated against clinical and microbiological diagnosis. Main Outcomes Definite Bacterial and viral infection was confirmed by culture or molecular detection of the pathogens. Performance of the RNA signature was evaluated in the definite bacterial and viral group, and the indeterminate group. Results The discovery cohort of 240 children (median age 19 months, 62% males) included 52 with definite bacterial infection of whom 36 (69%) required intensive care; and 92 with definite viral infection of whom 32 (35%) required intensive care. 96 children had indeterminate infection. Bioinformatic analysis of RNA expression data identified a 38-transcript signature distinguishing bacterial from viral infection. A smaller (2-transcript) signature (FAM89A and IFI44L) was identified by removing highly correlated transcripts. When this 2-transcript signature was implemented as a Disease Risk Score in the validation group (130 children, including 23 bacterial, 28 viral, 79 indeterminate; median age 17 months, 57% males), bacterial infection was identified in all 23 microbiologically-confirmed definite bacterial patients, with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 100 - 100), and in 1 of 28 definite viral patients, with specificity of 96.4% (95% CI, 89.3 – 100). When applied to additional validation datasets from patients with meningococcal and inflammatory diseases, bacterial infection was identified with a sensitivity of 91.7% (79.2-100) and 90.0% (70.0-100) respectively, and with specificity of 96.0% (88.0-100) and 95.8% (89.6-100). A minority of children in the indeterminate group were classified as having bacterial infection (63 of 136, 46.3%), although most received antibiotic treatment (129 of 136, 94.9%). Conclusions and Relevance This study provides preliminary data regarding test accuracy of a 2-transcript host RNA signature discriminating bacterial from viral infection in febrile children. Further studies are needed in diverse groups of patients to assess accuracy and clinical utility of this test in different clinical settings. PMID:27552617

Uterine Tissue Engineering and the Future of Uterus Transplantation.

PubMed

Hellström, Mats; Bandstein, Sara; Brännström, Mats

2017-07-01

The recent successful births following live donor uterus transplantation are proof-of-concept that absolute uterine factor infertility is a treatable condition which affects several hundred thousand infertile women world-wide due to a dysfunctional uterus. This strategy also provides an alternative to gestational surrogate motherhood which is not practiced in most countries due to ethical, religious or legal reasons. The live donor surgery involved in uterus transplantation takes more than 10 h and is then followed by years of immunosuppressive medication to prevent uterine rejection. Immunosuppression is associated with significant adverse side effects, including nephrotoxicity, increased risk of serious infections, and diabetes. Thus, the development of alternative approaches to treat absolute uterine factor infertility would be desirable. This review discusses tissue engineering principles in general, but also details strategies on how to create a bioengineered uterus that could be used for transplantation, without risky donor surgery and any need for immunosuppression. We discuss scaffolds derived from decellularized organs/tissues which may be recellularized using various types of autologous somatic/stem cells, in particular for uterine tissue engineering. It further highlights the hurdles that lay ahead in developing an alternative to an allogeneic source for uterus transplantation.

75 FR 52755 - Draft Guidance for Industry on Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Developing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-27

...] Draft Guidance for Industry on Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Developing Drugs for... ``Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Developing Drugs for Treatment.'' The purpose of... antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), impetigo...

Pulse of inflammatory proteins in the pregnant uterus of European polecats (Mustela putorius) leading to the time of implantation.

PubMed

Lindeberg, Heli; Burchmore, Richard J S; Kennedy, Malcolm W

2017-03-01

Uterine secretory proteins protect the uterus and conceptuses against infection, facilitate implantation, control cellular damage resulting from implantation, and supply pre-implantation embryos with nutrients. Unlike in humans, the early conceptus of the European polecat ( Mustela putorius ; ferret) grows and develops free in the uterus until implanting at about 12 days after mating. We found that the proteins appearing in polecat uteri changed dramatically with time leading to implantation. Several of these proteins have also been found in pregnant uteri of other eutherian mammals. However, we found a combination of two increasingly abundant proteins that have not been recorded before in pre-placentation uteri. First, the broad-spectrum proteinase inhibitor α 2 -macroglobulin rose to dominate the protein profile by the time of implantation. Its functions may be to limit damage caused by the release of proteinases during implantation or infection, and to control other processes around sites of implantation. Second, lipocalin-1 (also known as tear lipocalin) also increased substantially in concentration. This protein has not previously been recorded as a uterine secretion in pregnancy in any species. If polecat lipocalin-1 has similar biological properties to that of humans, then it may have a combined function in antimicrobial protection and transporting or scavenging lipids. The changes in the uterine secretory protein repertoire of European polecats is therefore unusual, and may be representative of pre-placentation supportive uterine secretions in mustelids (otters, weasels, badgers, mink, wolverines) in general.

Bacterial Infections in Children With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Ciprofloxacin Prophylaxis.

PubMed

Al Omar, Suha; Anabtawi, Nadine; Al Qasem, Wiam; Rihani, Rawad

2017-04-01

The aim of the study was to describe the incidence and type of bacterial infections associated with the use of ciprofloxacin prophylaxis as single agent in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This was a retrospective review of all patients with AML, who were treated according to the AML02 protocol between 2011 and 2015. The medical records were reviewed for any positive cultures from the initiation of the protocol until death or protocol discontinuation. Patient demographics, type of infections, type of isolated bacteria, and intensive care unit admissions were recorded. A total of 50 patients were evaluated, who were of a mean age of 8 years±5.1 (SD). We identified 77 episodes of bacterial infections in 42 (84%) patients. Among those bacterial infections, 73 episodes were with bacteremia and included 45 (62%) gram-positive bacterial infections, 24 (33%) gram-negative bacterial infections, and 4 (6%) mixed gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial infections. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Viridans streptococci were the most commonly isolated bacteria in 33% and 30% of the episodes, respectively. Seventeen (45%) patients with bacteremia required intensive care unit admission. A high rate of bacterial infection was detected in patients who received the AML02 protocol, mainly gram-positive bacterial infections. The prophylactic regimen should be reconsidered for its efficacy, and other antibacterial prophylaxis may be used.

Infectious morbidity, operative blood loss, and length of the operative procedure after cesarean delivery by method of placental removal and site of uterine repair.

PubMed

Magann, E F; Washburne, J F; Harris, R L; Bass, J D; Duff, W P; Morrison, J C

1995-12-01

This study was done to determine the impact of the method of placental removal and the site of uterine repair on postcesarean infectious morbidity rates in women receiving prophylactic antibiotics at cesarean delivery. This prospective study included 284 women who underwent cesarean delivery and who were randomly assigned to four groups based on the method of placental removal and the site of uterine repair: group 1, spontaneous placental removal and in situ uterine repair; group 2, spontaneous placental removal and exteriorized uterine repair; group 3, manual placental removal and in situ uterine repair; and group 4, manual placental removal with exteriorized uterine repair. Exclusion criteria were repeat cesarean deliveries without labor, active infection at the time of cesarean delivery, and patient refusal to participate. There was no significant difference among the groups in maternal age, race, parity, weight, the length of time from rupture of membranes (ROM) or the number of vaginal examinations from ROM to cesarean delivery, or preoperative hematocrit. Intraoperatively, the type of uterine incision, anesthesia administered, incidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, Apgar scores, and cord gases were similar between groups. The incidence of postcesarean endometritis was greater in group 4 (32 [45 percent] of 71, p = 0.003) compared with group 1 (17 [24 percent] of 71), group 2 (12 [30 percent] of 71); and group 3 (13 [18 percent] of 71). Manual placental removal and exteriorization of the uterus for repair of the surgical incision increases the infectious morbidity rate in women receiving prophylactic antibiotics at the time of cesarean delivery and increases the length of hospitalization.

Influence of negative energy balance on cyclicity and fertility in the high producing dairy cow.

PubMed

Wathes, D C; Fenwick, M; Cheng, Z; Bourne, N; Llewellyn, S; Morris, D G; Kenny, D; Murphy, J; Fitzpatrick, R

2007-09-01

The peripartum period is of critical importance to subsequent health and fertility. Most cows enter a state of negative energy balance (NEB) associated with many metabolic changes which have carry over effects on the resumption and normality of estrous cyclicity and the success of subsequent inseminations. A dataset on 500 lactations explored the relationships between metabolic traits measured before and after calving with fertility. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that longer calving to conception intervals were associated with altered profiles of IGF-I, urea and body condition score. These relationships between metabolic profiles and fertility differed between first lactation cows (which are still growing but produce less milk) and mature animals. Early postpartum the liver undergoes extensive biochemical and morphological modifications to adapt to NEB, the uterus is extensively remodeled and must clear bacterial infections, and the ovary must resume ovulatory cycles. RNA isolated from liver and uterine tissues harvested 2 weeks postpartum from cows in mild (MNEB) and severe (SNEB) energy balance was used to screen the Affymetrix 23K bovine microarray. In liver, SNEB resulted in differential expression of key genes involved in lipid catabolism, gluconeogenesis, and the synthesis and stability of IGF-I. This was accompanied by reduced systemic concentrations of IGF-I which is likely to impact on ovarian function and early embryo development. Within endometrium, cows in SNEB showed histological evidence for higher levels of inflammation and the microarray analysis identified groups of differentially expressed genes involved in tissue remodeling and immune response. This may delay uterine repair after calving, likely contributing to the observed reduction in fertility.

Contribution to reconstruction of third degree rectovestibular lacerations in mares

PubMed Central

Elkasapy, A.H.; Ibrahim, I.M.

2015-01-01

The study was conducted on ten mares suffering from third degree rectovestibular laceration. Four uterine washes were performed in all cases by using diluted betadine (mixing 5ml of betadine antiseptic solution in 1 liter of sterile saline) to control vaginal and uterine infections before surgery. Surgical repair of third degree rectovestibular laceration was done by one-stage Goetz technique after four to six weeks of initial injury, with the lateral dissection continued extensively until the two flaps were created and brought to the midline without any tension. Primary healing occurred in all cases without significant complications. The obtained results indicate that mares with third degree rectovestibular lacerations are candidates for uterine wash and one-stage Goetz technique with excessive lateral continuation of the flap. PMID:26623358

Pelvic Exam

MedlinePlus

... of a routine physical exam to find possible signs of ovarian cysts, sexually transmitted infections, uterine fibroids or early-stage cancer. Pelvic exams are also commonly performed during pregnancy. There is a lot of debate among experts ...

Association of RNA Biosignatures With Bacterial Infections in Febrile Infants Aged 60 Days or Younger.

PubMed

Mahajan, Prashant; Kuppermann, Nathan; Mejias, Asuncion; Suarez, Nicolas; Chaussabel, Damien; Casper, T Charles; Smith, Bennett; Alpern, Elizabeth R; Anders, Jennifer; Atabaki, Shireen M; Bennett, Jonathan E; Blumberg, Stephen; Bonsu, Bema; Borgialli, Dominic; Brayer, Anne; Browne, Lorin; Cohen, Daniel M; Crain, Ellen F; Cruz, Andrea T; Dayan, Peter S; Gattu, Rajender; Greenberg, Richard; Hoyle, John D; Jaffe, David M; Levine, Deborah A; Lillis, Kathleen; Linakis, James G; Muenzer, Jared; Nigrovic, Lise E; Powell, Elizabeth C; Rogers, Alexander J; Roosevelt, Genie; Ruddy, Richard M; Saunders, Mary; Tunik, Michael G; Tzimenatos, Leah; Vitale, Melissa; Dean, J Michael; Ramilo, Octavio

Young febrile infants are at substantial risk of serious bacterial infections; however, the current culture-based diagnosis has limitations. Analysis of host expression patterns ("RNA biosignatures") in response to infections may provide an alternative diagnostic approach. To assess whether RNA biosignatures can distinguish febrile infants aged 60 days or younger with and without serious bacterial infections. Prospective observational study involving a convenience sample of febrile infants 60 days or younger evaluated for fever (temperature >38° C) in 22 emergency departments from December 2008 to December 2010 who underwent laboratory evaluations including blood cultures. A random sample of infants with and without bacterial infections was selected for RNA biosignature analysis. Afebrile healthy infants served as controls. Blood samples were collected for cultures and RNA biosignatures. Bioinformatics tools were applied to define RNA biosignatures to classify febrile infants by infection type. RNA biosignatures compared with cultures for discriminating febrile infants with and without bacterial infections and infants with bacteremia from those without bacterial infections. Bacterial infection confirmed by culture. Performance of RNA biosignatures was compared with routine laboratory screening tests and Yale Observation Scale (YOS) scores. Of 1883 febrile infants (median age, 37 days; 55.7% boys), RNA biosignatures were measured in 279 randomly selected infants (89 with bacterial infections-including 32 with bacteremia and 15 with urinary tract infections-and 190 without bacterial infections), and 19 afebrile healthy infants. Sixty-six classifier genes were identified that distinguished infants with and without bacterial infections in the test set with 87% (95% CI, 73%-95%) sensitivity and 89% (95% CI, 81%-93%) specificity. Ten classifier genes distinguished infants with bacteremia from those without bacterial infections in the test set with 94% (95% CI, 70%-100%) sensitivity and 95% (95% CI, 88%-98%) specificity. The incremental C statistic for the RNA biosignatures over the YOS score was 0.37 (95% CI, 0.30-0.43). In this preliminary study, RNA biosignatures were defined to distinguish febrile infants aged 60 days or younger with vs without bacterial infections. Further research with larger populations is needed to refine and validate the estimates of test accuracy and to assess the clinical utility of RNA biosignatures in practice.

Enhanced Mucosal Antibody Production and Protection against Respiratory Infections Following an Orally Administered Bacterial Extract

PubMed Central

Pasquali, Christian; Salami, Olawale; Taneja, Manisha; Gollwitzer, Eva S.; Trompette, Aurelien; Pattaroni, Céline; Yadava, Koshika; Bauer, Jacques; Marsland, Benjamin J.

2014-01-01

Secondary bacterial infections following influenza infection are a pressing problem facing respiratory medicine. Although antibiotic treatment has been highly successful over recent decades, fatalities due to secondary bacterial infections remain one of the leading causes of death associated with influenza. We have assessed whether administration of a bacterial extract alone is sufficient to potentiate immune responses and protect against primary infection with influenza, and secondary infections with either Streptococcus pneumoniae or Klebsiella pneumoniae in mice. We show that oral administration with the bacterial extract, OM-85, leads to a maturation of dendritic cells and B-cells characterized by increases in MHC II, CD86, and CD40, and a reduction in ICOSL. Improved immune responsiveness against influenza virus reduced the threshold of susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections, and thus protected the mice. The protection was associated with enhanced polyclonal B-cell activation and release of antibodies that were effective at neutralizing the virus. Taken together, these data show that oral administration of bacterial extracts provides sufficient mucosal immune stimulation to protect mice against a respiratory tract viral infection and associated sequelae. PMID:25593914

Evidence for CB2 receptor involvement in LPS-induced reduction of cAMP intracellular levels in uterine explants from pregnant mice: pathophysiological implications.

PubMed

Salazar, Ana Inés; Carozzo, Alejandro; Correa, Fernando; Davio, Carlos; Franchi, Ana María

2017-07-01

What is the role of the endocannabinoid system (eCS) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) effects on uterine explants from 7-day pregnant mice in a murine model of endotoxin-induced miscarriage? We found evidence for cannabinoid receptor type2 (CB2) involvement in LPS-induced increased prostaglandin-F2α (PGF2α) synthesis and diminished cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) intracellular content in uterine explants from early pregnant mice. Genital tract infections by Gram-negative bacteria are a common complication of human pregnancy that results in an increased risk of pregnancy loss. LPS, the main component of the Gram-negative bacterial wall, elicits a strong maternal inflammatory response that results in embryotoxicity and embryo resorption in a murine model endotoxin-induced early pregnancy loss. We have previously shown that the eCS mediates the embryotoxic effects of LPS, mainly via CB1 receptor activation. An in vitro study of mice uterine explants was performed to investigate the eCS in mediating the effects of LPS on PGF2α production and cAMP intracellular content. Eight to 12-week-old virgin female BALB/c or CD1 (wild-type [WT] or CB1-knockout [CB1-KO]) mice were paired with 8- to 12-week-old BALB/c or CD1 (WT or CB1-KO) males, respectively. On day 7 of pregnancy, BALB/c, CD1 WT or CD1 CB1-KO mice were euthanized, the uteri were excised, implantation sites were removed and the uterine tissues were separated from decidual and embryo tissues. Uterine explants were cultured and exposed for an appropriate amount of time to different pharmacological treatments. The tissues were then collected for cAMP assay and PGF2α content determination by radioimmunoassay. In vitro treatment of uteri explants from 7-day pregnant BALB/c or CD1 (WT or CB1-KO) mice with LPS induced an increased production of PGF2α (P < 0.05) and a reduction of the tissue content of cAMP (P < 0.05). These effects were mediated by CB2 receptors since exposure to AM630 (a specific CB2 receptor antagonist) prevented these LPS-induced effects (P < 0.05). Collectively, our results suggest a role for the eCS mediating LPS-induced deleterious effects on reproductive tissues. Since our experimental design involves in vitro experiments of uterine explants, the extrapolation of the results presented here to humans is limited. Our findings provide evidence for the role of CB2 receptors in reproductive events as well as their participation as a mediator of LPS deleterious effects on reproductive tissues. None. Dr Ana María Franchi was funded by Agencia Nacional para la Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PICT 2010/0813 and PICT 2013/0097) and by Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (PIP 2012/0061). Dr Carlos Davio was funded by Agencia Nacional para la Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PICT 2013/2050). The authors have no competing interests. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Systematic Search for Primary Immunodeficiency in Adults With Infections

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-05-15

Complement Deficiency; Antibody Deficiency; Chronic Sinus Infection; Meningitis, Bacterial; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Otitis Media; Streptococcal Infection; Neisseria Infections; Haemophilus Influenza; Pneumococcal Infections

Horse species symposium: a novel approach to monitoring pathogen progression during uterine and placental infection in the mare using bioluminescence imaging technology and lux-modified bacteria.

PubMed

Ryan, P L; Christiansen, D L; Hopper, R M; Walters, F K; Moulton, K; Curbelo, J; Greene, J M; Willard, S T

2011-05-01

Uterine and placental infections are the leading cause of abortion, stillbirth, and preterm delivery in the mare. Whereas uterine and placental infections in women have been studied extensively, a comprehensive examination of the pathogenic processes leading to this unsatisfactory pregnancy outcome in the mare has yet to be completed. Most information in the literature relating to late-term pregnancy loss in mares is based on retrospective studies of clinical cases submitted for necropsy. Here we report the development and application of a novel approach, whereby transgenically modified bacteria transformed with lux genes of Xenorhabdus luminescens or Photorhabdus luminescens origin and biophotonic imaging are utilized to better understand pathogen-induced preterm birth in late-term pregnant mares. This technology uses highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging camera systems to localize and monitor pathogen progression during tissue invasion by measuring the bioluminescent signatures emitted by the lux-modified pathogens. This method has an important advantage in that it allows for the potential tracking of pathogens in vivo in real time and over time, which was hitherto impossible. Although the application of this technology in domestic animals is in its infancy, investigators were successful in identifying the fetal lungs, sinuses, nares, urinary, and gastrointestinal systems as primary tissues for pathogen invasion after experimental infection of pregnant mares with lux-modified Escherichia coli. It is important that pathogens were not detected in other vital organs, such as the liver, brain, and cardiac system. Such precision in localizing sites of pathogen invasion provides potential application for this novel approach in the development of more targeted therapeutic interventions for pathogen-related diseases in the equine and other domestic species.

Effects of intravaginal lactic acid bacteria on bovine endometrium: Implications in uterine health.

PubMed

Genís, Sandra; Bach, Àlex; Arís, Anna

2017-05-01

Infection and inflammation of the endometrium after calving compromise uterine health, contributing to decreased reproductive efficiency in dairy cows. Twenty multiparous cows were distributed in two groups and treated intra-vaginally with a combination of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) composed by Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Pedioccocus acidilactici, and Lactobacillus reuteri, or with a sterile carrier (CON) twice per week during 3 wk. At the slaughterhouse, vaginal and endometrial swabs were taken for E. coli and Lactobacillus quantification. Endometriums were collected and cut forming explants that were analyzed for the expression of 10 genes related to innate immunity and infection or submitted to an ex vivo inflammation model. In the ex vivo experiment, explants were infected with E. coli or inflammated by treating them with IL-1β and also E. coli. The secretion of IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-6 was evaluated by ELISA in the supernatants of the ex vivo cultures. Lactobacillus counts did not differ between endometria of LAB and CON cows, although E. coli vaginal counts tended to be lower in LAB than in CON cows. The expression of B-defensins and MUC1, indicators of infected uterus, was down-regulated in explants of LAB-treated cows. No differences were observed between LAB and CON explants in the ex vivo inflammation experiment. These results indicate that the vaginal application of the LAB combination used herein was unable to reach the endometrium and regulating the innate immunity at uterine level when applied into the vagina; however, it may be capable of modulating the pathogenic environment in the vaginal tract. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using Standardized Interpretation of Chest Radiographs to Identify Adults with Bacterial Pneumonia--Guatemala, 2007-2012.

PubMed

Wortham, Jonathan M; Gray, Jennifer; Verani, Jennifer; Contreras, Carmen Lucia; Bernart, Chris; Moscoso, Fabiola; Moir, Juan Carlos; Reyes Marroquin, Emma Lissette; Castellan, Rigoberto; Arvelo, Wences; Lindblade, Kim; McCracken, John P

2015-01-01

Bacterial pneumonia is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide, but quantifying its burden is difficult due to insensitive diagnostics. Although World Health Organization (WHO) protocol standardizes pediatric chest radiograph (CXR) interpretation for epidemiologic studies of bacterial pneumonia, its validity in adults is unknown. Patients (age ≥ 15 years) admitted with respiratory infections to two Guatemalan hospitals between November 2007 and March 2012 had urine and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) swabs collected; blood cultures and CXR were also performed at physician clinical discretion. 'Any bacterial infection' was defined as a positive urine pneumococcal antigen test, isolation of a bacterial pneumonia pathogen from blood culture, or detection of an atypical bacterial pathogen by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) specimens. 'Viral infection' was defined as detection of viral pathogens by PCR of NP/OP specimens. CXRs were interpreted according to the WHO protocol as having 'endpoint consolidation', 'other infiltrate', or 'normal' findings. We examined associations between bacterial and viral infections and endpoint consolidation. Urine antigen and/or blood culture results were available for 721 patients with CXR interpretations; of these, 385 (53%) had endpoint consolidation and 253 (35%) had other infiltrate. Any bacterial infection was detected in 119 (17%) patients, including 106 (89%) pneumococcal infections. Any bacterial infection (Diagnostic Odds Ratio [DOR] = 2.9; 95% confidence Interval (CI): 1.3-7.9) and pneumococcal infection (DOR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.5-10.0) were associated with 'endpoint consolidation', but not 'other infiltrate' (DOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 0.7-4.9, and 1.7; 95% CI: 0.7-4.9 respectively). Viral infection was not significantly associated with 'endpoint consolidation', 'other infiltrate,' or 'normal' findings. 'Endpoint consolidation' was associated with 'any bacterial infection,' specifically pneumococcal infection. Therefore, endpoint consolidation may be a useful surrogate for studies measuring the impact of interventions, such as conjugate vaccines, against bacterial pneumonia.

Secreted Gaussia princeps luciferase as a reporter of Escherichia coli replication in a mouse tissue cage model of infection.

PubMed

Liu, Mingyu; Blinn, Christina; McLeod, Sarah M; Wiseman, John W; Newman, Joseph V; Fisher, Stewart L; Walkup, Grant K

2014-01-01

Measurement of bacterial burden in animal infection models is a key component for both bacterial pathogenesis studies and therapeutic agent research. The traditional quantification means for in vivo bacterial burden requires frequent animal sacrifice and enumerating colony forming units (CFU) recovered from infection loci. To address these issues, researchers have developed a variety of luciferase-expressing bacterial reporter strains to enable bacterial detection in living animals. To date, all such luciferase-based bacterial reporters are in cell-associated form. Production of luciferase-secreting recombinant bacteria could provide the advantage of reporting CFU from both infection loci themselves and remote sampling (eg. body fluid and plasma). Toward this end, we have genetically manipulated a pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain, ATCC25922, to secrete the marine copepod Gaussia princeps luciferase (Gluc), and assessed the use of Gluc as both an in situ and ex situ reporter for bacterial burden in mouse tissue cage infections. The E. coli expressing Gluc demonstrates in vivo imaging of bacteria in a tissue cage model of infection. Furthermore, secreted Gluc activity and bacterial CFUs recovered from tissue cage fluid (TCF) are correlated along 18 days of infection. Importantly, secreted Gluc can also be detected in plasma samples and serve as an ex situ indicator for the established tissue cage infection, once high bacterial burdens are achieved. We have demonstrated that Gluc from marine eukaryotes can be stably expressed and secreted by pathogenic E. coli in vivo to enable a facile tool for longitudinal evaluation of persistent bacterial infection.

The pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis disturbs the frog skin microbiome during a natural epidemic and experimental infection

PubMed Central

Jani, Andrea J.; Briggs, Cheryl J.

2014-01-01

Symbiotic microbial communities may interact with infectious pathogens sharing a common host. The microbiome may limit pathogen infection or, conversely, an invading pathogen can disturb the microbiome. Documentation of such relationships during naturally occurring disease outbreaks is rare, and identifying causal links from field observations is difficult. This study documented the effects of an amphibian skin pathogen of global conservation concern [the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)] on the skin-associated bacterial microbiome of the endangered frog, Rana sierrae, using a combination of population surveys and laboratory experiments. We examined covariation of pathogen infection and bacterial microbiome composition in wild frogs, demonstrating a strong and consistent correlation between Bd infection load and bacterial community composition in multiple R. sierrae populations. Despite the correlation between Bd infection load and bacterial community composition, we observed 100% mortality of postmetamorphic frogs during a Bd epizootic, suggesting that the relationship between Bd and bacterial communities was not linked to variation in resistance to mortal disease and that Bd infection altered bacterial communities. In a controlled experiment, Bd infection significantly altered the R. sierrae microbiome, demonstrating a causal relationship. The response of microbial communities to Bd infection was remarkably consistent: Several bacterial taxa showed the same response to Bd infection across multiple field populations and the laboratory experiment, indicating a somewhat predictable interaction between Bd and the microbiome. The laboratory experiment demonstrates that Bd infection causes changes to amphibian skin bacterial communities, whereas the laboratory and field results together strongly support Bd disturbance as a driver of bacterial community change during natural disease dynamics. PMID:25385615

Description of Bacterial Respiratory Infections among Department of Defense Beneficiaries, Utilizing Electronic Clinical Laboratory Data, October 2008-September 2013

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

i Description of bacterial respiratory infections among Department of Defense beneficiaries, utilizing electronic clinical laboratory...Description of Bacterial Respiratory Infections in the DOD, October 2008-September 2013 Prepared: 12 July 2014 EpiData Center Department ii...Description of Bacterial Respiratory Infections in the DOD, October 2008-September 2013 Prepared: 12 July 2014 EpiData Center Department Abstract

Infections complicating cirrhosis.

PubMed

Piano, Salvatore; Brocca, Alessandra; Mareso, Sara; Angeli, Paolo

2018-02-01

Patients with cirrhosis have a high risk of bacterial infections. Bacterial infections induce systemic inflammation that may lead to organ failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) resulting in a high risk of short term mortality. The early diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections is essential to improve the patient's prognosis. However, in recent years, the spread of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections has reduced the efficacy of commonly used antibiotics such as third generation cephalosporins. In patients at high risk of MDR bacteria, such as those with nosocomial infections, the early administration of broad spectrum antibiotics has been shown to improve the prognosis. However, early de-escalation of antibiotics is recommended to reduce a further increase in antibiotic resistance. Strategies to prevent acute kidney injury and other organ failures should be implemented. Although prophylaxis of bacterial infections with antibiotics improves the prognosis in selected patients, their use should be limited to patients at high risk of developing infections. In this article, we review the pathogenesis and management of bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Frequency and Clinical Significance of Intra-amniotic Inflammation in Women With Preterm Uterine Contractility but Without Cervical Change: Do the Diagnostic Criteria for Preterm Labor Need to be Changed?

PubMed Central

KIM, Sun Min; ROMERO, Roberto; LEE, JoonHo; LEE, Seung Mi; PARK, Chan-Wook; PARK, Joong Shin; YOON, Bo Hyun

2011-01-01

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical significance of intra-amniotic inflammation in patients with preterm increased uterine contractility with intact membranes but without cervical change. METHODS Amniocentesis was performed in 132 patients with regular uterine contractions and intact membranes without cervical change. Amniotic fluid was cultured for bacteria and mycoplasmas and assayed for matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). Intra-amniotic inflammation was defined as an elevated amniotic fluid MMP-8 concentration (>23 ng/mL). RESULTS 1) Intra-amniotic inflammation was present in 12.1% (16/132); 2) Culture-proven intra-amniotic infection was diagnosed in 3% (4/132) of patients without demonstrable cervical change on admission or during the period of observation; and 3) Patients with intra-amniotic inflammation had significantly higher rates of preterm delivery and adverse outcomes, and shorter amniocentesis-to-delivery intervals than those without intra-amniotic inflammation (P < .05 for each). Adverse outcomes included chorioamnionitis, funisitis, and neonatal death. CONCLUSION Intra-amniotic inflammation was present in 12% of patients with regular uterine contractions without cervical change, while culture-proven intra-amniotic infection was present in 3%. The presence of intra-amniotic inflammation was a significant risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes. These observations question whether cervical changes should be required for the diagnosis of preterm labor, because patients without modifications in cervical status on admission or during a period of observation are at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. PMID:21999173

Predictors of serious bacterial infections in pediatric burn patients with fever.

PubMed

Vyles, David; Sinha, Madhumita; Rosenberg, David I; Foster, Kevin N; Tran, Melissa; Drachman, David

2014-01-01

To determine predictors of serious bacterial infections in pediatric burn patients with fever (core temp ≥38.5°C), the authors conducted a retrospective review of medical records of pediatric (0-18 years) patients admitted to the Arizona Burn Center between 2008 and 2011 with greater than 5% TBSA and inpatient hospitalization for ≥72 hours. The study group comprised patients with a febrile episode during their inpatient stay. Serious bacterial infection (the primary outcome variable) was defined as: bacteremia, urinary tract infection, meningitis (blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid culture positive for a pathogen respectively), pneumonia, line, and wound infection. A generalized estimating equation analysis was done to predict the presence or absence of serious bacterial infection. Of 1082 pediatric burn patients hospitalized during the study period, 353 met the study eligibility criteria. A total of 108 patients (30.6%) had at least one fever episode (fever group). No difference in demographic characteristics was noted between the fever and no-fever groups; significant differences were observed for: third-degree TBSA, second-degree TBSA, total operating room visits, length of stay, Injury Severity Score, and death. A total of 47.2% of the patients had one or more episodes of fever with serious bacterial infection. In a generalized estimating equation predictive model, presence of a central line, second-, and third-degree TBSA were predictive of serious bacterial infection in burn patients with fever. In this study, individual clinical variables such as tachypnea and tachycardia were not predictive of serious bacterial infections, but the presence of a central line, and larger TBSA were significant predictors of serious bacterial infections. Younger age (P =.08) and ventilator support (P =.057) also approached significance as predictors of serious bacterial infections.

Controlled Human Infection for Vaccination Against Streptococcus Pyogenes

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-06-26

Streptococcus Pyogenes Pharyngitis; Streptococcus Pharyngitis; Strep Throat; Streptococcus Pyogenes Infection; Group A Streptococcus: B Hemolytic Pharyngitis; Group A Streptococcal Infection; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Infections

Bacterial Co-infection in Hospitalized Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia.

PubMed

Song, Qing; Xu, Bao-Ping; Shen, Kun-Ling

2016-10-08

To describe the frequency and impact of bacterial co-infections in children hospitalized with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Retrospective, descriptive study. Tertiary-care hospital in Beijing, China. 8612 children admitted to Beijing Childrens Hospital from June 2006 to June 2014. According to the testing results of etiology we divided the cases into pure M. pneumoniae infection group and mixed bacterial infection group. We analyzed clinical features, hospital expenses and differences between these two groups. 173 (2%) of included children had bacterial coinfection. 56.2% of bacterial pathogens were identified as Streptococcus pneumoniae. The most common bacterium causing co-infection in children with M. pneumoniae pneumonia was S. pneumoniae.

Hysterectomy for complications after uterine artery embolization for leiomyoma: results of a Canadian multicenter clinical trial.

PubMed

Pron, Gaylene; Mocarski, Eva; Cohen, Marsha; Colgan, Terence; Bennett, John; Common, Andrew; Vilos, George; Kung, Rose

2003-02-01

To determine the complication-related hysterectomy rate after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, single-arm clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Eight Ontario University-affiliated teaching and community hospitals. Five hundred fifty-five women. Polyvinyl alcohol particles were delivered through a catheter into uterine arteries under fluoroscopic guidance. Prospective follow-up investigations consisted of telephone interviews, ultrasound examinations, and reviews of pathology and surgery reports. Median follow-up was 8.1 months, and all but five patients had complete 3-month follow-up. At 3 months, eight women (1.5%, 95% CI 0.6-2.8) underwent complication-related hysterectomy. Half of the surgeries were performed at institutions other than where UAE had been performed. Indications for hysterectomies were infections (2), postembolization pain (4), vaginal bleeding (1), and prolapsed leiomyoma (1). The 3-month complication rate resulting in hysterectomy after UAE in a large cohort of women was low. Hysterectomy after UAE is an important measure of safety and a key outcome measure of this new therapy.

Association of RNA Biosignatures With Bacterial Infections in Febrile Infants Aged 60 Days or Younger

PubMed Central

Mahajan, Prashant; Kuppermann, Nathan; Mejias, Asuncion; Suarez, Nicolas; Chaussabel, Damien; Casper, T. Charles; Smith, Bennett; Alpern, Elizabeth R.; Anders, Jennifer; Atabaki, Shireen M.; Bennett, Jonathan E.; Blumberg, Stephen; Bonsu, Bema; Borgialli, Dominic; Brayer, Anne; Browne, Lorin; Cohen, Daniel M.; Crain, Ellen F.; Cruz, Andrea T.; Dayan, Peter S.; Gattu, Rajender; Greenberg, Richard; Hoyle, John D.; Jaffe, David M.; Levine, Deborah A.; Lillis, Kathleen; Linakis, James G.; Muenzer, Jared; Nigrovic, Lise E.; Powell, Elizabeth C.; Rogers, Alexander J.; Roosevelt, Genie; Ruddy, Richard M.; Saunders, Mary; Tunik, Michael G.; Tzimenatos, Leah; Vitale, Melissa; Dean, J. Michael; Ramilo, Octavio

2016-01-01

IMPORTANCE Young febrile infants are at substantial risk of serious bacterial infections; however, the current culture-based diagnosis has limitations. Analysis of host expression patterns (“RNA biosignatures”) in response to infections may provide an alternative diagnostic approach. OBJECTIVE To assess whether RNA biosignatures can distinguish febrile infants aged 60 days or younger with and without serious bacterial infections. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective observational study involving a convenience sample of febrile infants 60 days or younger evaluated for fever (temperature >38° C) in 22 emergency departments from December 2008 to December 2010 who underwent laboratory evaluations including blood cultures. A random sample of infants with and without bacterial infections was selected for RNA biosignature analysis. Afebrile healthy infants served as controls. Blood samples were collected for cultures and RNA biosignatures. Bioinformatics tools were applied to define RNA biosignatures to classify febrile infants by infection type. EXPOSURE RNA biosignatures compared with cultures for discriminating febrile infants with and without bacterial infections and infants with bacteremia from those without bacterial infections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Bacterial infection confirmed by culture. Performance of RNA biosignatures was compared with routine laboratory screening tests and Yale Observation Scale (YOS) scores. RESULTS Of 1883 febrile infants (median age, 37 days; 55.7%boys), RNA biosignatures were measured in 279 randomly selected infants (89 with bacterial infections—including 32 with bacteremia and 15 with urinary tract infections—and 190 without bacterial infections), and 19 afebrile healthy infants. Sixty-six classifier genes were identified that distinguished infants with and without bacterial infections in the test set with 87%(95%CI, 73%-95%) sensitivity and 89% (95%CI, 81%-93%) specificity. Ten classifier genes distinguished infants with bacteremia from those without bacterial infections in the test set with 94%(95%CI, 70%-100%) sensitivity and 95%(95%CI, 88%-98%) specificity. The incremental C statistic for the RNA biosignatures over the YOS score was 0.37 (95%CI, 0.30–0.43). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this preliminary study, RNA biosignatures were defined to distinguish febrile infants aged 60 days or younger with vs without bacterial infections. Further research with larger populations is needed to refine and validate the estimates of test accuracy and to assess the clinical utility of RNA biosignatures in practice. PMID:27552618

Risk factors and outcome of bacterial infections in cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Bruns, Tony; Zimmermann, Henning W; Stallmach, Andreas

2014-01-01

Viable and non-viable pathological bacterial translocation promote a self-perpetuating circle of dysfunctional immune activation and systemic inflammation facilitating infections and organ failure in advanced cirrhosis. Bacterial infections and sepsis are now recognized as a distinct stage in the natural progression of chronic liver disease as they accelerate organ failure and contribute to the high mortality observed in decompensated cirrhosis. The increasing knowledge of structural, immunological and hemodynamic pathophysiology in advanced cirrhosis has not yet translated into significantly improved outcomes of bacterial infections over the last decades. Therefore, early identification of patients at the highest risk for developing infections and infection-related complications is required to tailor the currently available measures of surveillance, prophylaxis and therapy to the patients in need in order to improve the detrimental outcome of bacterial infections in cirrhosis. PMID:24627590

Umbilical cord mesenchyme stem cell local intramuscular injection for treatment of uterine niche: Protocol for a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Fan, Dazhi; Wu, Shuzhen; Ye, Shaoxin; Wang, Wen; Guo, Xiaoling; Liu, Zhengping

2017-11-01

Uterine niche is defined as a triangular anechoic structure at the site of the scar or a gap in the myometrium at the site of a previous caesarean section. The main clinical manifestations are postmenstrual spotting and intrauterine infection, which may seriously affect the daily life of nonpregnant women. Trials have shown an excellent safety and efficacy for the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a therapeutic option for scar reconstruction. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of using MSCs in the treatment for the uterine niche. This phase II clinical trial is a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled with 2 arms. One hundred twenty primiparous participants will be randomly (1:1 ratio) assigned to receive direct intramuscular injection of MSCs (a dose of 1*10 cells in 1 mL of 0.9% saline) (MSCs group) or an identical-appearing 1 mL of 0.9% saline (placebo-controlled group) near the uterine incision. The primary outcome of this trial is to evaluate the proportion of participants at 6 months who is found uterine niche in the uterus by transvaginal utrasonography. Adverse events will be documented in a case report form. The study will be conducted at the Department of Obstetric of Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan. This trial is the first investigation of the potential for therapeutic use of MSCs for the management of uterine niche after cesarean delivery. This protocol will help to determine the efficacy and safety of MSCs treatment in uterine niche and bridge the gap with regards to the current preclinical and clinical evidence. NCT02968459 (Clinical Trials.gov: http://clinicaltrials.gov/).

Umbilical cord mesenchyme stem cell local intramuscular injection for treatment of uterine niche

PubMed Central

Fan, Dazhi; Wu, Shuzhen; Ye, Shaoxin; Wang, Wen; Guo, Xiaoling; Liu, Zhengping

2017-01-01

Abstract Background: Uterine niche is defined as a triangular anechoic structure at the site of the scar or a gap in the myometrium at the site of a previous caesarean section. The main clinical manifestations are postmenstrual spotting and intrauterine infection, which may seriously affect the daily life of nonpregnant women. Trials have shown an excellent safety and efficacy for the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a therapeutic option for scar reconstruction. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of using MSCs in the treatment for the uterine niche. Methods/design: This phase II clinical trial is a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled with 2 arms. One hundred twenty primiparous participants will be randomly (1:1 ratio) assigned to receive direct intramuscular injection of MSCs (a dose of 1∗107 cells in 1 mL of 0.9% saline) (MSCs group) or an identical-appearing 1 mL of 0.9% saline (placebo-controlled group) near the uterine incision. The primary outcome of this trial is to evaluate the proportion of participants at 6 months who is found uterine niche in the uterus by transvaginal utrasonography. Adverse events will be documented in a case report form. The study will be conducted at the Department of Obstetric of Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan. Discussion: This trial is the first investigation of the potential for therapeutic use of MSCs for the management of uterine niche after cesarean delivery. Conclusion: This protocol will help to determine the efficacy and safety of MSCs treatment in uterine niche and bridge the gap with regards to the current preclinical and clinical evidence. Trial registration number: NCT02968459 (Clinical Trials.gov: http://clinicaltrials.gov/). PMID:29095305

Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vivo segregates with host macrophage metabolism and ontogeny

PubMed Central

Tan, Shumin; Liu, Yancheng

2018-01-01

To understand how infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is modulated by host cell phenotype, we characterized those host phagocytes that controlled or supported bacterial growth during early infection, focusing on the ontologically distinct alveolar macrophage (AM) and interstitial macrophage (IM) lineages. Using fluorescent Mtb reporter strains, we found that bacilli in AM exhibited lower stress and higher bacterial replication than those in IM. Interestingly, depletion of AM reduced bacterial burden, whereas depletion of IM increased bacterial burden. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that IMs were glycolytically active, whereas AMs were committed to fatty acid oxidation. Intoxication of infected mice with the glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose, decreased the number of IMs yet increased the bacterial burden in the lung. Furthermore, in in vitro macrophage infections, 2-deoxyglucose treatment increased bacterial growth, whereas the fatty acid oxidation inhibitor etomoxir constrained bacterial growth. We hypothesize that different macrophage lineages respond divergently to Mtb infection, with IMs exhibiting nutritional restriction and controlling bacterial growth and AMs representing a more nutritionally permissive environment. PMID:29500179

Bacterial infections after pediatric heart transplantation: Epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes.

PubMed

Rostad, Christina A; Wehrheim, Karla; Kirklin, James K; Naftel, David; Pruitt, Elizabeth; Hoffman, Timothy M; L'Ecuyer, Thomas; Berkowitz, Katie; Mahle, William T; Scheel, Janet N

2017-09-01

Bacterial infections represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in heart transplant recipients. However, data describing the epidemiology and outcomes of these infections in children are limited. We analyzed the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study database of patients transplanted between 1993 and 2014 to determine the etiologies, risk factors and outcomes of children with bacterial infections post-heart transplantation. Of 4,458 primary transplants in the database, there were 4,815 infections that required hospitalization or intravenous therapy, 2,047 (42.51%) of which were bacterial. The risk of bacterial infection was highest in the first month post-transplant, and the bloodstream was the most common site (24.82%). In the early post-transplant period (<30 days post-transplant), coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common pathogens (16.97%), followed by Enterobacter sp (11.99%) and Pseudomonas sp (11.62%). In the late post-transplant period, community-acquired pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae (6.27%) and Haemophilus influenzae (2.82%) were also commonly identified. Patients' characteristics independently associated with acquisition of bacterial infection included younger age (p < 0.0001) and ventilator (p < 0.0001) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p = 0.03) use at time of transplant. Overall mortality post-bacterial infection was 33.78%, and previous cardiac surgery (p < 0.001) and multiple sites of infection (p = 0.004) were independent predictors of death. Bacteria were the most common causes of severe infections in pediatric heart transplant recipients and were associated with high mortality rates. The risk of acquiring a bacterial infection was highest in the first month post-transplant, and a large proportion of the infections were caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. Copyright © 2017 International Society for the Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Predicting serious bacterial infection in young children with fever without apparent source.

PubMed

Bleeker, S E; Moons, K G; Derksen-Lubsen, G; Grobbee, D E; Moll, H A

2001-11-01

The aim of this study was to design a clinical rule to predict the presence of a serious bacterial infection in children with fever without apparent source. Information was collected from the records of children aged 1-36 mo who attended the paediatric emergency department because of fever without source (temperature > or = 38 degrees C and no apparent source found after evaluation by a general practitioner or history by a paediatrician). Serious bacterial infection included bacterial meningitis, sepsis, bacteraemia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, bacterial gastroenteritis, osteomyelitis and ethmoiditis. Using multivariate logistic regression and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC area), the diagnostic value of predictors for serious bacterial infection was judged, resulting in a risk stratification. Twenty-five percent of the 231 patients enrolled in the study (mean age 1.1 y) had a serious bacterial infection. Independent predictors from history and examination included duration of fever, poor micturition, vomiting, age, temperature < 36.7 degrees C or > or = 40 degrees C at examination, chest-wall retractions and poor peripheral circulation (ROC area: 0.75). Independent predictors from laboratory tests were white blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein and the presence of >70 white blood cells in urinalysis (ROC area: 0.83). The risk stratification for serious bacterial infection ranged from 6% to 92%. The probability of a serious bacterial infection in the individual patient with fever without source can be estimated more precisely by using a limited number of symptoms, signs and laboratory tests.

ACOG Technology Assessment No. 13: Hysteroscopy.

PubMed

2018-05-01

Hysteroscopy is performed to view and treat pathology within the uterine cavity and endocervix. Diagnostic hysteroscopy allows visualization of the endocervical canal, endometrial cavity, and fallopian tube ostia. Operative hysteroscopy incorporates the use of mechanical, electrosurgical, or laser instruments to treat intracavitary pathology and perform hysteroscopic sterilization procedures. Selection of a distending medium requires consideration of the advantages, disadvantages, and risks associated with various media as well as their compatibility with electrosurgical or laser energy. A preoperative consultation allows the patient and physician to discuss the hysteroscopic procedure, weigh its inherent risks and benefits, review the patient's medical history for any comorbid conditions, and exclude pregnancy. Known pregnancy, genital tract infections, and active herpetic infection are contraindications to hysteroscopy. The most common perioperative complications associated with operative hysteroscopy are hemorrhage, uterine perforation, and cervical laceration. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be used with a high degree of safety.

ACOG Technology Assessment No. 13 Summary: Hysteroscopy.

PubMed

2018-05-01

Hysteroscopy is performed to view and treat pathology within the uterine cavity and endocervix. Diagnostic hysteroscopy allows visualization of the endocervical canal, endometrial cavity, and fallopian tube ostia. Operative hysteroscopy incorporates the use of mechanical, electrosurgical, or laser instruments to treat intracavitary pathology and perform hysteroscopic sterilization procedures. Selection of a distending medium requires consideration of the advantages, disadvantages, and risks associated with various media as well as their compatibility with electrosurgical or laser energy. A preoperative consultation allows the patient and physician to discuss the hysteroscopic procedure, weigh its inherent risks and benefits, review the patient's medical history for any comorbid conditions, and exclude pregnancy. Known pregnancy, genital tract infections, and active herpetic infection are contraindications to hysteroscopy. The most common perioperative complications associated with operative hysteroscopy are hemorrhage, uterine perforation, and cervical laceration. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be used with a high degree of safety.

Prostaglandins and reproduction in female farm animals.

PubMed

Weems, C W; Weems, Y S; Randel, R D

2006-03-01

Prostaglandins impact on ovarian, uterine, placental, and pituitary function to regulate reproduction in female livestock. They play important roles in ovulation, luteal function, maternal recognition of pregnancy, implantation, maintenance of gestation, microbial-induced abortion, parturition, postpartum uterine and ovarian infections, and resumption of postpartum ovarian cyclicity. Prostaglandins have both positive and negative effects on reproduction; they are used to synchronize oestrus, terminate pseudopregnancy in mares, induce parturition, and treat retained placenta, luteinized cysts, pyometra, and chronic endometritis. Improved therapeutic uses for prostaglandins will be developed when we understand better their involvement in implantation, maintenance of luteal function, and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.

Diagnosing viral and bacterial respiratory infections in acute COPD exacerbations by an electronic nose: a pilot study.

PubMed

van Geffen, Wouter H; Bruins, Marcel; Kerstjens, Huib A M

2016-06-16

Respiratory infections, viral or bacterial, are a common cause of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). A rapid, point-of-care, and easy-to-use tool distinguishing viral and bacterial from other causes would be valuable in routine clinical care. An electronic nose (e-nose) could fit this profile but has never been tested in this setting before. In a single-center registered trial (NTR 4601) patients admitted with AECOPD were tested with the Aeonose(®) electronic nose, and a diagnosis of viral or bacterial infection was obtained by bacterial culture on sputa and viral PCR on nose swabs. A neural network with leave-10%-out cross-validation was used to assess the e-nose data. Forty three patients were included. In the bacterial infection model, 22 positive cases were tested versus the negatives; and similarly 18 positive cases were tested in the viral infection model. The Aeonose was able to distinguish between COPD-subjects suffering from a viral infection and COPD patients without infection, showing an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74. Similarly, for bacterial infections, an AUC of 0.72 was obtained. The Aeonose e-nose yields promising results in 'smelling' the presence or absence of a viral or bacterial respiratory infection during an acute exacerbation of COPD. Validation of these results using a new and large cohort is required before introduction into clinical practice.

Klebsiella pneumoniae Siderophores Induce Inflammation, Bacterial Dissemination, and HIF-1α Stabilization during Pneumonia.

PubMed

Holden, Victoria I; Breen, Paul; Houle, Sébastien; Dozois, Charles M; Bachman, Michael A

2016-09-13

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative pathogen responsible for a wide range of infections, including pneumonia and bacteremia, and is rapidly acquiring antibiotic resistance. K. pneumoniae requires secretion of siderophores, low-molecular-weight, high-affinity iron chelators, for bacterial replication and full virulence. The specific combination of siderophores secreted by K. pneumoniae during infection can impact tissue localization, systemic dissemination, and host survival. However, the effect of these potent iron chelators on the host during infection is unknown. In vitro, siderophores deplete epithelial cell iron, induce cytokine secretion, and activate the master transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein that controls vascular permeability and inflammatory gene expression. Therefore, we hypothesized that siderophore secretion by K. pneumoniae directly contributes to inflammation and bacterial dissemination during pneumonia. To examine the effects of siderophore secretion independently of bacterial growth, we performed infections with tonB mutants that persist in vivo but are deficient in siderophore import. Using a murine model of pneumonia, we found that siderophore secretion by K. pneumoniae induces the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), CXCL1, and CXCL2, as well as bacterial dissemination to the spleen, compared to siderophore-negative mutants at an equivalent bacterial number. Furthermore, we determined that siderophore-secreting K. pneumoniae stabilized HIF-1α in vivo and that bacterial dissemination to the spleen required alveolar epithelial HIF-1α. Our results indicate that siderophores act directly on the host to induce inflammatory cytokines and bacterial dissemination and that HIF-1α is a susceptibility factor for bacterial invasion during pneumonia. Klebsiella pneumoniae causes a wide range of bacterial diseases, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. To cause infection, K. pneumoniae steals iron from its host by secreting siderophores, small iron-chelating molecules. Classically, siderophores are thought to worsen infections by promoting bacterial growth. In this study, we determined that siderophore-secreting K. pneumoniae causes lung inflammation and bacterial dissemination to the bloodstream independently of bacterial growth. Furthermore, we determined that siderophore-secreting K. pneumoniae activates a host protein, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and requires it for siderophore-dependent bacterial dissemination. Although HIF-1α can protect against some infections, it appears to worsen infection with K. pneumoniae Together, these results indicate that bacterial siderophores directly alter the host response to pneumonia in addition to providing iron for bacterial growth. Therapies that disrupt production of siderophores could provide a two-pronged attack against K. pneumoniae infection by preventing bacterial growth and preventing bacterial dissemination to the blood. Copyright © 2016 Holden et al.

Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli MS499, Isolated from the Infected Uterus of a Postpartum Cow with Metritis

PubMed Central

Goldstone, Robert J.; Talbot, Richard; Schuberth, Hans-Joachim; Sandra, Olivier; Sheldon, I. Martin

2014-01-01

Specific Escherichia coli strains associated with bovine postpartum uterine infection have recently been described. Many recognized virulence factors are absent in these strains; therefore, to define a prototypic strain, we report here the genome sequence of E. coli isolate MS499 from a cow with the postpartum disease metritis. PMID:24994791

Relationship between uterine biopsy score, endometrial infection and inflammation in the mare.

PubMed

Buczkowska, Justyna; Kozdrowski, Roland; Nowak, Marcin; Sikora, Monika

2016-06-16

Endometrial biopsy score is an accepted marker of uterine health and predicted fertility, and it has been suggested that endometrial alternations are correlated with susceptibility to persistent infectious endometritis. The objective of this study was to investigate associations of endometrial biopsy score with: 1) presence of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in the epithelium and stratum compactum in histopathology; 2) presence of PMNs in cytology and 3) presence of infection in microbiology. The material for examination was collected from 69 mares suspected for subclinical endometritis (bred three or more times unsuccessfully in the same breeding season) and from 15 maiden mares. Samples were collected by endometrial biopsy and cytobrush technique. Endometrial alterations (biopsy score IIA, IIB, III) were found in 64 of 82 mares (78%). There was an increase in PMN occurrence for grades IIA, IIB and III. When comparing grades and PMNs infiltration, we observed statistically significant differences between grades I and IIA (p  = 0.222) and grades I and IIB (p = 0.042) in samples collected by endometrial biopsy. Statistically significant differences were found in microbiological examination (biopsy p = 0.036; cytobrush p = 0.189), cytological examination (biopsy p = 0.040; cytobrush p = 0.079) and PMN infiltration (p    =    0.042) between mares with biopsy scores I and IIB. Furthermore, the highest percentage of infected mares was in grade IIA and IIB, and we found statistically significant differences between grades I and IIA (p = 0.043), and grades I and IIB (p = 0.036) in biopsy samples. We observed a tendency to higher prevalence of endometrial infection in mares with biopsy score IIA, IIB and III than with biopsy score I in samples collected using cytobrush technique. However, there were no statistical significant differences. Degenerative endometrial changes can predispose to uterine infection and inflammation. Our study shows that mares with endometrial score I are less predisposed to infection than mares with category IIA, IIB and III. Endometrial biopsy is a reliable diagnostic tool.

Bacterial Infection of Fly Ovaries Reduces Egg Production and Induces Local Hemocyte Activation

PubMed Central

Brandt, Stephanie M.; Schneider, David S.

2009-01-01

Summary Morbidity, the state of being diseased, is an important aspect of pathogenesis that has gone relatively unstudied in fruit flies. Our interest is in characterizing how bacterial pathogenesis affects various physiologies of the fly. We chose to examine the fly ovary because we found bacterial infection had a striking effect on fly reproduction. We observed decreased egg laying after bacterial infection that correlated with increased bacterial virulence. We also found that bacteria colonized the ovary in a previously undescribed manner; bacteria were found in the posterior of the ovary, adjacent to the lateral oviduct. This local infection in the ovary resulted in melanization and activation of the cellular immune response at the site of infection. PMID:17400292

Bacteria meets influenza A virus: A bioluminescence mouse model of Escherichia coli O157:H7 following influenza A virus/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) strain infection.

PubMed

Wang, Zhongyi; Chi, Hang; Wang, Xiwen; Li, Wenliang; Li, Zhiping; Li, Jiaming; Fu, Yingying; Lu, Bing; Xia, Zhiping; Qian, Jun; Liu, Linna

2018-01-01

Objective To develop a bioluminescence-labelled bacterial infection model to monitor the colonization and clearance process of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the lungs of mice following influenza A virus/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) strain (IAV/PR8) infection. Methods BALB/c mice were administered IAV/PR8 or 0.01 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; pH 7.4) intranasally 4 days prior to intranasal administration of 1 × 10 7 colony-forming units (CFU) of E. coli O157:H7-lux. Whole-body bioluminescent signals were monitored at 10 min, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 16 h and 24 h post-bacterial infection. Lung bioluminescent signals and bacterial load (CFU/g) were monitored at 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 16 h and 24 h post-bacterial infection. Results Prior IAV/PR8 infection of mice resulted in a higher level of bacterial colonization and a lower rate of bacterial clearance from the lungs compared with mice treated with PBS. There were also consistent findings between the bioluminescence imaging and the CFU measurements in terms of identifying bacterial colonization and monitoring the clearance dynamics of E. coli O157:H7-lux in mouse lungs. Conclusion This novel bioluminescence-labelled bacterial infection model rapidly detected bacterial colonization of the lungs and monitored the clearance dynamics of E. coli O157:H7-lux following IAV/PR8 infection.

D-lactic acid measurements in the diagnosis of bacterial infections.

PubMed Central

Smith, S M; Eng, R H; Campos, J M; Chmel, H

1989-01-01

Body fluids suspected of bacterial infection were cultured and examined for the presence of D-lactic acid, a specific bacterial metabolite. We examined 206 patients and 264 specimens. D-Lactic acid was found in concentrations of greater than or equal to 0.15 mM in 11 of 11 infected and 6 of 40 noninfected ascitic fluids, 6 of 6 infected and 4 of 33 noninfected pleural fluids, 4 of 4 infected and 0 of 13 noninfected synovial fluids, and 26 of 27 infected and 2 of 130 noninfected cerebrospinal fluids. The overall sensitivity was 79.7%, and the specificity was 99.5% when the D-lactic acid concentration was at least 0.15 mM. The most important clinical utility of the D-lactic acid measurement appears to be for patients with bacterial infection in various body compartments and in patients who have already received antimicrobial therapy. An elevation in D-lactic acid may indicate the presence of bacterial infection even when cultures are negative. PMID:2715313

Bacteria Facilitate Enteric Virus Co-infection of Mammalian Cells and Promote Genetic Recombination.

PubMed

Erickson, Andrea K; Jesudhasan, Palmy R; Mayer, Melinda J; Narbad, Arjan; Winter, Sebastian E; Pfeiffer, Julie K

2018-01-10

RNA viruses exist in genetically diverse populations due to high levels of mutations, many of which reduce viral fitness. Interestingly, intestinal bacteria can promote infection of several mammalian enteric RNA viruses, but the mechanisms and consequences are unclear. We screened a panel of 41 bacterial strains as a platform to determine how different bacteria impact infection of poliovirus, a model enteric virus. Most bacterial strains, including those extracted from cecal contents of mice, bound poliovirus, with each bacterium binding multiple virions. Certain bacterial strains increased viral co-infection of mammalian cells even at a low virus-to-host cell ratio. Bacteria-mediated viral co-infection correlated with bacterial adherence to cells. Importantly, bacterial strains that induced viral co-infection facilitated genetic recombination between two different viruses, thereby removing deleterious mutations and restoring viral fitness. Thus, bacteria-virus interactions may increase viral fitness through viral recombination at initial sites of infection, potentially limiting abortive infections. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessment of Early Postpartum Reproductive Performance in Two High Producing Estonian Dairy Herds

PubMed Central

Kask, K; Kurykin, J; Lindjärv, R; Kask, A; Kindahl, H

2003-01-01

Early postpartum (6 weeks) ovarian activity, hormonal profiles, uterine involution, uterine infections, serum electrolytes, glucose, milk acetoacetate and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were studied in 2 Estonian high producing dairy herd with annual milk production of 7688 (Farm A) and 9425 (Farm B). From each farm 10 cows, with normal calving performance were used. Blood samples for the hormonal (PGF2α-metabolite, progesterone) analyses were withdrawn. On day 25 PP blood serum samples were taken for the evaluation of metabolic/electrolyte status. On the same day estimation of milk acetoacetate values was done. The ultrasound (US) was started on day 7 PP and was performed every 3rd day until the end of experiment. Uterine content, follicular activity and sizes of the largest follicle and corpus luteum were monitored and measured. Vaginal discharge and uterine tone were recorded during the rectal palpation. Each animal in the study was sampled for bacteriological examination using endometrial biopsies once a week. Two types of PGF2α-metabolite patterns were detected: elevated levels during 14 days PP, then decline to the basal level and then a second small elevation at the time of final elimination of the bacteria from the uterus; or elevated levels during first 7 days PP, then decline to the basal level and a second small elevation before the final elimination of bacteria. Endometritis was diagnosed in 5 cows in farm A and in 3 cows in farm B respectively. In farm A, 5 cows out of 10 ovulated during experimental period and in 1 cow cystic ovaries were found. In farm B, 3 cows out of 10 ovulated. In 3 cows cystic ovaries were found. Altogether 40% of cows had their first ovulation during the experimental period. Three cows in farm A and 5 cows in farm B were totally bacteria negative during the experimental period. The most frequent bacteria found were A. pyogenes, Streptococcus spp., E. coli., F. necrophorum and Bacteroides spp. The highest incidence of bacteriological species was found during the first 3 weeks in both farms. All animals were free from bacteria after 5th week PP in farm A and after 4th week in farm B respectively. Serum electrolytes and glucose levels were found to be within the reference limits for the cows in both farms. No significant difference was found between farms (p > 0.05). Low phosphorus levels were found in both farms. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was found in BUN levels between farms. In both farms milk acetoacetate values were staying within the reference range given for the used test (<100 μmol/l). The uterine involution and bacterial elimination in the investigated cows could consider as normal but more profound metabolic studies could be needed to find reasons for later resumption of ovarian activity. Some recommendations to changing feeding regimes and strategies should also be given. PMID:15074626

Facial bacterial infections: folliculitis.

PubMed

Laureano, Ana Cristina; Schwartz, Robert A; Cohen, Philip J

2014-01-01

Facial bacterial infections are most commonly caused by infections of the hair follicles. Wherever pilosebaceous units are found folliculitis can occur, with the most frequent bacterial culprit being Staphylococcus aureus. We review different origins of facial folliculitis, distinguishing bacterial forms from other infectious and non-infectious mimickers. We distinguish folliculitis from pseudofolliculitis and perifolliculitis. Clinical features, etiology, pathology, and management options are also discussed. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Nanoparticle Approaches against Bacterial Infections

PubMed Central

Gao, Weiwei; Thamphiwatana, Soracha; Angsantikul, Pavimol; Zhang, Liangfang

2014-01-01

Despite the wide success of antibiotics, the treatment of bacterial infection still faces significant challenges, particularly the emergence of antibiotic resistance. As a result, nanoparticle drug delivery platforms including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and various inorganic nanoparticles have been increasingly exploited to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of existing antibiotics. This review focuses on areas where nanoparticle approaches hold significant potential to advance the treatment of bacterial infection. These areas include targeted antibiotic delivery, environmentally responsive antibiotic delivery, combinatorial antibiotic delivery, nanoparticle-enabled antibacterial vaccination, and nanoparticle-based bacterial detection. In each area we highlight the innovative antimicrobial nanoparticle platforms and review their progress made against bacterial infections. PMID:25044325

Microbial analysis in primary and persistent endodontic infections by using pyrosequencing.

PubMed

Hong, Bo-Young; Lee, Tae-Kwon; Lim, Sang-Min; Chang, Seok Woo; Park, Joonhong; Han, Seung Hyun; Zhu, Qiang; Safavi, Kamran E; Fouad, Ashraf F; Kum, Kee Yeon

2013-09-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial community profile of intracanal microbiota in primary and persistent endodontic infections associated with asymptomatic chronic apical periodontitis by using GS-FLX Titanium pyrosequencing. The null hypothesis was that there is no difference in diversity of overall bacterial community profiles between primary and persistent infections. Pyrosequencing analysis from 10 untreated and 8 root-filled samples was conducted. Analysis from 18 samples yielded total of 124,767 16S rRNA gene sequences (with a mean of 6932 reads per sample) that were taxonomically assigned into 803 operational taxonomic units (3% distinction), 148 genera, and 10 phyla including unclassified. Bacteroidetes was the most abundant phylum in both primary and persistent infections. There were no significant differences in bacterial diversity between the 2 infection groups (P > .05). The bacterial community profile that was based on dendrogram showed that bacterial population in both infections was not significantly different in their structure and composition (P > .05). The present pyrosequencing study demonstrates that persistent infections have as diverse bacterial community as primary infections. Copyright © 2013 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

HIF1α-dependent glycolysis promotes macrophage functional activities in protecting against bacterial and fungal infection.

PubMed

Li, Chunxiao; Wang, Yu; Li, Yan; Yu, Qing; Jin, Xi; Wang, Xiao; Jia, Anna; Hu, Ying; Han, Linian; Wang, Jian; Yang, Hui; Yan, Dapeng; Bi, Yujing; Liu, Guangwei

2018-02-26

Macrophages are important innate immune defense system cells in the fight against bacterial and fungal pathogenic infections. They exhibit significant plasticity, particularly with their ability to undergo functional differentiation. Additionally, HIF1α is critically involved in the functional differentiation of macrophages during inflammation. However, the role of macrophage HIF1α in protecting against different pathogenic infections remains unclear. In this study, we investigated and compared the roles of HIF1α in different macrophage functional effects of bacterial and fungal infections in vitro and in vivo. We found that bacterial and fungal infections produced similar effects on macrophage functional differentiation. HIF1α deficiency inhibited pro-inflammatory macrophage functional activities when cells were stimulated with LPS or curdlan in vitro or when mice were infected with L. monocytogenes or C. albicans in vivo, thus decreasing pro-inflammatory TNFα and IL-6 secretion associated with pathogenic microorganism survival. Alteration of glycolytic pathway activation was required for the functional differentiation of pro-inflammatory macrophages in protecting against bacterial and fungal infections. Thus, the HIF1α-dependent glycolytic pathway is essential for pro-inflammatory macrophage functional differentiation in protecting against bacterial and fungal infections.

The impact of bacterial and viral co‐infection in severe influenza

PubMed Central

Blyth, Christopher C.; Webb, Steve A. R.; Kok, Jen; Dwyer, Dominic E.; van Hal, Sebastiaan J.; Foo, Hong; Ginn, Andrew N.; Kesson, Alison M.; Seppelt, Ian; Iredell, Jonathan R.

2013-01-01

Please cite this paper as: Blyth et al. (2013) The impact of bacterial and viral co‐infection in severe influenza. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(2) 168–176. Background  Many questions remain concerning the burden, risk factors and impact of bacterial and viral co‐infection in patients with pandemic influenza admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Objectives  To examine the burden, risk factors and impact of bacterial and viral co‐infection in Australian patients with severe influenza. Patients/Methods  A cohort study conducted in 14 ICUs was performed. Patients with proven influenza A during the 2009 influenza season were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, risk factors, clinical data, microbiological data, complications and outcomes were collected. Polymerase chain reaction for additional bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens was performed on stored respiratory samples. Results  Co‐infection was identified in 23·3–26·9% of patients with severe influenza A infection: viral co‐infection, 3·2–3·4% and bacterial co‐infection, 20·5–24·7%. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent bacterial co‐infection followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Patients with co‐infection were younger [mean difference in age = 8·46 years (95% CI: 0·18–16·74 years)], less likely to have significant co‐morbidities (32·0% versus 66·2%, P = 0·004) and less frequently obese [mean difference in body mass index = 6·86 (95% CI: 1·77–11·96)] compared to those without co‐infection. Conclusions  Bacterial or viral co‐infection complicated one in four patients admitted to ICU with severe influenza A infection. Despite the co‐infected patients being younger and with fewer co‐morbidities, no significant difference in outcomes was observed. It is likely that co‐infection contributed to a need for ICU admission in those without other risk factors for severe influenza disease. Empiric antibiotics with staphylococcal activity should be strongly considered in all patients with severe influenza A infection. PMID:22487223

Vaginal Infections of Albanian women Infected with HPV and their impact in intraepithelial cervical lesions evidenced by Pap test

PubMed Central

Kone, Elsa S; Balili, Avenir D; Paparisto, Piro D; Ceka, Xheladin R; Petrela, Elizana D

2017-01-01

Background: Cervical cytology is the best single method for large screening of the population in identifying precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. Aim: To estimate the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity in a group of Albanian women, the prevalence of vaginal coinfections, and the relationship of coinfections with HPV, as well as their role in metaplasia or cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 2075 vaginal smears were examined. The Papanicolaou stain was used for all slides. The New Bethesda System 2001 was used for the interpretations of the smears. Data analysis was completed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 19.0. Results: Prevalence of HPV positivity was 43.9% with an average age of 35.48 ± 9.27 years. Candida coinfection resulted in 57.8% of HPV positive women with a significant relationship between them. Gardnerella coinfection resulted in 36 (23%), mixed flora in 34 (8%), and Trichomonas vaginalis in 50% of HPV positive woman. Among the women with positive HPV, 19% had CIN, 8% had metaplasia, and 1% had metaplasia and CIN; 9% of the women with HPV had CIN1 and one of the coinfections. Conclusions: There is a strong relationship between CIN1 and HPV positivity as well as between CIN1 and coinfections. HPV infection is a major factor contributing to metaplasia, and bacterial coinfections in HPV positive women have a statistically significant impact in the development of metaplasia. PMID:28182076

Role of neutrophil to lymphocyte and monocyte to lymphocyte ratios in the diagnosis of bacterial infection in patients with fever.

PubMed

Naess, Are; Nilssen, Siri Saervold; Mo, Reidun; Eide, Geir Egil; Sjursen, Haakon

2017-06-01

To study the role of the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte:lymphocyte ratio (MLR) in discriminating between different patient groups hospitalized for fever due to infection and those without infection. For 299 patients admitted to hospital for fever with unknown cause, a number of characteristics including NLR and MLR were recorded. These characteristics were used in a multiple multinomial regression analysis to estimate the probability of a final diagnostic group of bacterial, viral, clinically confirmed, or no infection. Both NLR and MLR significantly predicted final diagnostic group. Being highly correlated, however, both variables could not be retained in the same model. Both variables also interacted significantly with duration of fever. Generally, higher values of NLR and MLR indicated larger probabilities for bacterial infection and low probabilities for viral infection. Patients with septicemia had significantly higher NLR compared to patients with other bacterial infections with fever for less than one week. White blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, and C-reactive proteins did not differ significantly between septicemia and the other bacterial infection groups. NLR is a more useful diagnostic tool to identify patients with septicemia than other more commonly used diagnostic blood tests. NLR and MLR may be useful in the diagnosis of bacterial infection among patients hospitalized for fever.

Comparison of Bacterial Community Composition of Primary and Persistent Endodontic Infections Using Pyrosequencing.

PubMed

Tzanetakis, Giorgos N; Azcarate-Peril, M Andrea; Zachaki, Sophia; Panopoulos, Panos; Kontakiotis, Evangelos G; Madianos, Phoebus N; Divaris, Kimon

2015-08-01

Elucidating the microbial ecology of endodontic infections (EIs) is a necessary step in developing effective intracanal antimicrobials. The aim of the present study was to investigate the bacterial composition of symptomatic and asymptomatic primary and persistent infections in a Greek population using high-throughput sequencing methods. 16S amplicon pyrosequencing of 48 root canal bacterial samples was conducted, and sequencing data were analyzed using an oral microbiome-specific and a generic (Greengenes) database. Bacterial abundance and diversity were examined by EI type (primary or persistent), and statistical analysis was performed by using non-parametric and parametric tests accounting for clustered data. Bacteroidetes was the most abundant phylum in both infection groups. Significant, albeit weak associations of bacterial diversity were found, as measured by UniFrac distances with infection type (analyses of similarity, R = 0.087, P = .005) and symptoms (analyses of similarity, R = 0.055, P = .047). Persistent infections were significantly enriched for Proteobacteria and Tenericutes compared with primary ones; at the genus level, significant differences were noted for 14 taxa, including increased enrichment of persistent infections for Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Sphingomonas. More but less abundant phyla were identified using the Greengenes database; among those, Cyanobacteria (0.018%) and Acidobacteria (0.007%) were significantly enriched among persistent infections. Persistent infections showed higher phylogenetic diversity (PD) (asymptomatic: PD = 9.2, standard error [SE] = 1.3; symptomatic: PD = 8.2, SE = 0.7) compared with primary infections (asymptomatic: PD = 5.9, SE = 0.8; symptomatic: PD = 7.4, SE = 1.0). The present study revealed a high bacterial diversity of EI and suggests that persistent infections may have more diverse bacterial communities than primary infections. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bacterial infections in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis.

PubMed

Sargenti, Konstantina; Prytz, Hanne; Nilsson, Emma; Bertilsson, Sara; Kalaitzakis, Evangelos

2015-09-01

Longitudinal, population-based data on the occurrence, localization, and severity of bacterial infections over time in patients with alcoholic compared with nonalcoholic cirrhosis are limited. All patients with incident cirrhosis diagnosed in 2001-2010 (area of 600,000 inhabitants) were retrospectively identified. All bacterial infections resulting in or occurring during an inpatient hospital episode during this period were registered. The etiology of cirrhosis (alcoholic vs. nonalcoholic), infection localization, and outcome as well as bacterial resistance patterns were analyzed. Patients were followed until death, transplant, or the end of 2011. In all, 633 cirrhotics (363 alcoholic, 270 nonalcoholic) experienced a total of 398 infections (2276 patient-years). Among patients diagnosed with cirrhosis each year from 2001 to 2010, increasing trends were noted in the occurrence of infection (from 13 to 27%, P<0.001) and infection-related in-hospital mortality (from 2 to 7%, P=0.05), the latter mainly in the alcoholic group. Although alcoholic etiology was related to the occurrence of more frequent infection (Kaplan-Meier, P<0.001), this relationship was not significant after adjustment for confounders in Cox regression analysis (P=0.056). Resistance to piperacilin-tazobactam and carbapenems was more common in infections occurring in alcoholic versus nonalcoholic cirrhosis (13 vs. 5%, P=0.057 and 12 vs. 2%, P=0.009). Alcoholic etiology predicted pneumonia and infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria in multivariate analysis (P<0.05 for both). In a population-based cirrhotic cohort, bacterial infections increased over time, which, in the case of alcoholic cirrhosis, was associated with pneumonia and bacterial resistance to antibiotics. However, alcoholic etiology was not related indepedently to the occurrence of bacterial infections.

Labor Induction

MedlinePlus

... many contractions may lead to changes in the fetal heart rate, umbilical cord problems, and other problems. Other risks of cervical ripening and labor induction include the following: • Infection in the mother or fetus • Uterine rupture • Increased risk of cesarean birth • Fetal ...

Infections and apparent life-threatening events.

PubMed

Altman, Robin L; Li, Karl I; Brand, Donald A

2008-05-01

The need for routine sepsis evaluation in patients who have experienced an apparent life-threatening event but lack signs of infection remains controversial. To assess their risk of a serious occult bacterial infection, records were reviewed of 95 infants in whom infections were discovered during their inpatient evaluation after an apparent life-threatening event. Noted for each patient was the presence of any suggestive findings that would have prompted a physician to consider the given type of infection in the differential diagnosis. Thirty patients had bacterial infections; all but 5 had suggestive findings. The exceptions included 1 patient with pneumonia and 4 with urinary tract infections. None of the remaining 25 patients had occult bacterial infections. In patients with an apparent life-threatening event who appear well and lack signs suggestive of a serious bacterial infection, it may be possible to forego routine sepsis evaluation beyond a chest radiograph and urine culture without risking a serious missed diagnosis.

21 CFR 520.2612 - Trimethoprim and sulfadiazine suspension.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... adjunct to surgery or debridement with associated infection. The drug is indicated where control of bacterial infection is required during the treatment of acute urinary tract infections, acute bacterial complications of distemper, acute respiratory tract infections, acute alimentary tract infections, wound...

Interplay between the gut microbiota and immune responses of ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) during Vibrio anguillarum infection.

PubMed

Nie, Li; Zhou, Qian-Jin; Qiao, Yan; Chen, Jiong

2017-09-01

Gut microbiota plays fundamental roles in protection against pathogen invasion. However, the mechanism and extent of responses of gut microbiota to pathogenic infection are poorly understood. This study investigated the gut bacterial communities and immune responses of ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) upon exposure to Vibrio anguillarum. The succession of V. anguillarum infection was evidenced by increased expression of immune genes and bacterial loads in ayu tissues, which in turn altered the composition and predicted functions of gut bacterial community. The dynamics of gut bacterial diversity and evenness were temporally stable in control ayu but were reduced in infected subjects, particularly at the late stages of infection. Variations in the gut microbiota were significantly associated with the expression levels of TNF-α (P = 0.019) and IL-1 β (P = 0.013). The profiles of certain gut bacterial taxa were indicative of V. anguillarum infection. Compared with healthy controls, the ayu infected with V. anguillarum possessed less complex, fewer connected, and lower cooperative gut bacterial interspecies interaction, coinciding with significant shifts in keystone species. These findings imply that V. anguillarum infection substantially disrupted the compositions and interspecies interaction of ayu gut bacterial community, thereby altering gut microbial-mediated functions and inducing host immune responses. This study provides an integrated overview on the interaction between the gut microbiota and host immune responses to pathogen infection from an ecological perspective. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Surgical technique for cesarean section of Eduardo Porro (1842-1902) and its significance for obstetric development. In the 150th anniversary year of the method's creator].

PubMed

Waszyński, E

1994-04-01

It has passed 150th birth anniversary of a great, Italian Obstetrician Eduardo Porro, author of a cesarean section technique consisted of uterine corpus amputation and suturing of the cervix stump into the abdominal wall incision. Eduardo Porro was born in 1842 in Padwa. In 1876, he became the Head of Obstetrics Department in Pawia, and since 1882, the Head of Midwifery School in Milano. He died on May 25th, 1901. That original cesarean section method was introduced by him in 1876. Its main idea was exsection of the uterus, infected at the time of labor. The operation was also performed because of other reasons, such as: wide uterine ruptures, osteomalation, spacions vaginal cicatrization, and uterine atony. In the second part of the 18th century, maternal mortality following so called, classical cesarean section was nearly 100 percent. Introducing the Porro's operative technique decreased maternal mortality to 58%. This method aroused an interest of cesarean section technique improvement at all. The twilight, of the Porro's operation took place in the 1920s as the new method appeared, elaborated by Adolf Kehrer--uterine lower segment transverse incision.

The oral cavity is not a primary source for implantable pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator infections

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background To test the hypothesis that the oral cavity is a potential source for implantable pacemaker and cardioverter defibrillators infections, the bacterial diversity on explanted rhythm heart management devices was investigated and compared to the oral microbiome. Methods A metagenomic approach was used to analyze the bacterial diversity on the surfaces of non-infected and infected pacemakers. The DNA from surfaces swaps of 24 non-infected and 23 infected pacemaker were isolated and subjected to bacterial-specific DNA amplification, single strand conformation polymorphism- (SSCP) and sequencing analysis. Species-specific primer sets were used to analyze for any correlation between bacterial diversity on pacemakers and in the oral cavity. Results DNA of bacterial origin was detected in 21 cases on infected pacemakers and assigned to the bacterial phylotypes Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus schleiferi and Stapyhlococcus. In 17 cases bacterial DNA was found on pacemakers with no clinical signs of infections. On the basis of the obtained sequence data, the phylotypes Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus and an uncultured bacterium were identified. Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the only bacteria detected in pacemeaker (n = 25) and oral samples (n = 11). Conclusions The frequency of the coincidental detection of bacteria on infected devices and in the oral cavity is low and the detected bacteria are highly abundant colonizers of non-oral human niches. The transmission of oral bacteria to the lead or device of implantable pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillators is unlikely relevant for the pathogenesis of pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillators infections. PMID:23575037

21 CFR 520.2612 - Trimethoprim and sulfadiazine oral suspension.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... indicated where control of bacterial infection is required during the treatment of acute urinary tract infections, acute bacterial complications of distemper, acute respiratory tract infections, acute alimentary tract infections, wound infections, and abscesses. (3) Limitations. For oral use only. Administer the...

Sensitivity and Specificity of Procalcitonin in Predicting Bacterial Infections in Patients With Renal Impairment

PubMed Central

El-sayed, Dena; Grotts, Jonathan; Golgert, William A.; Sugar, Alan M.

2014-01-01

Background  It is unclear whether procalcitonin is an accurate predictor of bacterial infections in patients with renal impairment, although it is used as a biomarker for early diagnosis of sepsis. We determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy and best predictive value of procalcitonin for predicting bacterial infection in adult patients with severe renal impairment. Methods  Retrospective study at a single-center community teaching hospital involving 473 patients, ages 18–65, with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease eGFR ≤30 ml/min per 1.73 m2, admitted between January 2009 and June 2012, with 660 independent hospital visits. A positive or negative culture (blood or identifiable focus of infection) was paired to the highest procalcitonin result performed 48 hours before or after collecting the culture. Results  The sensitivity and specificity to predict bacterial infection, using a procalcitonin level threshold of 0.5 ng/mL, was 0.80 and 0.35 respectively. When isolating for presence of bacteremia, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.89 and 0.35 respectively. An equation adjusting for optimum thresholds of procalcitonin levels for predicting bacterial infection at different levels of eGFR had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.55 and 0.80 respectively. Conclusions  Procalcitonin is not a reliably sensitive or specific predictor of bacterial infection in patients with renal impairment when using a single threshold. Perhaps two thresholds should be employed, where below the lower threshold (i.e. 0.5 ng/mL) bacterial infection is unlikely with a sensitivity of 0.80, and above the higher threshold (i.e. 3.2 ng/mL) bacterial infection is very likely with a specificity of 0.75. PMID:25734138

Sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin in predicting bacterial infections in patients with renal impairment.

PubMed

El-Sayed, Dena; Grotts, Jonathan; Golgert, William A; Sugar, Alan M

2014-09-01

It is unclear whether procalcitonin is an accurate predictor of bacterial infections in patients with renal impairment, although it is used as a biomarker for early diagnosis of sepsis. We determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy and best predictive value of procalcitonin for predicting bacterial infection in adult patients with severe renal impairment. Retrospective study at a single-center community teaching hospital involving 473 patients, ages 18-65, with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease eGFR ≤30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), admitted between January 2009 and June 2012, with 660 independent hospital visits. A positive or negative culture (blood or identifiable focus of infection) was paired to the highest procalcitonin result performed 48 hours before or after collecting the culture. The sensitivity and specificity to predict bacterial infection, using a procalcitonin level threshold of 0.5 ng/mL, was 0.80 and 0.35 respectively. When isolating for presence of bacteremia, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.89 and 0.35 respectively. An equation adjusting for optimum thresholds of procalcitonin levels for predicting bacterial infection at different levels of eGFR had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.55 and 0.80 respectively. Procalcitonin is not a reliably sensitive or specific predictor of bacterial infection in patients with renal impairment when using a single threshold. Perhaps two thresholds should be employed, where below the lower threshold (i.e. 0.5 ng/mL) bacterial infection is unlikely with a sensitivity of 0.80, and above the higher threshold (i.e. 3.2 ng/mL) bacterial infection is very likely with a specificity of 0.75.

The diagnostic value of CRP, IL-8, PCT, and sTREM-1 in the detection of bacterial infections in pediatric oncology patients with febrile neutropenia.

PubMed

Miedema, Karin G E; de Bont, Eveline S J M; Elferink, Rob F M Oude; van Vliet, Michel J; Nijhuis, Claudi S M Oude; Kamps, Willem A; Tissing, Wim J E

2011-10-01

In this study, we evaluated C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-8, procalcitonin (PCT), and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) as predictors for bacterial infection in febrile neutropenia, plus their usefulness in febrile neutropenia during chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis. Plasma was obtained from pediatric oncology patients at presentation with febrile neutropenia (n = 43) and 24-48 h later (n = 17). The patients were classified as having or not having a bacterial infection. Plasma was also obtained of patients in the absence and in the presence of mucositis (n = 26). At presentation with febrile neutropenia, median IL-8 and PCT levels were significantly increased in patients with a bacterial infection, in contrast to CRP and sTREM-1. IL-8 was the most sensitive marker for the early detection of bacterial infection, in combination with clinical parameters or PCT the sensitivity reached 100%. After 24-48 h, only PCT was significantly elevated during bacterial infection. IL-8 levels were significantly increased during mucositis. Mucositis did not cause considerable changes in PCT levels. IL-8 is the most useful marker for the early detection of bacterial infections, compared with CRP, PCT, and sTREM-1. IL-8 in combination with clinical parameters or PCT might be even more useful. Gastrointestinal mucositis alone does not affect PCT levels, in contrast to IL-8 levels, and therefore, PCT might be more useful for the detection of bacterial infections during mucositis than IL-8.

78 FR 63220 - Guidance for Industry on Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Developing Drugs for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-23

...] Guidance for Industry on Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Developing Drugs for Treatment... Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a guidance for industry entitled ``Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Developing Drugs for Treatment.'' The purpose of this guidance is to...

Role of quorum sensing in bacterial infections

PubMed Central

Castillo-Juárez, Israel; Maeda, Toshinari; Mandujano-Tinoco, Edna Ayerim; Tomás, María; Pérez-Eretza, Berenice; García-Contreras, Silvia Julieta; Wood, Thomas K; García-Contreras, Rodolfo

2015-01-01

Quorum sensing (QS) is cell communication that is widely used by bacterial pathogens to coordinate the expression of several collective traits, including the production of multiple virulence factors, biofilm formation, and swarming motility once a population threshold is reached. Several lines of evidence indicate that QS enhances virulence of bacterial pathogens in animal models as well as in human infections; however, its relative importance for bacterial pathogenesis is still incomplete. In this review, we discuss the present evidence from in vitro and in vivo experiments in animal models, as well as from clinical studies, that link QS systems with human infections. We focus on two major QS bacterial models, the opportunistic Gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus, which are also two of the main agents responsible of nosocomial and wound infections. In addition, QS communication systems in other bacterial, eukaryotic pathogens, and even immune and cancer cells are also reviewed, and finally, the new approaches proposed to combat bacterial infections by the attenuation of their QS communication systems and virulence are also discussed. PMID:26244150

Radiosynthesis and Biodistribution of 99mTc-Metronidazole as an Escherichia coli Infection Imaging Radiopharmaceutical.

PubMed

Iqbal, Anam; Naqvi, Syed Ali Raza; Rasheed, Rashid; Mansha, Asim; Ahmad, Matloob; Zahoor, Ameer Fawad

2018-05-01

Bacterial infection poses life-threatening challenge to humanity and stimulates to the researchers for developing better diagnostic and therapeutic agents complying with existing theranostic techniques. Nuclear medicine technique helps to visualize hard-to-diagnose deep-seated bacterial infections using radionuclide-labeled tracer agents. Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal antibiotic that serves as a preeminent anaerobic chemotherapeutic agent. The aim of this study was to develop technetium-99m-labeled metronidazole radiotracer for the detection of deep-seated bacterial infections. Radiosynthesis of 99m Tc-metronidazole was carried by reacting reduced technetium-99m and metronidazole at neutral pH for 30 min. The stannous chloride dihydrate was used as the reducing agent. At optimum radiolabeling conditions, ~ 94% radiochemical was obtained. Quality control analysis was carried out with a chromatographic paper and instant thin-layer chromatographic analysis. The biodistribution study of radiochemical was performed using Escherichia coli bacterial infection-induced rat model. The scintigraphic study was performed using E. coli bacterial infection-induced rabbit model. The results showed promising accumulation at the site of infection and its rapid clearance from the body. The tracer showed target-to-non-target ratio 5.57 ± 0.04 at 1 h post-injection. The results showed that 99m Tc-MNZ has promising potential to accumulate at E. coli bacterial infection that can be used for E. coli infection imaging.

Systems Biology of Tissue-Specific Response to Anaplasma phagocytophilum Reveals Differentiated Apoptosis in the Tick Vector Ixodes scapularis

PubMed Central

Ayllón, Nieves; Villar, Margarita; Galindo, Ruth C.; Kocan, Katherine M.; Šíma, Radek; López, Juan A.; Vázquez, Jesús; Alberdi, Pilar; Cabezas-Cruz, Alejandro; Kopáček, Petr; de la Fuente, José

2015-01-01

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging pathogen that causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Infection with this zoonotic pathogen affects cell function in both vertebrate host and the tick vector, Ixodes scapularis. Global tissue-specific response and apoptosis signaling pathways were characterized in I. scapularis nymphs and adult female midguts and salivary glands infected with A. phagocytophilum using a systems biology approach combining transcriptomics and proteomics. Apoptosis was selected for pathway-focused analysis due to its role in bacterial infection of tick cells. The results showed tissue-specific differences in tick response to infection and revealed differentiated regulation of apoptosis pathways. The impact of bacterial infection was more pronounced in tick nymphs and midguts than in salivary glands, probably reflecting bacterial developmental cycle. All apoptosis pathways described in other organisms were identified in I. scapularis, except for the absence of the Perforin ortholog. Functional characterization using RNA interference showed that Porin knockdown significantly increases tick colonization by A. phagocytophilum. Infection with A. phagocytophilum produced complex tissue-specific alterations in transcript and protein levels. In tick nymphs, the results suggested a possible effect of bacterial infection on the inhibition of tick immune response. In tick midguts, the results suggested that A. phagocytophilum infection inhibited cell apoptosis to facilitate and establish infection through up-regulation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Bacterial infection inhibited the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in tick salivary glands by down-regulating Porin expression that resulted in the inhibition of Cytochrome c release as the anti-apoptotic mechanism to facilitate bacterial infection. However, tick salivary glands may promote apoptosis to limit bacterial infection through induction of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. These dynamic changes in response to A. phagocytophilum in I. scapularis tissue-specific transcriptome and proteome demonstrated the complexity of the tick response to infection and will contribute to characterize gene regulation in ticks. PMID:25815810

Serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein prediction of severe bacterial infection in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

PubMed

Albillos, Agustín; de-la-Hera, Antonio; Alvarez-Mon, Melchor

2004-05-15

Serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein is increased in a subset of non-infected ascitic cirrhotic patients, a finding previously related to bacterial passage from the gut to the circulation without overt infection. We prospectively analysed the risk factors associated with a first episode of severe bacterial infection in 84 ascitic cirrhotics, followed up for a median of 46 weeks. The cumulative probability of such infection in patients with raised and normal lipopolysaccharide-binding protein was 32.4% and 8.0% (p=0.004), respectively. Increased lipopolysaccharide-binding protein was the only factor independently associated with severe bacterial infection in a multivariate analysis (relative risk 4.49, 95% CI 1.42-14.1). Monitoring of serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein could, therefore, help to target cirrhotic patients with ascites for antibiotic prophylaxis.

Predictive value of bacterial analysis of laparotomy wounds.

PubMed

Minutolo, Mario; Blandino, Giovanna; Arena, Manuel; Licciardello, Alessio; Di Stefano, Biagio; Lanteri, Raffaele; Puleo, Stefano; Licata, Antonio; Minutolo, Vincenzo

2014-01-01

Despite improvements in antibiotic prophylaxis, surgical site infections represent the most common postoperative complication with important clinical consequences for patients. The hypothesis that a bacterial analysis of the surgical wound in the operating room could predict the likelihood of developing a clinical infection, and might allow a tailored and preemptive approach, aimed to reduce the consequences of an infection, seems appealing. We would like to present a prospective study on the predictive value of the bacterial analysis of laparotomy wounds. Seventy eight prospective patients undergoing surgery were included in the study. To evaluate the risk factors associated with increased rate of wound infection, we performed a bacterial analysis of the wound. 48 patients out of 78 (61%) had positive cultures. 23 patients out of 32 patients (72%) who didn't receive antibiotic prophylaxis were positive to the wound culture whereas 25 patients out of 46 patients (54%) grew positive cultures in the group of patients that received antibiotic prophylaxis. None of the 30 patients with negative cultures developed clinical infection. Only 6 patients out of 48 patients who had positive cultures (12.5%) developed wound infection. Clinical infection occurred in 5 patients who had gram-negative contamination of the wound. No clinical infection occurred in patients who had gram-positive contamination. Wound cultures and their positivity are predictive tools to identify the patients that are at risk to develop wound infection. The positive predictive value of the bacterial analysis of the wound was 12.5%. Abdominal surgery, Bacterial analysis, Wound infection.

Human parasitic protozoan infection to infertility: a systematic review.

PubMed

Shiadeh, Malihe Nourollahpour; Niyyati, Maryam; Fallahi, Shirzad; Rostami, Ali

2016-02-01

Protozoan parasitic diseases are endemic in many countries worldwide, especially in developing countries, where infertility is a major burden. It has been reported that such infections may cause infertility through impairment in male and female reproductive systems. We searched Medline, PubMed, and Scopus databases and Google scholar to identify the potentially relevant studies on protozoan parasitic infections and their implications in human and animal model infertility. Literature described that some of the protozoan parasites such as Trichomonas vaginalis may cause deformities of the genital tract, cervical neoplasia, and tubal and atypical pelvic inflammations in women and also non-gonoccocal urethritis, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia in men. Toxopalasma gondii could cause endometritis, impaired folliculogenesis, ovarian and uterine atrophy, adrenal hypertrophy, vasculitis, and cessation of estrus cycling in female and also decrease in semen quality, concentration, and motility in male. Trypanosoma cruzi inhibits cell division in embryos and impairs normal implantation and development of placenta. Decrease in gestation rate, infection of hormone-producing glands, parasite invasion of the placenta, and overproduction of inflammatory cytokines in the oviducts and uterine horns are other possible mechanisms induced by Trypanosoma cruzi to infertility. Plasmodium spp. and Trypanosoma brucei spp. cause damage in pituitary gland, hormonal disorders, and decreased semen quality. Entamoeba histolytica infection leads to pelvic pain, salpingitis, tubo-ovarian abscess, and genital ulcers. Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis can induce genital lesion, testicular amyloidosis, inflammation of epididymis, prostatitis, and sperm abnormality in human and animals. In addition, some epidemiological studies have reported that rates of protozoan infections in infertile patients are higher than healthy controls. The current review indicates that protozoan parasitic infections may be an important cause of infertility. Given the widespread prevalence of parasitic protozoa diseases worldwide, we suggest further studies to better understanding of relationship between such infections and infertility.

[Detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus in biopsies of uterine cervical adenocarcinoma].

PubMed

Brebi M, Priscilla; Ili G, Carmen Gloria; López M, Jaime; García M, Patricia; Melo A, Angélica; Montenegro H, Sonia; Leal R, Pamela; Guzmán G, Pablo; Roa S, Juan Carlos

2009-03-01

The genotyping of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) will improve knowledge about the local epidemiological association of this virus with adenocarcinoma. To determine the frequency of HPV genotypes in biopsies of women with uterine cervical adenocarcinoma in a geographic region of Chile. Forty-one cervical biopsies with a pathological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, corresponding to all women diagnosed with this cancer between 2002 and 2004, were analyzed. Viral gene Ll was amplified by PCRfor viral detection. HPV genotyping was carried out by a Reverse Line Blot technique. Seventy one percent of biopsies were positive for HPV. The most common genotypes found were HPV 16 (61%), followed by HPV 18 (19.5%). Eighty seven percent of biopsies had a single HPV infection. Three patients had a multiple HPV infection. All of the latter were infected by HPV 16, associated with other three viral genotypes (45, 52 and 66). No low-risk HPV genotypes were found. In this sample of biopsies, there was a high prevelence of HPV 16 and a low prevalence of HPV 18, which historically has been related to adenocarcinoma. The genotypes found correspond to those described in South America.

Exploring bacterial infections: theoretical and experimental studies of the bacterial population dynamics and antibiotic treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Xinxian

Bacterial infections are very common in human society. Thus extensive research has been conducted to reveal the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis and to evaluate the antibiotics' efficacy against bacteria. Little is known, however, about the population dynamics of bacterial populations and their interactions with the host's immune system. In this dissertation, a stochatic model is developed featuring stochastic phenotypic switching of bacterial individuals to explain the single-variant bottleneck discovered in multi strain bacterial infections. I explored early events in a bacterial infection establishment using classical experiments of Moxon and Murphy on neonatal rats. I showed that the minimal model and its simple variants do not work. I proposed modifications to the model that could explain the data quantitatively. The bacterial infections are also commonly established in physical structures, as biofilms or 3-d colonies. In contrast, most research on antibiotic treatment of bacterial infections has been conducted in well-mixed liquid cultures. I explored the efficacy of antibiotics to treat such bacterial colonies, a broadly applicable method is designed and evaluated where discrete bacterial colonies on 2-d surfaces were exposed to antibiotics. I discuss possible explanations and hypotheses for the experimental results. To verify these hypotheses, we investigated the dynamics of bacterial population as 3-d colonies. We showed that a minimal mathematical model of bacterial colony growth in 3-d was able to account for the experimentally observed presence of a diffusion-limited regime. The model further revealed highly loose packing of the cells in 3-d colonies and smaller cell sizes in colonies than plancktonic cells in corresponding liquid culture. Further experimental tests of the model predictions have revealed that the ratio of the cell size in liquid culture to that in colony cultures was consistent with the model prediction, that the dead cells emerged randomly in a colony, and that the cells packed heterogeneously in the outer part of a colony, possibly explaining the loose packing.

21 CFR 522.820 - Erythromycin.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...) Indications for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (tonsillitis... for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (rhinitis, bronchitis... disease (shipping fever complex and bacterial pneumonia) associated with Pasteurella multocida susceptible...

21 CFR 522.820 - Erythromycin.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) Indications for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (tonsillitis... for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (rhinitis, bronchitis... disease (shipping fever complex and bacterial pneumonia) associated with Pasteurella multocida susceptible...

21 CFR 522.820 - Erythromycin.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...) Indications for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (tonsillitis... for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (rhinitis, bronchitis... disease (shipping fever complex and bacterial pneumonia) associated with Pasteurella multocida susceptible...

21 CFR 522.820 - Erythromycin.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...) Indications for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (tonsillitis... for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (rhinitis, bronchitis... disease (shipping fever complex and bacterial pneumonia) associated with Pasteurella multocida susceptible...

21 CFR 522.820 - Erythromycin.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...) Indications for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (tonsillitis... for use. For the treatment of bacterial pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (rhinitis, bronchitis... disease (shipping fever complex and bacterial pneumonia) associated with Pasteurella multocida susceptible...

Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as markers of bacterial infection in critically ill children at onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

PubMed

Simon, Liliana; Saint-Louis, Patrick; Amre, Devendra K; Lacroix, Jacques; Gauvin, France

2008-07-01

To compare the accuracy of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as diagnostic markers of bacterial infection in critically ill children at the onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Prospective cohort study. Tertiary care, university-affiliated pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Consecutive patients with SIRS. From June to December 2002, all PICU patients were screened daily to include cases of SIRS. At inclusion (onset of SIRS), procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels as well as an array of cultures were obtained. Diagnosis of bacterial infection was made a posteriori by an adjudicating process (consensus of experts unaware of the results of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein). Baseline and daily data on severity of illness, organ dysfunction, and outcome were collected. Sixty-four patients were included in the study and were a posteriori divided into the following groups: bacterial SIRS (n = 25) and nonbacterial SIRS (n = 39). Procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in patients with bacterial infection compared with patients without bacterial infection (p = .01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for procalcitonin was greater than that for C-reactive protein (0.71 vs. 0.65, respectively). A positive procalcitonin level (>or=2.5 ng/mL), when added to bedside clinical judgment, increased the likelihood of bacterial infection from 39% to 92%, while a negative C-reactive protein level (<40 mg/L) decreased the probability of bacterial infection from 39% to 2%. Procalcitonin is better than C-reactive protein for differentiating bacterial from nonbacterial SIRS in critically ill children, although the accuracy of both tests is moderate. Diagnostic accuracy could be enhanced by combining these tests with bedside clinical judgment.

Can procalcitonin help identify associated bacterial infection in patients with severe influenza pneumonia? A multicentre study.

PubMed

Cuquemelle, E; Soulis, F; Villers, D; Roche-Campo, F; Ara Somohano, C; Fartoukh, M; Kouatchet, A; Mourvillier, B; Dellamonica, J; Picard, W; Schmidt, M; Boulain, T; Brun-Buisson, C

2011-05-01

To determine whether procalcitonin (PCT) levels could help discriminate isolated viral from mixed (bacterial and viral) pneumonia in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during the A/H1N1v2009 influenza pandemic. A retrospective observational study was performed in 23 French ICUs during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Levels of PCT at admission were compared between patients with confirmed influenzae A pneumonia associated or not associated with a bacterial co-infection. Of 103 patients with confirmed A/H1N1 infection and not having received prior antibiotics, 48 (46.6%; 95% CI 37-56%) had a documented bacterial co-infection, mostly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (54%) or Staphylococcus aureus (31%). Fifty-two patients had PCT measured on admission, including 19 (37%) having bacterial co-infection. Median (range 25-75%) values of PCT were significantly higher in patients with bacterial co-infection: 29.5 (3.9-45.3) versus 0.5 (0.12-2) μg/l (P < 0.01). For a cut-off of 0.8 μg/l or more, the sensitivity and specificity of PCT for distinguishing isolated viral from mixed pneumonia were 91 and 68%, respectively. Alveolar condensation combined with a PCT level of 0.8 μg/l or more was strongly associated with bacterial co-infection (OR 12.9, 95% CI 3.2-51.5; P < 0.001). PCT may help discriminate viral from mixed pneumonia during the influenza season. Levels of PCT less than 0.8 μg/l combined with clinical judgment suggest that bacterial infection is unlikely.

The impact of rifaximin in the prevention of bacterial infections in cirrhosis.

PubMed

Mariani, M; Zuccaro, V; Patruno, S F A; Scudeller, L; Sacchi, P; Lombardi, A; Vecchia, M; Columpsi, P; Marone, P; Filice, G; Bruno, R

2017-03-01

Bacterial infections are a leading factor in the progression from compensated to decompensated cirrhosis, with consequent worsening of the prognosis, and concerted efforts have been made to reduce infections and improve the survival rate of these patients. We retrospectively investigated the rate of infections in hospitalized cirrhotic patients under treatment with rifaximin. We enrolled 649 patients whose clinical and personal data, prescribed therapy, microbiological findings and laboratory tests were collected from previous discharge letters and our institution database. The efficacy of rifaximin in preventing several types infection was evaluated by comparing outcomes for rifaximin-treated patients vs patients receiving no antibiotic treatment. The risk of developing selected bacterial infections was significantly lower in patients treated with rifaximin (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.20-0.40, p < 0.001). Continuous treatment with rifaximin may prevent bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients.

The Role of Viral, Host, and Secondary Bacterial Factors in Influenza Pathogenesis

PubMed Central

Kash, John C.; Taubenberger, Jeffery K.

2016-01-01

Influenza A virus infections in humans generally cause self-limited infections, but can result in severe disease, secondary bacterial pneumonias, and death. Influenza viruses can replicate in epithelial cells throughout the respiratory tree and can cause tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, diffuse alveolar damage with pulmonary edema and hemorrhage, and interstitial and airspace inflammation. The mechanisms by which influenza infections result in enhanced disease, including development of pneumonia and acute respiratory distress, are multifactorial, involving host, viral, and bacterial factors. Host factors that enhance risk of severe influenza disease include underlying comorbidities, such as cardiac and respiratory disease, immunosuppression, and pregnancy. Viral parameters enhancing disease risk include polymerase mutations associated with host switch and adaptation, viral proteins that modulate immune and antiviral responses, and virulence factors that increase disease severity, which can be especially prominent in pandemic viruses and some zoonotic influenza viruses causing human infections. Influenza viral infections result in damage to the respiratory epithelium that facilitates secondary infection with common bacterial pneumopathogens and can lead to secondary bacterial pneumonias that greatly contribute to respiratory distress, enhanced morbidity, and death. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which influenza and secondary bacterial infections, coupled with the role of host risk factors, contribute to enhanced morbidity and mortality is essential to develop better therapeutic strategies to treat severe influenza. PMID:25747532

Immunomodulatory role for membrane vesicles released by THP-1 macrophages and respiratory pathogens during macrophage infection.

PubMed

Volgers, Charlotte; Benedikter, Birke J; Grauls, Gert E; Savelkoul, Paul H M; Stassen, Frank R M

2017-11-13

During infection, inflammation is partially driven by the release of mediators which facilitate intercellular communication. Amongst these mediators are small membrane vesicles (MVs) that can be released by both host cells and Gram-negative and -positive bacteria. Bacterial membrane vesicles are known to exert immuno-modulatory and -stimulatory actions. Moreover, it has been proposed that host cell-derived vesicles, released during infection, also have immunostimulatory properties. In this study, we assessed the release and activity of host cell-derived and bacterial MVs during the first hours following infection of THP-1 macrophages with the common respiratory pathogens non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using a combination of flow cytometry, tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS)-based analysis and electron microscopy, we demonstrated that the release of MVs occurs by both host cells and bacteria during infection. MVs released during infection and bacterial culture were found to induce a strong pro-inflammatory response by naive THP-1 macrophages. Yet, these MVs were also found to induce tolerance of host cells to secondary immunogenic stimuli and to enhance bacterial adherence and the number of intracellular bacteria. Bacterial MVs may play a dual role during infection, as they can both trigger and dampen immune responses thereby contributing to immune defence and bacterial survival.

Cell mechanics and immune system link up to fight infections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ekpenyong, Andrew; Man, Si Ming; Tourlomousis, Panagiotis; Achouri, Sarra; Cammarota, Eugenia; Hughes, Katherine; Rizzo, Alessandro; Ng, Gilbert; Guck, Jochen; Bryant, Clare

2015-03-01

Infectious diseases, in which pathogens invade and colonize host cells, are responsible for one third of all mortality worldwide. Host cells use special proteins (immunoproteins) and other molecules to fight viral and bacterial invaders. The mechanisms by which immunoproteins enable cells to reduce bacterial loads and survive infections remain unclear. Moreover, during infections, some immunoproteins are known to alter the cytoskeleton, the structure that largely determines cellular mechanical properties. We therefore used an optical stretcher to measure the mechanical properties of primary immune cells (bone marrow derived macrophages) during bacterial infection. We found that macrophages become stiffer upon infection. Remarkably, macrophages lacking the immunoprotein, NLR-C4, lost the stiffening response to infection. This in vitro result correlates with our in vivo data whereby mice lacking NLR-C4 have more lesions and hence increased bacterial distribution and spread. Thus, the immune-protein-dependent increase in cell stiffness in response to bacterial infection (in vitro result) seems to have a functional role in the system level fight against pathogens (in vivo result). We will discuss how this functional link between cell mechanical properties and innate immunity, effected by actin polymerization, reduces the spread of infection.

Bacterial reproductive pathogens of cats and dogs.

PubMed

Graham, Elizabeth M; Taylor, David J

2012-05-01

With the notable exception of Brucella canis, exogenous bacterial pathogens are uncommon causes of reproductive disease in cats and dogs. Most bacterial reproductive infections are endogenous, and predisposing factors for infection are important. This article reviews the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and public health significance of bacterial reproductive pathogens in cats and dogs.

Screening host proteins required for bacterial adherence after H9N2 virus infection.

PubMed

Ma, Li-Li; Sun, Zhen-Hong; Xu, Yu-Lin; Wang, Shu-Juan; Wang, Hui-Ning; Zhang, Hao; Hu, Li-Ping; Sun, Xiao-Mei; Zhu, Lin; Shang, Hong-Qi; Zhu, Rui-Liang; Wei, Kai

2018-01-01

H9N2 subtype low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) is distributed worldwide and causes great economic losses in the poultry industry, especially when complicated with other bacterial infections. Tissue damages caused by virus infection provide an opportunity for bacteria invasion, but this mechanism is not sufficient for low pathogenic strains. Moreover, although H9N2 virus infection was demonstrated to promote bacterial infection in several studies, its mechanism remained unclear. In this study, infection experiments in vivo and in vitro demonstrated that the adhesion of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to host cells significantly increased after H9N2 virus infection, and this increase was not caused by pathological damages. Subsequently, we constructed a late chicken embryo infection model and used proteomics techniques to analyze the expression of proteins associated with bacterial adhesion after H9N2 virus infection. A total of 279 significantly differential expressed proteins were detected through isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS/MS) analysis. The results of Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins were enriched in host innate immunity; cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis; and pathogenicity-related signaling pathways. Finally, we screened out several proteins, such as TGF-β1, integrins, cortactin, E-cadherin, vinculin, and fibromodulin, which were probably associated with bacterial adhesion. The study analyzed the mechanism of secondary bacterial infection induced by H9N2 virus infection from a novel perspective, which provided theoretical and data support for investigating the synergistic infection mechanism between the H9N2 virus and bacteria. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Real-time monitoring of bacterial infection in vivo: development of bioluminescent staphylococcal foreign-body and deep-thigh-wound mouse infection models.

PubMed

Kuklin, Nelly A; Pancari, Gregory D; Tobery, Timothy W; Cope, Leslie; Jackson, Jesse; Gill, Charles; Overbye, Karen; Francis, Kevin P; Yu, Jun; Montgomery, Donna; Anderson, Annaliesa S; McClements, William; Jansen, Kathrin U

2003-09-01

Staphylococcal infections associated with catheter and prosthetic implants are difficult to eradicate and often lead to chronic infections. Development of novel antibacterial therapies requires simple, reliable, and relevant models for infection. Using bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus, we have adapted the existing foreign-body and deep-wound mouse models of staphylococcal infection to allow real-time monitoring of the bacterial colonization of catheters or tissues. This approach also enables kinetic measurements of bacterial growth and clearance in each infected animal. Persistence of infection was observed throughout the course of the study until termination of the experiment at day 16 in a deep-wound model and day 21 in the foreign-body model, providing sufficient time to test the effects of antibacterial compounds. The usefulness of both animal models was assessed by using linezolid as a test compound and comparing bioluminescent measurements to bacterial counts. In the foreign-body model, a three-dose antibiotic regimen (2, 5, and 24 h after infection) resulted in a decrease in both luminescence and bacterial counts recovered from the implant compared to those of the mock-treated infected mice. In addition, linezolid treatment prevented the formation of subcutaneous abscesses, although it did not completely resolve the infection. In the thigh model, the same treatment regimen resulted in complete resolution of the luminescent signal, which correlated with clearance of the bacteria from the thighs.

Sputum colour for diagnosis of a bacterial infection in patients with acute cough.

PubMed

Altiner, Attila; Wilm, Stefan; Däubener, Walter; Bormann, Christiane; Pentzek, Michael; Abholz, Heinz-Harald; Scherer, Martin

2009-01-01

Sputum colour plays an important role in the disease concepts for acute cough, both in the patients' and the doctors' view. However, it is unclear whether the sputum colour can be used for diagnosis of a bacterial infection. Cross-sectional study. A total of 42 GP practices in Dusseldorf, Germany. Sputum samples obtained from 241 patients suffering from an episode of acute cough seeing their doctor within a routine consultation. Relation of sputum colour and microbiological proof of bacterial infection defined as positive culture and at least a moderate number of leucocytes per low magnification field. In 28 samples (12%) a bacterial infection was proven. Yellowish or greenish colour of the sputum sample and bacterial infection showed a significant correlation (p = 0.014, Fisher's exact test). The sensitivity of yellowish or greenish sputum used as a test for a bacterial infection was 0.79 (95% CI 0.63-0.94); the specificity was 0.46 (95% CI 0.038-0.53). The positive likelihood-ratio (+LR) was 1.46 (95% CI 1.17-1.85). The sputum colour of patients with acute cough and no underlying chronic lung disease does not imply therapeutic consequences such as prescription of antibiotics.

Vaginal Discharge: What's Normal, What's Not

MedlinePlus

... Discharge? Vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis , candidiasis ( yeast infection ), and trichomoniasis are common causes of abnormal ... having sex, such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. If you notice any changes in your ...

Bacterial pneumonia, HIV therapy, and disease progression among HIV-infected women in the HIV epidemiologic research (HER) study.

PubMed

Kohli, Rakhi; Lo, Yungtai; Homel, Peter; Flanigan, Timothy P; Gardner, Lytt I; Howard, Andrea A; Rompalo, Anne M; Moskaleva, Galina; Schuman, Paula; Schoenbaum, Ellie E

2006-07-01

To determine the rate and predictors of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and its effect on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression in HIV-infected women, we performed a multiple-site, prospective study of HIV-infected women in 4 cities in the United States. During the period of 1993-2000, we observed 885 HIV-infected and 425 HIV-uninfected women with a history of injection drug use or high-risk sexual behavior. Participants underwent semiannual interviews, and CD4+ lymphocyte count and viral load were assessed in HIV-infected subjects. Data regarding episodes of bacterial pneumonia were ascertained from medical record reviews. The rate of bacterial pneumonia among 885 HIV-infected women was 8.5 cases per 100 person-years, compared with 0.7 cases per 100 person-years in 425 HIV-uninfected women (P < .001). In analyses limited to follow-up after 1 January 1996, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) use were associated with a decreased risk of bacterial pneumonia. Among women who had used TMP-SMX for 12 months, each month of HAART decreased bacterial pneumonia risk by 8% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR(adj)], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-0.95). Increments of 50 CD4+ cells/mm3 decreased the risk (HR(adj), 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84-0.93), and smoking doubled the risk (HR(adj), 2.12; 95% CI, 1.26-3.55). Bacterial pneumonia increased mortality risk (HR(adj), 5.02; 95% CI, 2.12-11.87), with adjustment for CD4+ lymphocyte count and duration of HAART and TMP-SMX use. High rates of bacterial pneumonia persist among HIV-infected women. Although HAART and TMP-SMX treatment decreased the risk, bacterial pneumonia was associated with an accelerated progression to death. Interventions that improve HAART utilization and promote smoking cessation among HIV-infected women are warranted.

Distribution and ecology of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) bacterial symbionts.

PubMed

Chanbusarakum, Lisa J; Ullman, Diane E

2009-08-01

Bacterial populations in Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) collected in diverse California environments consisted of two bacterial symbionts: BFo-1 and BFo-2 (B = bacteria, Fo = Frankliniella occidentalis, numbers reflect different types). Dual infections of BFo-1 and BFo-2 were found in 50% of the thrips, 18% had neither bacterium, and 24 and 8% were infected solely with BFo-1 and BFo-2, respectively. No other bacteria consistently infected F. occidentalis. Dual infections occurred more often in male thrips and in thrips of both sexes from southern mountain and valley sites. As average collection year or month minimum temperature decreased, infections of BFo-1, alone or in dual infections, increased significantly. As yearly precipitation increased, infection with BFo-1 alone also increased. F. occidentalis color morphology did not affect bacterial infection. BFo-1 created weak biofilms at 25 and 32 degrees C; BFo-2 made strong biofilms at 25 degrees C and no biofilms at 32 degrees C. When the bacteria were grown in culture together, weak biofilms formed at both temperatures studied, although there was no way to determine what each bacterium contributed to the biofilm. BFo-1 and BFo-2 grew at similar rates at 25 and 30 degrees C. Our data show BFo-1 and BFo-2 occur in natural populations of F. occidentalis and support the hypothesis BFo have a symbiotic relationship with F. occidentalis. Regional differences in bacterial prevalence suggest bacterial infection is associated with environmental conditions, and altitude, temperature, and precipitation may be important factors.

Detection and quantification of intracellular bacterial colonies by automated, high-throughput microscopy.

PubMed

Ernstsen, Christina L; Login, Frédéric H; Jensen, Helene H; Nørregaard, Rikke; Møller-Jensen, Jakob; Nejsum, Lene N

2017-08-01

To target bacterial pathogens that invade and proliferate inside host cells, it is necessary to design intervention strategies directed against bacterial attachment, cellular invasion and intracellular proliferation. We present an automated microscopy-based, fast, high-throughput method for analyzing size and number of intracellular bacterial colonies in infected tissue culture cells. Cells are seeded in 48-well plates and infected with a GFP-expressing bacterial pathogen. Following gentamicin treatment to remove extracellular pathogens, cells are fixed and cell nuclei stained. This is followed by automated microscopy and subsequent semi-automated spot detection to determine the number of intracellular bacterial colonies, their size distribution, and the average number per host cell. Multiple 48-well plates can be processed sequentially and the procedure can be completed in one working day. As a model we quantified intracellular bacterial colonies formed by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) during infection of human kidney cells (HKC-8). Urinary tract infections caused by UPEC are among the most common bacterial infectious diseases in humans. UPEC can colonize tissues of the urinary tract and is responsible for acute, chronic, and recurrent infections. In the bladder, UPEC can form intracellular quiescent reservoirs, thought to be responsible for recurrent infections. In the kidney, UPEC can colonize renal epithelial cells and pass to the blood stream, either via epithelial cell disruption or transcellular passage, to cause sepsis. Intracellular colonies are known to be clonal, originating from single invading UPEC. In our experimental setup, we found UPEC CFT073 intracellular bacterial colonies to be heterogeneous in size and present in nearly one third of the HKC-8 cells. This high-throughput experimental format substantially reduces experimental time and enables fast screening of the intracellular bacterial load and cellular distribution of multiple bacterial isolates. This will be a powerful experimental tool facilitating the study of bacterial invasion, drug resistance, and the development of new therapeutics. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bacterial Sepsis in Patients with Visceral Leishmaniasis in Northwest Ethiopia

PubMed Central

Takele, Yegnasew; Woldeyohannes, Desalegn; Tiruneh, Moges; Mohammed, Rezika; Lynen, Lutgarde; van Griensven, Johan

2014-01-01

Background and Objectives. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the neglected diseases affecting the poorest segment of world populations. Sepsis is one of the predictors for death of patients with VL. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with bacterial sepsis, causative agents, and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among patients with VL. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among parasitologically confirmed VL patients suspected of sepsis admitted to the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, from February 2012 to May 2012. Blood cultures and other clinical samples were collected and cultured following the standard procedures. Results. Among 83 sepsis suspected VL patients 16 (19.3%) had culture confirmed bacterial sepsis. The most frequently isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus (68.8%; 11/16), including two methicillin-resistant isolates (MRSA). Patients with focal bacterial infection were more likely to have bacterial sepsis (P < 0.001). Conclusions. The prevalence of culture confirmed bacterial sepsis was high, predominantly due to S. aureus. Concurrent focal bacterial infection was associated with bacterial sepsis, suggesting that focal infections could serve as sources for bacterial sepsis among VL patients. Careful clinical evaluation for focal infections and prompt initiation of empiric antibiotic treatment appears warranted in VL patients. PMID:24895569

Significance of anaerobic bacteria in postoperative infection after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion or reconstruction.

PubMed

Hiyama, Yoshiki; Takahashi, Satoshi; Uehara, Teruhisa; Hashimoto, Jiro; Kurimura, Yuichiro; Tanaka, Toshiaki; Masumori, Naoya; Tsukamoto, Taiji

2013-10-01

Radical cystectomy followed by urinary diversion or reconstruction (RC) is a standard treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In these operations, a high frequency of complications, especially postoperative infection, has been reported. However, there have only been a few studies about postoperative anaerobic bacterial infection. To clarify the significance and role of anaerobic bacteria in postoperative infection, we retrospectively analyzed cases in which postoperative infection by these organisms developed. A total of 126 patients who underwent RC from 2006 to 2010 were included in this study. Various types of postoperative infection occurred in 66 patients. Anaerobic bacterial infections were detected with cultures for urine and blood in one case, for blood in two cases, and for surgical wound pus in four. The frequency of postoperative anaerobic bacterial infection in RC was less than that of colon surgery. However, this study revealed the possible development of a nonnegligible number of postoperative anaerobic bacterial infections. Therefore, we should consider anaerobic bacteria as possible pathogens in postoperative infection after RC.

Serum procalcitonin has negative predictive value for bacterial infection in active systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Bador, K M; Intan, S; Hussin, S; Gafor, A H A

2012-10-01

Previous studies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have produced conflicting results regarding the diagnostic utility of procalcitonin (PCT). The aim of this study was to determine predictive values of PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) for bacterial infection in SLE patients. This was a cross-sectional study of clinic and hospitalized SLE patients with and without bacterial infection recruited over 18 months. Bacterial infection was defined as positive culture results. SLE disease activity was measured using SLEDAI. PCT and CRP were measured by automated immunoassays. Sixty-eight patients (57 females) were studied. Ten patients (15%) had infection. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for PCT and CRP were not significantly different [0.797 (CI 0.614-0.979) versus 0.755 (CI 0.600-0.910)]. In lupus flare patients, PCT but not CRP was higher with infection (p = 0.019 versus 0.195). A PCT of <0.17 ng/ml ruled out infection with 94% negative predictive value (NPV). In remission patients, CRP but not PCT was elevated with infection (p = 0.036 versus 0.103). CRP < 0.57 mg/dl had 96% NPV. PCT may be a better marker to rule out bacterial infection in lupus flare but not in remission or general screening.

New insights into valve-related intramural and intracellular bacterial diversity in infective endocarditis

PubMed Central

Feder, Stefan; Lehmann, Stefanie; Kullnick, Yvonne; Buschmann, Tilo; Blumert, Conny; Horn, Friedemann; Neuhaus, Jochen; Neujahr, Ralph; Bagaev, Erik; Hagl, Christian; Pichlmaier, Maximilian; Rodloff, Arne Christian; Gräber, Sandra; Kirsch, Katharina; Sandri, Marcus; Kumbhari, Vivek; Behzadi, Armirhossein; Behzadi, Amirali; Correia, Joao Carlos; Mohr, Friedrich Wilhelm

2017-01-01

Aims In infective endocarditis (IE), a severe inflammatory disease of the endocardium with an unchanged incidence and mortality rate over the past decades, only 1% of the cases have been described as polymicrobial infections based on microbiological approaches. The aim of this study was to identify potential biodiversity of bacterial species from infected native and prosthetic valves. Furthermore, we compared the ultrastructural micro-environments to detect the localization and distribution patterns of pathogens in IE. Material and methods Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rDNA, which allows analysis of the entire bacterial community within a single sample, we investigated the biodiversity of infectious bacterial species from resected native and prosthetic valves in a clinical cohort of 8 IE patients. Furthermore, we investigated the ultrastructural infected valve micro-environment by focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). Results Biodiversity was detected in 7 of 8 resected heart valves. This comprised 13 bacterial genera and 16 species. In addition to 11 pathogens already described as being IE related, 5 bacterial species were identified as having a novel association. In contrast, valve and blood culture-based diagnosis revealed only 4 species from 3 bacterial genera and did not show any relevant antibiotic resistance. The antibiotics chosen on this basis for treatment, however, did not cover the bacterial spectra identified by our amplicon sequencing analysis in 4 of 8 cases. In addition to intramural distribution patterns of infective bacteria, intracellular localization with evidence of bacterial immune escape mechanisms was identified. Conclusion The high frequency of polymicrobial infections, pathogen diversity, and intracellular persistence of common IE-causing bacteria may provide clues to help explain the persistent and devastating mortality rate observed for IE. Improved bacterial diagnosis by 16S rDNA NGS that increases the ability to tailor antibiotic therapy may result in improved outcomes. PMID:28410379

Molecular identification and quantification of bacteria from endodontic infections using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

PubMed

Blome, B; Braun, A; Sobarzo, V; Jepsen, S

2008-10-01

It was the aim of the present study to evaluate root canal samples for the presence and numbers of specific species as well as for total bacterial load in teeth with chronic apical periodontitis using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Forty adult patients with one radiographically documented periapical lesion were included. Twenty teeth presented with primary infections and 20 with secondary infections, requiring retreatment. After removal of necrotic pulp tissue or root canal filling, a first bacterial sample was obtained. Following chemo-mechanical root canal preparation a second sample was taken and a third sample was obtained after 14 days of intracanal dressing with calcium hydroxide. Analysis by real-time PCR enabled the quantification of total bacterial counts and of nine selected species. Root canals with primary infections harbored significantly more bacteria (by total bacterial count) than teeth with secondary infections (P < 0.05). Mean total bacterial count in the retreatment group was 2.1 x 10(6) and was significantly reduced following root canal preparation (3.6 x 10(4)) and intracanal dressing (1.4 x 10(5)). Corresponding values for primary infections were: 4.6 x 10(7), 3.6 x 10(4), and 6.9 x 10(4). The numbers of the selected bacteria and their detection frequency were also significantly reduced. Root canals with primary infections contained a higher bacterial load. Chemo-mechanical root canal preparation reduced bacterial counts by at least 95%.

Development of a Model to Predict the Primary Infection Date of Bacterial Spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) on Hot Pepper.

PubMed

Kim, Ji-Hoon; Kang, Wee-Soo; Yun, Sung-Chul

2014-06-01

A population model of bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria on hot pepper was developed to predict the primary disease infection date. The model estimated the pathogen population on the surface and within the leaf of the host based on the wetness period and temperature. For successful infection, at least 5,000 cells/ml of the bacterial population were required. Also, wind and rain were necessary according to regression analyses of the monitored data. Bacterial spot on the model is initiated when the pathogen population exceeds 10(15) cells/g within the leaf. The developed model was validated using 94 assessed samples from 2000 to 2007 obtained from monitored fields. Based on the validation study, the predicted initial infection dates varied based on the year rather than the location. Differences in initial infection dates between the model predictions and the monitored data in the field were minimal. For example, predicted infection dates for 7 locations were within the same month as the actual infection dates, 11 locations were within 1 month of the actual infection, and only 3 locations were more than 2 months apart from the actual infection. The predicted infection dates were mapped from 2009 to 2012; 2011 was the most severe year. Although the model was not sensitive enough to predict disease severity of less than 0.1% in the field, our model predicted bacterial spot severity of 1% or more. Therefore, this model can be applied in the field to determine when bacterial spot control is required.

Development of a Model to Predict the Primary Infection Date of Bacterial Spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) on Hot Pepper

PubMed Central

Kim, Ji-Hoon; Kang, Wee-Soo; Yun, Sung-Chul

2014-01-01

A population model of bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria on hot pepper was developed to predict the primary disease infection date. The model estimated the pathogen population on the surface and within the leaf of the host based on the wetness period and temperature. For successful infection, at least 5,000 cells/ml of the bacterial population were required. Also, wind and rain were necessary according to regression analyses of the monitored data. Bacterial spot on the model is initiated when the pathogen population exceeds 1015 cells/g within the leaf. The developed model was validated using 94 assessed samples from 2000 to 2007 obtained from monitored fields. Based on the validation study, the predicted initial infection dates varied based on the year rather than the location. Differences in initial infection dates between the model predictions and the monitored data in the field were minimal. For example, predicted infection dates for 7 locations were within the same month as the actual infection dates, 11 locations were within 1 month of the actual infection, and only 3 locations were more than 2 months apart from the actual infection. The predicted infection dates were mapped from 2009 to 2012; 2011 was the most severe year. Although the model was not sensitive enough to predict disease severity of less than 0.1% in the field, our model predicted bacterial spot severity of 1% or more. Therefore, this model can be applied in the field to determine when bacterial spot control is required. PMID:25288995

Serum sCD30: A promising biomarker for predicting the risk of bacterial infection after kidney transplantation.

PubMed

Fernández-Ruiz, Mario; Parra, Patricia; López-Medrano, Francisco; Ruiz-Merlo, Tamara; González, Esther; Polanco, Natalia; Origüen, Julia; San Juan, Rafael; Andrés, Amado; Aguado, José María

2017-04-01

The transmembrane glycoprotein CD30 contributes to regulate the balance between Th 1 and Th 2 responses. Previous studies have reported conflicting results on the utility of its soluble form (sCD30) to predict post-transplant infection. Serum sCD30 was measured by a commercial ELISA assay at baseline and post-transplant months 1, 3, and 6 in 100 kidney transplant (KT) recipients (279 monitoring points). The impact of sCD30 levels on the incidence of overall, bacterial and opportunistic infection during the first 12 months after transplantation was assessed by Cox regression. There were no differences in serum sCD30 according to the occurrence of overall or opportunistic infection. However, sCD30 levels were higher in patients with bacterial infection compared to those without at baseline (P=.038) and months 1 (P<.0001), 3 (P=.043), and 6 after transplantation (P=.006). Patients with baseline sCD30 levels ≥13.5 ng/mL had lower 12-month bacterial infection-free survival (35.0% vs 80.0%; P<.0001). After adjusting for potential confounders, baseline sCD30 levels ≥13.5 ng/mL remained as an independent risk factor for bacterial infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 4.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.05-10.53; <.001). Analogously, sCD30 levels ≥6.0 ng/mL at month 1 acted as a risk factor for subsequent bacterial infection (aHR: 5.29; 95% CI: 1.11-25.14; P=.036). Higher serum sCD30 levels were associated with an increased risk of bacterial infection after KT. We hypothesize that this biomarker reflects a Th 2 -polarized T-cell response, which exerts a detrimental effect on the immunity against bacterial pathogens. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Performance of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin to distinguish viral from bacterial and malarial causes of fever in Southeast Asia.

PubMed

Lubell, Yoel; Blacksell, Stuart D; Dunachie, Susanna; Tanganuchitcharnchai, Ampai; Althaus, Thomas; Watthanaworawit, Wanitda; Paris, Daniel H; Mayxay, Mayfong; Peto, Thomas J; Dondorp, Arjen M; White, Nicholas J; Day, Nicholas P J; Nosten, François; Newton, Paul N; Turner, Paul

2015-11-11

Poor targeting of antimicrobial drugs contributes to the millions of deaths each year from malaria, pneumonia, and other tropical infectious diseases. While malaria rapid diagnostic tests have improved use of antimalarial drugs, there are no similar tests to guide the use of antibiotics in undifferentiated fevers. In this study we estimate the diagnostic accuracy of two well established biomarkers of bacterial infection, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in discriminating between common viral and bacterial infections in malaria endemic settings of Southeast Asia. Serum procalcitonin and CRP levels were measured in stored serum samples from febrile patients enrolled in three prospective studies conducted in Cambodia, Laos and, Thailand. Of the 1372 patients with a microbiologically confirmed diagnosis, 1105 had a single viral, bacterial or malarial infection. Procalcitonin and CRP levels were compared amongst these aetiological groups and their sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing bacterial infections and bacteraemias from viral infections were estimated using standard thresholds. Serum concentrations of both biomarkers were significantly higher in bacterial infections and malaria than in viral infections. The AUROC for CRP in discriminating between bacterial and viral infections was 0.83 (0.81-0.86) compared with 0.74 (0.71-0.77) for procalcitonin (p < 0.0001). This relative advantage was evident in all sites and when stratifying patients by age and admission status. For CRP at a threshold of 10 mg/L, the sensitivity of detecting bacterial infections was 95% with a specificity of 49%. At a threshold of 20 mg/L sensitivity was 86% with a specificity of 67%. For procalcitonin at a low threshold of 0.1 ng/mL the sensitivity was 90% with a specificity of 39%. At a higher threshold of 0.5 ng/ul sensitivity was 60% with a specificity of 76%. In samples from febrile patients with mono-infections from rural settings in Southeast Asia, CRP was a highly sensitive and moderately specific biomarker for discriminating between viral and bacterial infections. Use of a CRP rapid test in peripheral health settings could potentially be a simple and affordable measure to better identify patients in need of antibacterial treatment and part of a global strategy to combat the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Conception rate, uterine infection and embryo quality after artificial insemination and natural breeding with a stallion carrier of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a case report.

PubMed

Tiago, Guimarães; Júlio, Carvalheira; António, Rocha

2012-03-29

Pseudomonas aeruginosa may cause venereal disease and infertility in horses. A Pseudomonas aeruginosa - carrier stallion, often unresponsive to artificial vagina collection, was used to naturally breed mares. Semen collected from the same stallion was also used to perform artificial inseminations. Pregnancy rates, embryo quality and incidence of uterine infection were compared between inseminated or naturally-bred mares. P. aeruginosa was isolated from swabbing of the penis, prepuce and distal urethra of the stallion. Before being bred or inseminated, clitoral/vestibular samples were collected from all mares, and cultured for isolation of P. aeruginosa. At the first observed estrus, endometrial swabs were also collected. All mares subjected to natural mating (NS) were re-evaluated for P.aeruginosa by culture of clitoral and endometrial swabs. Artificial inseminations (AI) were performed either with fresh-extended semen (11 AI/7 mares) or frozen semen (10 AI/7 mares). The stallion was also used to breed 3 mares (4 services). For embryo collection, 2 mares were inseminated with fresh-extended semen (1 AI/mare), and 2 additional mares were inseminated with frozen semen (2 AI/mare). Two mares were naturally-bred with a total of 9 services, for embryo collection. All mares were examined after AI or natural service (NS), for uterine pathologies. Embryo recoveries were attempted passing a catheter with inflatable cuff connected to a sterile flexible 2-way flushing catheter, through the cervix. Flushed media was recovered into an Em-Con filter, and embryos searched using a stereoscope. Embryos were graded from 1 (excellent) to 4 (degenerated/dead). Pregnancy rates obtained after NS was 50% per cycle. However, more than half of the NS resulted in uterine disease, while uterine pathology was seen only in 22% of the time following AI. Half of the mares bred by NS got positive to P. aeruginosa. Percentage of embryo recovery rates was identical after AI or NS (66.7%). The 4 embryos recovered after AI were classified as Grade 1, while after NS only 2 out of the 6 recovered embryos were Grade 1. a) there was no evidence of reduced fertilization after AI or NS, b) a numerically higher incidence of uterine disease was noticed after NS, c) venereal transmission of P. aeruginosa after NS was confirmed, d) a lower percentage of G1 embryos may be obtained after NS. Overall, the data supports the indication for P. aeruginosa-carrier stallions to be bred by AI rather than by NS, and raises the possibility that P. aeruginosa may affect embryo quality.

Retrospective Analysis of Bacterial and Viral Co-Infections in Pneumocystis spp. Positive Lung Samples of Austrian Pigs with Pneumonia.

PubMed

Weissenbacher-Lang, Christiane; Kureljušić, Branislav; Nedorost, Nora; Matula, Bettina; Schießl, Wolfgang; Stixenberger, Daniela; Weissenböck, Herbert

2016-01-01

Aim of this study was the retrospective investigation of viral (porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), torque teno sus virus type 1 and 2 (TTSuV1, TTSuV2)) and bacterial (Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. b.), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. h.), and Pasteurella multocida (P. m.)) co-infections in 110 Pneumocystis spp. positive lung samples of Austrian pigs with pneumonia. Fifty-one % were positive for PCV2, 7% for PRRSV, 22% for TTSuV1, 48% for TTSuV2, 6% for B. b., 29% for M. h., and 21% for P. m. In 38.2% only viral, in 3.6% only bacterial and in 40.0% both, viral and bacterial pathogens were detected. In 29.1% of the cases a co-infection with 1 pathogen, in 28.2% with 2, in 17.3% with 3, and in 7.3% with 4 different infectious agents were observed. The exposure to Pneumocystis significantly decreased the risk of a co-infection with PRRSV in weaning piglets; all other odds ratios were not significant. Four categories of results were compared: I = P. spp. + only viral co-infectants, II = P. spp. + both viral and bacterial co-infectants, III = P. spp. + only bacterial co-infectants, and IV = P. spp. single infection. The evaluation of all samples and the age class of the weaning piglets resulted in a predomination of the categories I and II. In contrast, the suckling piglets showed more samples of category I and IV. In the group of fattening pigs, category II predominated. Suckling piglets can be infected with P. spp. early in life. With increasing age this single infections can be complicated by co-infections with other respiratory diseases.

Impact of antiseptics on Chlamydia trachomatis growth.

PubMed

Párducz, L; Eszik, I; Wagner, G; Burián, K; Endrész, V; Virok, D P

2016-10-01

Bacterial vaginosis is a frequent dysbiosis, where the normal lactobacillus-dominated flora is replaced by an anaerob/aerob polymicrobial flora. Bacterial vaginosis increases the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STI) including the most frequent Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Intravaginal antiseptics are part of the bacterial vaginosis treatment, and ideally they should also inhibit the bacterial vaginosis-related STI. Therefore, we tested the antichlamydial activity of four antiseptics: iodine aqueous solution, povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine and borax. First, we measured the impact of antiseptics on the viability of the HeLa cervical epithelial cells, and calculated the maximum nontoxic concentrations. Next, we infected the cells with C. trachomatis preincubated for 1 h with the particular antiseptic. The chlamydial growth was measured by direct quantitative PCR (qPCR) of the infected cells. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine were 3·91 and 97 μg ml(-1) respectively; however, the MIC of chlorhexidine was close to its maximum nontoxic concentration. The iodine aqueous solution and the borax showed no antichlamydial activity. Our in vitro studies showed that chlorhexidine and particularly povidone-iodine are potentially able to limit the bacterial vaginosis-related C. trachomatis infection. We measured the antichlamydial effects of various antiseptics. These antiseptics are being used for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, but their effect on the bacterial vaginosis-related sexually transmitted infections, particularly the most frequent Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) infections has not been investigated. We showed that povidone-iodine (Betadine) inhibited the chlamydial growth in concentrations that was not toxic to the epithelial cells. We concluded that due to its additional antichlamydial effect, povidone-iodine could be a preferable antiseptic in bacterial vaginosis treatment. © 2016 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

21 CFR 524.1005 - Furazolidone aerosol powder.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... infection of superficial wounds, abrasions, lacerations, and pyogenic dermatitis. (ii) Horses. For treatment or prevention of bacterial infection of superficial wounds, abrasions, lacerations, and following... bacterial infection of superficial wounds, abrasions, and lacerations caused by Staphylococcus aureus...

21 CFR 524.1005 - Furazolidone aerosol powder.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... infection of superficial wounds, abrasions, lacerations, and pyogenic dermatitis. (ii) Horses. For treatment or prevention of bacterial infection of superficial wounds, abrasions, lacerations, and following... bacterial infection of superficial wounds, abrasions, and lacerations caused by Staphylococcus aureus...

Polymeric Interventions for Microbial Infections: A Review.

PubMed

Hutnick, Melanie A; Pokorski, Jonathan K

2018-05-22

The world is facing a growing crisis of microbial infections, where resistant strains are rapidly outpacing the development of new therapeutics. In an effort to combat this, the polymer community is developing new ways to improve upon drug delivery, synthesizing novel antimicrobial polymers, and using polymer technology to harness combination therapies. This review focuses primarily on the use of polymers to treat both bacterial and fungal infections in recent years. A bevy of work has illustrated that polymer technologies can have a huge impact in treating bacterial infections. However, harnessing polymers to deliver antifungals or as stand-alone therapeutics lags far behind that of interventions for bacterial infections. Fungal infections can be crippling to both human health and the agricultural community, making this area ripe for drug delivery technologies. This review describes recent work and highlights opportunities for bacterial and fungal treatment using soft matter.

Urinary cell-free DNA is a versatile analyte for monitoring infections of the urinary tract.

PubMed

Burnham, Philip; Dadhania, Darshana; Heyang, Michael; Chen, Fanny; Westblade, Lars F; Suthanthiran, Manikkam; Lee, John Richard; De Vlaminck, Iwijn

2018-06-20

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections in humans. Here we tested the utility of urinary cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to comprehensively monitor host and pathogen dynamics in bacterial and viral urinary tract infections. We isolated cfDNA from 141 urine samples from a cohort of 82 kidney transplant recipients and performed next-generation sequencing. We found that urinary cfDNA is highly informative about bacterial and viral composition of the microbiome, antimicrobial susceptibility, bacterial growth dynamics, kidney allograft injury, and host response to infection. These different layers of information are accessible from a single assay and individually agree with corresponding clinical tests based on quantitative PCR, conventional bacterial culture, and urinalysis. In addition, cfDNA reveals the frequent occurrence of pathologies that remain undiagnosed with conventional diagnostic protocols. Our work identifies urinary cfDNA as a highly versatile analyte to monitor infections of the urinary tract.

High specificity ZnO quantum dots for diagnosis and treatment in bacterial infection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Min; Qian, Zhiyu; Gu, Yueqing

2016-03-01

Early diagnosis and effective treatment of bacterial infection has become increasingly important. Herein, we developed a fluorescent nano-probe MPA@ZnO-PEP by conjugating SiO2-stabilized ZnO quantum dot (ZnO@SiO2) with bacteria-targeting peptide PEP, which was encapsulated with MPA, a near infrared (NIR) dye. The nanoprobe MPA@ZnO-PEP showed excellent fluorescence property and could specifically distinguish bacterial infection from sterile inflammation both in vitro and in vivo. The favorable biocompatability of MPA@ZnO-PEP was verified by MTT assay. This probe was further modified with antibiotic methicillin to form the theranostic nanoparticle MPA/Met@ZnO-PEP with amplified antibacterial activity. These results promised the great potential of MPA@ZnO-PEP for efficient non-invasive early diagnosis of bacterial infections and effective bacterial-targeting therapy.

Bacterial infections and hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis-prophylaxis and treatment.

PubMed

Piotrowski, Damian; Boroń-Kaczmarska, Anna

2017-09-01

Infections are common among patients with liver cirrhosis. They occur more often in cirrhotic patient groups than in the general population and result in higher mortality. One reason for this phenomenon is bacterial translocation from the intestinal lumen that occurs as a consequence of intestinal bacterial overgrowth, increased permeability and decreased motility. The most common infections in cirrhotic patients are spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and urinary tract infections, followed by pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections. Intestinal bacterial overgrowth is also responsible for hyperammonemia, which leads to hepatic encephalopathy. All of these complications make this group of patients at high risk for mortality. The role of antibiotics in liver cirrhosis is to treat and in some cases to prevent the development of infectious complications. Based on our current knowledge, antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered to patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, low ascitic fluid protein concentration combined with liver or renal failure, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis as a secondary prophylaxis, as well as after hepatic encephalopathy episodes (also as a secondary prophylaxis). In some cases, the use of non-antibiotic prophylaxis can also be considered. Current knowledge of the treatment of infections allows the choice of a preferred antibiotic for empiric therapy depending on the infection location and whether the source of the disease is nosocomial or community-acquired. Copyright © 2017 Medical University of Bialystok. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bacterial meningitis in patients with HIV: A population-based prospective study.

PubMed

van Veen, Kiril E B; Brouwer, Matthijs C; van der Ende, Arie; van de Beek, Diederik

2016-03-01

We studied occurrence, disease course, and prognosis of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in HIV-infected adults in the Netherlands. We performed a nationwide, prospective cohort study. Patients over 16 years old with bacterial meningitis were included. Data on patient history, symptoms and signs on admission, laboratory findings, radiologic examination, treatment, and outcome were collected prospectively. For HIV-positive patients additional information was collected retrospectively. From March 2006 to December 2013, 1354 episodes of community-acquired meningitis were included in the cohort. Thirteen patients were HIV-infected (1.0%). The annual incidence of bacterial meningitis was 8.3-fold higher (95%CI 4.6-15.1, P < 0.001) among HIV-infected patients as compared to the general population (10.79 [95%CI 5.97-19.48] vs 1.29 [95%CI 1.22-1.37] per 100.000 patients per year). Predisposing factors (other than HIV), clinical symptoms and signs, ancillary investigations, causative organisms and outcome were comparable between HIV-infected and patients without HIV infection. HIV-infected patients in the Netherlands have a 8.3-fold higher risk for bacterial meningitis as compared to the general population despite cART therapy. Clinical presentation and outcome of patients with acute bacterial meningitis with and without HIV are similar. Copyright © 2016 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gynecological conditions and the risk of endometrial cancer.

PubMed

Rowlands, Ingrid J; Nagle, Christina M; Spurdle, Amanda B; Webb, Penelope M

2011-12-01

To examine the association between gynecological conditions (including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and infections of the tubes/womb), and risk of endometrial cancer overall and by histological subtype. Data came from a population-based, case-control study, which included 1399 women with endometrial cancer diagnosed between 2005 and 2007 and 1539 controls. Women provided detailed risk factor information via interview or self-completed questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between gynecological conditions and cancer. A self-reported history of uterine fibroids was associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer (OR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.10-1.74). This association was reduced for women with body-mass index≥35kg/m(2) (OR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.37-1.37), and increased in groups normally thought to be at low risk including women with normal BMI (OR=1.66; 95% CI: 1.14-2.41) and premenopausal women (OR=1.82; 95% CI: 0.99-3.32). After excluding conditions diagnosed in the previous year, we found no association between endometrial cancer and endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infections of the tubes/womb. There was no evidence that risk varied by tumor subtype. Overall these results suggest that women with uterine fibroids are at increased risk of endometrial cancer, and that greater monitoring of premenopausal and normal weight women with fibroids may be important for the early detection of endometrial cancer. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Pragmatic Biomarker-Driven Algorithm to Guide Antibiotic Use in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: The Optimizing Antibiotic Strategies in Sepsis (OASIS) Study.

PubMed

Downes, Kevin J; Weiss, Scott L; Gerber, Jeffrey S; Klieger, Sarah B; Fitzgerald, Julie C; Balamuth, Fran; Kubis, Sherri E; Tolomeo, Pam; Bilker, Warren B; Han, Xiaoyan; Nachamkin, Irving; Garrigan, Charles; Han, Jennifer H; Lautenbach, Ebbing; Coffin, Susan E

2017-06-01

Biomarkers that identify critically ill children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) at low risk for bacterial infection may help clinicians reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. We conducted a prospective cohort study of children with SIRS and suspected infection admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit from January 5, 2012 to March 7, 2014. We enrolled patients upon initiation of new antibiotics (Time 0) and measured a panel of 8 serum biomarkers daily over 72 hours. Microbiology, imaging, and clinical data were reviewed to classify bacterial infections using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions. We identified cut points of biomarker combinations to maximize the negative predictive value (NPV) and specificity for bacterial infection. Excess antibiotics were calculated as days of therapy beyond day 2 after SIRS onset in patients without bacterial infection. Infections were identified in 46 of 85 patients: bacterial (n = 22) and viral (24), whereas 39 patients had no infection identified. At Time 0, C-reactive protein (CRP) <5 mg/dL plus serum amyloid A <15.0 µg/mL had an NPV of 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-1.0) and specificity of 0.54 (95% CI, 0.42-0.66) to identify patients without bacterial infection, whereas CRP <4 mg/dL plus procalcitonin <1.75 ng/mL had an NPV of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.79-1.0) and specificity of 0.43 (95% CI, 0.30-0.55). Patients without bacterial infection received a mean of 3.8 excess days of therapy. Early measurement of select biomarkers can identify children with SIRS in whom antibiotics might be safely discontinued when there is no other objective evidence of infection at 48 hours. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

How uterine microbiota might be responsible for a receptive, fertile endometrium.

PubMed

Benner, Marilen; Ferwerda, Gerben; Joosten, Irma; van der Molen, Renate G

2018-04-16

Fertility depends on a receptive state of the endometrium, influenced by hormonal and anatomical adaptations, as well as the immune system. Local and systemic immunity is greatly influenced by microbiota. Recent discoveries of 16S rRNA in the endometrium and the ability to detect low-biomass microbiota fueled the notion that the uterus may be indeed a non-sterile compartment. To date, the concept of the 'sterile womb' focuses on in utero effects of microbiota on offspring and neonatal immunity. However, little awareness has been raised regarding the importance of uterine microbiota for endometrial physiology in reproductive health; manifested in fertility and placentation. Commensal colonization of the uterus has been widely discussed in the literature. The objective of this review is to outline the possible importance of this uterine colonization for a healthy, fertile uterus. We present the available evidence regarding uterine microbiota, focusing on recent findings based on 16S rRNA, and depict the possible importance of uterine colonization for a receptive endometrium. We highlight a possible role of uterine microbiota for host immunity and tissue adaptation, as well as conferring protection against pathogens. Based on knowledge of the interaction of the mucosal immune cells of the gut with the local microbiome, we want to investigate the potential implications of commensal colonization for uterine health. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for articles in English indexed from 1 January 2008 to 1 March 2018 for '16S rRNA', 'uterus' and related search terms to assess available evidence on uterine microbiome analysis. A manual search of the references within the resulting articles was performed. To investigate possible functional contributions of uterine microbiota to health, studies on microbiota of other body sites were additionally assessed. Challenging the view of a sterile uterus is in its infancy and, to date, no conclusions on a 'core uterine microbiome' can be drawn. Nevertheless, evidence for certain microbiota and/or associated compounds in the uterus accumulates. The presence of microbiota or their constituent molecules, such as polysaccharide A of the Bacteroides fragilis capsule, go together with healthy physiological function. Lessons learned from the gut microbiome suggest that the microbiota of the uterus may potentially modulate immune cell subsets needed for implantation and have implications for tissue morphology. Microbiota can also be crucial in protection against uterine infections by defending their niche and competing with pathogens. Our review highlights the need for well-designed studies on a 'baseline' microbial state of the uterus representing the optimal starting point for implantation and subsequent placenta formation. The complex interplay of processes and cells involved in healthy pregnancy is still poorly understood. The correct receptive endometrial state, including the local immune environment, is crucial not only for fertility but also placenta formation since initiation of placentation highly depends on interaction with immune cells. Implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and other pathologies of endometrium and placenta, such as pre-eclampsia, represent an increasing societal burden. More robust studies are needed to investigate uterine colonization. Based on current data, future research needs to include the uterine microbiome as a relevant factor in order to understand the players needed for healthy pregnancy.

Acute Sleep Deprivation Enhances Post-Infection Sleep and Promotes Survival during Bacterial Infection in Drosophila

PubMed Central

Kuo, Tzu-Hsing; Williams, Julie A.

2014-01-01

Study Objectives: Sleep is known to increase as an acute response to infection. However, the function of this behavioral response in host defense is not well understood. To address this problem, we evaluated the effect of acute sleep deprivation on post-infection sleep and immune function in Drosophila. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Drosophila melanogaster. Methods and Results: Flies were subjected to sleep deprivation before (early DEP) or after (late DEP) bacterial infection. Relative to a non-deprived control, flies subjected to early DEP had enhanced sleep after infection as well as increased bacterial clearance and survival outcome. Flies subjected to late DEP experienced enhanced sleep following the deprivation period, and showed a modest improvement in survival outcome. Continuous DEP (early and late DEP) throughout infection also enhanced sleep later during infection and improved survival. However, improved survival in flies subjected to late or continuous DEP did not occur until after flies had experienced sleep. During infection, both early and late DEP enhanced NFκB transcriptional activity as measured by a luciferase reporter (κB-luc) in living flies. Early DEP also increased NFκB activity prior to infection. Flies that were deficient in expression of either the Relish or Dif NFκB transcription factors showed normal responses to early DEP. However, the effect of early DEP on post-infection sleep and survival was abolished in double mutants, which indicates that Relish and Dif have redundant roles in this process. Conclusions: Acute sleep deprivation elevated NFκB-dependent activity, increased post-infection sleep, and improved survival during bacterial infection. Citation: Kuo TH, Williams JA. Acute sleep deprivation enhances post-infection sleep and promotes survival during bacterial infection in Drosophila. SLEEP 2014;37(5):859-869. PMID:24790264

A Murine Model for Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection.

PubMed

Hannan, Thomas J; Hunstad, David A

2016-01-01

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common bacterial infections of humans. The mouse provides an excellent and tractable model system for cystitis and pyelonephritis caused by Escherichia coli and other uropathogens. Using a well-established model of experimental cystitis in which the bladders of female mice are infected via transurethral catheterization, the molecular details of the pathogenesis of bacterial cystitis have been substantially illuminated in the last decade. Uropathogenic E. coli attach to bladder epithelium (both in human and mouse) via adhesive type 1 pili, establish a replicative niche within epithelial cell cytoplasm, and form intracellular bacterial communities that are protected from antibiotic effects and immune clearance. The use of different inbred and mutant mouse strains offers the opportunity to study outcomes of infection, including resolution, formation of quiescent intracellular bacterial reservoirs, chronic bacterial cystitis, and recurrent infections. Urine, bladder, and kidney tissues can be analyzed by bacterial culture, histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescent and confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and flow cytometry, while a broad array of soluble markers (e.g., cytokines) can also be profiled in serum, urine, and tissue homogenates by ELISA, Western blotting, multiplex bead array, and other approaches. This model promises to afford continued opportunity for discovery of pathogenic mechanisms and evaluation of therapeutic and preventive strategies for acute, chronic, and recurrent UTI.

Classification and possible bacterial infection in outpatients with eczema and dermatitis in China

PubMed Central

Wang, Xin; Shi, Xiao-Dong; Li, Lin-Feng; Zhou, Ping; Shen, Yi-Wei

2017-01-01

Abstract Little is known about the classification and bacterial infection in outpatients with eczema and dermatitis in China. To investigate the prevalence of eczema and dermatitis in outpatients of dermatology clinics in China, examine classification and proportion of common types of dermatitis and the possible bacterial infection, and analyze the possible related factors. Outpatients with eczema or dermatitis from 39 tertiary hospitals of 15 provinces in mainland China from July 1 to September 30, 2014, were enrolled in this cross-sectional and multicenter study. Among 9393 enrolled outpatients, 636 patients (6.7%) were excluded because of incomplete information. The leading subtypes of dermatitis were unclassified eczema (35.5%), atopic dermatitis (13.4%), irritant dermatitis (9.2%), and widespread eczema (8.7%). Total bacterial infection rate was 52.3%, with widespread eczema, stasis dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis being the leading three (65.7%, 61.8%, and 61.4%, respectively). Clinically very likely bacterial infection has a significant positive correlation with disease duration, history of allergic disease, history of flexion dermatitis, and severe itching. Atopic dermatitis has become a common subtype of dermatitis in China. Secondary bacterial infection is common in all patients with dermatitis, and more attentions should be paid on this issue in other type of dermatitis apart from atopic dermatitis. PMID:28858126

Classification and possible bacterial infection in outpatients with eczema and dermatitis in China: A cross-sectional and multicenter study.

PubMed

Wang, Xin; Shi, Xiao-Dong; Li, Lin-Feng; Zhou, Ping; Shen, Yi-Wei

2017-09-01

Little is known about the classification and bacterial infection in outpatients with eczema and dermatitis in China.To investigate the prevalence of eczema and dermatitis in outpatients of dermatology clinics in China, examine classification and proportion of common types of dermatitis and the possible bacterial infection, and analyze the possible related factors.Outpatients with eczema or dermatitis from 39 tertiary hospitals of 15 provinces in mainland China from July 1 to September 30, 2014, were enrolled in this cross-sectional and multicenter study. Among 9393 enrolled outpatients, 636 patients (6.7%) were excluded because of incomplete information.The leading subtypes of dermatitis were unclassified eczema (35.5%), atopic dermatitis (13.4%), irritant dermatitis (9.2%), and widespread eczema (8.7%). Total bacterial infection rate was 52.3%, with widespread eczema, stasis dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis being the leading three (65.7%, 61.8%, and 61.4%, respectively). Clinically very likely bacterial infection has a significant positive correlation with disease duration, history of allergic disease, history of flexion dermatitis, and severe itching.Atopic dermatitis has become a common subtype of dermatitis in China. Secondary bacterial infection is common in all patients with dermatitis, and more attentions should be paid on this issue in other type of dermatitis apart from atopic dermatitis.

Sputum colour for diagnosis of a bacterial infection in patients with acute cough

PubMed Central

Altiner, Attila; Wilm, Stefan; Däubener, Walter; Bormann, Christiane; Pentzek, Michael; Abholz, Heinz-Harald; Scherer, Martin

2009-01-01

Objective Sputum colour plays an important role in the disease concepts for acute cough, both in the patients’ and the doctors’ view. However, it is unclear whether the sputum colour can be used for diagnosis of a bacterial infection. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting A total of 42 GP practices in Düsseldorf, Germany. Subjects Sputum samples obtained from 241 patients suffering from an episode of acute cough seeing their doctor within a routine consultation. Main outcome measures Relation of sputum colour and microbiological proof of bacterial infection defined as positive culture and at least a moderate number of leucocytes per low magnification field. Results In 28 samples (12%) a bacterial infection was proven. Yellowish or greenish colour of the sputum sample and bacterial infection showed a significant correlation (p = 0.014, Fisher's exact test). The sensitivity of yellowish or greenish sputum used as a test for a bacterial infection was 0.79 (95% CI 0.63–0.94); the specificity was 0.46 (95% CI 0.038–0.53). The positive likelihood-ratio (+LR) was 1.46 (95% CI 1.17-1.85). Conclusions The sputum colour of patients with acute cough and no underlying chronic lung disease does not imply therapeutic consequences such as prescription of antibiotics. PMID:19242860

Gut microbial translocation corrupts myeloid cell function to control bacterial infection during liver cirrhosis.

PubMed

Hackstein, Carl-Philipp; Assmus, Lisa Mareike; Welz, Meike; Klein, Sabine; Schwandt, Timo; Schultze, Joachim; Förster, Irmgard; Gondorf, Fabian; Beyer, Marc; Kroy, Daniela; Kurts, Christian; Trebicka, Jonel; Kastenmüller, Wolfgang; Knolle, Percy A; Abdullah, Zeinab

2017-03-01

Patients with liver cirrhosis suffer from increased susceptibility to life-threatening bacterial infections that cause substantial morbidity. Experimental liver fibrosis in mice induced by bile duct ligation or CCl 4 application was used to characterise the mechanisms determining failure of innate immunity to control bacterial infections. In murine liver fibrosis, translocation of gut microbiota induced tonic type I interferon (IFN) expression in the liver. Such tonic IFN expression conditioned liver myeloid cells to produce high concentrations of IFN upon intracellular infection with Listeria that activate cytosolic pattern recognition receptors. Such IFN-receptor signalling caused myeloid cell interleukin (IL)-10 production that corrupted antibacterial immunity, leading to loss of infection-control and to infection-associated mortality. In patients with liver cirrhosis, we also found a prominent liver IFN signature and myeloid cells showed increased IL-10 production after bacterial infection. Thus, myeloid cells are both source and target of IFN-induced and IL-10-mediated immune dysfunction. Antibody-mediated blockade of IFN-receptor or IL-10-receptor signalling reconstituted antibacterial immunity and prevented infection-associated mortality in mice with liver fibrosis. In severe liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, failure to control bacterial infection is caused by augmented IFN and IL-10 expression that incapacitates antibacterial immunity of myeloid cells. Targeted interference with the immune regulatory host factors IL-10 and IFN reconstitutes antibacterial immunity and may be used as therapeutic strategy to control bacterial infections in patients with liver cirrhosis. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Histophagous ciliate Pseudocollinia brintoni and bacterial assemblage interaction with krill Nyctiphanes simplex. I. Transmission process.

PubMed

Gómez-Gutiérrez, Jaime; López-Cortés, Alejandro; Aguilar-Méndez, Mario J; Del Angel-Rodríguez, Jorge A; Tremblay, Nelly; Zenteno-Savín, Tania; Robinson, Carlos J

2015-10-27

Histophagous ciliates of the genus Pseudocollinia cause epizootic events that kill adult female krill (Euphausiacea), but their mode of transmission is unknown. We compared 16S rRNA sequences of bacterial strains isolated from stomachs of healthy krill Nyctiphanes simplex specimens with sequences of bacterial isolates and sequences of natural bacterial communities from the hemocoel of N. simplex specimens infected with P. brintoni to determine possible transmission pathways. All P. brintoni endoparasitic life stages and the transmission tomite stage (outside the host) were associated with bacterial assemblages. 16S rRNA sequences from isolated bacterial strains showed that Photobacterium spp. and Pseudoalteromonas spp. were dominant members of the bacterial assemblages during all life phases of P. brintoni and potential pathobionts. They were apparently unaffected by the krill's immune system or the histophagous activity of P. brintoni. However, other bacterial strains were found only in certain P. brintoni life phases, indicating that as the infection progressed, microhabitat conditions and microbial interactions may have become unfavorable for some strains of bacteria. Trophic infection is the most parsimonious explanation for how P. brintoni infects krill. We estimated N. simplex vulnerability to P. brintoni infection during more than three-fourths of their life span, infecting mostly adult females. The ciliates have relatively high prevalence levels (albeit at <10% of sampled stations) and a short life cycle (estimated <7 d). Histophagous ciliate-krill interactions may occur in other krill species, particularly those that form dense swarms and attain high population densities that potentially enhance trophic transmission and allow completion of the Pseudocollinia spp. life cycle.

In vivo bioluminescence imaging to evaluate systemic and topical antibiotics against community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected skin wounds in mice.

PubMed

Guo, Yi; Ramos, Romela Irene; Cho, John S; Donegan, Niles P; Cheung, Ambrose L; Miller, Lloyd S

2013-02-01

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) frequently causes skin and soft tissue infections, including impetigo, cellulitis, folliculitis, and infected wounds and ulcers. Uncomplicated CA-MRSA skin infections are typically managed in an outpatient setting with oral and topical antibiotics and/or incision and drainage, whereas complicated skin infections often require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and sometimes surgery. The aim of this study was to develop a mouse model of CA-MRSA wound infection to compare the efficacy of commonly used systemic and topical antibiotics. A bioluminescent USA300 CA-MRSA strain was inoculated into full-thickness scalpel wounds on the backs of mice and digital photography/image analysis and in vivo bioluminescence imaging were used to measure wound healing and the bacterial burden. Subcutaneous vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid similarly reduced the lesion sizes and bacterial burden. Oral linezolid, clindamycin, and doxycycline all decreased the lesion sizes and bacterial burden. Oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole decreased the bacterial burden but did not decrease the lesion size. Topical mupirocin and retapamulin ointments both reduced the bacterial burden. However, the petrolatum vehicle ointment for retapamulin, but not the polyethylene glycol vehicle ointment for mupirocin, promoted wound healing and initially increased the bacterial burden. Finally, in type 2 diabetic mice, subcutaneous linezolid and daptomycin had the most rapid therapeutic effect compared with vancomycin. Taken together, this mouse model of CA-MRSA wound infection, which utilizes in vivo bioluminescence imaging to monitor the bacterial burden, represents an alternative method to evaluate the preclinical in vivo efficacy of systemic and topical antimicrobial agents.

21 CFR 522.1662b - Oxytetracycline hydrochloride with lidocaine injection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Hemolytic staphylococcus, Streptococcus spp., Bacterial pulmonary infections caused by Brucella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, secondary bacterial infections caused by...

21 CFR 522.1662b - Oxytetracycline hydrochloride with lidocaine injection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... Hemolytic staphylococcus, Streptococcus spp., Bacterial pulmonary infections caused by Brucella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, secondary bacterial infections caused by...

21 CFR 522.1662b - Oxytetracycline hydrochloride with lidocaine injection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Hemolytic staphylococcus, Streptococcus spp., Bacterial pulmonary infections caused by Brucella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, secondary bacterial infections caused by...

21 CFR 522.1662b - Oxytetracycline hydrochloride with lidocaine injection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Hemolytic staphylococcus, Streptococcus spp., Bacterial pulmonary infections caused by Brucella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, secondary bacterial infections caused by...

Procalcitonin as a Biomarker of Bacterial Infection in Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Crisis

PubMed Central

Patel, Dilip Kumar; Mohapatra, Manoj Kumar; Thomas, Ancil George; Patel, Siris; Purohit, Prasanta

2014-01-01

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients with vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) have signs of inflammation and it is often difficult to diagnose a bacterial infection in them. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a biomarker of bacterial infection in acute sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis. Hundred homozygous SCA patients were studied at Sickle Cell Clinic and Molecular Biology Laboratory, V.S.S. Medical College, Burla, Odisha, India. All the patients were divided into three categories namely category-A (VOC/ACS with SIRS but without evidence of bacterial infection - 66 patients), category-B (VOC/ACS with SIRS and either proven or suspected bacterial infection - 24 patients) and category-C (SCA patients in steady state without VOC/ACS or SIRS - 10 patients). Complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP) estimation and PCT measurement were done in all the patients. There was no significant difference in TLC and CRP values between category-A and B. In category-A, the PCT level was <0.5 ng/mL in 83.3% and 0.5–2 ng/mL in 16.7% of cases. In category-B, all the patients had PCT value >0.5 ng/mL with 87.5% of patients having >2 ng/mL. In category-C, PCT value was <0.5 ng/mL. PCT had a high sensitivity (100%) and negative predictive value (100%) for bacterial infection at a cutoff value of 0.5 ng/mL; whereas the specificity is excellent at a cut-off value of 2 ng/mL. SCA patients with VOC/ACS and SIRS having a PCT level of <0.5 ng/mL have a low probability of bacterial infection whereas PCT value of >2 ng/mL is indicative of bacterial infection necessitating early antimicrobial therapy. PMID:24678395

Nasopharyngeal polymicrobial colonization during health, viral upper respiratory infection and upper respiratory bacterial infection.

PubMed

Xu, Qingfu; Wischmeyer, Jareth; Gonzalez, Eduardo; Pichichero, Michael E

2017-07-01

We sought to understand how polymicrobial colonization varies during health, viral upper respiratory infection (URI) and acute upper respiratory bacterial infection to understand differences in infection-prone vs. non-prone patients. Nasopharyngeal (NP) samples were collected from 74 acute otitis media (AOM) infection-prone and 754 non-prone children during 2094 healthy visits, 673 viral URI visits and 631 AOM visits. Three otopathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), and Moraxella catarrhalis (Mcat) were identified by culture. NP colonization rates of multiple otopathogens during health were significantly lower than during viral URI, and during URI they were lower than at onset of upper respiratory bacterial infection in both AOM infection-prone and non-prone children. AOM infection-prone children had higher polymicrobial colonization rates than non-prone children during health, viral URI and AOM. Polymicrobial colonization rates of AOM infection-prone children during health were equivalent to that of non-prone children during viral URI, and during viral URI were equivalent to that of non-prone during AOM infection. Spn colonization was positively associated with NTHi and Mcat colonization during health, but negatively during AOM infection. The infection-prone patients more frequently have multiple potential bacterial pathogens in the NP than the non-prone patients. Polymicrobial interaction in the NP differs during health and at onset of infection. Copyright © 2017 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Infection of orthopedic implants with emphasis on bacterial adhesion process and techniques used in studying bacterial-material interactions

PubMed Central

Ribeiro, Marta; Monteiro, Fernando J.; Ferraz, Maria P.

2012-01-01

Staphylococcus comprises up to two-thirds of all pathogens in orthopedic implant infections and they are the principal causative agents of two major types of infection affecting bone: septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, which involve the inflammatory destruction of joint and bone. Bacterial adhesion is the first and most important step in implant infection. It is a complex process influenced by environmental factors, bacterial properties, material surface properties and by the presence of serum or tissue proteins. Properties of the substrate, such as chemical composition of the material, surface charge, hydrophobicity, surface roughness and the presence of specific proteins at the surface, are all thought to be important in the initial cell attachment process. The biofilm mode of growth of infecting bacteria on an implant surface protects the organisms from the host immune system and antibiotic therapy. The research for novel therapeutic strategies is incited by the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This work will provide an overview of the mechanisms and factors involved in bacterial adhesion, the techniques that are currently being used studying bacterial-material interactions as well as provide insight into future directions in the field. PMID:23507884

Antibiotic susceptibility profiles for mastitis treatment.

PubMed

Hinckley, L S; Benson, R H; Post, J E; DeCloux, J C

1985-10-01

Susceptibility tests were performed on milk samples representing prevalent mastitis infections in certain herds. Susceptibility patterns of the same bacterial species from several mastitis infections in the same herd were consistent. The herd antibiotic susceptibility profiles were used as a basis for selecting antibiotics for treatment of all such mastitis cases in that herd. A high degree of correlation was seen between the susceptibility test results and treatment results. Susceptibility patterns of the same bacterial species from mastitis infections in different herds varied greatly, which indicated that any one antibiotic would not work equally well against the same bacterial infection in every herd. Therefore, treatment should be selected on the basis of susceptibility test results. When both Streptococcus and Staphylococcus mastitis occurred in the same herd, the susceptibility patterns for the 2 bacterial species varied widely. Therefore, for herds that experienced both streptococcal and staphylococcal mastitis, antibiotics to which both bacterial species were susceptible were used for treatment.

Identification of mycobacterial surface proteins released into subcellular compartments of infected macrophages.

PubMed

Beatty, W L; Russell, D G

2000-12-01

Considerable effort has focused on the identification of proteins secreted from Mycobacterium spp. that contribute to the development of protective immunity. Little is known, however, about the release of mycobacterial proteins from the bacterial phagosome and the potential role of these molecules in chronically infected macrophages. In the present study, the release of mycobacterial surface proteins from the bacterial phagosome into subcellular compartments of infected macrophages was analyzed. Mycobacterium bovis BCG was surface labeled with fluorescein-tagged succinimidyl ester, an amine-reactive probe. The fluorescein tag was then used as a marker for the release of bacterial proteins in infected macrophages. Fractionation studies revealed bacterial proteins within subcellular compartments distinct from mycobacteria and mycobacterial phagosomes. To identify these proteins, subcellular fractions free of bacteria were probed with mycobacterium-specific antibodies. The fibronectin attachment protein and proteins of the antigen 85-kDa complex were identified among the mycobacterial proteins released from the bacterial phagosome.

Concomitant Bacterial Meningitis in Infants With Urinary Tract Infection.

PubMed

Thomson, Joanna; Cruz, Andrea T; Nigrovic, Lise E; Freedman, Stephen B; Garro, Aris C; Ishimine, Paul T; Kulik, Dina M; Uspal, Neil G; Grether-Jones, Kendra L; Miller, Aaron S; Schnadower, David; Shah, Samir S; Aronson, Paul L; Balamuth, Fran

2017-09-01

To determine age-stratified prevalence of concomitant bacterial meningitis in infants ≤60 days with a urinary tract infection, we performed a 23-center, retrospective study of 1737 infants with urinary tract infection. Concomitant bacterial meningitis was rare, but more common in infants 0-28 days of age [0.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4%-1.9%) compared with infants 29-60 days of age (0.2%; 95% CI: 0%-0.8%).

Central Nervous System Infections in Patients with Severe Burns

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

139 patients. Med (Baltimore) 1992;71:271 83. [5] Tang L, Chen S, Hsu W, Lyu R. Acute bacterial meningitis in adults: a hospital based epidemiological ...Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 (CNS) [2]. CNS infections in patients without burns, such as bacterial meningitis , are typically community onset with...but high rate (22.2%) if the cranium was penetrated. Bacterial CNS infections ( meningitis ) are associated with significant mortality and morbidity, with

Group B streptococcal phospholipid causes pulmonary hypertension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Curtis, Jerri; Kim, Geumsoo; Wehr, Nancy B.; Levine, Rodney L.

2003-04-01

Group B Streptococcus is the most common cause of bacterial infection in the newborn. Infection in many cases causes persistent pulmonary hypertension, which impairs gas exchange in the lung. We purified the bacterial components causing pulmonary hypertension and identified them as cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol. Synthetic cardiolipin or phosphatidylglycerol also induced pulmonary hypertension in lambs. The recognition that bacterial phospholipids may cause pulmonary hypertension in newborns with Group B streptococcal infection opens new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Group B streptococcal phospholipid causes pulmonary hypertension.

PubMed

Curtis, Jerri; Kim, Geumsoo; Wehr, Nancy B; Levine, Rodney L

2003-04-29

Group B Streptococcus is the most common cause of bacterial infection in the newborn. Infection in many cases causes persistent pulmonary hypertension, which impairs gas exchange in the lung. We purified the bacterial components causing pulmonary hypertension and identified them as cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol. Synthetic cardiolipin or phosphatidylglycerol also induced pulmonary hypertension in lambs. The recognition that bacterial phospholipids may cause pulmonary hypertension in newborns with Group B streptococcal infection opens new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Preparation of RNA from bacteria infected with bacteriophages: a case study from the marine unicellular Synechococcus sp. WH7803 infected by phage S-PM2.

PubMed

Shan, Jinyu; Clokie, Martha

2009-01-01

Bacteriophages manipulate bacterial gene expression in order to express their own genes or influence bacterial metabolism. Gene expression can be studied using real-time PCR or microarrays. Either technique requires the prior isolation of high quality RNA uncontaminated by the presence of genomic DNA. We outline the considerations necessary when working with bacteriophage infected bacterial cells. We also give an example of a protocol for extraction and quantification of high quality RNA from infected bacterial cells, using the marine cyanobacterium WH7803 and the phage S-PM2 as a case study. This protocol can be modified to extract RNA from the host/bacteriophage of interest.

Distribution of human papilloma virus infections of uterine cervix among women of reproductive age--a cross sectional hospital-based study from North East India.

PubMed

Sarma, Usha; Mahanta, Jagadish; Borkakoty, Biswajyoti; Sarmah, Bidula

2015-01-01

Infection of the uterine cervix by human papilloma viruses (HPV) may be associated with cervical pre-cancer and invasive cervical carcinoma if left untreated. With advance in molecular techniques, it has become easier to detect the resence of HPV DNA long before the appearance of any lesion. This study concerned cervical scrape samples of 310 married non-pregnant women attending a gynecology outpatient department for both Pap and PCR testing to detect HPV DNA. Nested PCR using primers for L1 consensus gene with My9/My11 and GP6+/ GP5+followed by multiplex PCR were carried out to detect HPV 16 and HPV18. HPV prevalence was 11.9% out of which 3.67% cases of negative for intra-epithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) and in 71.1% (27/38) of atypical cervical smears were HPV positive. There was increasing trend of high-risk-HPV positivity (HR HPV 16 and 18), from 20% in benign cytology (NILM) to 42.9 % in LSIL, 71.41% in HSIL and 100% in SCC. There was highly significant association of HPV infection with cervical lesion (x2=144.0, p<0.01) and also with type specific HPV prevalence (x2=7.761*(p<0.05).

Host-induced bacterial cell wall decomposition mediates pattern-triggered immunity in Arabidopsis

PubMed Central

Liu, Xiaokun; Grabherr, Heini M; Willmann, Roland; Kolb, Dagmar; Brunner, Frédéric; Bertsche, Ute; Kühner, Daniel; Franz-Wachtel, Mirita; Amin, Bushra; Felix, Georg; Ongena, Marc; Nürnberger, Thorsten; Gust, Andrea A

2014-01-01

Peptidoglycans (PGNs) are immunogenic bacterial surface patterns that trigger immune activation in metazoans and plants. It is generally unknown how complex bacterial structures such as PGNs are perceived by plant pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and whether host hydrolytic activities facilitate decomposition of bacterial matrices and generation of soluble PRR ligands. Here we show that Arabidopsis thaliana, upon bacterial infection or exposure to microbial patterns, produces a metazoan lysozyme-like hydrolase (lysozyme 1, LYS1). LYS1 activity releases soluble PGN fragments from insoluble bacterial cell walls and cleavage products are able to trigger responses typically associated with plant immunity. Importantly, LYS1 mutant genotypes exhibit super-susceptibility to bacterial infections similar to that observed on PGN receptor mutants. We propose that plants employ hydrolytic activities for the decomposition of complex bacterial structures, and that soluble pattern generation might aid PRR-mediated immune activation in cell layers adjacent to infection sites. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01990.001 PMID:24957336

A novel tamponade agent for management of post partum hemorrhage: adaptation of the Xstat mini-sponge applicator for obstetric use.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Maria I; Jensen, Jeffrey T; Gregory, Kenton; Bullard, Mary; Longo, Paul; Heidel, Jerry; Edelman, Alison

2017-06-13

Although uterine tamponade is an effective treatment for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), current methods have key limitations in their use, particularly in low resource settings. The XStat™ Mini Sponge Dressing (MSD) is approved for the management of non-compressible wounds in the battlefield/trauma setting. The MSD applies highly compressed medical sponges capable of stopping high-flow arterial bleeding within seconds. The objective of our study was to adopt the MSD for use in managing PPH. We performed desktop testing using a uterine model with pressure sensors to compare key design elements of the obstetrical prototype MSD (fundal pressure achieved, reduction in fluid loss, time to deploy, and time to remove) with alternativetechniques (uterine packing, balloon tamponade). To evaluate safety, we delivered the fetus of pregnant ewes by cesarean section and used the prototype to deliver the MSD into one uterine horn, and closed the hysterotomy. We followed the clinical recovery of animals (n = 3) over 24 h, and then removed the reproductive tract for histologic evaluation. To evaluate late effects, we surgically removed the MSDs after 24 h, and followed the clinical recovery of animals (n = 6) for an additional seven days before tissue removal. The obstetrical prototype has a long tapered delivery system designed to be deployed during vaginal examination, and administers three times the volume of the approved MSD trauma bandage. The MSD are deployed within a mesh bag to facilitate removal by vaginaltraction. On desktop testing, the MSD resulted in the highest average fundal pressure (113 mmHg), followed by the MSD bag device (85.8 mmHg), gauze packing (15.5 mmHg), and the uterine balloon (8.2 mmHg). The MSD bag test group achieved the largest fluid flow reduction of -74%, followed by gauze packing (-55%), MSD (-35%), and uterine balloon (-19%). Animal testing demonstrated good uterine fill with no evidence of adverse clinical recovery, uterine trauma or infection at 24 h, or up to 7 days following device removal. We adapted a highly effective trauma dressing and applicator for use in the treatment of severe PPH. Preliminary desktop and animal testing provide a basis for initial clinical trials in women.

Bacteriological colonisation of uterine cavity: role of tailed intrauterine contraceptive device.

PubMed Central

Sparks, R A; Purrier, B G; Watt, P J; Elstein, M

1981-01-01

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) are thought to cause pelvic inflammatory disease by allowing vaginal bacteria to pass into the uterus along the tail of the device. In this study the uterine cavities of 22 women using an IUCD were examined by a multiple biopsy technique. All five uteruses with a tailless IUCD were sterile but 15 out of 17 with a tailed device contained bacteria. The bacteria had not reached the fundus and most were commensals. The bacteria were not introduced by insertion of the IUCD as bacteria were present in several cases long after insertion. No differences in bacterial count were found between monofilamentous and multifilamentous devices. Bacteria were cultured from only four devices, which suggested that the bacteria adhere to the endometrium and not to the device. The bacteria in the cavity represent interference by the tail with the protective mechanisms of the uterus, which explains the increase in pelvic inflammatory disease in IUCD users. PMID:6788128

Preponderance of bacterial isolates in urine of HIV-positive malaria-infected pregnant women with urinary tract infection.

PubMed

Ako-Nai, Kwashie Ajibade; Ebhodaghe, Blessing Itohan; Osho, Patrick; Adejuyigbe, Ebun; Adeyemi, Folasade Mubiat; Kassim, Olakunle O

2014-12-15

This study examined HIV and malaria co-infection as a risk factor for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pregnancy. The study group included 74 pregnant women, 20 to 42 years of age, who attended the antenatal clinic at the Specialist Hospital at Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Forty-four of the pregnant women were either HIV seropositive with malaria infection (HIV+Mal+) or HIV seropositive without malaria (HIV+Mal-). The remaining thirty pregnant women served as controls and included women HIV seronegative but with malaria (HIV-Mal+) and women HIV seronegative without malaria. UTI was indicated by a bacterial colony count of greater than 10⁵/mL of urine, using cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient medium (CLED) as the primary isolation medium. Bacterial isolates were characterized using convectional bacteriological methods, and antibiotics sensitivity tests were carried out using the disk diffusion method. A total of 246 bacterial isolates were recovered from the cultures, with a mean of 3.53 isolates per subject. Women who were HIV+Mal+ had the most diverse group of bacterial isolates and the highest frequency of UTIs. The bacterial isolates from the HIV+Mal+ women also showed the highest degree of antibiotic resistance. While pregnancy and HIV infection may each represent a risk factor for UTI, HIV and malaria co-infection may increase its frequency in pregnancy. The higher frequency of multiple antibiotic resistance observed among the isolates, particularly isolates from HIV+Mal+ subjects, poses a serious public health concern as these strains may aggravate the prognosis of both UTI and HIV infection.

Associations of the vaginal microbiota with HIV infection, bacterial vaginosis, and demographic factors.

PubMed

Chehoud, Christel; Stieh, Daniel J; Bailey, Aubrey G; Laughlin, Alice L; Allen, Shannon A; McCotter, Kerrie L; Sherrill-Mix, Scott A; Hope, Thomas J; Bushman, Frederic D

2017-04-24

We sought to investigate the effects of HIV infection on the vaginal microbiota and associations with treatment and demographic factors. We thus compared vaginal microbiome samples from HIV-infected (HIV+) and HIV-uninfected (HIV-) women collected at two Chicago area hospitals. We studied vaginal microbiome samples from 178 women analyzed longitudinally (n = 324 samples) and collected extensive data on clinical status and demographic factors. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the bacterial lineages present, then UniFrac, Shannon diversity, and other measures to compare community structure with sample metadata. Differences in microbiota measures were modest in the comparison of HIV+ and HIV- samples, in contrast to several previous studies, consistent with effective antiretroviral therapy. Proportions of healthy Lactobacillus species were not higher in HIV- patients overall, but were significantly higher when analyzed within each hospital in isolation. Rates of bacterial vaginosis were higher among African-American women and HIV+ women. Bacterial vaginosis was associated with higher frequency of HIV+. Unexpectedly, African-American women were more likely to switch bacterial vaginosis status between sampling times; switching was not associated with HIV+ status. The influence of HIV infection on the vaginal microbiome was modest for this cohort of well suppressed urban American women, consistent with effective antiretroviral therapy. HIV+ was found to be associated with bacterial vaginosis. Although bacterial vaginosis has previously been associated with HIV transmission, most of the women studied here became HIV+ many years before our test for bacterial vaginosis, thus implicating additional mechanisms linking HIV infection and bacterial vaginosis.

Comparison of the frequency of bacterial and viral infections among children with community-acquired pneumonia hospitalized across distinct severity categories: a prospective cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Nascimento-Carvalho, Amanda C; Ruuskanen, Olli; Nascimento-Carvalho, Cristiana M

2016-07-22

The comparison of the frequencies of bacterial and viral infections among children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) admitted in distinct severity categories, in an original study, is lacking in literature to-date. We aimed to achieve this goal. Children aged 2-59-months-old hospitalized with CAP were included in this prospective study in Salvador, Brazil. Clinical data and biological samples were collected to investigate 11 viruses and 8 bacteria. Severity was assessed by using the World Health Organization criteria. One hundred eighty-one patients were classified as "non-severe" (n = 53; 29.3 %), "severe" (n = 111; 61.3 %), or "very severe" (n = 17; 9.4 %) CAP. Overall, aetiology was detected among 156 (86.2 %) cases; viral (n = 84; 46.4 %), bacterial (n = 26; 14.4 %) and viral-bacterial (n = 46; 25.4 %) infections were identified. Viral infection frequency was similar in severe/very severe and non-severe cases (46.1 % vs. 47.2 %; p = 0.9). Pneumococcal infection increased across "non-severe" (13.2 %), "severe" (23.4 %), and "very severe" (35.3 %) cases (qui-squared test for trend p = 0.04). Among patients with detected aetiology, after excluding cases with co-infection, the frequency of sole bacterial infection was different (p = 0.04) among the categories; non-severe (12.5 %), severe (29.3 %) or very severe (55.6 %). Among these patients, sole bacterial infection was independently associated with severity (OR = 4.4 [95 % CI:1.1-17.6]; p = 0.04) in a model controlled for age (OR = 0.7 [95 % CI:0.5-1.1]; p = 0.1). A substantial proportion of cases in distinct severity subgroups had respiratory viral infections, which did not differ between severity categories. Bacterial infection, particularly pneumococcal infection, was more likely among severe/very severe cases.

Influence of antiorthostatic suspension on resistance to murine Listeria monocytogenes infection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, E. S.; Sonnenfeld, G.

1994-01-01

The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of antiorthostatic suspension, a ground-based modeling system employed to simulate certain aspects of weightlessness that occur during space flight, on the capacity of mice to resist infection with the facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Female BDF1 mice were suspended by the tail in the orthostatic or antiorthostatic position and were infected with a sublethal dose of virulent L. monocytogenes at various times during the suspension. It was found that suspension did not influence the kinetics of bacterial growth in vivo if the infection was started concurrently with the suspension. However, mice that were antiorthostatically suspended 2, 4, or 7 days before the onset of infection exhibited an enhanced capacity to eliminate the challenge infection. Suspending mice on day 2 of the infection did not alter the kinetics of bacterial growth. Finally, the enhancement of resistance to the primary Listeria infection was accompanied by failure of the mice to generate long-term protective immunological memory to the challenge organism. Collectively, these results indicate that the stress of antiorthostatic suspension can influence the capacity of mice to resist bacterial infection.

Increased Systemic Cytokine/Chemokine Expression in Asthmatic and Non-asthmatic Patients with Bacterial, Viral or Mixed Lung Infection.

PubMed

Giuffrida, M J; Valero, N; Mosquera, J; Duran, A; Arocha, F; Chacín, B; Espina, L M; Gotera, J; Bermudez, J; Mavarez, A; Alvarez-Mon, M

2017-04-01

This study was aimed to determine the profiles of serum cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-5) and chemokines (MCP-1: monocyte chemoattract protein-1 and RANTES: regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted) in individuals with an asthmatic versus a non-asthmatic background with bacterial, viral or mixed acute respiratory infection. Asthmatic (n = 14) and non-asthmatic (n = 29) patients with acute viral, bacterial or mixed (bacterial and viruses) respiratory infection were studied. Patients were also analysed as individuals with pneumonia or bronchitis. Healthy individuals with similar age and sex (n = 10) were used as controls. Cytokine/chemokine content in serum was determined by ELISA. Increased cytokine/chemokine concentration in asthmatic and non-asthmatic patients was observed. However, higher concentrations of chemokines (MCP-1 and RANTES) in asthmatic patients infected by viruses, bacteria or bacteria and viruses (mixed) than in non-asthmatic patients were observed. In general, viral and mixed infections were better cytokine/chemokine inducers than bacterial infection. Cytokine/chemokine expression was similarly increased in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic patients with pneumonia or bronchitis, except that RANTES remained at normal levels in bronchitis. Circulating cytokine profiles induced by acute viral, bacterial or mixed lung infection were not related to asthmatic background, except for chemokines that were increased in asthmatic status. © 2017 The Foundation for the Scandinavian Journal of Immunology.

Bacterial pattern and antibiotic sensitivity in children and adolescents with infected atopic dermatitis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samosir, C. T.; Ruslie, R. H.; Rusli, R. E.

2018-03-01

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a pruritic and chronic inflammatory skin disease which affected approximately 20% in children. Bacterial infection is common in AD patients and correlates directly with AD severity. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of bacterial skin infection in AD patients and its relation with severity of AD and also to study bacteria in the infected AD and its antibiotic sensitivity. Samples were 86 children and adolescents with an AD in Helvetia Community Health Center Medan from March 2016 until February 2017. Index of SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) was used to evaluate the severity of AD. Lesion and nonlesional skinwere swabbed to take sterile cultures. All bacteria noted and tested for antibiotic sensitivity. Datawere by using Chi-Square and Mann Whitney test with 95% CI and p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Fifty-six AD patients (65.1%) were bacterial infected. There was a significant relationship between severity of AD and bacterial infection (p = 0.006). Staphylococcus aureus was the leading bacteria from all degrees of AD severity. Isolated Staphylococcus aureuswas sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanate (93.3%), clindamycin (90%), erythromycin (90%), and gentamicin (90%), while sensitivity to tetracycline was low (20%).

Adults with suspected central nervous system infection: A prospective study of diagnostic accuracy.

PubMed

Khatib, Ula; van de Beek, Diederik; Lees, John A; Brouwer, Matthijs C

2017-01-01

To study the diagnostic accuracy of clinical and laboratory features in the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) infection and bacterial meningitis. We included consecutive adult episodes with suspected CNS infection who underwent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination. The reference standard was the diagnosis classified into five categories: 1) CNS infection; 2) CNS inflammation without infection; 3) other neurological disorder; 4) non-neurological infection; and 5) other systemic disorder. Between 2012 and 2015, 363 episodes of suspected CNS infection were included. CSF examination showed leucocyte count >5/mm 3 in 47% of episodes. Overall, 89 of 363 episodes were categorized as CNS infection (25%; most commonly viral meningitis [7%], bacterial meningitis [7%], and viral encephalitis [4%]), 36 (10%) episodes as CNS inflammatory disorder, 111 (31%) as systemic infection, in 119 (33%) as other neurological disorder, and 8 (2%) as other systemic disorders. Diagnostic accuracy of individual clinical characteristics and blood tests for the diagnosis of CNS infection or bacterial meningitis was low. CSF leucocytosis differentiated best between bacterial meningitis and other diagnoses (area under the curve [AUC] 0.95) or any neurological infection versus other diagnoses (AUC 0.93). Clinical characteristics fail to differentiate between neurological infections and other diagnoses, and CSF analysis is the main contributor to the final diagnosis. Copyright © 2016 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tetranychus urticae mites do not mount an induced immune response against bacteria

PubMed Central

Santos-Matos, Gonçalo; Wybouw, Nicky; Martins, Nelson E.; Zélé, Flore; Riga, Maria; Leitão, Alexandre B.; Vontas, John; Grbić, Miodrag; Van Leeuwen, Thomas; Magalhães, Sara

2017-01-01

The genome of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, a herbivore, is missing important elements of the canonical Drosophila immune pathways necessary to fight bacterial infections. However, it is not known whether spider mites can mount an immune response and survive bacterial infection. In other chelicerates, bacterial infection elicits a response mediated by immune effectors leading to the survival of infected organisms. In T. urticae, infection by either Escherichia coli or Bacillus megaterium did not elicit a response as assessed through genome-wide transcriptomic analysis. In line with this, spider mites died within days even upon injection with low doses of bacteria that are non-pathogenic to Drosophila. Moreover, bacterial populations grew exponentially inside the infected spider mites. By contrast, Sancassania berlesei, a litter-dwelling mite, controlled bacterial proliferation and resisted infections with both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria lethal to T. urticae. This differential mortality between mite species was absent when mites were infected with heat-killed bacteria. Also, we found that spider mites harbour in their gut 1000-fold less bacteria than S. berlesei. We show that T. urticae has lost the capacity to mount an induced immune response against bacteria, in contrast to other mites and chelicerates but similarly to the phloem feeding aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Hence, our results reinforce the putative evolutionary link between ecological conditions regarding exposure to bacteria and the architecture of the immune response. PMID:28592670

Tetranychus urticae mites do not mount an induced immune response against bacteria.

PubMed

Santos-Matos, Gonçalo; Wybouw, Nicky; Martins, Nelson E; Zélé, Flore; Riga, Maria; Leitão, Alexandre B; Vontas, John; Grbić, Miodrag; Van Leeuwen, Thomas; Magalhães, Sara; Sucena, Élio

2017-06-14

The genome of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae , a herbivore, is missing important elements of the canonical Drosophila immune pathways necessary to fight bacterial infections. However, it is not known whether spider mites can mount an immune response and survive bacterial infection. In other chelicerates, bacterial infection elicits a response mediated by immune effectors leading to the survival of infected organisms. In T. urticae , infection by either Escherichia coli or Bacillus megaterium did not elicit a response as assessed through genome-wide transcriptomic analysis. In line with this, spider mites died within days even upon injection with low doses of bacteria that are non-pathogenic to Drosophila Moreover, bacterial populations grew exponentially inside the infected spider mites. By contrast, Sancassania berlesei , a litter-dwelling mite, controlled bacterial proliferation and resisted infections with both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria lethal to T. urticae This differential mortality between mite species was absent when mites were infected with heat-killed bacteria. Also, we found that spider mites harbour in their gut 1000-fold less bacteria than S. berlesei We show that T. urticae has lost the capacity to mount an induced immune response against bacteria, in contrast to other mites and chelicerates but similarly to the phloem feeding aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Hence, our results reinforce the putative evolutionary link between ecological conditions regarding exposure to bacteria and the architecture of the immune response. © 2017 The Authors.

MicroRNA-155 regulates host immune response to postviral bacterial pneumonia via IL-23/IL-17 pathway.

PubMed

Podsiad, Amy; Standiford, Theodore J; Ballinger, Megan N; Eakin, Richard; Park, Pauline; Kunkel, Steven L; Moore, Bethany B; Bhan, Urvashi

2016-03-01

Postinfluenza bacterial pneumonia is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally. miR-155 has recently emerged as a crucial regulator of innate immunity and inflammatory responses and is induced in macrophages during infection. We hypothesized upregulation of miR-155 inhibits IL-17 and increases susceptibility to secondary bacterial pneumonia. Mice were challenged with 100 plaque-forming units H1N1 intranasally and were infected with 10(7) colony-forming units of MRSA intratracheally at day 5 postviral challenge. Lungs were harvested 24 h later, and expression of miR-155, IL-17, and IL-23 was measured by real-time RT-PCR. Induction of miR-155 was 3.6-fold higher in dual-infected lungs compared with single infection. miR-155(-/-) mice were protected with significantly lower (4-fold) bacterial burden and no differences in viral load, associated with robust induction of IL-23 and IL-17 (2.2- and 4.8-fold, respectively) postsequential challenge with virus and bacteria, compared with WT mice. Treatment with miR-155 antagomir improved lung bacterial clearance by 4.2-fold compared with control antagomir postsequential infection with virus and bacteria. Moreover, lung macrophages collected from patients with postviral bacterial pneumonia also had upregulation of miR-155 expression compared with healthy controls, consistent with observations in our murine model. This is the first demonstration that cellular miRNAs regulate postinfluenza immune response to subsequent bacterial challenge by suppressing the IL-17 pathway in the lung. Our findings suggest that antagonizing certain microRNA might serve as a potential therapeutic strategy against secondary bacterial infection. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Bacterial infection imaging with [18F]fluoropropyl-trimethoprim

PubMed Central

Lee, Iljung; Hou, Catherine; Weng, Chi-Chang; Li, Shihong; Lieberman, Brian P.; Zeng, Chenbo; Mankoff, David A.; Mach, Robert H.

2017-01-01

There is often overlap in the diagnostic features of common pathologic processes such as infection, sterile inflammation, and cancer both clinically and using conventional imaging techniques. Here, we report the development of a positron emission tomography probe for live bacterial infection based on the small-molecule antibiotic trimethoprim (TMP). [18F]fluoropropyl-trimethoprim, or [18F]FPTMP, shows a greater than 100-fold increased uptake in vitro in live bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) relative to controls. In a rodent myositis model, [18F]FPTMP identified live bacterial infection without demonstrating confounding increased signal in the same animal from other etiologies including chemical inflammation (turpentine) and cancer (breast carcinoma). Additionally, the biodistribution of [18F]FPTMP in a nonhuman primate shows low background in many important tissues that may be sites of infection such as the lungs and soft tissues. These results suggest that [18F]FPTMP could be a broadly useful agent for the sensitive and specific imaging of bacterial infection with strong translational potential. PMID:28716936

In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging To Evaluate Systemic and Topical Antibiotics against Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-Infected Skin Wounds in Mice

PubMed Central

Guo, Yi; Ramos, Romela Irene; Cho, John S.; Donegan, Niles P.; Cheung, Ambrose L.

2013-01-01

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) frequently causes skin and soft tissue infections, including impetigo, cellulitis, folliculitis, and infected wounds and ulcers. Uncomplicated CA-MRSA skin infections are typically managed in an outpatient setting with oral and topical antibiotics and/or incision and drainage, whereas complicated skin infections often require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and sometimes surgery. The aim of this study was to develop a mouse model of CA-MRSA wound infection to compare the efficacy of commonly used systemic and topical antibiotics. A bioluminescent USA300 CA-MRSA strain was inoculated into full-thickness scalpel wounds on the backs of mice and digital photography/image analysis and in vivo bioluminescence imaging were used to measure wound healing and the bacterial burden. Subcutaneous vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid similarly reduced the lesion sizes and bacterial burden. Oral linezolid, clindamycin, and doxycycline all decreased the lesion sizes and bacterial burden. Oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole decreased the bacterial burden but did not decrease the lesion size. Topical mupirocin and retapamulin ointments both reduced the bacterial burden. However, the petrolatum vehicle ointment for retapamulin, but not the polyethylene glycol vehicle ointment for mupirocin, promoted wound healing and initially increased the bacterial burden. Finally, in type 2 diabetic mice, subcutaneous linezolid and daptomycin had the most rapid therapeutic effect compared with vancomycin. Taken together, this mouse model of CA-MRSA wound infection, which utilizes in vivo bioluminescence imaging to monitor the bacterial burden, represents an alternative method to evaluate the preclinical in vivo efficacy of systemic and topical antimicrobial agents. PMID:23208713

Diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in critically ill immunocompromised patients.

PubMed

Bele, Nicolas; Darmon, Michael; Coquet, Isaline; Feugeas, Jean-Paul; Legriel, Stéphane; Adaoui, Nadir; Schlemmer, Benoît; Azoulay, Elie

2011-08-24

Recognizing infection is crucial in immunocompromised patients with organ dysfunction. Our objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) in critically ill immunocompromised patients. This prospective, observational study included patients with suspected sepsis. Patients were classified into one of three diagnostic groups: no infection, bacterial sepsis, and nonbacterial sepsis. We included 119 patients with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 42-68 years). The general severity (SAPSII) and organ dysfunction (LOD) scores on day 1 were 45 (35-62.7) and 4 (2-6), respectively, and overall hospital mortality was 32.8%. Causes of immunodepression were hematological disorders (64 patients, 53.8%), HIV infection (31 patients, 26%), and solid cancers (26 patients, 21.8%). Bacterial sepsis was diagnosed in 58 patients and nonbacterial infections in nine patients (7.6%); 52 patients (43.7%) had no infection. PCT concentrations on the first ICU day were higher in the group with bacterial sepsis (4.42 [1.60-22.14] vs. 0.26 [0.09-1.26] ng/ml in patients without bacterial infection, P < 0.0001). PCT concentrations on day 1 that were > 0.5 ng/ml had 100% sensitivity but only 63% specificity for diagnosing bacterial sepsis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.851 (0.78-0.92). In multivariate analyses, PCT concentrations > 0.5 ng/ml on day 1 independently predicted bacterial sepsis (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.53-29.3; P = 0.0006). PCT concentrations were not significantly correlated with hospital mortality. Despite limited specificity in critically ill immunocompromised patients, PCT concentrations may help to rule out bacterial infection.

Diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in critically ill immunocompromised patients

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Recognizing infection is crucial in immunocompromised patients with organ dysfunction. Our objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) in critically ill immunocompromised patients. Methods This prospective, observational study included patients with suspected sepsis. Patients were classified into one of three diagnostic groups: no infection, bacterial sepsis, and nonbacterial sepsis. Results We included 119 patients with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 42-68 years). The general severity (SAPSII) and organ dysfunction (LOD) scores on day 1 were 45 (35-62.7) and 4 (2-6), respectively, and overall hospital mortality was 32.8%. Causes of immunodepression were hematological disorders (64 patients, 53.8%), HIV infection (31 patients, 26%), and solid cancers (26 patients, 21.8%). Bacterial sepsis was diagnosed in 58 patients and nonbacterial infections in nine patients (7.6%); 52 patients (43.7%) had no infection. PCT concentrations on the first ICU day were higher in the group with bacterial sepsis (4.42 [1.60-22.14] vs. 0.26 [0.09-1.26] ng/ml in patients without bacterial infection, P < 0.0001). PCT concentrations on day 1 that were > 0.5 ng/ml had 100% sensitivity but only 63% specificity for diagnosing bacterial sepsis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.851 (0.78-0.92). In multivariate analyses, PCT concentrations > 0.5 ng/ml on day 1 independently predicted bacterial sepsis (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.53-29.3; P = 0.0006). PCT concentrations were not significantly correlated with hospital mortality. Conclusion Despite limited specificity in critically ill immunocompromised patients, PCT concentrations may help to rule out bacterial infection. PMID:21864380

Equine palmar artery, palmar vein and uterine artery express different populations of vasoactive biogenic amine receptors

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Consumption of endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) seed by horses causes constriction of the palmar artery (PA), palmar vein (PV) and reduced blood flow to the corpus luteum that can be measured in vivo by Doppler ultrasonography. In addition, myograph st...

Characterization of Bacterial Communities and Asaia Infection with Field-Collected and Laboratory-Reared Aedes albopictus

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-18

Characterization of bacterial communities and Asaia infection within field-collected and 1 laboratory-reared Aedes albopictus 2 3 4 Elizabeth S...Running Head: Bacterial communities within Ae. albopictus 10 11 #Address correspondence to Elizabeth S. Andrews, elizabeth.s.andrews11.ctr@mail.mil 12...189 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. UNCLASSIFIED Abstract 19 The bacterial communities within

Delafloxacin: First Global Approval.

PubMed

Markham, Anthony

2017-09-01

Delafloxacin (Baxdela™) is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial with activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens being developed by Melinta Therapeutics. The drug is being investigated or considered as a treatment for various bacterial infections and in June 2017 received approval in the USA for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of delafloxacin leading to this first global approval for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

Influenza-induced type I interferon enhances susceptibility to gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial pneumonia in mice.

PubMed

Lee, Benjamin; Robinson, Keven M; McHugh, Kevin J; Scheller, Erich V; Mandalapu, Sivanarayana; Chen, Chen; Di, Y Peter; Clay, Michelle E; Enelow, Richard I; Dubin, Patricia J; Alcorn, John F

2015-07-15

Suppression of type 17 immunity by type I interferon (IFN) during influenza A infection has been shown to enhance susceptibility to secondary bacterial pneumonia. Although this mechanism has been described in coinfection with gram-positive bacteria, it is unclear whether similar mechanisms may impair lung defense against gram-negative infections. Furthermore, precise delineation of the duration of type I IFN-associated susceptibility to bacterial infection remains underexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effects of preceding influenza A virus infection on subsequent challenge with the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the temporal association between IFN expression with susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus challenge in a mouse model of influenza and bacterial coinfection. Here we demonstrate that preceding influenza A virus led to increased lung E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacterial burden, which was associated with suppression of type 17 immunity and attenuation of antimicrobial peptide expression. Enhanced susceptibility to S. aureus coinfection ceased at day 14 of influenza infection, when influenza-associated type I IFN levels had returned to baseline levels, further suggesting a key role for type I IFN in coinfection pathogenesis. These findings further implicate type I IFN-associated suppression of type 17 immunity and antimicrobial peptide production as a conserved mechanism for enhanced susceptibility to both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial coinfection during influenza infection. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

Uterine involution: its role in regulating postpartum intervals.

PubMed

Kiracofe, G H

1980-01-01

An involuting uterus is a temporary barrier to fertility in cows, ewes and sows. Parturition is followed by a period when conception is not possible: about 1 week in sows and about 3 weeks in cows and ewes. Estrus and ovulation seldom occur together during this period and, if fertilization occurred and the embryo reached the uterus, placentation would be virtually impossible. The period of no fertility is followed by 2 to 3 weeks when fertility is possible, but not optimal. The extent to which the involuting uterus contributes to infertility during the second period is difficult to determine. Embryonic mortality in sows bred during this latter period appears to be a major cause of reduced litter size, so changes in uterine environment associated with involution may be essential for optimum fertility. Conception rate is lower up to 40 days after parturition than later in cows and ewes. Uterine involution appears not to be a barrier to fertility after 3 to 4 weeks postpartum in sows or 5 to 6 weeks postpartum in cows and ewes unless delayed by inflammation or infection.

Hemojuvelin regulates the innate immune response to peritoneal bacterial infection in mice.

PubMed

Wu, Qian; Shen, Yuanyuan; Tao, Yunlong; Wei, Jiayu; Wang, Hao; An, Peng; Zhang, Zhuzhen; Gao, Hong; Zhou, Tianhua; Wang, Fudi; Min, Junxia

2017-01-01

Hereditary hemochromatosis and iron imbalance are associated with susceptibility to bacterial infection; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we performed in vivo bacterial infection screening using several mouse models of hemochromatosis, including Hfe ( Hfe -/- ), hemojuvelin ( Hjv -/- ), and macrophage-specific ferroportin-1 ( Fpn1 fl/fl ; LysM-Cre + ) knockout mice. We found that Hjv -/- mice, but not Hfe -/- or Fpn1 fl/fl ; LysM-Cre + mice, are highly susceptible to peritoneal infection by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Interestingly, phagocytic cells in the peritoneum of Hjv -/- mice have reduced bacterial clearance, IFN-γ secretion, and nitric oxide production; in contrast, both cell migration and phagocytosis are normal. Expressing Hjv in RAW264.7 cells increased the level of phosphorylated Stat1 and nitric oxide production. Moreover, macrophage-specific Hjv knockout mice are susceptible to bacterial infection. Finally, we found that Hjv facilitates the secretion of IFN-γ via the IL-12/Jak2/Stat4 signaling pathway. Together, these findings reveal a novel protective role of Hjv in the early stages of antimicrobial defense.

Bacterial Sialidase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Data shows that elevated sialidase in bacterial vaginosis patients correlates to premature births in women. Bacterial sialidase also plays a significant role in the unusual colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients. Crystals of Salmonella sialidase have been reproduced and are used for studying the inhibitor-enzyme complexes. These inhibitors may also be used to inhibit a trans-sialidase of Trypanosome cruzi, a very similar enzyme to bacterial sialidase, therefore preventing T. cruzi infection, the causitive agent of Chagas' disease. The Center for Macromolecular Crystallography suggests that inhibitors of bacterial sialidases can be used as prophylactic drugs to prevent bacterial infections in these critical cases.

A Study of Plazomicin Compared With Colistin in Patients With Infection Due to Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

ClinicalTrials.gov

2016-10-03

Bloodstream Infections (BSI) Due to CRE; Hospital-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HABP) Due to CRE; Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia (VABP) Due to CRE; Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI) Due to CRE; Acute Pyelonephritis (AP) Due to CRE

Sequestration and Scavenging of Iron in Infection

PubMed Central

Parrow, Nermi L.; Fleming, Robert E.

2013-01-01

The proliferative capability of many invasive pathogens is limited by the bioavailability of iron. Pathogens have thus developed strategies to obtain iron from their host organisms. In turn, host defense strategies have evolved to sequester iron from invasive pathogens. This review explores the mechanisms employed by bacterial pathogens to gain access to host iron sources, the role of iron in bacterial virulence, and iron-related genes required for the establishment or maintenance of infection. Host defenses to limit iron availability for bacterial growth during the acute-phase response and the consequences of iron overload conditions on susceptibility to bacterial infection are also examined. The evidence summarized herein demonstrates the importance of iron bioavailability in influencing the risk of infection and the ability of the host to clear the pathogen. PMID:23836822

Pharmacokinetics of Understudied Drugs Administered to Children Per Standard of Care

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-04-02

Adenovirus; Anesthesia; Anxiety; Anxiolysis; Autism; Autistic Disorder; Bacterial Meningitis; Bacterial Septicemia; Benzodiazepine; Bipolar Disorder; Bone and Joint Infections; Central Nervous System Infections; Convulsions; Cytomegalovirus Retinitis; Early-onset Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders; Epilepsy; General Anesthesia; Gynecologic Infections; Herpes Simplex Virus; Infantile Hemangioma; Infection; Inflammation; Inflammatory Conditions; Intra-abdominal Infections; Lower Respiratory Tract Infections; Migraines; Pain; Pneumonia; Schizophrenia; Sedation; Seizures; Skeletal Muscle Spasms; Skin and Skin-structure Infections; Thromboprophylaxis; Thrombosis; Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia; Urinary Tract Infections; Withdrawal; Sepsis; Gram-negative Infection; Bradycardia; Cardiac Arrest; Cardiac Arrhythmia; Staphylococcal Infections; Nosocomial Pneumonia; Neuromuscular Blockade; Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus; Endocarditis; Neutropenia; Headache

Transmigration of polymorphnuclear neutrophils and monocytes through the human blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier after bacterial infection in vitro.

PubMed

Steinmann, Ulrike; Borkowski, Julia; Wolburg, Hartwig; Schröppel, Birgit; Findeisen, Peter; Weiss, Christel; Ishikawa, Hiroshi; Schwerk, Christian; Schroten, Horst; Tenenbaum, Tobias

2013-02-28

Bacterial invasion through the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) during bacterial meningitis causes secretion of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines followed by the recruitment of leukocytes into the CNS. In this study, we analyzed the cellular and molecular mechanisms of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) and monocyte transepithelial transmigration (TM) across the BCSFB after bacterial infection. Using an inverted transwell filter system of human choroid plexus papilloma cells (HIBCPP), we studied leukocyte TM rates, the migration route by immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy and focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy, the secretion of cytokines/chemokines by cytokine bead array and posttranslational modification of the signal regulatory protein (SIRP) α via western blot. PMNs showed a significantly increased TM across HIBCPP after infection with wild-type Neisseria meningitidis (MC58). In contrast, a significantly decreased monocyte transmigration rate after bacterial infection of HIBCPP could be observed. Interestingly, in co-culture experiments with PMNs and monocytes, TM of monocytes was significantly enhanced. Analysis of paracellular permeability and transepithelial electrical resistance confirmed an intact barrier function during leukocyte TM. With the help of the different imaging techniques we could provide evidence for para- as well as for transcellular migrating leukocytes. Further analysis of secreted cytokines/chemokines showed a distinct pattern after stimulation and transmigration of PMNs and monocytes. Moreover, the transmembrane glycoprotein SIRPα was deglycosylated in monocytes, but not in PMNs, after bacterial infection. Our findings demonstrate that PMNs and monoctyes differentially migrate in a human BCSFB model after bacterial infection. Cytokines and chemokines as well as transmembrane proteins such as SIRPα may be involved in this process.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Herbal Intrauterine Infusion Uterofix Liquid in Treatment of Various Reproductive Disorders in Cows: A Field Study.

PubMed

Verma, Satinder; Choudhary, Adarsh; Maini, Shivi; Ravikanth, K

2016-01-01

To evaluate the efficacy of herbal intrauterine infusion Uterofix liquid in the treatment of various reproductive disorders in cows. Based on symptoms of endometritis, anestrous, metritis, and repeat breeders, 28 cows were selected to study the efficacy of herbal intrauterine infusion Uterofix liquid (M/S Ayurvet Limited) in uterine infections study. Group T0 (n = 8) cows served as control group, no treatment was given to this group, Group T1 (n = 5) repeat breeder cows, Group T2 (n = 5) endometritis effected cows, Group T3 (n = 5) anoestrus cows, and Group T4 (n = 5) metritis suffered cows were treated with Uterofix liquid (25 ml as intrauterine infusion once a day for 3-5 days). Total observational period was 60 days. Number of treatments needed, nature of discharge in first posttreatment estrus (physical examination), after treatment number of animal showing heat/estrus out of total treated, and posttreatment conception rate were used as criteria to judge the success or failure of treatment. Results revealed that 18 out of 20 animals (90%) showed signs of heat with clear discharge, recovered completely without causing any irritation, or severe irritation/sloughing of genital mucous membrane after Uterofix liquid treatment. Herbal intrauterine infusion Uterofix liquid significantly treated the uterine infections in cows. Uterine infection is a major problem in reproductive management. A wide variety of genital tract diseases of female domestic animals are known to produce significant losses and responsible for poor fertility. Amongst these highly prevalent are metritis and repeat breeding in high-producing dairy cows which if remains untreated are associated with low conception rate per artificial insemination (AI), extended interval to pregnancy, increased culling, and economic losses. As herbal remedy the Uterofix liquid (Ayurvet Limited, India) was highly efficacious as an intrauterine infusion to treat different reproductive disorders.

Persistent bacterial infections, antibiotic tolerance, and the oxidative stress response

PubMed Central

Grant, Sarah Schmidt; Hung, Deborah T.

2013-01-01

Certain bacterial pathogens are able to evade the host immune system and persist within the human host. The consequences of persistent bacterial infections potentially include increased morbidity and mortality from the infection itself as well as an increased risk of dissemination of disease. Eradication of persistent infections is difficult, often requiring prolonged or repeated courses of antibiotics. During persistent infections, a population or subpopulation of bacteria exists that is refractory to traditional antibiotics, possibly in a non-replicating or metabolically altered state. This review highlights the clinical significance of persistent infections and discusses different in vitro models used to investigate the altered physiology of bacteria during persistent infections. We specifically focus on recent work establishing increased protection against oxidative stress as a key element of the altered physiologic state across different in vitro models and pathogens. PMID:23563389

Bacterial Profile, Antibacterial Resistance Pattern, and Associated Factors from Women Attending Postnatal Health Service at University of Gondar Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

PubMed

Bitew Kifilie, Abebaw; Dagnew, Mulat; Tegenie, Birhanemeskel; Yeshitela, Biruk; Howe, Rawleigh; Abate, Ebba

2018-01-01

Surgical site infection is a vital cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, especially in resource-limited countries. The rise of antibiotic resistance bacterial infection poses a big threat to this vulnerable population. However, there is lack of studies around the study area. The purpose of this study was to identify bacterial profile, antibacterial resistance pattern, and associated factors among mothers attending postnatal care health service. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 107 study participants at University of Gondar Teaching Hospital from 1 January 2016 to 30 May 2016. Wound swab, aspirate, and biopsy were collected and performed for culture and drug resistance testing. Data were entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to determine the associated factors for bacterial infection. Odds ratio (95% CI) was calculated to determine the strength of statistically significant associated factors. Bacterial growth was confirmed in 90 (84.1%) of 107 study participants suspected to have surgical site infection. The predominant bacterial isolates were S. aureus (41.6%), E. coli (19.8%), K. pneumoniae (13.9%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus (12.9%), and Enterobacter spp. (4%). The majority of isolates were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline but susceptible to ceftriaxone and amikacin. Multidrug-resistant bacteria species were isolated. Using a procedure such as cesarean section and episiotomy for delivery and premature rapture of membrane had strong association with bacterial infection. The high prevalence of bacterial profile and isolation of multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a big threat to postnatal mothers and their children. Factors such as cesarean section, episiotomy for delivery, and premature rapture of membrane were predictors for bacterial infection. Therefore, there should be done a continuous surveillance as well as rational use of antibiotics and a longitudinal study using phenotypic and genotypic methods will be done.

Practical aspects of bacterial skin infections in children.

PubMed

Tunnessen, W W

1985-07-01

Bacterial skin infections are a common reason for children to be examined by a pediatrician. Streptococci and staphylococci are responsible for the great majority of the infections. Because of the variety of lesions produced by these bacteria, there is support for dividing impetigo into "traditional" crusted and bullous forms. Two important forms of cellulitis--facial and periorbital--have potential for serious systemic consequences. The bacterial etiology and treatment of cellulitis, animal bites, and puncture wounds of the foot require special attention for successful outcome.

THE MODIFYING EFFECTS OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES OF BACTERIAL ORIGIN ON THE COURSE OF INFECTION WITH PNEUMONIA VIRUS OF MICE (PVM)

PubMed Central

Horsfall, Frank L.; McCarty, Maclyn

1947-01-01

Evidence is presented which indicates that certain polysaccharide preparations derived from various bacterial species, as well as similar materials not of bacterial origin, are capable of lessening the severity of infection with pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) and inhibiting multiplication of the virus in mouse lungs infected with this agent. It seems probable that modification with respect to the virus is mediated by a substance which may be polysaccharide in nature. PMID:19871640

A historical overview of bacteriophage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial pathogens

PubMed Central

Wittebole, Xavier; De Roock, Sophie; Opal, Steven M

2014-01-01

The seemingly inexorable spread of antibiotic resistance genes among microbial pathogens now threatens the long-term viability of our current antimicrobial therapy to treat severe bacterial infections such as sepsis. Antibiotic resistance is reaching a crisis situation in some bacterial pathogens where few therapeutic alternatives remain and pan-resistant strains are becoming more prevalent. Non-antibiotic therapies to treat bacterial infections are now under serious consideration and one possible option is the therapeutic use of specific phage particles that target bacterial pathogens. Bacteriophage therapy has essentially been re-discovered by modern medicine after widespread use of phage therapy in the pre-antibiotic era lost favor, at least in Western countries, after the introduction of antibiotics. We review the current therapeutic rationale and clinical experience with phage therapy as a treatment for invasive bacterial infection as novel alternative to antimicrobial chemotherapy. PMID:23973944

Radiation Therapy, Paclitaxel, and Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Uterine Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2015-01-16

Stage IA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IB Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IC Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIB Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIIA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIIB Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIIC Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IVA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IVB Uterine Sarcoma; Uterine Carcinosarcoma

Validating and updating a prediction rule for serious bacterial infection in patients with fever without source.

PubMed

Bleeker, S E; Derksen-Lubsen, G; Grobbee, D E; Donders, A R T; Moons, K G M; Moll, H A

2007-01-01

To externally validate and update a previously developed rule for predicting the presence of serious bacterial infections in children with fever without apparent source. Patients, 1-36 mo, presenting with fever without source, were prospectively enrolled. Serious bacterial infection included bacterial meningitis, sepsis, bacteraemia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, bacterial gastroenteritis, osteomyelitis/ethmoiditis. The generalizability of the original rule was determined. Subsequently, the prediction rule was updated using all available data of the patients with fever without source (1996-1998 and 2000-2001, n = 381) using multivariable logistic regression. the generalizability of the rule appeared insufficient in the new patients (n = 150). In the updated rule, independent predictors from history and examination were duration of fever, vomiting, ill clinical appearance, chest-wall retractions and poor peripheral circulation (ROC area (95%CI): 0.69 (0.63-0.75)). Additional independent predictors from laboratory were serum white blood cell count and C-reactive protein, and in urinalysis > or = 70 white bloods (ROC area (95%CI): 0.83 (0.78-0.88). A previously developed prediction rule for predicting the presence of serious bacterial infection in children with fever without apparent source was updated. Its clinical score can be used as a first screening tool. Additional laboratory testing may specify the individual risk estimate (range: 4-54%) further.

Identification and expression profiles of multiple genes in Nile tilapia in response to bacterial infections

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to bacterial infection, suppression subtractive cDNA hybridization technique was used to identify upregulated genes in the posterior kidney of Nile tilapia at 6h post infection with Aeromonas hydrophi...

Transcriptional response of honey bee larvae infected with the bacterial pathogen Paenibacillus larvae

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

American foulbrood disease of honey bees is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. Infection occurs per os in larvae and systemic infection requires a breaching of the host peritrophic matrix and midgut epithelium. Genetic variation exists for both bacterial virulence and host resistance, and...

Conception rate, uterine infection and embryo quality after artificial insemination and natural breeding with a stallion carrier of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a case report

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa may cause venereal disease and infertility in horses. A Pseudomonas aeruginosa - carrier stallion, often unresponsive to artificial vagina collection, was used to naturally breed mares. Semen collected from the same stallion was also used to perform artificial inseminations. Pregnancy rates, embryo quality and incidence of uterine infection were compared between inseminated or naturally-bred mares. Methods P. aeruginosa was isolated from swabbing of the penis, prepuce and distal urethra of the stallion. Before being bred or inseminated, clitoral/vestibular samples were collected from all mares, and cultured for isolation of P. aeruginosa. At the first observed estrus, endometrial swabs were also collected. All mares subjected to natural mating (NS) were re-evaluated for P.aeruginosa by culture of clitoral and endometrial swabs. Artificial inseminations (AI) were performed either with fresh-extended semen (11 AI/7 mares) or frozen semen (10 AI/7 mares). The stallion was also used to breed 3 mares (4 services). For embryo collection, 2 mares were inseminated with fresh-extended semen (1 AI/mare), and 2 additional mares were inseminated with frozen semen (2 AI/mare). Two mares were naturally-bred with a total of 9 services, for embryo collection. All mares were examined after AI or natural service (NS), for uterine pathologies. Embryo recoveries were attempted passing a catheter with inflatable cuff connected to a sterile flexible 2-way flushing catheter, through the cervix. Flushed media was recovered into an Em-Con filter, and embryos searched using a stereoscope. Embryos were graded from 1 (excellent) to 4 (degenerated/dead). Results Pregnancy rates obtained after NS was 50% per cycle. However, more than half of the NS resulted in uterine disease, while uterine pathology was seen only in 22% of the time following AI. Half of the mares bred by NS got positive to P. aeruginosa. Percentage of embryo recovery rates was identical after AI or NS (66.7%). The 4 embryos recovered after AI were classified as Grade 1, while after NS only 2 out of the 6 recovered embryos were Grade 1. Conclusion a) there was no evidence of reduced fertilization after AI or NS, b) a numerically higher incidence of uterine disease was noticed after NS, c) venereal transmission of P. aeruginosa after NS was confirmed, d) a lower percentage of G1 embryos may be obtained after NS. Overall, the data supports the indication for P. aeruginosa-carrier stallions to be bred by AI rather than by NS, and raises the possibility that P. aeruginosa may affect embryo quality. PMID:22458304

Determination of internal controls for quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis of the effect of Edwardsiella tarda infection on gene expression in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus).

PubMed

Dang, Wei; Sun, Li

2011-02-01

In recent years, quantitative real time reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) has been used frequently in the study of gene expression in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in relation to bacterial infection. However, no investigations on appropriate qRT-PCR reference genes have been documented. In this report, we determined the potential of eight housekeeping genes, i.e. β-actin (ACTB), ribosomal protein L17 (RPL17), α-tubulin (TUBA), elongation factor-1-α(EF1A), β-2-Microglobulin (B2M), RNA polymerase II subunit D (RPSD), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), as internal standards for qRT-PCR analysis of gene expression in turbot as a function of bacterial infection. For this purpose, the expression of the eight housekeeping genes in seven turbot tissues was determined by qRT-PCR before and after bacterial challenge, and the data were analyzed with the geNorm and NormFinder algorisms. The results showed that the expression of all the examined genes exhibited tissue-dependent variations both before and after bacterial challenge. Before bacterial challenge, geNorm and NormFinder identified RPSD as the gene that showed least tissue specific expression. At 12 h post-bacterial infection, geNorm ranked ACTB/GAPDH, 18S rRNA/ACTB, ACTB/GAPDH, 18S rRNA/ACTB, RPL17/TUBA, RPSD/GAPDH, and RPSD/B2M, respectively, as the most stably expressed genes in liver, spleen, kidney, gill, heart, muscle, and brain. Comparable ranking orders were produced by NormFinder. Similar results were obtained at 24 h post-bacterial infection. Taken together, these results indicate that RPSD is the most stable gene across tissue types under normal physiological conditions and that, during bacterial infection, ACTB might be used as an internal standard for the normalization of gene expression in immune relevant organs; however, no single gene or single pair of genes in the examined set of housekeeping genes can serve as a universal reference across all tissue types under the condition of bacterial infection. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advances in sepsis research derived from animal models.

PubMed

Männel, Daniela N

2007-09-01

Inflammation is the basic process by which tissues of the body respond to infection. Activation of the immune system normally leads to removal of microbial pathogens, and after resolution of the inflammation immune homeostasis is restored. This controlled process, however, can be disturbed resulting in disease. Therefore, many studies using infection models have investigated the participating immune mechanisms aiming at possible therapeutic interventions. Defined model substances such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) have been used to mimic bacterial infections and analyze their immune stimulating functions. A complex network of molecular mechanisms involved in the recognition and activation processes of bacterial infections and their regulation has developed from these studies. More complex infection models will now help to interpret earlier observations leading to the design of relevant new infection models.

Specific MAIT cell behaviour among innate-like T lymphocytes in critically ill patients with severe infections.

PubMed

Grimaldi, David; Le Bourhis, Lionel; Sauneuf, Bertrand; Dechartres, Agnès; Rousseau, Christophe; Ouaaz, Fatah; Milder, Maud; Louis, Delphine; Chiche, Jean-Daniel; Mira, Jean-Paul; Lantz, Olivier; Pène, Frédéric

2014-02-01

In between innate and adaptive immunity, the recently identified innate-like mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) lymphocytes display specific reactivity to non-streptococcal bacteria. Whether they are involved in bacterial sepsis has not been investigated. We aimed to assess the number and the time course of circulating innate-like T lymphocytes (MAIT, NKT and γδ T cells) in critically ill septic and non-septic patients and to establish correlations with the further development of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infections. We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Controls were critically ill patients with non-septic shock and age-matched healthy subjects. Circulating innate-like lymphocytes were enumerated using a flow cytometry assay at day 1, 4 and 7. One hundred and fifty six patients (113 severe bacterial infections, 36 non-infected patients and 7 patients with severe viral infections) and 26 healthy subjects were enrolled into the study. Patients with severe bacterial infections displayed an early decrease in MAIT cell count [median 1.3/mm(3); interquartile range (0.4-3.2)] as compared to control healthy subjects [31.1/mm(3) (12.1-45.2)], but also to non-infected critically ill patients [4.3/mm(3) (1.4-13.2)] (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). In contrast NKT and γδ T cell counts did not differ between patients groups. The multivariate analysis identified non-streptococcal bacterial infection as an independent determinant of decrease in MAIT cell count. Furthermore, the incidence of ICU-acquired infections was higher in patients with persistent MAIT cell depletion. This large human study provides valuable information about MAIT cells in severe bacterial infections. The persistent depletion of MAIT cells is associated with the further development of ICU-acquired infections.

Neurological Complications of AIDS

MedlinePlus

... antimalarial drugs to combat certain bacterial infections, and penicillin to treat neurosyphilis. Aggressive antiretroviral therapy is used ... antimalarial drugs to combat certain bacterial infections, and penicillin to treat neurosyphilis. Aggressive antiretroviral therapy is used ...

Does uterine gauze packing increase the risk of puerperal morbidity in the management of postpartum hemorrhage during caesarean section: a retrospective cohort study

PubMed Central

Guo, Yu-Na; Ma, Jue; Wang, Xiao-Jin; Wang, Bing-Shun

2015-01-01

Background: To compare the outcomes especially the puerperal morbidity of uterine gauze packing (UGP) with those of uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) in the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) during caesarean section (c-section). Methods: It was considered success as no requirement for either a further therapy or hysterectomy for PPH. The postpartum infection risk was pragmatically measured as puerperal morbidity. Results: The identified PPH subjects were subdivided into two groups for comparison, in which UGP or UBT was used as second-line therapy for women undergoing c-sections between January 2010 and September 2014. Of the 318 c-section subjects initially treated by basic managements for expected PPH, 99 cases underwent UGP and 66 UBT as the second-line therapies to stop persistent bleeding. The success rates of the UGP and UBT groups were 90.91 and 87.88%, respectively. Only one patient in UBT group resorted to hysterectomy. The respective rates of puerperal morbidity were 10.10 and 13.64%, with risk ratio of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.32, 1.72). There were no significant differences between the two groups even after the adjustment for potential confounding factors. Conclusion: UGP appears to be effective in treating PPH during c-section without an observed increase in the risk of potential postpartum infection when compared with UBT. UGP could be recommended as routine for patients who are not responding to conventional basic therapies in addressing PPH, along with the provision of appropriate training. PMID:26550320

[Tissue penetration and clinical effects of ceftazidime in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

PubMed

Ogawa, E; Ota, H; Maki, M

1983-12-01

To study concentrations in the gynecological organs, ceftazidime (CAZ) was given intravenously by one shot of 0.5 g to 1 patient and of 1.0 g to 10 patients who underwent simple hysterectomy because of uterine myoma. Also, clinical effect of the drug was studied in 3 cases. The levels of CAZ in sera in uterine artery and elbow vein, and tissue concentrations in various sites of the gynecological organs obtained during 50 to 425 minutes after administration were determined by the paper-disc method with P. mirabilis ATCC 21100 strain. Concentrations of CAZ at 92 minutes after administration of 1.0 g i.v. were 39.8 mcg/ml in serum of uterine artery, 47.6 mcg/ml in serum of elbow vein, 20.5 mcg/g (tissue/serum ratio 0.43) in the ovary, 18.0 mcg/g (0.38) in the fallopian tube, 16.1 mcg/g (0.34) in the endometrium, 34.5 mcg/g (0.72) in the myometrium, 30.8 mcg/g (0.65) in the uterine cervix, 36.4 mcg/g (0.76) in the portio vaginalis and then gradually decreased time-dependently. Tissue concentrations were higher than those in serum in the endometrium, uterine cervix and portio vaginalis at 147 minutes after administration. CAZ concentrations of adipose tissue between 353 and 365 minutes after injection of 1.0 g were lower than 0.8 mcg/g. The clinical responses to CAZ in intrapelvic infections were good in all cases. Slight elevation of total bilirubin, to 1.5 mg/dl, was observed in a case. In the light of these clinical findings, CAZ appears to be a potent antibiotic effective in the clinical application.

First trimester maternal uterine artery Doppler examination in HIV-positive women.

PubMed

Savvidou, M D; Samuel, M I; Akolekar, R; Poulton, M; Nicolaides, K H

2011-11-01

The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of maternal HIV infection, treated or untreated, on the degree of placental invasion, as assessed by the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries during a Doppler examination at 11(+0) -13(+6) weeks' gestation. This was a nested case-control study in which a uterine artery Doppler examination was performed in the first trimester in 76 HIV-positive women. Each woman was matched with 30 HIV-negative women. As the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries depends on a number of maternal and fetal characteristics, its values in each case and control were expressed as multiples of the median (MoM) of the unaffected group. Among the 76 HIV-positive women, 33 (43.4%) were on antiretroviral treatment at the time of the Doppler examination, including 14 women (42.4%) on nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and a protease inhibitor, 18 women (54.5%) on NRTIs and a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and one woman (3.1%) on monotherapy. Compared with the HIV-negative women, the HIV-positive women were more likely to be heavier (P<0.01), to be of African origin (P<0.01), to be nonsmokers (P=0.01) and to deliver smaller neonates earlier (P<0.01). The median adjusted pulsatility index of the uterine arteries was not statistically different between the cases and controls [1.07; interquartile range (IQR) 0.85-1.24 MoM vs. 0.99; IQR 0.81-1.20 MoM; P= 0.28] or, in HIV-positive women, between those receiving and not receiving antiretroviral treatment (P=0.12). HIV-positive women with uncomplicated pregnancies have normal placental perfusion in the first trimester of pregnancy. 2011 British HIV Association.

Interleukin-6 is an essential determinant of on-time parturition in the mouse.

PubMed

Robertson, Sarah A; Christiaens, Inge; Dorian, Camilla L; Zaragoza, Dean B; Care, Alison S; Banks, Anke M; Olson, David M

2010-08-01

IL-6 abundance in amniotic fluid and uterine tissues increases in late gestation or with infection-associated preterm labor. A role in regulation of labor onset is suggested by observations that IL-6 increases expression of genes controlling prostaglandin synthesis and signaling in isolated uterine cells, but whether IL-6 is essential for normal parturition is unknown. To evaluate the physiological role of IL-6 in parturition in mice, we investigated the effect of Il6 null mutation on the timing of parturition and expression of genes associated with uterine activation. Il6 null mutant mice delivered 24 h later than wild-type mice, although circulating progesterone fell similarly in both genotypes during the prepartal period. Il6 null mutant mice were also refractory to low doses of lipopolysaccharide sufficient to induce preterm delivery in wild-type mice. The characteristic late-gestation elevation in uterine expression of Oxtr mRNA encoding oxytocin receptor, and peripartal increases in Ptgfr and Ptgs2 mRNAs regulating prostaglandin synthesis and signaling were delayed by 24 h in Il6 null mutant mice. Conversely, Ptger4 mRNA encoding the prostaglandin E receptor-4 was abnormally elevated in late-gestation in Il6 null mutant mice. Administration of recombinant IL-6 from d 11.5 postcoitum until term restored the normal timing of delivery and normalized Ptger4 mRNA expression in late gestation. We conclude that IL-6 has a key role in controlling the progression of events culminating in parturition and that it acts downstream of luteolysis in the uterus to regulate genes involved in the prostaglandin-mediated uterine activation cascade.

Sphingosine rescues aged mice from pulmonary pseudomonas infection.

PubMed

Rice, Teresa C; Pugh, Amanda M; Seitz, Aaron P; Gulbins, Erich; Nomellini, Vanessa; Caldwell, Charles C

2017-11-01

Bacterial lung infection is a leading cause of death for those 65 y or older, often requiring intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, which consumes considerable health care resources. Although administration of antibiotics is the standard of care for bacterial pneumonia, its overuse has led to the emergence of multidrug resistant organisms. Therefore, alternative strategies to help minimize the effects of bacterial pneumonia in the elderly are necessary. As studies have shown that sphingosine (SPH) has inherent bacterial killing properties, our goal was to assess whether it could act as a prophylactic treatment to protect aged mice from pulmonary infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Aged (51 wk) and young (8 wk) C57Bl/6 mice were used in this study. Pulmonary SPH levels were determined by histology. SPH content of microparticles was quantified using a SPH kinase assay. Pneumonia was induced by intranasally treating mice with 10 6  Colony Forming Unit (CFU) P aeruginosa. Microparticles were isolated from young mice, whereas some were further incubated with SPH. We observed that SPH levels are reduced in the bronchial epithelial cells as well as the bronchoalveolar lavage microparticles isolated from aged mice, which correlates with a susceptibility to infection. We demonstrate that SPH or microparticle treatment can protect aged mice from pulmonary P aeruginosa infection. Finally, we observed that enriching microparticles with SPH before treatment eliminated the bacterial load in P aeruginosa-infected aged mice. These data suggest that prophylactic treatment with SPH could reduce lung bacterial infections for the at-risk elderly population. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The role of respiratory viruses in the etiology of bacterial pneumonia

PubMed Central

Lee, Kyu Han; Gordon, Aubree; Foxman, Betsy

2016-01-01

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children less than 5 years old worldwide. A wide range of viral, bacterial and fungal agents can cause pneumonia: although viruses are the most common etiologic agent, the severity of clinical symptoms associated with bacterial pneumonia and increasing antibiotic resistance makes bacterial pneumonia a major public health concern. Bacterial pneumonia can follow upper respiratory viral infection and complicate lower respiratory viral infection. Secondary bacterial pneumonia is a major cause of influenza-related deaths. In this review, we evaluate the following hypotheses: (i) respiratory viruses influence the etiology of pneumonia by altering bacterial community structure in the upper respiratory tract (URT) and (ii) respiratory viruses promote or inhibit colonization of the lower respiratory tract (LRT) by certain bacterial species residing in the URT. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine temporal associations between respiratory viruses and bacteria and a targeted review to identify potential mechanisms of interactions. We conclude that viruses both alter the bacterial community in the URT and promote bacterial colonization of the LRT. However, it is uncertain whether changes in the URT bacterial community play a substantial role in pneumonia etiology. The exception is Streptococcus pneumoniae where a strong link between viral co-infection, increased carriage and pneumococcal pneumonia has been established. PMID:26884414

Interactome of E. piscicida and grouper liver proteins reveals strategies of bacterial infection and host immune response.

PubMed

Li, Hui; Zhu, Qing-Feng; Peng, Xuan-Xian; Peng, Bo

2017-01-03

The occurrence of infectious diseases is related to heterogeneous protein interactions between a host and a microbe. Therefore, elucidating the host-pathogen interplay is essential. We previously revealed the protein interactome between Edwardsiella piscicida and fish gill cells, and the present study identified the protein interactome between E. piscicida and E. drummondhayi liver cells. E. drummondhayi liver cells and bacterial pull-down approaches were used to identify E. piscicida outer membrane proteins that bind to liver cells and fish liver cell proteins that interact with bacterial cells, respectively. Eight bacterial proteins and 11 fish proteins were characterized. Heterogeneous protein-protein interactions between these bacterial cells and fish liver cells were investigated through far-Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation. A network was constructed based on 42 heterogeneous protein-protein interactions between seven bacterial proteins and 10 fish proteins. A comparison of the new interactome with the previously reported interactome showed that four bacterial proteins overlapped, whereas all of the identified fish proteins were new, suggesting a difference between bacterial tricks for evading host immunity and the host strategy for combating bacterial infection. Furthermore, these bacterial proteins were found to regulate the expression of host innate immune-related proteins. These findings indicate that the interactome contributes to bacterial infection and host immunity.

White piedra: further evidence of a synergistic infection.

PubMed

Youker, Summer R; Andreozzi, Robert J; Appelbaum, Peter C; Credito, Kim; Miller, Jeffrey J

2003-10-01

White piedra is a fungal infection of the hair shaft caused by Trichosporon beigelii. A synergistic coryneform bacterial infection is often present with T beigelii. White piedra, although not commonly reported to infect scalp hair in North America, is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of scalp hair concretions. We report a case of white piedra of scalp hair with synergistic coryneform bacterial infection in two sisters, both US natives. Culture and light and electronmicroscopic evidence of the synergistic infection are presented.

Loss of the DNA Damage Repair Kinase ATM Impairs Inflammasome-Dependent Anti-Bacterial Innate Immunity.

PubMed

Erttmann, Saskia F; Härtlova, Anetta; Sloniecka, Marta; Raffi, Faizal A M; Hosseinzadeh, Ava; Edgren, Tomas; Rofougaran, Reza; Resch, Ulrike; Fällman, Maria; Ek, Torben; Gekara, Nelson O

2016-07-19

The ATM kinase is a central component of the DNA damage repair machinery and redox balance. ATM dysfunction results in the multisystem disease ataxia-telangiectasia (AT). A major cause of mortality in AT is respiratory bacterial infections. Whether ATM deficiency causes innate immune defects that might contribute to bacterial infections is not known. Here we have shown that loss of ATM impairs inflammasome-dependent anti-bacterial innate immunity. Cells from AT patients or Atm(-/-) mice exhibited diminished interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in response to bacteria. In vivo, Atm(-/-) mice were more susceptible to pulmonary S. pneumoniae infection in a manner consistent with inflammasome defects. Our data indicate that such defects were due to oxidative inhibition of inflammasome complex assembly. This study reveals an unanticipated function of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in negative regulation of inflammasomes and proposes a theory for the notable susceptibility of AT patients to pulmonary bacterial infection. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Altered Virome and Bacterial Microbiome in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

PubMed Central

Monaco, Cynthia L.; Gootenberg, David B.; Zhao, Guoyan; Handley, Scott A.; Ghebremichael, Musie S.; Lim, Efrem S.; Lankowski, Alex; Baldridge, Megan T.; Wilen, Craig B.; Flagg, Meaghan; Norman, Jason M.; Keller, Brian C.; Luévano, Jesús Mario; Wang, David; Boum, Yap; Martin, Jeffrey N.; Hunt, Peter W.; Bangsberg, David R.; Siedner, Mark J.; Kwon, Douglas S.; Virgin, Herbert W.

2016-01-01

SUMMARY Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with increased intestinal translocation of microbial products and enteropathy as well as alterations in gut bacterial communities. However, whether the enteric virome contributes to this infection and resulting immunodeficiency remains unknown. We characterized the enteric virome and bacterial microbiome in a cohort of Ugandan patients, including HIV-uninfected or HIV-infected subjects and those either treated with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) or untreated. Low peripheral CD4 T cell counts were associated with an expansion of enteric adenovirus sequences and this increase was independent of ART treatment. Additionally, the enteric bacterial microbiome of patients with lower CD4 T counts exhibited reduced phylogenetic diversity and richness with specific bacteria showing differential abundance, including increases in Enterobacteriaceae, which have been associated with inflammation. Thus, immunodeficiency in progressive HIV infection is associated with alterations in the enteric virome and bacterial microbiome, which may contribute to AIDS-associated enteropathy and disease progression. PMID:26962942

Altered Virome and Bacterial Microbiome in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

PubMed

Monaco, Cynthia L; Gootenberg, David B; Zhao, Guoyan; Handley, Scott A; Ghebremichael, Musie S; Lim, Efrem S; Lankowski, Alex; Baldridge, Megan T; Wilen, Craig B; Flagg, Meaghan; Norman, Jason M; Keller, Brian C; Luévano, Jesús Mario; Wang, David; Boum, Yap; Martin, Jeffrey N; Hunt, Peter W; Bangsberg, David R; Siedner, Mark J; Kwon, Douglas S; Virgin, Herbert W

2016-03-09

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with increased intestinal translocation of microbial products and enteropathy as well as alterations in gut bacterial communities. However, whether the enteric virome contributes to this infection and resulting immunodeficiency remains unknown. We characterized the enteric virome and bacterial microbiome in a cohort of Ugandan patients, including HIV-uninfected or HIV-infected subjects and those either treated with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) or untreated. Low peripheral CD4 T cell counts were associated with an expansion of enteric adenovirus sequences and this increase was independent of ART treatment. Additionally, the enteric bacterial microbiome of patients with lower CD4 T counts exhibited reduced phylogenetic diversity and richness with specific bacteria showing differential abundance, including increases in Enterobacteriaceae, which have been associated with inflammation. Thus, immunodeficiency in progressive HIV infection is associated with alterations in the enteric virome and bacterial microbiome, which may contribute to AIDS-associated enteropathy and disease progression. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identification of Mycobacterial Surface Proteins Released into Subcellular Compartments of Infected Macrophages

PubMed Central

Beatty, Wandy L.; Russell, David G.

2000-01-01

Considerable effort has focused on the identification of proteins secreted from Mycobacterium spp. that contribute to the development of protective immunity. Little is known, however, about the release of mycobacterial proteins from the bacterial phagosome and the potential role of these molecules in chronically infected macrophages. In the present study, the release of mycobacterial surface proteins from the bacterial phagosome into subcellular compartments of infected macrophages was analyzed. Mycobacterium bovis BCG was surface labeled with fluorescein-tagged succinimidyl ester, an amine-reactive probe. The fluorescein tag was then used as a marker for the release of bacterial proteins in infected macrophages. Fractionation studies revealed bacterial proteins within subcellular compartments distinct from mycobacteria and mycobacterial phagosomes. To identify these proteins, subcellular fractions free of bacteria were probed with mycobacterium-specific antibodies. The fibronectin attachment protein and proteins of the antigen 85-kDa complex were identified among the mycobacterial proteins released from the bacterial phagosome. PMID:11083824

A Rat Model of Central Venous Catheter to Study Establishment of Long-Term Bacterial Biofilm and Related Acute and Chronic Infections

PubMed Central

Chauhan, Ashwini; Lebeaux, David; Decante, Benoit; Kriegel, Irene; Escande, Marie-Christine; Ghigo, Jean-Marc; Beloin, Christophe

2012-01-01

Formation of resilient biofilms on medical devices colonized by pathogenic microorganisms is a major cause of health-care associated infection. While in vitro biofilm analyses led to promising anti-biofilm approaches, little is known about their translation to in vivo situations and on host contribution to the in vivo dynamics of infections on medical devices. Here we have developed an in vivo model of long-term bacterial biofilm infections in a pediatric totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) surgically placed in adult rats. Using non-invasive and quantitative bioluminescence, we studied TIVAP contamination by clinically relevant pathogens, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and we demonstrated that TIVAP bacterial populations display typical biofilm phenotypes. In our study, we showed that immunocompetent rats were able to control the colonization and clear the bloodstream infection except for up to 30% that suffered systemic infection and death whereas none of the immunosuppressed rats survived the infection. Besides, we mimicked some clinically relevant TIVAP associated complications such as port-pocket infection and hematogenous route of colonization. Finally, by assessing an optimized antibiotic lock therapy, we established that our in vivo model enables to assess innovative therapeutic strategies against bacterial biofilm infections. PMID:22615964

Bacterial infections of Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), returning to gamete collecting weirs in Michigan.

PubMed

Loch, T P; Scribner, K; Tempelman, R; Whelan, G; Faisal, M

2012-01-01

Herein, we describe the prevalence of bacterial infections in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), returning to spawn in two tributaries within the Lake Michigan watershed. Ten bacterial genera, including Renibacterium, Aeromonas, Carnobacterium, Serratia, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Hafnia, Salmonella, Shewanella and Morganella, were detected in the kidneys of Chinook salmon (n = 480) using culture, serological and molecular analyses. Among these, Aeromonas salmonicida was detected at a prevalence of ∼15%. Analyses revealed significant interactions between location/time of collection and gender for these infections, whereby overall infection prevalence increased greatly later in the spawning run and was significantly higher in females. Renibacterium salmoninarum was detected in fish kidneys at an overall prevalence of >25%. Logistic regression analyses revealed that R. salmoninarum prevalence differed significantly by location/time of collection and gender, with a higher likelihood of infection later in the spawning season and in females vs. males. Chi-square analyses quantifying non-independence of infection by multiple pathogens revealed a significant association between R. salmoninarum and motile aeromonad infections. Additionally, greater numbers of fish were found to be co-infected by multiple bacterial species than would be expected by chance alone. The findings of this study suggest a potential synergism between bacteria infecting spawning Chinook salmon. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Gemcitabine Hydrochloride, Docetaxel, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Uterine Sarcoma That Has Been Removed By Surgery

ClinicalTrials.gov

2015-01-16

Stage IA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IB Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IC Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIB Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIIA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIIB Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIIC Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IVA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IVB Uterine Sarcoma; Uterine Corpus Leiomyosarcoma

Epidemiology and aetiology of maternal bacterial and viral infections in low- and middle-income countries

PubMed Central

Velu, Prasad Palani; Gravett, Courtney A.; Roberts, Tom K.; Wagner, Thor A.; Zhang, Jian Shayne F.; Rubens, Craig E.; Gravett, Michael G.; Campbell, Harry; Rudan, Igor

2011-01-01

Background Maternal morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries has remained exceedingly high. However, information on bacterial and viral maternal infections, which are important contributors to poor pregnancy outcomes, is sparse and poorly characterised. This review aims to describe the epidemiology and aetiology of bacterial and viral maternal infections in low- and middle-income countries. Methods A systematic search of published literature was conducted and data on aetiology and epidemiology of maternal infections was extracted from relevant studies for analysis. Searches were conducted in parallel by two reviewers (using OVID) in the following databases: Medline (1950 to 2010), EMBASE (1980 to 2010) and Global Health (1973 to 2010). Results Data from 158 relevant studies was used to characterise the epidemiology of the 10 most extensively reported maternal infections with the following median prevalence rates: Treponema pallidum (2.6%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (1.5%), Chlamydia trachomatis (5.8%), Group B Streptococcus (8.6%), bacterial vaginosis (20.9%), hepatitis B virus (4.3%), hepatitis C virus (1.4%), Cytomegalovirus (95.7% past infection), Rubella (8.9% susceptible) and Herpes simplex (20.7%). Large variations in the prevalence of these infections between countries and regions were noted. Conclusion This review confirms the suspected high prevalence of maternal bacterial and viral infections and identifies particular diseases and regions requiring urgent attention in public health policy planning, setting research priorities and donor funding towards reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. PMID:23198117

A Critical, Nonlinear Threshold Dictates Bacterial Invasion and Initial Kinetics During Influenza

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Amber M.; Smith, Amanda P.

2016-12-01

Secondary bacterial infections increase morbidity and mortality of influenza A virus (IAV) infections. Bacteria are able to invade due to virus-induced depletion of alveolar macrophages (AMs), but this is not the only contributing factor. By analyzing a kinetic model, we uncovered a nonlinear initial dose threshold that is dependent on the amount of virus-induced AM depletion. The threshold separates the growth and clearance phenotypes such that bacteria decline for dose-AM depletion combinations below the threshold, stay constant near the threshold, and increase above the threshold. In addition, the distance from the threshold correlates to the growth rate. Because AM depletion changes throughout an IAV infection, the dose requirement for bacterial invasion also changes accordingly. Using the threshold, we found that the dose requirement drops dramatically during the first 7d of IAV infection. We then validated these analytical predictions by infecting mice with doses below or above the predicted threshold over the course of IAV infection. These results identify the nonlinear way in which two independent factors work together to support successful post-influenza bacterial invasion. They provide insight into coinfection timing, the heterogeneity in outcome, the probability of acquiring a coinfection, and the use of new therapeutic strategies to combat viral-bacterial coinfections.

A Critical, Nonlinear Threshold Dictates Bacterial Invasion and Initial Kinetics During Influenza.

PubMed

Smith, Amber M; Smith, Amanda P

2016-12-15

Secondary bacterial infections increase morbidity and mortality of influenza A virus (IAV) infections. Bacteria are able to invade due to virus-induced depletion of alveolar macrophages (AMs), but this is not the only contributing factor. By analyzing a kinetic model, we uncovered a nonlinear initial dose threshold that is dependent on the amount of virus-induced AM depletion. The threshold separates the growth and clearance phenotypes such that bacteria decline for dose-AM depletion combinations below the threshold, stay constant near the threshold, and increase above the threshold. In addition, the distance from the threshold correlates to the growth rate. Because AM depletion changes throughout an IAV infection, the dose requirement for bacterial invasion also changes accordingly. Using the threshold, we found that the dose requirement drops dramatically during the first 7d of IAV infection. We then validated these analytical predictions by infecting mice with doses below or above the predicted threshold over the course of IAV infection. These results identify the nonlinear way in which two independent factors work together to support successful post-influenza bacterial invasion. They provide insight into coinfection timing, the heterogeneity in outcome, the probability of acquiring a coinfection, and the use of new therapeutic strategies to combat viral-bacterial coinfections.

Opposing Effects of Fasting Metabolism on Tissue Tolerance in Bacterial and Viral Inflammation

PubMed Central

Wang, Andrew; Huen, Sarah C.; Luan, Harding H.; Yu, Shuang; Zhang, Cuiling; Gallezot, Jean-Dominique; Booth, Carmen J.; Medzhitov, Ruslan

2017-01-01

Summary Acute infections are associated with a set of stereotypic behavioral responses, including anorexia, lethargy, and social withdrawal. Although these so called sickness behaviors are the most common and familiar symptoms of infections, their roles in host defense are largely unknown. Here we investigated the role of anorexia in models of bacterial and viral infections. We found that anorexia was protective while nutritional supplementation was detrimental in bacterial sepsis. Furthermore, glucose was necessary and sufficient for these effects. In contrast, nutritional supplementation protected against mortality from influenza infection and viral sepsis, while blocking glucose utilization was lethal. In both bacterial and viral models, these effects were largely independent of pathogen load and magnitude of inflammation. Instead, we identify opposing metabolic requirements tied to cellular stress adaptations critical for tolerance of differential inflammatory states. PMID:27610573

Emerging infectious diseases with cutaneous manifestations: Viral and bacterial infections.

PubMed

Nawas, Zeena Y; Tong, Yun; Kollipara, Ramya; Peranteau, Andrew J; Woc-Colburn, Laila; Yan, Albert C; Lupi, Omar; Tyring, Stephen K

2016-07-01

Given increased international travel, immigration, and climate change, bacterial and viral infections that were once unrecognized or uncommon are being seen more frequently in the Western Hemisphere. A delay in diagnosis and treatment of these diseases can lead to significant patient morbidity and mortality. However, the diagnosis and management of these infections is fraught with a lack of consistency because there is a dearth of dermatology literature on the cutaneous manifestations of these infections. We review the epidemiology, cutaneous manifestations, diagnosis, and management of these emerging bacterial and viral diseases. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy using zinc phthalocyanine derivatives in treatment of bacterial skin infection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhuo; Zhang, Yaxin; Wang, Dong; Li, Linsen; Zhou, Shanyong; Huang, Joy H.; Chen, Jincan; Hu, Ping; Huang, Mingdong

2016-01-01

Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) is an effective method for killing bacterial cells in view of the increasing problem of multiantibiotic resistance. We herein reported the PACT effect on bacteria involved in skin infections using a zinc phthalocyanine derivative, pentalysine β-carbonylphthalocyanine zinc (ZnPc-Lys). Compared with its anionic ZnPc counterpart, ZnPc-Lys showed an enhanced antibacterial efficacy in vitro and in an animal model of localized infection. Meanwhile, ZnPc-Lys was observed to significantly reduce the wound skin blood flow during wound healing, indicating an anti-inflammation activity. This study provides new insight on the mechanisms of PACT in bacterial skin infection.

Rate of preterm births in pregnant women with common lower genital tract infection: a population-based study based on the clinical practice.

PubMed

Bánhidy, Ferenc; Acs, Nándor; Puho, Erzsébet H; Czeizel, Andrew E

2009-05-01

To estimate the rate of preterm births in pregnant women with lower genital tract infection, i.e. vulvovaginitis-bacterial vaginosis and to check their prevention by drug treatments in the usual clinical practice. The rate of preterm birth of pregnant women with or without lower genital tract infection was evaluated in the population-based large data set of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities. Only prospectively and medically recorded diagnoses of vulvovaginitis-bacterial vaginosis were evaluated. Of 38,151 newborn infants, 2698 (7.1%) had mothers with vulvovaginitis-bacterial vaginosis diagnosed in early pregnancy and the rate of preterm births was 7.5% among them, while this figure was 9.3% in babies born to mothers without these recognized genital infections. After early diagnosis and treatment of vulvovaginitis-bacterial vaginosis, clotrimazole and ampicillin seemed to be most effective to reduce the preterm birth during the study period. However, the rate of preterm births was lower in babies born to mothers without recorded vulvovaginitis-bacterial vaginosis but treated by clotrimazole and ampicillin (7.2-7.8%) as well. The lower rate of preterm births in babies born to mothers with vulvovaginitis-bacterial vaginosis may be explained by their effective treatment. However, the high rate of preterm births in pregnant women without genital tract infection and antimicrobial treatment may be connected with asymptomatic or unrecognized symptomatic and untreated vaginal infections.

Temperature variation, bacterial diversity and fungal infection dynamics in the amphibian skin.

PubMed

Longo, Ana V; Zamudio, Kelly R

2017-09-01

Host-associated bacterial communities on the skin act as the first line of defence against invading pathogens. Yet, for most natural systems, we lack a clear understanding of how temperature variability affects structure and composition of skin bacterial communities and, in turn, promotes or limits the colonization of opportunistic pathogens. Here, we examine how natural temperature fluctuations might be related to changes in skin bacterial diversity over time in three amphibian populations infected by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Our focal host species (Eleutherodactylus coqui) is a direct-developing frog that has suffered declines at some populations in the last 20 years, while others have not experienced any changes. We quantified skin bacterial alpha- and beta-diversity at four sampling time points, a period encompassing two seasons and ample variation in natural infections and environmental conditions. Despite the different patterns of infection across populations, we detected an overall increase in bacterial diversity through time, characterized by the replacement of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Increased frog body temperatures possibly allowed the colonization of bacteria as well as the recruitment of a subset of indicator OTUs, which could have promoted the observed changes in diversity patterns. Our results suggest that natural environmental fluctuations might be involved in creating opportunities for bacterial replacement, potentially attenuating pathogen transmission and thus contributing to host persistence in E. coqui populations. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Diagnostic Accuracy of FebriDx: A Rapid Test to Detect Immune Responses to Viral and Bacterial Upper Respiratory Infections.

PubMed

Self, Wesley H; Rosen, Jeffrey; Sharp, Stephan C; Filbin, Michael R; Hou, Peter C; Parekh, Amisha D; Kurz, Michael C; Shapiro, Nathan I

2017-10-07

C-reactive protein (CRP) and myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) are associated with bacterial and viral infections, respectively. We conducted a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study of adults and children with febrile upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a rapid CRP/MxA immunoassay to identify clinically significant bacterial infection with host response and acute pathogenic viral infection. The reference standard for classifying URI etiology was an algorithm that included throat bacterial culture, upper respiratory PCR for viral and atypical pathogens, procalcitonin, white blood cell count, and bandemia. The algorithm also allowed for physician override. Among 205 patients, 25 (12.2%) were classified as bacterial, 53 (25.9%) as viral, and 127 (62.0%) negative by the reference standard. For bacterial detection, agreement between FebriDx and the reference standard was 91.7%, with FebriDx having a sensitivity of 80% (95% CI: 59-93%), specificity of 93% (89-97%), positive predictive value (PPV) of 63% (45-79%), and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 97% (94-99%). For viral detection, agreement was 84%, with a sensitivity of 87% (75-95%), specificity of 83% (76-89%), PPV of 64% (63-75%), and NPV of 95% (90-98%). FebriDx may help to identify clinically significant immune responses associated with bacterial and viral URIs that are more likely to require clinical management or therapeutic intervention, and has potential to assist with antibiotic stewardship.

Influenza viral neuraminidase primes bacterial coinfection through TGF-β-mediated expression of host cell receptors.

PubMed

Li, Ning; Ren, Aihui; Wang, Xiaoshuang; Fan, Xin; Zhao, Yong; Gao, George F; Cleary, Patrick; Wang, Beinan

2015-01-06

Influenza infection predisposes the host to secondary bacterial pneumonia, which is a major cause of mortality during influenza epidemics. The molecular mechanisms underlying the bacterial coinfection remain elusive. Neuraminidase (NA) of influenza A virus (IAV) enhances bacterial adherence and also activates TGF-β. Because TGF-β can up-regulate host adhesion molecules such as fibronectin and integrins for bacterial binding, we hypothesized that activated TGF-β during IAV infection contributes to secondary bacterial infection by up-regulating these host adhesion molecules. Flow cytometric analyses of a human lung epithelial cell line indicated that the expression of fibronectin and α5 integrin was up-regulated after IAV infection or treatment with recombinant NA and was reversed through the inhibition of TGF-β signaling. IAV-promoted adherence of group A Streptococcus (GAS) and other coinfective pathogens that require fibronectin for binding was prevented significantly by the inhibition of TGF-β. However, IAV did not promote the adherence of Lactococcus lactis unless this bacterium expressed the fibronectin-binding protein of GAS. Mouse experiments showed that IAV infection enhanced GAS colonization in the lungs of wild-type animals but not in the lungs of mice deficient in TGF-β signaling. Taken together, these results reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism: IAV NA enhances the expression of cellular adhesins through the activation of TGF-β, leading to increased bacterial loading in the lungs. Our results suggest that TGF-β and cellular adhesins may be potential pharmaceutical targets for the prevention of coinfection.

Clinical significance of the infection-free interval in the management of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

PubMed

Chodosh, Sanford

2005-06-01

Rational and appropriate antibiotic use for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB) is a major concern, as approximately half of these patients do not have a bacterial infection. Typically, the result of antimicrobial therapy for patients with acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (ABECB) is not eradication of the pathogen but resolution of the acute symptoms. However, the length of time before the next bacterial exacerbation can be another important variable, as the frequency of exacerbations will affect the overall health of the patient and the rate of lung deterioration over time. Clinical trials comparing antimicrobial therapies commonly measure resolution of symptoms in AECB patients as the primary end point, regardless of whether the exacerbation is documented as bacterial in nature. Ideally, the scientific approach to assessing the efficacy of antibiotic therapy for ABECB should include a measurement of acute bacterial eradication rates in patients with documented bronchial bacterial infection followed by measurement of the infection-free interval (IFI), ie, the time to the next ABECB. The use of these variables can provide a standard for comparing various antimicrobial therapies. As we learn more about how antibiotics can affect the IFI, treatment decisions should be adapted to ensure optimal management of ABECB for the long-term.

The effects of Zebra Chip disease development and bacterial titer on biochemical properties in relation to the time of infection

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Potato tuber biochemical responses to ‘Candidatus’ Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso), the causal agent of Zebra chip disease, were evaluated both within infected tubers and across different infection dates. Tuber biochemistry also was related to symptom severity and bacterial titer. Symptom severity w...

Identification and transcriptional profile of multiple genes in the posterior kidney of Nile tilapia at 6h post bacterial infections

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to bacterial infection, suppression subtractive cDNA hybridization technique was used to identify upregulated genes in the posterior kidney of Nile tilapia at 6h post infection with Aeromonas hydrophi...

Suggested guidelines for using systemic antimicrobials in bacterial skin infections: part 1—diagnosis based on clinical presentation, cytology and culture

PubMed Central

Beco, L.; Guaguère, E.; Méndez, C. Lorente; Noli, C.; Nuttall, T.; Vroom, M.

2013-01-01

Systemic antimicrobials are critically important in veterinary healthcare, and resistance is a major concern. Antimicrobial stewardship will be important in maintaining clinical efficacy by reducing the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Bacterial skin infections are one of the most common reasons for using systemic antimicrobials in dogs and cats. Appropriate management of these infections is, therefore, crucial in any policy for responsible antimicrobial use. The goals of therapy are to confirm that an infection is present, identify the causative bacteria, select the most appropriate antimicrobial, ensure that the infection is treated correctly, and to identify and manage any underlying conditions. This is the first of two articles that will provide evidence-led guidelines to help practitioners address these issues. This article covers diagnosis, including descriptions of the different clinical presentations of surface, superficial and deep bacterial skin infections, how to perform and interpret cytology, and how to best use bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. Part 2 will discuss therapy, including choice of drug and treatment regimens. PMID:23292951

The role of lactobacillus probiotics in the treatment or prevention of urogenital infections--a systematic review.

PubMed

Abad, C L; Safdar, N

2009-06-01

Probiotics are increasingly being used to treat and prevent urogenital infections. However, a critical assessment of their efficacy in major urogenital infections is lacking. We report the results of a systematic review to determine the efficacy of probiotics for prevention or treatment of three major urogenital infections: bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and urinary tract infection. Using multiple computerized databases, we extracted data from clinical trials using a lactobacillus-containing preparation to either prevent or treat a urogenital infection. Of 25 included studies, 18 studies used lactobacillus preparations for treatment or prevention of urogenital infections and seven studies focused solely on vaginal colonization. Four studies included patients with vaginal candidiasis, five included patients with urinary tract infections, and eight included patients with bacterial vaginosis. One included several types of genitourinary infections. Overall, lactobacilli were beneficial for the treatment of patients with bacterial vaginosis. No clear benefit was seen for candidiasis or urinary tract infection. Studies were heterogeneous, with some limited by a small population size. In conclusion, the use of certain lactobacillus strains such as L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri for prevention and treatment of recurrent urogenital infection is promising, especially for recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Scant data on the use of probiotics for urinary tract infection and vulvovaginal candidiasis precludes definitive recommendations. Further research and larger studies on types of lactobacilli strains, dosage of lactobacilli, optimal route and vehicle of administration are needed.

Transmigration of polymorphnuclear neutrophils and monocytes through the human blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier after bacterial infection in vitro

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Bacterial invasion through the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) during bacterial meningitis causes secretion of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines followed by the recruitment of leukocytes into the CNS. In this study, we analyzed the cellular and molecular mechanisms of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) and monocyte transepithelial transmigration (TM) across the BCSFB after bacterial infection. Methods Using an inverted transwell filter system of human choroid plexus papilloma cells (HIBCPP), we studied leukocyte TM rates, the migration route by immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy and focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy, the secretion of cytokines/chemokines by cytokine bead array and posttranslational modification of the signal regulatory protein (SIRP) α via western blot. Results PMNs showed a significantly increased TM across HIBCPP after infection with wild-type Neisseria meningitidis (MC58). In contrast, a significantly decreased monocyte transmigration rate after bacterial infection of HIBCPP could be observed. Interestingly, in co-culture experiments with PMNs and monocytes, TM of monocytes was significantly enhanced. Analysis of paracellular permeability and transepithelial electrical resistance confirmed an intact barrier function during leukocyte TM. With the help of the different imaging techniques we could provide evidence for para- as well as for transcellular migrating leukocytes. Further analysis of secreted cytokines/chemokines showed a distinct pattern after stimulation and transmigration of PMNs and monocytes. Moreover, the transmembrane glycoprotein SIRPα was deglycosylated in monocytes, but not in PMNs, after bacterial infection. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that PMNs and monoctyes differentially migrate in a human BCSFB model after bacterial infection. Cytokines and chemokines as well as transmembrane proteins such as SIRPα may be involved in this process. PMID:23448224

MRP8/14 Enhances Corneal Susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection by Amplifying Inflammatory Responses

PubMed Central

Deng, Qiuchan; Sun, Mingxia; Yang, Kun; Zhu, Min; Chen, Kang; Yuan, Jin; Wu, Minhao; Huang, Xi

2013-01-01

Purpose. We explored the role of myeloid-related protein 8 and 14 (MRP8/14) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) keratitis. Methods. MRP8/14 mRNA levels in human corneal scrapes and mouse corneas infected by PA were tested using real-time PCR. MRP8/14 protein expression in C57BL/6 (B6) corneas was confirmed using Western blot assay and immunohistochemistry. B6 mice were injected subconjunctivally with siRNA for MRP8/14, and then infected with PA. Bacterial plate counts and myeloperoxidase assays were used to determine the bacterial load and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration in infected B6 corneas. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in vivo and in vitro were examined with PCR and ELISA. In murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells, phagocytosis and bacterial killing were assessed using plate count assays, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were tested with flow cytometry and Griess assay, respectively. Results. MRP8/14 expression levels were increased significantly in human corneal scrapes and B6 corneas after PA infection. Silencing of MRP8/14 in B6 corneas significantly reduced the severity of corneal disease, bacterial clearance, PMN infiltration, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression after PA infection. In vitro studies demonstrated further that silencing of MRP8/14 suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production, bacterial killing, and ROS production, but not phagocytosis or NO production. Conclusions. Our study demonstrated a dual role for MRP8/14 in bacterial keratitis. Although MRP8/14 promotes bacterial clearance by enhancing ROS production, it functions more importantly as an inflammatory amplifier at the ocular surface by enhancing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, thus contributing to the corneal susceptibility. PMID:23299480

Bacterial Dose-Dependent Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 5 in Escherichia coli-Induced Pneumonia.

PubMed

Packiriswamy, Nandakumar; Steury, Michael; McCabe, Ian C; Fitzgerald, Scott D; Parameswaran, Narayanan

2016-05-01

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) is a serine/threonine kinase previously shown to mediate polymicrobial sepsis-induced inflammation. The goal of the present study was to examine the role of GRK5 in monomicrobial pulmonary infection by using an intratracheal Escherichia coli infection model of pneumonia. We used sublethal and lethal doses of E. coli to examine the mechanistic differences between low-grade and high-grade inflammation induced by E. coli infection. With a sublethal dose of E. coli, GRK5 knockout (KO) mice exhibited higher plasma CXCL1/KC levels and enhanced lung neutrophil recruitment early after infection, and lower bacterial loads, than wild-type (WT) mice. The inflammatory response was also diminished, and resolution of inflammation advanced, in the lungs of GRK5 KO mice. In contrast to the reduced bacterial loads in GRK5 KO mice following a sublethal dose, at a lethal dose of E. coli, the bacterial burdens remained high in GRK5 KO mice relative to those in WT mice. This occurred in spite of enhanced plasma CXCL1 levels as well as neutrophil recruitment in the KO mice. But the recruited neutrophils (following high-dose infection) exhibited decreased CD11b expression and reduced reactive oxygen species production, suggesting decreased neutrophil activation or increased neutrophil exhaustion in the GRK5 KO mice. In agreement with the increased bacterial burden, KO mice showed poorer survival than WT mice following E. coli infection at a lethal dose. Overall, our data suggest that GRK5 negatively regulates CXCL1/KC levels during bacterial pneumonia but that the role of GRK5 in the clinical outcome in this model is dependent on the bacterial dose. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Statin Treatment and Mortality in Bacterial Infections – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Björkhem-Bergman, Linda; Bergman, Peter; Andersson, Jan; Lindh, Jonatan D.

2010-01-01

Background Several studies have reported improved survival in severe bacterial infections among statin treated patients. In addition, statins have been ascribed beneficial anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of statin-treatment on mortality in patients with bacterial infections, by means of a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Methodology and Principal Findings Studies investigating the association between statin use and mortality in patients with bacterial disease were identified in a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis was performed to calculate the overall odds ratio of mortality in statin users. The literature search identified 947 citations from which 40 relevant studies were extracted. In all, 15 studies comprising 113 910 patients were included in the final analysis. Statin use was associated with a significantly (p<0.0001) reduced mortality in patients suffering from bacterial infections (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.42–0.66). However, all studies included were of observational design and funnel plot analyses indicated influence by a possible publication bias (Egger's bias test p<0.05). When a precision estimate test was used to adjust for publication bias the effect of statin treatment was no longer significant, with an OR of 0.79 (95% CI 0.58–1.07). Conclusion/Significance According to the meta-analysis of observational studies presented here, patients on statin therapy seem to have a better outcome in bacterial infections. However, the association did not reach statistical significance after adjustment for apparent publication bias. Thus, there is a great need for randomised controlled trials investigating the possible beneficial effect of statins in bacterial infections. PMID:20502712

SIV Infection-mediated Changes in Gastrointestinal Bacterial Microbiome and Virome are Associated With Immunodeficiency and Prevented by Vaccination

PubMed Central

Handley, Scott A.; Desai, Chandni; Zhao, Guoyan; Droit, Lindsay; Monaco, Cynthia L.; Schroeder, Andrew C.; Nkolola, Joseph P.; Norman, Megan E.; Miller, Andrew D.; Wang, David; Barouch, Dan H.; Virgin, Herbert W.

2016-01-01

SUMMARY AIDS caused by simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection is associated with gastrointestinal disease, systemic immune activation and, in cross sectional studies, changes in the enteric virome. Here we performed a longitudinal study of a vaccine cohort to define the natural history of changes in the fecal metagenome in SIV-infected monkeys. Matched rhesus macaques were either uninfected or intrarectally challenged with SIV, with a subset receiving the Ad26 vaccine, an adenovirus vector expressing the viral Env/Gag/Pol antigens. Progression of SIV infection to AIDS was associated with increased detection of potentially pathogenic viruses and bacterial enteropathogens. Specifically, adenoviruses were associated with an increased incidence of gastrointestinal disease and AIDS-related mortality. Viral and bacterial enteropathogens were largely absent from animals protected by the vaccine. These data suggest that the SIV-associated gastrointestinal disease is associated with the presence of both viral and bacterial enteropathogens and protection against SIV infection by vaccination prevents enteropathogen emergence. PMID:26962943

Glycosylation-dependent galectin-receptor interactions promote Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

PubMed

Lujan, Agustin L; Croci, Diego O; Gambarte Tudela, Julián A; Losinno, Antonella D; Cagnoni, Alejandro J; Mariño, Karina V; Damiani, María T; Rabinovich, Gabriel A

2018-06-11

Chlamydia trachomatis ( Ct ) constitutes the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterium worldwide. Chlamydial infections can lead to severe clinical sequelae including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal infertility. As an obligate intracellular pathogen, Ct has evolved multiple strategies to promote adhesion and invasion of host cells, including those involving both bacterial and host glycans. Here, we show that galectin-1 (Gal1), an endogenous lectin widely expressed in female and male genital tracts, promotes Ct infection. Through glycosylation-dependent mechanisms involving recognition of bacterial glycoproteins and N -glycosylated host cell receptors, Gal1 enhanced Ct attachment to cervical epithelial cells. Exposure to Gal1, mainly in its dimeric form, facilitated bacterial entry and increased the number of infected cells by favoring Ct - Ct and Ct -host cell interactions. These effects were substantiated in vivo in mice lacking Gal1 or complex β1-6-branched N -glycans. Thus, disrupting Gal1- N -glycan interactions may limit the severity of chlamydial infection by inhibiting bacterial invasion of host cells.

Forecasting ESKAPE infections through a time-varying auto-adaptive algorithm using laboratory-based surveillance data.

PubMed

Ballarin, Antonio; Posteraro, Brunella; Demartis, Giuseppe; Gervasi, Simona; Panzarella, Fabrizio; Torelli, Riccardo; Paroni Sterbini, Francesco; Morandotti, Grazia; Posteraro, Patrizia; Ricciardi, Walter; Gervasi Vidal, Kristian A; Sanguinetti, Maurizio

2014-12-06

Mathematical or statistical tools are capable to provide a valid help to improve surveillance systems for healthcare and non-healthcare-associated bacterial infections. The aim of this work is to evaluate the time-varying auto-adaptive (TVA) algorithm-based use of clinical microbiology laboratory database to forecast medically important drug-resistant bacterial infections. Using TVA algorithm, six distinct time series were modelled, each one representing the number of episodes per single 'ESKAPE' (E nterococcus faecium, S taphylococcus aureus, K lebsiella pneumoniae, A cinetobacter baumannii, P seudomonas aeruginosa and E nterobacter species) infecting pathogen, that had occurred monthly between 2002 and 2011 calendar years at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore general hospital. Monthly moving averaged numbers of observed and forecasted ESKAPE infectious episodes were found to show a complete overlapping of their respective smoothed time series curves. Overall good forecast accuracy was observed, with percentages ranging from 82.14% for E. faecium infections to 90.36% for S. aureus infections. Our approach may regularly provide physicians with forecasted bacterial infection rates to alert them about the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial species, especially when clinical microbiological results of patients' specimens are delayed.

[Urinary catheter biofilm infections].

PubMed

Holá, V; Růzicka, F

2008-04-01

Urinary tract infections, most of which are biofilm infections in catheterized patients, account for more than 40% of hospital infections. Bacterial colonization of the urinary tract and catheters causes not only infection but also other complications such as catheter blockage by bacterial encrustation, urolithiasis and pyelonephritis. About 50% of long-term catheterized patients face urinary flow obstruction due to catheter encrustation, but no measure is currently available to prevent it. Encrustation has been known either to result from metabolic dysfunction or to be of microbial origin, with urease positive bacterial species implicated most often. Infectious calculi account for about 15-20% of all cases of urolithiasis and are often associated with biofilm colonization of a long-term indwelling urinary catheter or urethral stent. The use of closed catheter systems is helpful in reducing such problems; nevertheless, such a system only delays the inevitable, with infections emerging a little later. Various coatings intended to prevent the bacterial adhesion to the surface of catheters and implants and thus also the emergence of biofilm infections, unfortunately, do not inhibit the microbial adhesion completely and permanently and the only reliable method for biofilm eradication remains the removal of the foreign body from the patient.

Metagenomic insights into communities, functions of endophytes, and their associates with infection by root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, in tomato roots.

PubMed

Tian, Bao-Yu; Cao, Yi; Zhang, Ke-Qin

2015-11-25

Endophytes are known to play important roles in plant's health and productivity. In this study, we investigated the root microbiome of tomato in association with infection by root knot nematodes. Our objectives were to observe the effects and response of the bacterial endophytes before nematode attacks and to reveal the functional attributes of microbes in plant health and nematode pathogenesis. Community analysis of root-associated microbiomes in healthy and nematode-infected tomatoes indicated that nematode infections were associated with variation and differentiation of the endophyte and rhizosphere bacterial populations in plant roots. The community of the resident endophytes in tomato root was significantly affected by nemato-pathogenesis. Remarkably, some bacterial groups in the nematode feeding structure, the root gall, were specifically enriched, suggesting an association with nematode pathogenesis. Function-based metagenomic analysis indicated that the enriched bacterial populations in root gall harbored abundant genes related to degradation of plant polysaccharides, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and biological nitrogen fixation. Our data indicated that some of the previously assumed beneficial endophytes or bacterial associates with nematode might be involved in nematode infections of the tomato roots.

Metagenomic insights into communities, functions of endophytes, and their associates with infection by root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, in tomato roots

PubMed Central

Tian, Bao-Yu; Cao, Yi; Zhang, Ke-Qin

2015-01-01

Endophytes are known to play important roles in plant’s health and productivity. In this study, we investigated the root microbiome of tomato in association with infection by root knot nematodes. Our objectives were to observe the effects and response of the bacterial endophytes before nematode attacks and to reveal the functional attributes of microbes in plant health and nematode pathogenesis. Community analysis of root-associated microbiomes in healthy and nematode-infected tomatoes indicated that nematode infections were associated with variation and differentiation of the endophyte and rhizosphere bacterial populations in plant roots. The community of the resident endophytes in tomato root was significantly affected by nemato-pathogenesis. Remarkably, some bacterial groups in the nematode feeding structure, the root gall, were specifically enriched, suggesting an association with nematode pathogenesis. Function-based metagenomic analysis indicated that the enriched bacterial populations in root gall harbored abundant genes related to degradation of plant polysaccharides, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and biological nitrogen fixation. Our data indicated that some of the previously assumed beneficial endophytes or bacterial associates with nematode might be involved in nematode infections of the tomato roots. PMID:26603211

Diagnostic methods for platelet bacteria screening: current status and developments.

PubMed

Störmer, Melanie; Vollmer, Tanja

2014-02-01

Bacterial contamination of blood components and the prevention of transfusion-associated bacterial infection still remains a major challenge in transfusion medicine. Over the past few decades, a significant reduction in the transmission of viral infections has been achieved due to the introduction of mandatory virus screening. Platelet concentrates (PCs) represent one of the highest risks for bacterial infection. This is due to the required storage conditions for PCs in gas-permeable containers at room temperature with constant agitation, which support bacterial proliferation from low contamination levels to high titers. In contrast to virus screening, since 1997 in Germany bacterial testing of PCs is only performed as a routine quality control or, since 2008, to prolong the shelf life to 5 days. In general, bacterial screening of PCs by cultivation methods is implemented by the various blood services. Although these culturing systems will remain the gold standard, the significance of rapid methods for screening for bacterial contamination has increased over the last few years. These new methods provide powerful tools for increasing the bacterial safety of blood components. This article summarizes the course of policies and provisions introduced to increase bacterial safety of blood components in Germany. Furthermore, we give an overview of the different diagnostic methods for bacterial screening of PCs and their current applicability in routine screening processes.

Gene promoter methylation and protein expression of BRMS1 in uterine cervix in relation to high-risk human papilloma virus infection and cancer.

PubMed

Panagopoulou, Maria; Lambropoulou, Maria; Balgkouranidou, Ioanna; Nena, Evangelia; Karaglani, Makrina; Nicolaidou, Christina; Asimaki, Anthi; Konstantinidis, Theocharis; Constantinidis, Theodoros C; Kolios, George; Kakolyris, Stylianos; Agorastos, Theodoros; Chatzaki, Ekaterini

2017-04-01

Cervical cancer is strongly related to certain high-risk types of human papilloma virus infection. Breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1) is a tumor suppressor gene, its expression being regulated by DNA promoter methylation in several types of cancers. This study aims to evaluate the methylation status of BRMS1 promoter in relation to high-risk types of human papilloma virus infection and the development of pre-cancerous lesions and describe the pattern of BRMS1 protein expression in normal, high-risk types of human papilloma virus-infected pre-cancerous and malignant cervical epithelium. We compared the methylation status of BRMS1 in cervical smears of 64 women with no infection by high-risk types of human papilloma virus to 70 women with proven high-risk types of human papilloma virus infection, using real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The expression of BRMS1 protein was described by immunohistochemistry in biopsies from cervical cancer, pre-cancerous lesions, and normal cervices. Methylation of BRMS1 promoter was detected in 37.5% of women with no high-risk types of human papilloma virus infection and was less frequent in smears with high-risk types of human papilloma virus (11.4%) and in women with pathological histology (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) (11.9%). Methylation was detected also in HeLa cervical cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed nuclear BRMS1 protein staining in normal high-risk types of human papilloma virus-free cervix, in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias, and in malignant tissues, where staining was occasionally also cytoplasmic. In cancer, expression was stronger in the more differentiated cancer blasts. In conclusion, BRMS1 promoter methylation and aberrant protein expression seem to be related to high-risk types of human papilloma virus-induced carcinogenesis in uterine cervix and is worthy of further investigation.

Positive Bacteriological Analyses in Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus: Preliminary Results From a Forensic Study.

PubMed

Palmiere, Cristian; Tettamanti, Camilla

2018-06-01

Increased infection susceptibility in the diabetic population is a controversial issue in the clinical field. The greater frequency of infections in diabetic patients has been speculated as caused by the hyperglycemic environment that favors immune dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the proportion of positive bacterial cultures in a series of diabetic individuals who underwent forensic investigations and assess the frequency of hyperglycemia at the time of death in these cases as well as the percentage of diabetics with cause of death due to bacterial infection. Forensic autopsy cases characterized by positive bacterial cultures and pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were included in the study. Initial findings revealed that 12% (7/58 cases) of positive bacterial cultures concerned individuals with a pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Bacterial infection was considered to be the cause of death in 22% (7/31 cases) of diabetics with positive bacterial cultures. Hyperglycemia could be identified in 1 case only at the time of death. These preliminary results highlight the usefulness of systematically performing postmortem bacteriology in the forensic setting to more precisely characterize infectious risk factors in diabetics.

Non-antibiotic treatments for bacterial diseases in an era of progressive antibiotic resistance.

PubMed

Opal, Steven M

2016-12-16

The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) microbial pathogens threatens the very foundation upon which standard antibacterial chemotherapy is based. We must consider non-antibiotic solutions to manage invasive bacterial infections. Transition from antibiotics to non-traditional treatments poses real clinical challenges that will not be easy to solve. Antibiotics will continue to reliably treat some infections (e.g., group A streptococci and Treponema pallidum) but will likely need adjuvant therapies or will need to be replaced for many bacterial infections in the future.

Carbon nanotubes as anti-bacterial agents.

PubMed

Mocan, Teodora; Matea, Cristian T; Pop, Teodora; Mosteanu, Ofelia; Buzoianu, Anca Dana; Suciu, Soimita; Puia, Cosmin; Zdrehus, Claudiu; Iancu, Cornel; Mocan, Lucian

2017-10-01

Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections that have evolved via natural selection have increased alarmingly at a global level. Thus, there is a strong need for the development of novel antibiotics for the treatment of these infections. Functionalized carbon nanotubes through their unique properties hold great promise in the fight against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. This new family of nanovectors for therapeutic delivery proved to be innovative and efficient for the transport and cellular translocation of therapeutic molecules. The current review examines the latest progress in the antibacterial activity of carbon nanotubes and their composites.

Common bacterial skin infections.

PubMed

Trent, J T; Federman, D; Kirsner, R S

2001-08-01

Skin infections account for a significant portion of dermatologic disease, often resulting in or as a consequence of a disruption in the skin's integrity. This article covers the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the more common bacterial infections. The infections presented herein include impetigo, ecthyma, folliculitis, carbuncles/furuncles, cellulitis, toxic shock syndrome, and ecthyma gangrenosum. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment is based on the culture and antibiotic sensitivities of the offending organisms.

Serum, uterine, and vaginal mucosal IgG antibody responses against Tritrichomonas foetus after administration of a commercial killed whole T foetus vaccine in beef cows.

PubMed

Palomares, R A; Hurley, D J; Crum, L T; Rollin, E; Collop, T; Williard, A; Felton, J; Parrish, J; Corbeil, L B

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine the level and duration of IgG antibodies induced against killed whole Tritrichomonas foetus and T foetus-purified surface antigen (TF1.17) in serum, vaginal, and uterine secretions after systemic immunization of beef cows with a vaccine containing killed whole T foetus. Twenty nonpregnant beef cows were randomly assigned to vaccine or control groups as follows: Vaccine (n = 10): cows received 2 mL of a commercial vaccine containing killed whole T foetus subcutaneously and a 2-mL booster 2 weeks later. Control (n = 10): cows received 2 mL of sterile saline on the same schedule. Vaginal secretions and blood samples were collected on Days 0, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 43, 50, 60, 75, 89, 110, 146, and 182 relative to day of primary vaccination. Uterine flush fluid was collected on Days 0, 15, 29, and 43 after the day of primary vaccination. Samples were assayed for IgG antibodies to the killed whole T foetus and surface antigen TF1.17 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum whole T foetus-specific IgG levels were significantly increased (between Days 15 and 182) following vaccination with T foetus or with saline. No differences between vaccinates and controls in uterine responses to whole-cell antigen were detected. Serum anti-TF1.17 IgG responses to vaccination were significantly higher than Day 0 throughout the immunization period (P < 0.001) and were higher than responses in control animals on each day post immunization through Day 146 (P < 0.001). A significant rise in TF1.17-specific IgG levels was observed in vaginal and uterine fluids from Day 15 post vaccination compared to the Day 0 levels. These levels remained significantly elevated in vaginal and uterine fluids through Days 75 (P < 0.05) and 43 (P < 0.001) after primary vaccination, respectively. Antibody levels in serum, vaginal, and uterine secretions against TF1.17 remained low in the control group throughout the study. In conclusion, vaccination of beef cows with a commercial vaccine containing T foetus induced significant increase in the levels of IgG to the T foetus TF1.17 surface antigen in serum, vaginal secretions, and uterine fluid, which remained elevated through Days 43, 75, and 182 in uterine fluids, vaginal secretions, and serum, respectively. Since purified TF1.17 antigen has been shown to protect against experimental T foetus infection in heifers, the vaccine-induced TF1.17-specific IgG response is likely to be important in the prevention of trichomoniasis in beef cattle. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multiplicity of Mathematical Modeling Strategies to Search for Molecular and Cellular Insights into Bacteria Lung Infection

PubMed Central

Cantone, Martina; Santos, Guido; Wentker, Pia; Lai, Xin; Vera, Julio

2017-01-01

Even today two bacterial lung infections, namely pneumonia and tuberculosis, are among the 10 most frequent causes of death worldwide. These infections still lack effective treatments in many developing countries and in immunocompromised populations like infants, elderly people and transplanted patients. The interaction between bacteria and the host is a complex system of interlinked intercellular and the intracellular processes, enriched in regulatory structures like positive and negative feedback loops. Severe pathological condition can emerge when the immune system of the host fails to neutralize the infection. This failure can result in systemic spreading of pathogens or overwhelming immune response followed by a systemic inflammatory response. Mathematical modeling is a promising tool to dissect the complexity underlying pathogenesis of bacterial lung infection at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels, and also at the interfaces among levels. In this article, we introduce mathematical and computational modeling frameworks that can be used for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial lung infection. Then, we compile and discuss published results on the modeling of regulatory pathways and cell populations relevant for lung infection and inflammation. Finally, we discuss how to make use of this multiplicity of modeling approaches to open new avenues in the search of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial infection in the lung. PMID:28912729

Multiplicity of Mathematical Modeling Strategies to Search for Molecular and Cellular Insights into Bacteria Lung Infection.

PubMed

Cantone, Martina; Santos, Guido; Wentker, Pia; Lai, Xin; Vera, Julio

2017-01-01

Even today two bacterial lung infections, namely pneumonia and tuberculosis, are among the 10 most frequent causes of death worldwide. These infections still lack effective treatments in many developing countries and in immunocompromised populations like infants, elderly people and transplanted patients. The interaction between bacteria and the host is a complex system of interlinked intercellular and the intracellular processes, enriched in regulatory structures like positive and negative feedback loops. Severe pathological condition can emerge when the immune system of the host fails to neutralize the infection. This failure can result in systemic spreading of pathogens or overwhelming immune response followed by a systemic inflammatory response. Mathematical modeling is a promising tool to dissect the complexity underlying pathogenesis of bacterial lung infection at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels, and also at the interfaces among levels. In this article, we introduce mathematical and computational modeling frameworks that can be used for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial lung infection. Then, we compile and discuss published results on the modeling of regulatory pathways and cell populations relevant for lung infection and inflammation. Finally, we discuss how to make use of this multiplicity of modeling approaches to open new avenues in the search of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial infection in the lung.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-04-15

Data shows that elevated sialidase in bacterial vaginosis patients correlates to premature births in women. Bacterial sialidase also plays a significant role in the unusual colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients. Crystals of Salmonella sialidase have been reproduced and are used for studying the inhibitor-enzyme complexes. These inhibitors may also be used to inhibit a trans-sialidase of Trypanosome cruzi, a very similar enzyme to bacterial sialidase, therefore preventing T. cruzi infection, the causitive agent of Chagas' disease. The Center for Macromolecular Crystallography suggests that inhibitors of bacterial sialidases can be used as prophylactic drugs to prevent bacterial infections in these critical cases.

The Impact of Human Papilloma Viruses, Matrix Metallo-Proteinases and HIV Protease Inhibitors on the Onset and Progression of Uterine Cervix Epithelial Tumors: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

PubMed Central

Barillari, Giovanni; Monini, Paolo

2018-01-01

Infection of uterine cervix epithelial cells by the Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) is associated with the development of dysplastic/hyperplastic lesions, termed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). CIN lesions may regress, persist or progress to invasive cervical carcinoma (CC), a leading cause of death worldwide. CIN is particularly frequent and aggressive in women infected by both HPV and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), as compared to the general female population. In these individuals, however, therapeutic regimens employing HIV protease inhibitors (HIV-PI) have reduced CIN incidence and/or clinical progression, shedding light on the mechanism(s) of its development. This article reviews published work concerning: (i) the role of HPV proteins (including HPV-E5, E6 and E7) and of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) in CIN evolution into invasive CC; and (ii) the effect of HIV-PI on events leading to CIN progression such as basement membrane and extracellular matrix invasion by HPV-positive CIN cells and the formation of new blood vessels. Results from the reviewed literature indicate that CIN clinical progression can be monitored by evaluating the expression of MMPs and HPV proteins and they suggest the use of HIV-PI or their derivatives for the block of CIN evolution into CC in both HIV-infected and uninfected women. PMID:29747434

21 CFR 520.390a - Chloramphenicol tablets.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...; and 1-g tablets; (ii) [Reserved] (c) Conditions of use in dogs—(1) Amount. Administer 25 mg per pound... bacterial gastroenteritis associated with bacterial diarrhea, bacterial pulmonary infections, and bacterial...

21 CFR 520.390a - Chloramphenicol tablets.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...; and 1-g tablets; (ii) [Reserved] (c) Conditions of use in dogs(1) Amount. Administer 25 mg per pound... bacterial gastroenteritis associated with bacterial diarrhea, bacterial pulmonary infections, and bacterial...

21 CFR 520.390a - Chloramphenicol tablets.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...; and 1-g tablets; (ii) [Reserved] (c) Conditions of use in dogs—(1) Amount. Administer 25 mg per pound... bacterial gastroenteritis associated with bacterial diarrhea, bacterial pulmonary infections, and bacterial...

A comparative study of the effects of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens upon boar semen preserved in liquid storage.

PubMed

Pinart, Elisabeth; Domènech, Esther; Bussalleu, Eva; Yeste, Marc; Bonet, Sergi

2017-02-01

The present study compares the sperm quality of boar seminal doses artificially inoculated with Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens, and maintained in liquid storage at 15°C for a 9-day period. Seminal doses from 10 sexually mature Piétrain boars were diluted in a Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS)-based extender and infected either with E. coli or C. perfringens, with bacterial loads ranging from 10 1 to 10 7 cfumL -1 . During storage, the changes in sperm quality were determined by assessing pH, sperm viability, sperm motiliy, sperm morphology, sperm agglutination degree, and sperm-bacteria interaction. The infection of seminal doses led to an alkalinization of the medium, which was of higher extend in doses infected with C. perfringens. The effect of contamination on sperm viability and motility relied on bacterial type and load. Therefore, while E. coli was more harmful than C. perfringens in bacterial loads ranging from 10 1 to 10 6 cfumL -1 , the detrimental impact of C. perfringens was more apparent than that of E. coli at a bacterial load of 10 7 cfumL -1 . Despite sperm morphology not being affected by either bacterial type or load, sperm agglutination and sperm-bacteria interaction were characteristic of doses infected with E. coli, and increased concomintantly with bacterial load and along storage period. In conclusion, the effects of infection by E. coli on sperm quality were dependent of both bacterial load and storage period, whereas the effects of C. perfringens were mainly dependent on the bacterial load, with a threshold at 10 7 cfumL -1 from which the sperm quality of seminal doses was greatly impaired. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acute sleep deprivation enhances post-infection sleep and promotes survival during bacterial infection in Drosophila.

PubMed

Kuo, Tzu-Hsing; Williams, Julie A

2014-05-01

Sleep is known to increase as an acute response to infection. However, the function of this behavioral response in host defense is not well understood. To address this problem, we evaluated the effect of acute sleep deprivation on post-infection sleep and immune function in Drosophila. Laboratory. Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were subjected to sleep deprivation before (early DEP) or after (late DEP) bacterial infection. Relative to a non-deprived control, flies subjected to early DEP had enhanced sleep after infection as well as increased bacterial clearance and survival outcome. Flies subjected to late DEP experienced enhanced sleep following the deprivation period, and showed a modest improvement in survival outcome. Continuous DEP (early and late DEP) throughout infection also enhanced sleep later during infection and improved survival. However, improved survival in flies subjected to late or continuous DEP did not occur until after flies had experienced sleep. During infection, both early and late DEP enhanced NFκB transcriptional activity as measured by a luciferase reporter (κB-luc) in living flies. Early DEP also increased NFκB activity prior to infection. Flies that were deficient in expression of either the Relish or Dif NFκB transcription factors showed normal responses to early DEP. However, the effect of early DEP on post-infection sleep and survival was abolished in double mutants, which indicates that Relish and Dif have redundant roles in this process. Acute sleep deprivation elevated NFκB-dependent activity, increased post-infection sleep, and improved survival during bacterial infection.

Bacterial Infections Change Natural History of Cirrhosis Irrespective of Liver Disease Severity.

PubMed

Dionigi, Elena; Garcovich, Matteo; Borzio, Mauro; Leandro, Gioacchino; Majumdar, Avik; Tsami, Aikaterini; Arvaniti, Vasiliki; Roccarina, Davide; Pinzani, Massimo; Burroughs, Andrew K; O'Beirne, James; Tsochatzis, Emmanuel A

2017-04-01

We assessed the prognostic significance of infections in relation to current prognostic scores and explored if infection could be considered per se a distinct clinical stage in the natural history of cirrhosis. We included consecutive patients with cirrhosis admitted to a tertiary referral liver unit for at least 48 h over a 2-year period. Diagnosis of infection was based on positive cultures or strict established criteria. We used competing risk analysis and propensity score matching for data analysis. 501 patients (63% male, 48% alcoholic liver disease, median Model of End-stage Liver Disease (MELD)=17) underwent 781 admissions over the study period. Portal hypertensive bleeding and complicated ascites were the commonest reasons of admission. The incidence of proven bacterial infection was 25.6% (60% community acquired and 40% nosocomial). Survival rates at 3, 6, 12, and 30 months were 83%, 77%, 71%, and 62% in patients without diagnosis of infection, vs. 50%, 46%, 41%, and 34% in patients with diagnosis of infection. Overall survival was independently associated with MELD score (hazards ratio (HR) 1.099), intensive care (ITU) stay (HR 1.967) and bacterial infection (HR 2.226). Bacterial infection was an independent predictor of survival even when patients who died within the first 30 days were excluded from the analysis in Cox regression (HR 2.013) and competing risk Cox models in all patients (HR 1.46) and propensity risk score-matched infected and non-infected patients (HR 1.67). Infection most likely represents a distinct prognostic stage of cirrhosis, which affects survival irrespective of disease severity, even after recovery from the infective episode.

Restraining reactive oxygen species in Listeria monocytogenes promotes the apoptosis of glial cells.

PubMed

Li, Sen; Li, Yixuan; Chen, Guowei; Zhang, Jingchen; Xu, Fei; Wu, Man

2017-07-01

Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative anaerobic foodborne pathogen that can traverse the blood-brain barrier and cause brain infection. L. monocytogenes infection induces host cell apoptosis in several cell types. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis of human glioma cell line U251 invaded by L. monocytogenes and evaluated the function of bacterial reactive oxygen species (ROS) during infection. Bacterial ROS level was reduced by carrying out treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI). After infection, the apoptosis of U251 cells was examined by flow cytometry assay and propidium iodide staining. DPI and NAC efficiently decreased ROS level in L. monocytogenes without affecting bacterial growth. Moreover, the apoptosis of glial cells was enhanced upon invasion of DPI- and NAC-pretreated L. monocytogenes. Results indicate that the apoptosis of glial cells can be induced by L. monocytogenes, and that the inhibition of bacterial ROS increases the apoptosis of host cells.

Management of Respiratory Infections with Use of Procalcitonin: Moving toward More Personalized Antibiotic Treatment Decisions.

PubMed

Wirz, Yannick; Branche, Angela; Wolff, Michel; Welte, Tobias; Nobre, Vandack; Reinhart, Konrad; Falsey, Ann R; Damas, Pierre; Beishuizen, Albertus; Deliberato, Rodrigo O; Shehabi, Yahya; Jensen, Jens-Ulrik S; Mueller, Beat; Schuetz, Philipp

2017-12-08

Due to overlap of clinical findings and low sensitivity of bacterial diagnostic tests, differentiation between bacterial and viral respiratory tract infections remains challenging, ultimately leading to antibiotic overuse in this population of patients. Addition of procalcitonin, a blood biomarker expressed by epithelial cells in response to bacterial infections, to the clinical assessment leads to a reduction in inappropriate antibiotic initiation. Procalcitonin also provides prognostic information about the resolution of illness, and significant decreases over time are a strong signal for the discontinuation of antibiotics. Current evidence from randomized trials indicates that procalcitonin-guided antibiotic stewardship results in a reduction in antibiotic use and antibiotic side effects, which importantly translates into improved survival of patients with respiratory infections. Inclusion of procalcitonin into antibiotic stewardship algorithms thus improves the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients presenting with respiratory illnesses and holds great promise to mitigate the global bacterial resistance crisis.

Detection of Mixed Infection from Bacterial Whole Genome Sequence Data Allows Assessment of Its Role in Clostridium difficile Transmission

PubMed Central

Eyre, David W.; Cule, Madeleine L.; Griffiths, David; Crook, Derrick W.; Peto, Tim E. A.

2013-01-01

Bacterial whole genome sequencing offers the prospect of rapid and high precision investigation of infectious disease outbreaks. Close genetic relationships between microorganisms isolated from different infected cases suggest transmission is a strong possibility, whereas transmission between cases with genetically distinct bacterial isolates can be excluded. However, undetected mixed infections—infection with ≥2 unrelated strains of the same species where only one is sequenced—potentially impairs exclusion of transmission with certainty, and may therefore limit the utility of this technique. We investigated the problem by developing a computationally efficient method for detecting mixed infection without the need for resource-intensive independent sequencing of multiple bacterial colonies. Given the relatively low density of single nucleotide polymorphisms within bacterial sequence data, direct reconstruction of mixed infection haplotypes from current short-read sequence data is not consistently possible. We therefore use a two-step maximum likelihood-based approach, assuming each sample contains up to two infecting strains. We jointly estimate the proportion of the infection arising from the dominant and minor strains, and the sequence divergence between these strains. In cases where mixed infection is confirmed, the dominant and minor haplotypes are then matched to a database of previously sequenced local isolates. We demonstrate the performance of our algorithm with in silico and in vitro mixed infection experiments, and apply it to transmission of an important healthcare-associated pathogen, Clostridium difficile. Using hospital ward movement data in a previously described stochastic transmission model, 15 pairs of cases enriched for likely transmission events associated with mixed infection were selected. Our method identified four previously undetected mixed infections, and a previously undetected transmission event, but no direct transmission between the pairs of cases under investigation. These results demonstrate that mixed infections can be detected without additional sequencing effort, and this will be important in assessing the extent of cryptic transmission in our hospitals. PMID:23658511

Chemical Countermeasures for Antibiotic Resistance

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-01

INTRODUCTION: New approaches are required to control multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections in military medical facilities, as injured...Warfighters are highly susceptible to such infections . MDR bacterial infections can cause sepsis, cellulitis and skin abscesses, pneumonia, toxic shock...syndrome, osteomyelitis, and endocarditis among other symptoms. Serious cases result in organ failure (especially kidney), loss of limbs (via amputation

Bacterial infections in HIV-infected children admitted with severe acute malnutrition in Durban, South Africa.

PubMed

Archary, Moherndran; Adler, Hugh; La Russa, Philip; Mahabeer, Prasha; Bobat, Raziya A

2017-02-01

Bacterial infections in HIV-infected children admitted with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) contribute to higher mortality and poorer outcomes. This study describes the spectrum of bacterial infections in antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve, HIV-infected children admitted with SAM. Between July 2012 and February 2015, 82 children were prospectively enrolled in the King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban. Specimens obtained on and during admission for microbiological evaluation, if clinically indicated, included blood, urine (obtained by catheterisation or suprapubic aspiration), induced sputum and cerebrospinal fluid. All positive bacterial cultures between admission and 30 days after enrollment were documented and characterised into samples taken either within 2 days of admission (infections on admission) or within 2-30 days of admission (hospital-acquired infections, HAIs). On admission, 67% of patients had abnormal white blood cell counts (WBCC) (>12 or <4 × 10 9 /L) and 70% had elevated CRP; 65% were classified as severely immunosuppressed according to the WHO immunological classification. 1 A pathogen was isolated on the admission blood culture in four patients (6%) and in 27% of urine specimens. HAIs were predominately Gram-negative (39/43), and 39.5% were extended-spectrum β-lactamase-positive. Mortality was not significantly associated with isolation of a bacterial pathogen. Routine pre-hospital administration of antibiotics as per the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines may be responsible for the low rates of positive admission blood cultures. HAIs with drug-resistant Gram-negative organisms are an area of concern and strategies to improve the prevention of HAIs in this vulnerable population are urgently needed.

Bacterial adherence in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection: a review.

PubMed

Reid, G; Sobel, J D

1987-01-01

Bacterial adherence to the uroepithelium is recognized as an important mechanism in the initiation and pathogenesis of urinary tract infections (UTI). The uropathogens originate predominantly in the intestinal tract and initially colonize the periurethral region and ascend into the bladder, resulting in symptomatic or asymptomatic bacteriuria. Thereafter, depending on host factors and bacterial virulence factors, the organisms may further ascend and give rise to pyelonephritis. Uropathogens are selected by the presence of virulence characteristics that enable them to resist the normally efficient host defense mechanisms. Considerable progress has been made in identifying bacterial adhesins and in demonstrating bacterial receptor sites on uroepithelial surfaces. Recent studies have identified natural anti-adherence mechanisms in humans as well as possible increased susceptibility to UTI when these mechanisms are defective and when receptor density on uroepithelial cells is altered. Knowledge of bacterial adherence mechanisms may permit alternative methods of prevention and management of urinary infection, including the use of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics, vaccine development, nonimmune inhibition of bacterial adhesins and receptor sites, and the use of autochthonous flora, such as lactobacilli, to exclude uropathogens from colonizing the urinary tract.

Macrophage-expressed perforins mpeg1 and mpeg1.2 have an anti-bacterial function in zebrafish.

PubMed

Benard, Erica L; Racz, Peter I; Rougeot, Julien; Nezhinsky, Alexander E; Verbeek, Fons J; Spaink, Herman P; Meijer, Annemarie H

2015-01-01

Macrophage-expressed gene 1 (MPEG1) encodes an evolutionarily conserved protein with a predicted membrane attack complex/perforin domain associated with host defence against invading pathogens. In vertebrates, MPEG1/perforin-2 is an integral membrane protein of macrophages, suspected to be involved in the killing of intracellular bacteria by pore-forming activity. Zebrafish have 3 copies of MPEG1; 2 are expressed in macrophages, whereas the third could be a pseudogene. The mpeg1 and mpeg1.2 genes show differential regulation during infection of zebrafish embryos with the bacterial pathogens Mycobacterium marinum and Salmonella typhimurium. While mpeg1 is downregulated during infection with both pathogens, mpeg1.2 is infection inducible. Upregulation of mpeg1.2 is partially dependent on the presence of functional Mpeg1 and requires the Toll-like receptor adaptor molecule MyD88 and the transcription factor NFκB. Knockdown of mpeg1 alters the immune response to M. marinum infection and results in an increased bacterial burden. In Salmonella typhimurium infection, both mpeg1 and mpeg1.2 knockdown increase the bacterial burdens, but mpeg1 morphants show increased survival times. The combined results of these two in vivo infection models support the anti-bacterial function of the MPEG1/perforin-2 family and indicate that the intricate cross-regulation of the two mpeg1 copies aids the zebrafish host in combatting infection of various pathogens. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Alkaline Phosphatase Protects Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Early Pregnancy Defects in Mice

PubMed Central

Lei, Wei; Ni, Hua; Herington, Jennifer; Reese, Jeff; Paria, Bibhash C.

2015-01-01

Excessive cytokine inflammatory response due to chronic or superphysiological level of microbial infection during pregnancy leads to pregnancy complications such as early pregnancy defects/loss and preterm birth. Bacterial toxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), long recognized as a potent proinflammatory mediator, has been identified as a risk factor for pregnancy complications. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) isozymes have been shown to detoxify LPS by dephosphorylation. In this study, we examined the role of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in mitigating LPS-induced early pregnancy complications in mice. We found that 1) the uterus prior to implantation and implantation sites following embryo implantation produce LPS recognition and dephosphorylation molecules TLR4 and tissue non-specific AP (TNAP) isozyme, respectively; 2) uterine TNAP isozyme dephosphorylates LPS at its sites of production; 3) while LPS administration following embryo implantation elicits proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels at the embryo implantation sites (EISs) and causes early pregnancy loss, dephosphorylated LPS neither triggers proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels at the EISs nor induces pregnancy complications; 4) AP isozyme supplementation to accelerate LPS detoxification attenuates LPS-induced pregnancy complications following embryo implantation. These findings suggest that a LPS dephosphorylation strategy using AP isozyme may have a unique therapeutic potential to mitigate LPS- or Gram-negative bacteria-induced pregnancy complications in at-risk women. PMID:25910276

Alkaline phosphatase protects lipopolysaccharide-induced early pregnancy defects in mice.

PubMed

Lei, Wei; Ni, Hua; Herington, Jennifer; Reese, Jeff; Paria, Bibhash C

2015-01-01

Excessive cytokine inflammatory response due to chronic or superphysiological level of microbial infection during pregnancy leads to pregnancy complications such as early pregnancy defects/loss and preterm birth. Bacterial toxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), long recognized as a potent proinflammatory mediator, has been identified as a risk factor for pregnancy complications. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) isozymes have been shown to detoxify LPS by dephosphorylation. In this study, we examined the role of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in mitigating LPS-induced early pregnancy complications in mice. We found that 1) the uterus prior to implantation and implantation sites following embryo implantation produce LPS recognition and dephosphorylation molecules TLR4 and tissue non-specific AP (TNAP) isozyme, respectively; 2) uterine TNAP isozyme dephosphorylates LPS at its sites of production; 3) while LPS administration following embryo implantation elicits proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels at the embryo implantation sites (EISs) and causes early pregnancy loss, dephosphorylated LPS neither triggers proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels at the EISs nor induces pregnancy complications; 4) AP isozyme supplementation to accelerate LPS detoxification attenuates LPS-induced pregnancy complications following embryo implantation. These findings suggest that a LPS dephosphorylation strategy using AP isozyme may have a unique therapeutic potential to mitigate LPS- or Gram-negative bacteria-induced pregnancy complications in at-risk women.

Virulence of invasive Salmonella Typhimurium ST313 in animal models of infection.

PubMed

Ramachandran, Girish; Panda, Aruna; Higginson, Ellen E; Ateh, Eugene; Lipsky, Michael M; Sen, Sunil; Matson, Courtney A; Permala-Booth, Jasnehta; DeTolla, Louis J; Tennant, Sharon M

2017-08-01

Salmonella Typhimurium sequence type (ST) 313 produces septicemia in infants in sub-Saharan Africa. Although there are known genetic and phenotypic differences between ST313 strains and gastroenteritis-associated ST19 strains, conflicting data about the in vivo virulence of ST313 strains have been reported. To resolve these differences, we tested clinical Salmonella Typhimurium ST313 and ST19 strains in murine and rhesus macaque infection models. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) was determined for three Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 and ST313 strains in mice. For dissemination studies, bacterial burden in organs was determined at various time-points post-challenge. Indian rhesus macaques were infected with one ST19 and one ST313 strain. Animals were monitored for clinical signs and bacterial burden and pathology were determined. The LD50 values for ST19 and ST313 infected mice were not significantly different. However, ST313-infected BALB/c mice had significantly higher bacterial numbers in blood at 24 h than ST19-infected mice. ST19-infected rhesus macaques exhibited moderate-to-severe diarrhea while ST313-infected monkeys showed no-to-mild diarrhea. ST19-infected monkeys had higher bacterial burden and increased inflammation in tissues. Our data suggest that Salmonella Typhimurium ST313 invasiveness may be investigated using mice. The non-human primate results are consistent with clinical data, suggesting that ST313 strains do not cause diarrhea.

Development of a Hybrid Tracer for SPECT and Optical Imaging of Bacterial Infections.

PubMed

Welling, Mick M; Bunschoten, Anton; Kuil, Joeri; Nelissen, Rob G H H; Beekman, Freek J; Buckle, Tessa; van Leeuwen, Fijs W B

2015-05-20

In trauma and orthopedic surgery, infection of implants has a major impact on the outcome for patients. Infections may develop either during the initial implantation or during the lifetime of an implant. Both infections, as well as aseptic loosening of the implant, are reasons for revision of the implants. Therefore, discrimination between aseptic-mechanical-loosening and septic-bacterial-loosening of implants is critical during selection of a patient-tailored treatment policy. Specific detection and visualization of infections is a challenge because it is difficult to discriminate infections from inflammation. An imaging tracer that facilitates bacterial identification in a pre- and intraoperative setting may aid the workup for patients suspicious of bacterial infections. In this study we evaluated an antimicrobial peptide conjugated to a hybrid label, which contains both a radioisotope and a fluorescent dye. After synthesis of DTPA-Cy5-UBI29-41 and-when necessary-radiolabeling with (111)In (yield 96.3 ± 2.7%), in vitro binding to various bacterial strains was evaluated using radioactivity counting and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Intramuscular bacterial infections (S. aureus or K. pneumoniae) were also visualized in vivo using a combined nuclear and fluorescence imaging system. The indium-111 was chosen as label as it has a well-defined coordination chemistry, and in pilot studies labeling DTPA-Cy5-UBI29-41 with technetium-99m, we encountered damage to the Cy5 dye after the reduction with SnCl2. As a reference, we used the validated tracer (99m)Tc-UBI29-41. Fast renal excretion of (111)In-DTPA-Cy5-UBI29-41 was observed. Target to nontarget (T/NT) ratios were highest at 2 h post injection: radioactivity counting yielded T/NT ratios of 2.82 ± 0.32 for S. aureus and 2.37 ± 0.05 for K. pneumoniae. Comparable T/NT ratios with fluorescence imaging of 2.38 ± 0.09 for S. aureus and 3.55 ± 0.31 for K. pneumoniae were calculated. Ex vivo confocal microscopy of excised infected tissues showed specific binding of the tracer to bacteria. Using a combination of nuclear and fluorescence imaging techniques, the hybrid antimicrobial peptide conjugate DTPA-Cy5-UBI29-41 was shown to specifically accumulate in bacterial infections. This hybrid tracer may facilitate integration of noninvasive identification of infections and their extent as well as real-time fluorescence guidance during surgical resection of infected areas.

Demonstration of bacterial biofilms in culture-negative silicone stent and jones tube.

PubMed

Parsa, Kami; Schaudinn, Christoph; Gorur, Amita; Sedghizadeh, Parish P; Johnson, Thomas; Tse, David T; Costerton, John W

2010-01-01

To demonstrate the presence of bacterial biofilms on a dacryocystorhinostomy silicone stent and a Jones tube. One dacryocystorhinostomy silicone stent and one Jones tube were removed from 2 patients who presented with an infection of their respective nasolacrimal system. Cultures were obtained, and the implants were processed for scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy, advanced microscopic methods that are applicable for detection of uncultivable biofilm organisms. Routine bacterial cultures revealed no growth, but bacterial biofilms on outer and inner surfaces of both implants were confirmed by advanced microscopic techniques. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first article that documents the presence of biofilms on a Crawford stent or a Jones tube on patients who presented with infections involving the nasolacrimal system. Although initial cultures revealed absence of any bacterial growth, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy documented bacterial colonization. Clinicians should consider the role of biofilms and the limitation of our standard culturing techniques while treating patients with device- or implant-related infections.

Procalcitonin Identifies Cell Injury, Not Bacterial Infection, in Acute Liver Failure.

PubMed

Rule, Jody A; Hynan, Linda S; Attar, Nahid; Sanders, Corron; Korzun, William J; Lee, William M

2015-01-01

Because acute liver failure (ALF) patients share many clinical features with severe sepsis and septic shock, identifying bacterial infection clinically in ALF patients is challenging. Procalcitonin (PCT) has proven to be a useful marker in detecting bacterial infection. We sought to determine whether PCT discriminated between presence and absence of infection in patients with ALF. Retrospective analysis of data and samples of 115 ALF patients from the United States Acute Liver Failure Study Group randomly selected from 1863 patients were classified for disease severity and ALF etiology. Twenty uninfected chronic liver disease (CLD) subjects served as controls. Procalcitonin concentrations in most samples were elevated, with median values for all ALF groups near or above a 2.0 ng/mL cut-off that generally indicates severe sepsis. While PCT concentrations increased somewhat with apparent liver injury severity, there were no differences in PCT levels between the pre-defined severity groups-non-SIRS and SIRS groups with no documented infections and Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock groups with documented infections, (p = 0.169). PCT values from CLD patients differed from all ALF groups (median CLD PCT value 0.104 ng/mL, (p ≤0.001)). Subjects with acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity, many without evidence of infection, demonstrated median PCT >2.0 ng/mL, regardless of SIRS features, while some culture positive subjects had PCT values <2.0 ng/mL. While PCT appears to be a robust assay for detecting bacterial infection in the general population, there was poor discrimination between ALF patients with or without bacterial infection presumably because of the massive inflammation observed. Severe hepatocyte necrosis with inflammation results in elevated PCT levels, rendering this biomarker unreliable in the ALF setting.

Amide side chain amphiphilic polymers disrupt surface established bacterial bio-films and protect mice from chronic Acinetobacter baumannii infection.

PubMed

Uppu, Divakara S S M; Samaddar, Sandip; Ghosh, Chandradhish; Paramanandham, Krishnamoorthy; Shome, Bibek R; Haldar, Jayanta

2016-01-01

Bacterial biofilms represent the root-cause of chronic or persistent infections in humans. Gram-negative bacterial infections due to nosocomial and opportunistic pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii are more difficult to treat because of their inherent and rapidly acquiring resistance to antibiotics. Due to biofilm formation, A. baumannii has been noted for its apparent ability to survive on artificial surfaces for an extended period of time, therefore allowing it to persist in the hospital environment. Here we report, maleic anhydride based novel cationic polymers appended with amide side chains that disrupt surface established multi-drug resistant A. baumannii biofilms. More importantly, these polymers significantly (p < 0.0001) decrease the bacterial burden in mice with chronic A. baumannii burn wound infection. The polymers also show potent antibacterial efficacy against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) and multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of A. baumannii with minimal toxicity to mammalian cells. We observe that optimal hydrophobicity dependent on the side chain chemical structure of these polymers dictate the selective toxicity to bacteria. Polymers interact with the bacterial cell membranes by causing membrane depolarization, permeabilization and energy depletion. Bacteria develop rapid resistance to erythromycin and colistin whereas no detectable development of resistance occurs against these polymers even after several passages. These results suggest the potential use of these polymeric biomaterials in disinfecting biomedical device surfaces after the infection has become established and also for the topical treatment of chronic bacterial infections. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

ACUTE LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTION IN GUARANI INDIGENOUS CHILDREN, BRAZIL.

PubMed

Souza, Patricia Gomes de; Cardoso, Andrey Moreira; Sant'Anna, Clemax Couto; March, Maria de Fátima Bazhuni Pombo

2018-03-29

To describe the clinical profile and treatment of Brazilian Guarani indigenous children aged less than five years hospitalized for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), living in villages in the states from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul. Of the 234 children, 23 were excluded (incomplete data). The analysis was conducted in 211 children. Data were extracted from charts by a form. Based on record of wheezing and x-ray findings, ALRI was classified as bacterial, viral and viral-bacterial. A bivariate analysis was conducted using multinomial regression. Median age was 11 months. From the total sample, the ALRI cases were classified as viral (40.8%), bacterial (35.1%) and viral-bacterial (24.1%). It was verified that 53.1% of hospitalizations did not have clinical-radiological-laboratorial evidence to justify them. In the multinomial regression analysis, the comparison of bacterial and viral-bacterial showed the likelihood of having a cough was 3.1 times higher in the former (95%CI 1.11-8.70), whereas having chest retractions was 61.0% lower (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.16-0.92). Comparing viral with viral-bacterial, the likelihood of being male was 2.2 times higher in the viral (95%CI 1.05-4.69), and of having tachypnea 58.0% lower (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.19-0.92). Higher proportion of viral processes was identified, as well as viral-bacterial co-infections. Coughing was a symptom indicative of bacterial infection, whereas chest retractions and tachypnea showed viral-bacterial ALRI. Part of the resolution of non-severe ALRI still occurs at hospital level; therefore, we concluded that health services need to implement their programs in order to improve indigenous primary care.

Risk of bacterial cross infection associated with inspiration through flow-based spirometers.

PubMed

Bracci, Massimo; Strafella, Elisabetta; Croce, Nicola; Staffolani, Sara; Carducci, Annalaura; Verani, Marco; Valentino, Matteo; Santarelli, Lory

2011-02-01

Bacterial contamination of spirometers has been documented in water-sealed devices, mouthpieces, and connection tubes. Little information is available about bacterial contamination of flow-based apparatuses such as turbine-type spirometers and pneumotachographs. Inspiration through contaminated equipment is a potential source of cross infection. To investigate bacteria mobilization (ie, bacteria detachment and aerosolization from the instrument) during routine spirometric testing, 2 types of flow-based spirometers were used. Bacteria mobilization during artificial inspiration through in-line filters or cardboard mouthpieces was evaluated. Nine hundred workers undergoing periodic spirometric testing were enrolled at the occupational physician office in 30 sessions of 30 subjects each. The participants were asked to perform a forced vital capacity test in a turbine-type spirometer and in an unheated pneumotachograph fitted with disposable in-line filters or cardboard mouthpieces. To evaluate bacterial mobilization, an artificial inspiration was performed and bacterial growth determined. The bacterial growth analysis was assessed after the first and the thirtieth spirometric tests of each session without disinfecting the instruments between tests. In addition, instrument bacterial contamination was evaluated. No significant bacterial mobilization and instrument contamination were found in spirometric tests executed with in-line filters. Conversely, a significant bacterial mobilization and instrument contamination were observed in tests performed with cardboard mouthpieces. Differences between the 2 spirometers were not significant. In-line filters may effectively reduce the risk of bacterial cross infection. Inspiration through flow-based spirometers fitted with disposable cardboard mouthpieces is completely safe when combined with spirometer disinfection/sterilization between subjects. Copyright © 2011 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Molecular identification and antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated from primary dentition infections.

PubMed

Loyola-Rodriguez, J P; Garcia-Cortes, J O; Martinez-Martinez, R E; Patiño-Marin, N; Martinez-Castañon, G A; Zavala-Alonso, N V; Amano, A

2014-12-01

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a health problem in many parts of the world. The aim of this study was to identify bacteria from dental infections and determine bacterial resistance to antibiotics used in dental care in the primary dentition. This cross-sectional study comprised 60 children who presented for dental treatment for active dental infections in the primary dentition. Samples from dental infections were collected and bacteria were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics was determined by colony forming units on agar plates containing amoxicillin, clindamycin and amoxillicin-clavulanic acid (A-CA) tested at 8 μg/ml or 16 μg/ml. Clindamycin in both concentrations tested (8 μg/ml and 16 μg/ml) showed the highest bacterial resistance (85.9%), followed by amoxicillin (43.7%) and A-CA (12.0%). All comparisons among the three antibiotics used in the study exhibited statistical significance (p = <0.05) in both concentrations tested (8 μg/ml and 16 μg/ml), and under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The most prevalent resistant species identified by PCR in primary dentition infections were: Streptococcus oralis and Prevotella intermedia (75.0%); Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis (48.3%); Streptococcus mutans (45.0%); Campylobacter rectus; and Streptococcus salivarius (40%). This study demonstrated that A-CA exhibited the lowest bacterial resistance for clinical isolates in primary dentition infections. © 2014 Australian Dental Association.

Sequential colonization of periodontal pathogens in induction of periodontal disease and atherosclerosis in LDLRnull mice.

PubMed

Chukkapalli, Sasanka S; Easwaran, Meena; Rivera-Kweh, Mercedes F; Velsko, Irina M; Ambadapadi, Sriram; Dai, Jiayin; Larjava, Hannu; Lucas, Alexandra R; Kesavalu, Lakshmyya

2017-01-01

Periodontal disease (PD) and atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) are both chronic inflammatory diseases with a polymicrobial etiology and have been epidemiologically associated. The purpose is to examine whether periodontal bacteria that infect the periodontium can also infect vascular tissues and enhance pre-existing early aortic atherosclerotic lesions in LDLRnull mice. Mice were orally infected with intermediate bacterial colonizer Fusobacterium nucleatum for the first 12 weeks followed by late bacterial colonizers (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia) for the remaining 12 weeks mimicking the human oral microbiota ecological colonization. Genomic DNA from all four bacterial was detected in gingival plaque by PCR, consistently demonstrating infection of mouse gingival surfaces. Infected mice had significant levels of IgG and IgM antibodies, alveolar bone resorption, and showed apical migration of junctional epithelium revealing the induction of PD. These results support the ability of oral bacteria to cause PD in mice. Detection of bacterial genomic DNA in systemic organs indicates hematogenous dissemination from the gingival pockets. Bacterial infection did not alter serum lipid fractions or serum amyloid A levels and did not induce aortic atherosclerotic plaque. This is the first study examining the causal role of periodontal bacteria in induction of ASVD in LDLRnull mice. © FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Sortase A Inhibitors: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives.

PubMed

Cascioferro, Stella; Raffa, Demetrio; Maggio, Benedetta; Raimondi, Maria Valeria; Schillaci, Domenico; Daidone, Giuseppe

2015-12-10

Here, we describe the most promising small synthetic organic compounds that act as potent Sortase A inhibitors and cater the potential to be developed as antivirulence drugs. Sortase A is a polypeptide of 206 amino acids, which catalyzes two sequential reactions: (i) thioesterification and (ii) transpeptidation. Sortase A is involved in the process of bacterial adhesion by anchoring LPXTG-containing proteins to lipid II. Sortase A inhibitors do not affect bacterial growth, but they restrain the virulence of pathogenic bacterial strains, thereby preventing infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus or other Gram-positive bacteria. The efficacy of the most promising inhibitors needs to be comprehensively evaluated in in vivo models of infection, in order to select compounds eligible for the treatment of bacterial infections in humans.

[Combination therapy of chronic bacterial prostatitis].

PubMed

Khryanin, A A; Reshetnikov, O V

2016-08-01

The article discusses the possible etiological factors in the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis. The authors presented a comparative long-term analysis of morbidity from non-viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Russia. Against the background of general decline in STIs incidence, a significant percentage of them is made up by urogenital trichomoniasis. The findings substantiated the advantages of combination therapy (ornidazole and ofloxacin) for bacterial urinary tract infections.

Modeling Intraocular Bacterial Infections

PubMed Central

Astley, Roger A.; Coburn, Phillip S.; Parkunan, Salai Madhumathi; Callegan, Michelle C.

2016-01-01

Bacterial endophthalmitis is an infection and inflammation of the posterior segment of the eye which can result in significant loss of visual acuity. Even with prompt antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and surgical intervention, vision and even the eye itself may be lost. For the past century, experimental animal models have been used to examine various aspects of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of bacterial endophthalmitis, to further the development of anti-inflammatory treatment strategies, and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and efficacies of antibiotics. Experimental models allow independent control of many parameters of infection and facilitate systematic examination of infection outcomes. While no single animal model perfectly reproduces the human pathology of bacterial endophthalmitis, investigators have successfully used these models to understand the infectious process and the host response, and have provided new information regarding therapeutic options for the treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis. This review highlights experimental animal models of endophthalmitis and correlates this information with the clinical setting. The goal is to identify knowledge gaps that may be addressed in future experimental and clinical studies focused on improvements in the therapeutic preservation of vision during and after this disease. PMID:27154427

Exposure to West Nile Virus Increases Bacterial Diversity and Immune Gene Expression in Culex pipiens.

PubMed

Zink, Steven D; Van Slyke, Greta A; Palumbo, Michael J; Kramer, Laura D; Ciota, Alexander T

2015-10-27

Complex interactions between microbial residents of mosquitoes and arboviruses are likely to influence many aspects of vectorial capacity and could potentially have profound effects on patterns of arbovirus transmission. Such interactions have not been well studied for West Nile virus (WNV; Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) and Culex spp. mosquitoes. We utilized next-generation sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA bacterial genes derived from Culex pipiens Linnaeus following WNV exposure and/or infection and compared bacterial populations and broad immune responses to unexposed mosquitoes. Our results demonstrate that WNV infection increases the diversity of bacterial populations and is associated with up-regulation of classical invertebrate immune pathways including RNA interference (RNAi), Toll, and Jak-STAT (Janus kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription). In addition, WNV exposure alone, without the establishment of infection, results in similar alterations to microbial and immune signatures, although to a lesser extent. Multiple bacterial genera were found in greater abundance inWNV-exposed and/or infected mosquitoes, yet the most consistent and notable was the genus Serratia.

Ionome changes in Xylella fastidiosa-infected Nicotiana tabacum correlate with virulence and discriminate between subspecies of bacterial isolates.

PubMed

Oliver, J E; Sefick, S A; Parker, J K; Arnold, T; Cobine, P A; De La Fuente, L

2014-10-01

Characterization of ionomes has been used to uncover the basis of nutrient utilization and environmental adaptation of plants. Here, ionomic profiles were used to understand the phenotypic response of a plant to infection by genetically diverse isolates of Xylella fastidiosa, a gram-negative, xylem-limited bacterial plant pathogen. In this study, X. fastidiosa isolates were used to infect a common model host (Nicotiana tabacum 'SR1'), and leaf and sap concentrations of eleven elements together with plant colonization and symptoms were assessed. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that changes in the ionome were significantly correlated with symptom severity and bacterial populations in host petioles. Moreover, plant ionome modification by infection could be used to differentiate the X. fastidiosa subspecies with which the plant was infected. This report establishes host ionome modification as a phenotypic response to infection.

Adherence of bacteria to mucus collected from different parts of the reproductive tract of heifers and cows.

PubMed

Styková, E; Nemcová, R; Valocký, I; Novotný, F; Guba, P

2013-11-01

In the present study, we examined the adherence of indigenous vaginal bacteria, probiotic strains, and metritis pathogens to mucus collected from different parts of the reproductive tracts of heifers and cows and compared their adherence with the bacterial adherence to mucus collected from the stomach and large intestine of pigs. Most of the vaginal strains adhered to mucus collected from different parts of the reproductive tract and strongly adhered to gastric mucus, with the exception of Lactobacillus buchneri 24S8. Only Lactobacillus mucosae 29S8, Enterococcus faecium E21, and E. faecium EAC adhered to colonic mucus. Probiotic strains adhered strongly to mucus collected from the reproductive tract and gastric mucus but did not adhere to colonic mucus. Pathogenic strains were adherent to vaginal, uterine horn, and gastric mucus, except Escherichia coli O8:K88ab:H9 (65), Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Gardnerella vaginalis, which adhered to uterine cervix mucus. Only Kocuria kristinae and G. vaginalis adhered to uterine body mucus; E. coli O149:K88ac (EC) adhered to colonic mucus. The strains did not exhibit host specificity but rather strain specificity. The ability to adhere to mucus was a characteristic unique to each strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding in vitro adherence of GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) lactobacilli isolated from different sources to mucus collected from different parts of the reproductive tract.

The antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles: present situation and prospects for the future

PubMed Central

Wang, Linlin; Hu, Chen; Shao, Longquan

2017-01-01

Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used to target bacteria as an alternative to antibiotics. Nanotechnology may be particularly advantageous in treating bacterial infections. Examples include the utilization of NPs in antibacterial coatings for implantable devices and medicinal materials to prevent infection and promote wound healing, in antibiotic delivery systems to treat disease, in bacterial detection systems to generate microbial diagnostics, and in antibacterial vaccines to control bacterial infections. The antibacterial mechanisms of NPs are poorly understood, but the currently accepted mechanisms include oxidative stress induction, metal ion release, and non-oxidative mechanisms. The multiple simultaneous mechanisms of action against microbes would require multiple simultaneous gene mutations in the same bacterial cell for antibacterial resistance to develop; therefore, it is difficult for bacterial cells to become resistant to NPs. In this review, we discuss the antibacterial mechanisms of NPs against bacteria and the factors that are involved. The limitations of current research are also discussed. PMID:28243086

Resistance to infection of five different materials in a rat body wall model.

PubMed

Medberry, Christopher J; Tottey, Stephen; Jiang, Hongbin; Johnson, Scott A; Badylak, Stephen F

2012-03-01

Infection occurs after approximately 1% of hernia repair procedures. The resistance to infection of the repair materials is therefore an important consideration. We evaluated the infection resistance of five different materials in a rat model of body wall repair, two of which, urinary bladder matrix (UBM-ECM) and Revive, were not previously evaluated in a controlled model of infection. An inoculum of 1 × 10(8) colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus was delivered to the wound site following implantation of an autograft, UBM-ECM, Proceed, Prolene, or Revive. Infection was monitored by white blood cell counts, body temperature, bacterial culture, and histomorphologic analysis of the implant site. Infection was shown in all groups through increased white blood cell count and body temperature. Animals with UBM-ECM returned to pre-surgery body temperature before all other groups. Substantial bacterial clearance was found in the autograft, UBM-ECM, and Prolene. Histomorphologic analysis showed evidence for persistent bacterial infection in Prolene, Proceed, and Revive 28 d after implantation, whereas the autograft and UBM-ECM appeared free of infection. The autograft showed a pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction at 28 d while UBM-ECM was similar to uninfected controls. Superior infection resistance was shown by UBM-ECM compared with the other materials, which were substantially equivalent. Histomorphologic analysis clearly showed an increased ability to resist persistent bacterial infection for UBM-ECM. Our results suggest UBM-ECM may be useful as a repair material in areas of high risk for infection. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Partial regeneration of uterine horns in rats through adipose-derived stem cell sheets.

PubMed

Sun, Huijun; Lu, Jie; Li, Bo; Chen, Shuqiang; Xiao, Xifeng; Wang, Jun; Wang, Jingjing; Wang, Xiaohong

2018-06-20

Severe uterine damage and infection lead to intrauterine adhesions, which result in hypomenorrhea, amenorrhea and infertility. Cell sheet engineering has shown great promise in clinical applications. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are emerging as an alternative source of stem cells for cell-based therapies. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of applying ADSCs as seed cells to form scaffold-free cell sheet. Data showed that ADSC sheets expressed higher levels of FGF, Col I, TGFβ and VEGF than ADSCs in suspension, while increased expression of this gene set was associated with stemness, including Nanog, Oct4 and Sox2. We then investigated the therapeutic effects of 3D ADSCs sheet on regeneration in a rat model. We found that ADSCs were mainly detected in the basal layer of the regenerating endometrium in the cell sheet group at 21 days after transplantation. Additionally, some ADSCs differentiated into stromal-like cells. Moreover, ADSC sheets transplanted into partially excised uteri promoted regeneration of the endometrium cells, muscle cells and stimulated angiogenesis, and also resulted in better pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, ADSC sheet therapy shows considerable promise as a new treatment for severe uterine damage.

Gemcitabine Hydrochloride and Docetaxel With or Without Bevacizumab in Treating Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

ClinicalTrials.gov

2017-07-13

Recurrent Uterine Corpus Sarcoma; Stage IIIA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIIB Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIIC Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IVA Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IVB Uterine Sarcoma; Uterine Corpus Leiomyosarcoma

Arginine Metabolism in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cancer Therapy

PubMed Central

Xiong, Lifeng; Teng, Jade L. L.; Botelho, Michael G.; Lo, Regina C.; Lau, Susanna K. P.; Woo, Patrick C. Y.

2016-01-01

Antibacterial resistance to infectious diseases is a significant global concern for health care organizations; along with aging populations and increasing cancer rates, it represents a great burden for government healthcare systems. Therefore, the development of therapies against bacterial infection and cancer is an important strategy for healthcare research. Pathogenic bacteria and cancer have developed a broad range of sophisticated strategies to survive or propagate inside a host and cause infection or spread disease. Bacteria can employ their own metabolism pathways to obtain nutrients from the host cells in order to survive. Similarly, cancer cells can dysregulate normal human cell metabolic pathways so that they can grow and spread. One common feature of the adaption and disruption of metabolic pathways observed in bacterial and cancer cell growth is amino acid pathways; these have recently been targeted as a novel approach to manage bacterial infections and cancer therapy. In particular, arginine metabolism has been illustrated to be important not only for bacterial pathogenesis but also for cancer therapy. Therefore, greater insights into arginine metabolism of pathogenic bacteria and cancer cells would provide possible targets for controlling of bacterial infection and cancer treatment. This review will summarize the recent progress on the relationship of arginine metabolism with bacterial pathogenesis and cancer therapy, with a particular focus on arginase and arginine deiminase pathways of arginine catabolism. PMID:26978353

Comparison of the Effect of Vaginal Zataria multiflora Cream and Oral Metronidazole Pill on Results of Treatments for Vaginal Infections including Trichomoniasis and Bacterial Vaginosis in Women of Reproductive Age

PubMed Central

Abdali, Khadijeh; Jahed, Leila; Amooee, Sedigheh; Zarshenas, Mahnaz; Tabatabaee, Hamidreza; Bekhradi, Reza

2015-01-01

Effect of Zataria multiflora on bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis is shown in vivo and in vitro. We compare the effectiveness of Zataria multiflora cream and oral metronidazole pill on results of treatment for vaginal infections including Trichomonas and bacterial vaginosis; these infections occur simultaneously. The study included 420 women with bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis, or both infections together, who were randomly divided into six groups. Criteria for diagnosis were wet smear and Gram stain. Vaginal Zataria multiflora cream and placebo pill were administered to the experiment groups; the control group received oral metronidazole pill and vaginal placebo cream. Comparison of the clinical symptoms showed no significant difference in all three vaginitis groups receiving metronidazole pill and vaginal Zataria multiflora cream. However, comparison of the wet smear test results was significant in patients with trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis associated with trichomoniasis in the two treatment groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01). Vaginal Zataria multiflora cream had the same effect of oral metronidazole tablets in improving clinical symptoms of all three vaginitis groups, as well as the treatment for bacterial vaginosis. It can be used as a drug for treatment of bacterial vaginosis and elimination of clinical symptoms of Trichomonas vaginitis. PMID:26266260

Comparison of the Effect of Vaginal Zataria multiflora Cream and Oral Metronidazole Pill on Results of Treatments for Vaginal Infections including Trichomoniasis and Bacterial Vaginosis in Women of Reproductive Age.

PubMed

Abdali, Khadijeh; Jahed, Leila; Amooee, Sedigheh; Zarshenas, Mahnaz; Tabatabaee, Hamidreza; Bekhradi, Reza

2015-01-01

Effect of Zataria multiflora on bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis is shown in vivo and in vitro. We compare the effectiveness of Zataria multiflora cream and oral metronidazole pill on results of treatment for vaginal infections including Trichomonas and bacterial vaginosis; these infections occur simultaneously. The study included 420 women with bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis, or both infections together, who were randomly divided into six groups. Criteria for diagnosis were wet smear and Gram stain. Vaginal Zataria multiflora cream and placebo pill were administered to the experiment groups; the control group received oral metronidazole pill and vaginal placebo cream. Comparison of the clinical symptoms showed no significant difference in all three vaginitis groups receiving metronidazole pill and vaginal Zataria multiflora cream. However, comparison of the wet smear test results was significant in patients with trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis associated with trichomoniasis in the two treatment groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01). Vaginal Zataria multiflora cream had the same effect of oral metronidazole tablets in improving clinical symptoms of all three vaginitis groups, as well as the treatment for bacterial vaginosis. It can be used as a drug for treatment of bacterial vaginosis and elimination of clinical symptoms of Trichomonas vaginitis.

Bacterial infection causes stress-induced memory dysfunction in mice.

PubMed

Gareau, Mélanie G; Wine, Eytan; Rodrigues, David M; Cho, Joon Ho; Whary, Mark T; Philpott, Dana J; Macqueen, Glenda; Sherman, Philip M

2011-03-01

The brain-gut axis is a key regulator of normal intestinal physiology; for example, psychological stress is linked to altered gut barrier function, development of food allergies and changes in behaviour. Whether intestinal events, such as enteric bacterial infections and bacterial colonisation, exert a reciprocal effect on stress-associated behaviour is not well established. To determine the effects of either acute enteric infection or absence of gut microbiota on behaviour, including anxiety and non-spatial memory formation. Behaviour was assessed following infection with the non-invasive enteric pathogen, Citrobacter rodentium in both C57BL/6 mice and germ-free Swiss-Webster mice, in the presence or absence of acute water avoidance stress. Whether daily treatment with probiotics normalised behaviour was assessed, and potential mechanisms of action evaluated. No behavioural abnormalities were observed, either at the height of infection (10 days) or following bacterial clearance (30 days), in C rodentium-infected C57BL/6 mice. When infected mice were exposed to acute stress, however, memory dysfunction was apparent after infection (10 days and 30 days). Memory dysfunction was prevented by daily treatment of infected mice with probiotics. Memory was impaired in germ-free mice, with or without exposure to stress, in contrast to conventionally reared, control Swiss-Webster mice with an intact intestinal microbiota. The intestinal microbiota influences the ability to form memory. Memory dysfunction occurs in infected mice exposed to acute stress, while in the germ-free setting memory is altered at baseline.

Enterobius vermicularis infestation of a hysterectomy specimen in a patient with a colonic reservoir.

PubMed

Worley, Michael J; Slomovitz, Brian M; Pirog, Edyta C; Caputo, Thomas A; Ledger, William J

2009-06-01

A 43-year-old woman (gravida 2, para 1011) with a history of uterine leiomyomata and a Barnett colonic reservoir underwent a supracervical hysterectomy. Final pathology revealed Enterobius vermicularis within the myometrium and adnexal vasculature. Infection may have occurred through a modified mode given the presence of a Barnett colonic reservoir and absence of an anus.

ACTIVATION OF COMMON ANTIVIRAL PATHWAYS CAN POTENTIATE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES TO SEPTIC SHOCK

PubMed Central

Doughty, Lesley A.; Carlton, Stacey; Galen, Benjamin; Cooma-Ramberan, Indranie; Chung, Chung-Shiang; Ayala, Alfred

2006-01-01

Induction of the antiviral cytokine interferon α/β (IFN-α/β) is common in many viral infections. The impact of ongoing antiviral responses on subsequent bacterial infection is not well understood. In human disease, bacterial superinfection complicating a viral infection can result in significant morbidity and mortality. We injected mice with polyinosinic-polycytidylic (PIC) acid, a TLR3 ligand and known IFN-α/β inducer as well as nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activator to simulate very early antiviral pathways. We then challenged mice with an in vivo septic shock model characterized by slowly evolving bacterial infection to simulate bacterial superinfection early during a viral infection. Our data demonstrated robust induction of IFN-α in serum within 24 h of PIC injection with IFN-α/β–dependent major histocompatibility antigen class II up-regulation on peritoneal macrophages. PIC pretreatment before septic shock resulted in augmented tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukins 6 and 10 and heightened lethality compared with septic shock alone. Intact IFN-α/β signaling was necessary for augmentation of the inflammatory response to in vivo septic shock and to both TLR2 and TLR4 agonists in vitro. To assess the NF-κB contribution to PIC-modulated inflammatory responses to septic shock, we treated with parthenolide an NF-κB inhibitor before PIC and septic shock. Parthenolide did not inhibit IFN-α induction by PIC. Inhibition of NF-κB by parthenolide did reduce IFN-α–mediated potentiation of the cytokine response and lethality from septic shock. Our data demonstrate that pathways activated early during many viral infections can have a detrimental impact on the outcome of subsequent bacterial infection. These pathways may be critical to understanding the heightened morbidity and mortality from bacterial superinfection after viral infection in human disease. PMID:16878028

Gene therapy of uterine leiomyoma: adenovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir treatment inhibits growth of human and rat leiomyoma cells in vitro and in a nude mouse model.

PubMed

Salama, S A; Kamel, M; Christman, G; Wang, H Q; Fouad, H M; Al-Hendy, A

2007-01-01

Uterine leiomyomas (LM) affect a high percentage of reproductive-age women. They develop as discrete, well-defined tumors that are easily accessible with imaging techniques--making this disease ideal for localized gene therapy approaches. In this study, we determined the efficacy of adenovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene transfer in combination with ganciclovir (Ad-TK/GCV) as a potential therapy for LM. Rat ELT-3 LM cells and human LM cells were transfected with different multiplicity of infections (10-100 plaque forming units [PFU]/cell) of Ad-TK and treated with GCV (5, 10, or 20 microg/ml) for 5 days. To test the bystander effect, Ad-TK-transfected ELT-3 cells (100 PFU/cell) or LM cells (10 PFU/cell) were cocultured with corresponding nontransfected cells at increasing percentages and treated with GCV followed by cell counting. In ELT-3 cells transfected with Ad-TK/GCV (10, 20, 50, or 100 PFU/cell), the cell count was reduced by 24, 42, 77, and 87%, respectively, compared with the control cells (transfected with Ad-Lac Z/GCV). Similarly, in LM cells transfected with Ad-TK/GCV (10, 50, or 100 PFU/cell), the cell count was reduced by 31, 62, and 82%, respectively, compared with the control. A strong bystander effect was noted in both ELT-3 and LM cells with significant killing (p = 0.001) at a ratio of infected:uninfected cells of only 1:99 and maximal killing at 1:4. This study demonstrates the potential efficacy of the Ad-TK/GCV gene therapy approach as a viable nonsurgical alternative treatment for uterine LM.

Physical Activity Behavioral Intervention in Obese Endometrial Cancer Survivors

ClinicalTrials.gov

2015-10-14

Stage IA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage II Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIC Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVB Uterine Corpus Cancer

Diagnostic Methods for Platelet Bacteria Screening: Current Status and Developments

PubMed Central

Störmer, Melanie; Vollmer, Tanja

2014-01-01

Summary Bacterial contamination of blood components and the prevention of transfusion-associated bacterial infection still remains a major challenge in transfusion medicine. Over the past few decades, a significant reduction in the transmission of viral infections has been achieved due to the introduction of mandatory virus screening. Platelet concentrates (PCs) represent one of the highest risks for bacterial infection. This is due to the required storage conditions for PCs in gas-permeable containers at room temperature with constant agitation, which support bacterial proliferation from low contamination levels to high titers. In contrast to virus screening, since 1997 in Germany bacterial testing of PCs is only performed as a routine quality control or, since 2008, to prolong the shelf life to 5 days. In general, bacterial screening of PCs by cultivation methods is implemented by the various blood services. Although these culturing systems will remain the gold standard, the significance of rapid methods for screening for bacterial contamination has increased over the last few years. These new methods provide powerful tools for increasing the bacterial safety of blood components. This article summarizes the course of policies and provisions introduced to increase bacterial safety of blood components in Germany. Furthermore, we give an overview of the different diagnostic methods for bacterial screening of PCs and their current applicability in routine screening processes. PMID:24659944

Comparative Analysis of Bacterial Community Composition and Structure in Clinically Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Central Venous Catheters

PubMed Central

Stressmann, Franziska A.; Couve-Deacon, Elodie; Chainier, Delphine; Chauhan, Ashwini; Wessel, Aimee; Durand-Fontanier, Sylvaine; Escande, Marie-Christine; Kriegel, Irène; Francois, Bruno; Ploy, Marie-Cécile

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Totally implanted venous access ports (TIVAPs) are commonly used catheters for the management of acute or chronic pathologies. Although these devices improve health care, repeated use of this type of device for venous access over long periods of time is also associated with risk of colonization and infection by pathogenic bacteria, often originating from skin. However, although the skin microbiota is composed of both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria, the extent and the consequences of TIVAP colonization by nonpathogenic bacteria have rarely been studied. Here, we used culture-dependent and 16S rRNA gene-based culture-independent approaches to identify differences in bacterial colonization of TIVAPs obtained from two French hospitals. To explore the relationships between nonpathogenic organisms colonizing TIVAPs and the potential risk of infection, we analyzed the bacterial community parameters between TIVAPs suspected (symptomatic) or not (asymptomatic) of infection. Although we did not find a particular species assemblage or community marker to distinguish infection risk on an individual sample level, we identified differences in bacterial community composition, diversity, and structure between clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic TIVAPs that could be explored further. This study therefore provides a new view of bacterial communities and colonization patterns in intravascular TIVAPs and suggests that microbial ecology approaches could improve our understanding of device-associated infections and could be a prognostic tool to monitor the evolution of bacterial communities in implants and their potential susceptibility to infections. IMPORTANCE Totally implanted venous access ports (TIVAPs) are commonly used implants for the management of acute or chronic pathologies. Although their use improves the patient’s health care and quality of life, they are associated with a risk of infection and subsequent clinical complications, often leading to implant removal. While all TIVAPs appear to be colonized, only a fraction become infected, and the relationship between nonpathogenic organisms colonizing TIVAPs and the potential risk of infection is unknown. We explored bacteria present on TIVAPs implanted in patients with or without signs of TIVAP infection and identified differences in phylum composition and community structure. Our data suggest that the microbial ecology of intravascular devices could be predictive of TIVAP infection status and that ultimately a microbial ecological signature could be identified as a tool to predict TIVAP infection susceptibility and improve clinical management. PMID:28959736

Nanoindentation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial biofilm using atomic force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baniasadi, Mahmoud; Xu, Zhe; Gandee, Leah; Du, Yingjie; Lu, Hongbing; Zimmern, Philippe; Minary-Jolandan, Majid

2014-12-01

Bacterial biofilms are a source of many chronic infections. Biofilms and their inherent resistance to antibiotics are attributable to a range of health issues including affecting prosthetic implants, hospital-acquired infections, and wound infection. Mechanical properties of biofilm, in particular, at micro- and nano-scales, are governed by microstructures and porosity of the biofilm, which in turn may contribute to their inherent antibiotic resistance. We utilize atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanoindentation and finite element simulation to investigate the nanoscale mechanical properties of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial biofilm. This biofilm was derived from human samples and represents a medically relevant model.

Photodynamic Therapy Can Induce a Protective Innate Immune Response against Murine Bacterial Arthritis via Neutrophil Accumulation

PubMed Central

Tanaka, Masamitsu; Mroz, Pawel; Dai, Tianhong; Huang, Liyi; Morimoto, Yuji; Kinoshita, Manabu; Yoshihara, Yasuo; Nemoto, Koichi; Shinomiya, Nariyoshi; Seki, Suhji; Hamblin, Michael R.

2012-01-01

Background Local microbial infections induced by multiple-drug-resistant bacteria in the orthopedic field can be intractable, therefore development of new therapeutic modalities is needed. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative modality to antibiotics for intractable microbial infections, and we recently reported that PDT has the potential to accumulate neutrophils into the infected site which leads to resolution of the infection. PDT for cancer has long been known to be able to stimulate the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, a murine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) arthritis model using bioluminescent MRSA and polystyrene microparticles was established, and both the therapeutic (Th-PDT) and preventive (Pre-PDT) effects of PDT using methylene blue as photosensitizer were examined. Although Th-PDT could not demonstrate direct bacterial killing, neutrophils were accumulated into the infectious joint space after PDT and MRSA arthritis was reduced. With the preconditioning Pre-PDT regimen, neutrophils were quickly accumulated into the joint immediately after bacterial inoculation and bacterial growth was suppressed and the establishment of infection was inhibited. Conclusions/Significance This is the first demonstration of a protective innate immune response against a bacterial pathogen produced by PDT. PMID:22761911

Studies on the epidemiology and control of seasonal conjunctivitis and trachoma in southern Morocco*

PubMed Central

Reinhards, J.; Weber, A.; Nižetič, B.; Kupka, K.; Maxwell-Lyons, F.

1968-01-01

It has been noted in many parts of the world that bacterial conjunctivitis is a major cause of total or partial loss of vision. In addition, trachoma is aggravated if there are associated bacterial infections and these lead to more frequent corneal complications. In the trials described the seasonal variation of bacterial infections was studied in addition to trachoma in 3 pilot sectors in southern Morocco. The frequency of complications and late sequelae from these infections in the whole population of these sectors was also studied. In one of the sectors 3 different methods of limiting the regular seasonal increase in bacterial infections and of curing trachoma were evaluated separately or in combination. These included the effect of fly-suppression on the transmission of infection, a possible method of chemoprophylaxis, and intermittent treatment with chlortetracycline ointment. The effect of the latter, when applied to a whole population group by auxiliary personnel, was compared with the long-term effect of self-treatment, in this and the two other sectors. The total observation period covered 12 years. PMID:5304804

Carbon nanotubes as in vivo bacterial probes.

PubMed

Bardhan, Neelkanth M; Ghosh, Debadyuti; Belcher, Angela M

2014-09-17

With the rise in antibiotic-resistant infections, non-invasive sensing of infectious diseases is increasingly important. Optical imaging, although safer and simpler, is less developed than other modalities such as radioimaging, due to low availability of target-specific molecular probes. Here we report carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as bacterial probes for fluorescence imaging of pathogenic infections. We demonstrate that SWNTs functionalized using M13 bacteriophage (M13-SWNT) can distinguish between F'-positive and F'-negative bacterial strains. Moreover, through one-step modification, we attach an anti-bacterial antibody on M13-SWNT, making it easily tunable for sensing specific F'-negative bacteria. We illustrate detection of Staphylococcus aureus intramuscular infections, with ~3.4 × enhancement in fluorescence intensity over background. SWNT imaging presents lower signal spread ~0.08 × and higher signal amplification ~1.4 × , compared with conventional dyes. We show the probe offers greater ~5.7 × enhancement in imaging of S. aureus infective endocarditis. These biologically functionalized, aqueous-dispersed, actively targeted, modularly tunable SWNT probes offer new avenues for exploration of deeply buried infections.

Viral infection, inflammation and schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Kneeland, Rachel E.; Fatemi, S. Hossein

2012-01-01

Schizophrenia is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic and environmental etiologies. Prenatal viral/bacterial infections and inflammation play major roles in the genesis of schizophrenia. In this review, we describe a viral model of schizophrenia tested in mice whereby the offspring of mice prenatally infected with influenza at E7, E9, E16, and E18 show significant gene, protein, and brain structural abnormalities postnatally. Similarly, we describe data on rodents exposed to bacterial infection or injected with a synthetic viral mimic (PolyI:C) also demonstrating brain structural and behavioral abnormalities. Moreover, human serologic data has been indispensible in supporting the viral theory of schizophrenia. Individuals born seropositive for bacterial and viral agents are at a significantly elevated risk of developing schizophrenia. While the specific mechanisms of prenatal viral/bacterial infections and brain disorder are unclear, recent findings suggest that the maternal inflammatory response may be associated with fetal brain injury. Preventive and therapeutic treatment options are also proposed. This review presents data related to epidemiology, human serology, and experimental animal models which support the viral model of schizophrenia. PMID:22349576

Carbon nanotubes as in vivo bacterial probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bardhan, Neelkanth M.; Ghosh, Debadyuti; Belcher, Angela M.

2014-09-01

With the rise in antibiotic-resistant infections, non-invasive sensing of infectious diseases is increasingly important. Optical imaging, although safer and simpler, is less developed than other modalities such as radioimaging, due to low availability of target-specific molecular probes. Here we report carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as bacterial probes for fluorescence imaging of pathogenic infections. We demonstrate that SWNTs functionalized using M13 bacteriophage (M13-SWNT) can distinguish between F‧-positive and F‧-negative bacterial strains. Moreover, through one-step modification, we attach an anti-bacterial antibody on M13-SWNT, making it easily tunable for sensing specific F‧-negative bacteria. We illustrate detection of Staphylococcus aureus intramuscular infections, with ~3.4 × enhancement in fluorescence intensity over background. SWNT imaging presents lower signal spread ~0.08 × and higher signal amplification ~1.4 × , compared with conventional dyes. We show the probe offers greater ~5.7 × enhancement in imaging of S. aureus infective endocarditis. These biologically functionalized, aqueous-dispersed, actively targeted, modularly tunable SWNT probes offer new avenues for exploration of deeply buried infections.

Carbon Nanotubes as in vivo Bacterial Probes

PubMed Central

Bardhan, Neelkanth M.; Ghosh, Debadyuti; Belcher, Angela M.

2014-01-01

With the rise in antibiotic-resistant infections, noninvasive sensing of infectious diseases is increasingly important. Optical imaging, while safer and simpler, is less developed than other modalities like radioimaging; due to low availability of target-specific molecular probes. Here, we report carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as bacterial probes for fluorescence imaging of pathogenic infections. We demonstrate that SWNTs functionalized using M13 bacteriophage (M13-SWNT) can distinguish between F'-positive and F'-negative bacterial strains. Moreover, through one-step modification, we attach an anti-bacterial antibody on M13-SWNT, making it easily tunable for sensing specific F’-negative bacteria. We illustrate detection of Staphylococcus aureus intramuscular infections, with ~3.4× enhancement in fluorescence intensity over background. SWNT imaging presents lower signal spread ~0.08×, and higher signal amplification ~1.4×, compared to conventional dyes. We show the probe offers greater ~5.7× enhancement in imaging of S. aureus infective endocarditis. These biologically-functionalized, aqueous-dispersed, actively-targeted, modularly-tunable SWNT probes offer new avenues for exploration of deeply-buried infections. PMID:25230005

Matrix stiffness modulates infection of endothelial cells by Listeria monocytogenes via expression of cell surface vimentin.

PubMed

Bastounis, Effie E; Yeh, Yi-Ting; Theriot, Julie A

2018-05-02

Extracellular matrix stiffness (ECM) is one of the many mechanical forces acting on mammalian adherent cells and an important determinant of cellular function. While the effect of ECM stiffness on many aspects of cellular behavior has been previously studied, how ECM stiffness might mediate susceptibility of host cells to infection by bacterial pathogens was hitherto unexplored. To address this open question, we manufactured hydrogels of varying physiologically-relevant stiffness and seeded human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) on them. We then infected HMEC-1 with the bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), and found that adhesion of Lm onto host cells increases monotonically with increasing matrix stiffness, an effect that requires the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). We identified cell surface vimentin as a candidate surface receptor mediating stiffness-dependent adhesion of Lm to HMEC-1 and found that bacterial infection of these host cells is decreased when the amount of surface vimentin is reduced. Our results provide the first evidence that ECM stiffness can mediate the susceptibility of mammalian host cells to infection by a bacterial pathogen.

PPARγ in Bacterial Infections: A Friend or Foe?

PubMed

Reddy, Aravind T; Lakshmi, Sowmya P; Reddy, Raju C

2016-01-01

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ ) is now recognized as an important modulator of leukocyte inflammatory responses and function. Its immunoregulatory function has been studied in a variety of contexts, including bacterial infections of the lungs and central nervous system, sepsis, and conditions such as chronic granulomatous disease. Although it is generally believed that PPAR γ activation is beneficial for the host during bacterial infections via its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, PPAR γ agonists have also been shown to dampen the host immune response and in some cases exacerbate infection by promoting leukocyte apoptosis and interfering with leukocyte migration and infiltration. In this review we discuss the role of PPAR γ and its activation during bacterial infections, with focus on the potential of PPAR γ agonists and perhaps antagonists as novel therapeutic modalities. We conclude that adjustment in the dosage and timing of PPAR γ agonist administration, based on the competence of host antimicrobial defenses and the extent of inflammatory response and tissue injury, is critical for achieving the essential balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system.

PPARγ in Bacterial Infections: A Friend or Foe?

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is now recognized as an important modulator of leukocyte inflammatory responses and function. Its immunoregulatory function has been studied in a variety of contexts, including bacterial infections of the lungs and central nervous system, sepsis, and conditions such as chronic granulomatous disease. Although it is generally believed that PPARγ activation is beneficial for the host during bacterial infections via its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, PPARγ agonists have also been shown to dampen the host immune response and in some cases exacerbate infection by promoting leukocyte apoptosis and interfering with leukocyte migration and infiltration. In this review we discuss the role of PPARγ and its activation during bacterial infections, with focus on the potential of PPARγ agonists and perhaps antagonists as novel therapeutic modalities. We conclude that adjustment in the dosage and timing of PPARγ agonist administration, based on the competence of host antimicrobial defenses and the extent of inflammatory response and tissue injury, is critical for achieving the essential balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system. PMID:27774097

Bypassing bacterial infection in phage display by sequencing DNA released from phage particles.

PubMed

Villequey, Camille; Kong, Xu-Dong; Heinis, Christian

2017-11-01

Phage display relies on a bacterial infection step in which the phage particles are replicated to perform multiple affinity selection rounds and to enable the identification of isolated clones by DNA sequencing. While this process is efficient for wild-type phage, the bacterial infection rate of phage with mutant or chemically modified coat proteins can be low. For example, a phage mutant with a disulfide-free p3 coat protein, used for the selection of bicyclic peptides, has a more than 100-fold reduced infection rate compared to the wild-type. A potential strategy for bypassing the bacterial infection step is to directly sequence DNA extracted from phage particles after a single round of phage panning using high-throughput sequencing. In this work, we have quantified the fraction of phage clones that can be identified by directly sequencing DNA from phage particles. The results show that the DNA of essentially all of the phage particles can be 'decoded', and that the sequence coverage for mutants equals that of amplified DNA extracted from cells infected with wild-type phage. This procedure is particularly attractive for selections with phage that have a compromised infection capacity, and it may allow phage display to be performed with particles that are not infective at all. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Patient, Physician, and Nurse Factors Associated With Entry Onto Clinical Trials and Finishing Treatment in Patients With Primary or Recurrent Uterine, Endometrial, or Cervical Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-04-11

Recurrent Cervical Carcinoma; Recurrent Uterine Corpus Carcinoma; Recurrent Uterine Corpus Sarcoma; Stage I Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage I Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IA Cervical Cancer; Stage IB Cervical Cancer; Stage II Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage II Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IIA Cervical Cancer; Stage IIB Cervical Cancer; Stage III Cervical Cancer; Stage III Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage III Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IV Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IV Uterine Sarcoma; Stage IVA Cervical Cancer; Stage IVB Cervical Cancer

Elucidation of Bacterial Pneumonia-Causing Pathogens in Patients with Respiratory Viral Infection

PubMed Central

Jung, Hwa Sik; Kang, Byung Ju; Ra, Seung Won; Seo, Kwang Won; Jegal, Yangjin; Jun, Jae-Bum; Jung, Jiwon; Jeong, Joseph; Jeon, Hee-Jeong; Ahn, Jae-Sung

2017-01-01

Background Bacterial pneumonia occurring after respiratory viral infection is common. However, the predominant bacterial species causing pneumonia secondary to respiratory viral infections other than influenza remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to know whether the pathogens causing post-viral bacterial pneumonia vary according to the type of respiratory virus. Methods Study subjects were 5,298 patients, who underwent multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous detection of respiratory viruses, among who visited the emergency department or outpatient clinic with respiratory symptoms at Ulsan University Hospital between April 2013 and March 2016. The patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 251 clinically significant bacteria were identified in 233 patients with post-viral bacterial pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most frequent bacterium in patients aged <16 years, regardless of the preceding virus type (p=0.630). In patients aged ≥16 years, the isolated bacteria varied according to the preceding virus type. The major results were as follows (p<0.001): pneumonia in patients with influenza virus (type A/B), rhinovirus, and human metapneumovirus infections was caused by similar bacteria, and the findings indicated that Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia was very common in these patients. In contrast, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus infections were associated with pneumonia caused by gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion The pathogens causing post-viral bacterial pneumonia vary according to the type of preceding respiratory virus. This information could help in selecting empirical antibiotics in patients with post-viral pneumonia. PMID:28905531

Increased Sleep Promotes Survival during a Bacterial Infection in Drosophila

PubMed Central

Kuo, Tzu-Hsing; Williams, Julie A.

2014-01-01

Study Objectives: The relationship between sleep and immune function is not well understood at a functional or molecular level. We therefore used a genetic approach in Drosophila to manipulate sleep and evaluated effects on the ability of flies to fight bacterial infection. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Drosophila melanogaster. Methods and Results: We used a genetic approach to transiently alter neuronal excitability in the mushroom body, a region in the central brain that is known to regulate sleep. Flies with increased sleep for up to two days prior to a bacterial infection showed increased resistance to the infection and improved survival. These flies also had increased expression levels of a subset of anti-microbial peptide mRNA prior to infection, as well as increased NFκB activity during infection as indicated by in vivo luciferase reporter activity. In contrast, flies that experienced reduced sleep for up to two days prior to infection had no effect on survival or on NFκB activity during infection. However, flies with reduced sleep showed an altered defense mechanism, such that resistance to infection was increased, but at the expense of reduced tolerance. This effect was dependent on environmental condition. Conclusions: Increasing sleep enhanced activity of an NFκB transcription factor, increased resistance to infection, and strongly promoted survival. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that sleep is beneficial to the host by maintaining a robust immune system. Citation: Kuo TH, Williams JA. Increased sleep promotes survival during a bacterial infection in Drosophila. SLEEP 2014;37(6):1077-1086. PMID:24882902

Gastric type mucinous endocervical adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: very rare and interesting case.

PubMed

Park, Chul Min; Koh, Hyun Min; Park, Soyun; Kang, Hye Sim; Shim, Soon Sup; Kim, Sung Yob

2018-01-01

Gastric type mucinous endocervical adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix (GAC) are a newly classified mucinous subtype with morphologically in 2014, WHO. They have a much more aggressiveness and show unusual metastatic patterns compared to usual type endocervical adenocarcinoma. They tend to present at higher stage and even in stage I, they have worse survival. Therefore, differential diagnosis of GAC from the usual type of endocervical adenocarcinoma is very important because they are related to a significant risk of recurrence and decreased 5-year disease-specific survival. Besides, GACs are mostly not associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and p16 immunohistochemistry is also typically negative in GAC that is HPV-unassociated tumor. We report a very rare and interesting case of stage IB1 GAC with negative HPV DNA and p16.

Data for automated, high-throughput microscopy analysis of intracellular bacterial colonies using spot detection.

PubMed

Ernstsen, Christina L; Login, Frédéric H; Jensen, Helene H; Nørregaard, Rikke; Møller-Jensen, Jakob; Nejsum, Lene N

2017-10-01

Quantification of intracellular bacterial colonies is useful in strategies directed against bacterial attachment, subsequent cellular invasion and intracellular proliferation. An automated, high-throughput microscopy-method was established to quantify the number and size of intracellular bacterial colonies in infected host cells (Detection and quantification of intracellular bacterial colonies by automated, high-throughput microscopy, Ernstsen et al., 2017 [1]). The infected cells were imaged with a 10× objective and number of intracellular bacterial colonies, their size distribution and the number of cell nuclei were automatically quantified using a spot detection-tool. The spot detection-output was exported to Excel, where data analysis was performed. In this article, micrographs and spot detection data are made available to facilitate implementation of the method.

Radiation Therapy, Paclitaxel, and Carboplatin in Treating Patients With High-Risk Endometrial Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2016-01-11

Endometrial Adenocarcinoma; Stage IA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage II Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIC Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVB Uterine Corpus Cancer

The role of respiratory viruses in the etiology of bacterial pneumonia: An ecological perspective.

PubMed

Lee, Kyu Han; Gordon, Aubree; Foxman, Betsy

2016-02-15

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children less than 5 years old worldwide. A wide range of viral, bacterial and fungal agents can cause pneumonia: although viruses are the most common etiologic agent, the severity of clinical symptoms associated with bacterial pneumonia and increasing antibiotic resistance makes bacterial pneumonia a major public health concern. Bacterial pneumonia can follow upper respiratory viral infection and complicate lower respiratory viral infection. Secondary bacterial pneumonia is a major cause of influenza-related deaths. In this review, we evaluate the following hypotheses: (i) respiratory viruses influence the etiology of pneumonia by altering bacterial community structure in the upper respiratory tract (URT) and (ii) respiratory viruses promote or inhibit colonization of the lower respiratory tract (LRT) by certain bacterial species residing in the URT. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine temporal associations between respiratory viruses and bacteria and a targeted review to identify potential mechanisms of interactions. We conclude that viruses both alter the bacterial community in the URT and promote bacterial colonization of the LRT. However, it is uncertain whether changes in the URT bacterial community play a substantial role in pneumonia etiology. The exception is Streptococcus pneumoniae where a strong link between viral co-infection, increased carriage and pneumococcal pneumonia has been established. © The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Foundation for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health.

M13 Virus based detection of Bacterial Infections in Living Hosts

PubMed Central

Bardhan, Neelkanth M.; Ghosh, Debadyuti; Belcher, Angela M.

2014-01-01

We report a first method for using M13 bacteriophage as a multifunctional scaffold for optically imaging bacterial infections in vivo. We demonstrate that M13 virus conjugated with hundreds of dye molecules (M13-Dye) can target and distinguish pathogenic infections of F-pili expressing and F-negative strains of E. coli. Further, in order to tune this M13-Dye complex suitable for targeting other strains of bacteria, we have used a 1-step reaction for creating an anti-bacterial antibody-M13-Dye probe. As an example, we show anti-S.aureus-M13-Dye able to target and image infections of S. aureus in living hosts, with a 3.7x increase in fluorescence over background. PMID:23576418

Empiric Antibiotic Use and Susceptibility in Infants With Bacterial Infections: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

PubMed

Feldman, Elana A; McCulloh, Russell J; Myers, Angela L; Aronson, Paul L; Neuman, Mark I; Bradford, Miranda C; Alpern, Elizabeth R; Balamuth, Frances; Blackstone, Mercedes M; Browning, Whitney L; Hayes, Katie; Korman, Rosalynne; Leazer, Rianna C; Nigrovic, Lise E; Marble, Richard; Roben, Emily; Williams, Derek J; Tieder, Joel S

2017-07-20

To assess hospital differences in empirical antibiotic use, bacterial epidemiology, and antimicrobial susceptibility for common antibiotic regimens among young infants with urinary tract infection (UTI), bacteremia, or bacterial meningitis. We reviewed medical records from infants <90 days old presenting to 8 US children's hospitals with UTI, bacteremia, or meningitis. We used the Pediatric Health Information System database to identify cases and empirical antibiotic use and medical record review to determine infection, pathogen, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. We compared hospital-level differences in antimicrobial use, pathogen, infection site, and antimicrobial susceptibility. We identified 470 infants with bacterial infections: 362 (77%) with UTI alone and 108 (23%) with meningitis or bacteremia. Infection type did not differ across hospitals ( P = .85). Empirical antibiotic use varied across hospitals ( P < .01), although antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for common empirical regimens were similar. A third-generation cephalosporin would have empirically treated 90% of all ages, 89% in 7- to 28-day-olds, and 91% in 29- to 89-day-olds. The addition of ampicillin would have improved coverage in only 4 cases of bacteremia and meningitis. Ampicillin plus gentamicin would have treated 95%, 89%, and 97% in these age groups, respectively. Empirical antibiotic use differed across regionally diverse US children's hospitals in infants <90 days old with UTI, bacteremia, or meningitis. Antimicrobial susceptibility to common antibiotic regimens was similar across hospitals, and adding ampicillin to a third-generation cephalosporin minimally improves coverage. Our findings support incorporating empirical antibiotic recommendations into national guidelines for infants with suspected bacterial infection. Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Identification of the interactome between fish plasma proteins and Edwardsiella tarda reveals tissue-specific strategies against bacterial infection.

PubMed

Li, Hui; Huang, Xiaoyan; Zeng, Zaohai; Peng, Xuan-Xian; Peng, Bo

2016-09-01

Elucidating the complex pathogen-host interaction is essential for a comprehensive understanding of how these remarkable agents invade their hosts and how the hosts defend against these invaders. During the infection, pathogens interact intensively with host to enable their survival, which can be revealed through their interactome. Edwardsiella tarda is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen causing huge economic loss in aquaculture and a spectrum of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases in humans. E. tarda is an ideal model for host-pathogen investigation as it infects fish in three distinct steps: entering the host, circulating through the blood and establishing infection. We adopted a previous established proteomic approach that inactivated E. tarda cells and covalent crosslink fish plasma proteins were used to capture plasma proteins and bacterial outer membrane proteins, respectively. By the combinatorial use of proteomic and biochemical approaches, six plasma proteins and seven outer membrane proteins (OMPs) were identified. Interactions among these proteins were validated with protein-array, far-Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation. At last, seventeen plasma protein-bacteria protein-protein interaction were confirmed to be involved in the interaction network, forming a complex interactome. Compared to our previous results, different host proteins were detected, whereas some of the bacterial proteins were similar, which indicates that hosts adopt tissue-specific strategies to cope with the same pathogen during infection. Thus, our results provide a robust demonstration of both bacterial initiators and host receptors or interacting proteins to further explore infection and anti-infective mechanisms between hosts and microbes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bacterial isolates from equine infections in western Canada (1998–2003)

PubMed Central

Clark, Chris; Greenwood, Sarah; Boison, Joe O.; Chirino-Trejo, Manuel; Dowling, Patricia M.

2008-01-01

All bacterial samples of equine origin submitted to the diagnostic laboratory at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine from January 1998 to December 2003 from either “in-clinic” or Field Service cases were accessed (1323 submissions). The most common bacterial isolates from specific presenting signs were identified, along with their in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. The most common site from which significant bacterial isolates were recovered was the respiratory tract, followed by wounds. Streptococcus zooepidemicus was the most common isolate from most infections, followed by Escherichia coli. Antimicrobial resistance was not common in the isolates and acquired antimicrobial resistance to multiple drugs was rare. The results are compared with previous published studies from other institutions and used to suggest appropriate antimicrobial treatments for equine infections in western Canada. PMID:18309745

Cabozantinib and Nivolumab in Treating Patients With Advanced, Recurrent or Metastatic Endometrial Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-06-13

Recurrent Uterine Corpus Carcinoma; Stage III Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7; Stage IIIA Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7; Stage IIIB Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7; Stage IIIC Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7; Stage IIIC1 Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7; Stage IIIC2 Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7; Stage IV Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7; Stage IVA Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7; Stage IVB Uterine Corpus Cancer AJCC v7

Streptococcus pyogenes: an unusual cause of salpingitis. Case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Blot, Mathieu; de Curraize, Claire; Salmon-Rousseau, Arnaud; Gehin, Sophie; Bador, Julien; Chavanet, Pascal; Neuwirth, Catherine; Piroth, Lionel; Amoureux, Lucie

2017-10-01

Streptococcus pyogenes can colonize genitourinary tract, but it is a rare cause of salpingitis. We report a case of bilateral salpingitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes in a 34-year-old woman using an intra-uterine device and which occurred following a family history of recurrent S. pyogenes infections. We review 12 other cases reported in the literature, and discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of this potentially life-threatening disease. It is important to take into account consider Streptococcus pyogenes as a cause of acute salpingitis in the context of recent intra-familial Streptococcus pyogenes infections.

The role of influenza in the severity and transmission of respiratory bacterial disease.

PubMed

Mina, Michael J; Klugman, Keith P

2014-09-01

Infections with influenza viruses and respiratory bacteria each contribute substantially to the global burden of morbidity and mortality. Simultaneous or sequential infection with these pathogens manifests in complex and difficult-to-treat disease processes that need extensive antimicrobial therapy and cause substantial excess mortality, particularly during annual influenza seasons and pandemics. At the host level, influenza viruses prime respiratory mucosal surfaces for excess bacterial acquisition and this supports increased carriage density and dissemination to the lower respiratory tract, while greatly constraining innate and adaptive antibacterial defences. Driven by virus-mediated structural modifications, aberrant immunological responses to sequential infection, and excessive immunopathological responses, co-infections are noted by short-term and long-term departures from immune homoeostasis, inhibition of appropriate pathogen recognition, loss of tolerance to tissue damage, and general increases in susceptibility to severe bacterial disease. At the population level, these effects translate into increased horizontal bacterial transmission and excess use of antimicrobial therapies. With increasing concerns about future possible influenza pandemics, the past decade has seen rapid advances in our understanding of these interactions. In this Review, we discuss the epidemiological and clinical importance of influenza and respiratory bacterial co-infections, including the foundational efforts that laid the groundwork for today's investigations, and detail the most important and current advances in our understanding of the structural and immunological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of co-infection. We describe and interpret what is known in sequence, from transmission and phenotypic shifts in bacterial dynamics to the immunological, cellular, and molecular modifications that underlie these processes, and propose avenues of further research that might be most valuable for prevention and treatment strategies to best mitigate excess disease during future influenza pandemics. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The role of influenza in the severity and transmission of respiratory bacterial disease

PubMed Central

Mina, Michael J; Klugman, Keith P

2016-01-01

Infections with influenza viruses and respiratory bacteria each contribute substantially to the global burden of morbidity and mortality. Simultaneous or sequential infection with these pathogens manifests in complex and difficult-to-treat disease processes that need extensive antimicrobial therapy and cause substantial excess mortality, particularly during annual influenza seasons and pandemics. At the host level, influenza viruses prime respiratory mucosal surfaces for excess bacterial acquisition and this supports increased carriage density and dissemination to the lower respiratory tract, while greatly constraining innate and adaptive antibacterial defences. Driven by virus-mediated structural modifications, aberrant immunological responses to sequential infection, and excessive immunopathological responses, co-infections are noted by short-term and long-term departures from immune homoeostasis, inhibition of appropriate pathogen recognition, loss of tolerance to tissue damage, and general increases in susceptibility to severe bacterial disease. At the population level, these effects translate into increased horizontal bacterial transmission and excess use of antimicrobial therapies. With increasing concerns about future possible influenza pandemics, the past decade has seen rapid advances in our understanding of these interactions. In this Review, we discuss the epidemiological and clinical importance of influenza and respiratory bacterial co-infections, including the foundational efforts that laid the groundwork for today’s investigations, and detail the most important and current advances in our understanding of the structural and immunological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of co-infection. We describe and interpret what is known in sequence, from transmission and phenotypic shifts in bacterial dynamics to the immunological, cellular, and molecular modifications that underlie these processes, and propose avenues of further research that might be most valuable for prevention and treatment strategies to best mitigate excess disease during future influenza pandemics. PMID:25131494

Differential Ability of Pandemic and Seasonal H1N1 Influenza A Viruses To Alter the Function of Human Neutrophils.

PubMed

Malachowa, Natalia; Freedman, Brett; Sturdevant, Daniel E; Kobayashi, Scott D; Nair, Vinod; Feldmann, Friederike; Starr, Tregei; Steele-Mortimer, Olivia; Kash, John C; Taubenberger, Jeffery K; Feldmann, Heinz; DeLeo, Frank R

2018-01-01

Neutrophils are essential cells of host innate immunity. Although the role of neutrophils in defense against bacterial and fungal infections is well characterized, there is a relative paucity of information about their role against viral infections. Influenza A virus (IAV) infection can be associated with secondary bacterial coinfection, and it has long been posited that the ability of IAV to alter normal neutrophil function predisposes individuals to secondary bacterial infections. To better understand this phenomenon, we evaluated the interaction of pandemic or seasonal H1N1 IAV with human neutrophils isolated from healthy persons. These viruses were ingested by human neutrophils and elicited changes in neutrophil gene expression that are consistent with an interferon-mediated immune response. The viability of neutrophils following coculture with either pandemic or seasonal H1N1 IAV was similar for up to 18 h of culture. Notably, neutrophil exposure to seasonal (but not pandemic) IAV primed these leukocytes for enhanced functions, including production of reactive oxygen species and bactericidal activity. Taken together, our results are at variance with the universal idea that IAV impairs neutrophil function directly to predispose individuals to secondary bacterial infections. Rather, we suggest that some strains of IAV prime neutrophils for enhanced bacterial clearance. IMPORTANCE A long-standing notion is that IAV inhibits normal neutrophil function and thereby predisposes individuals to secondary bacterial infections. Here we report that seasonal H1N1 IAV primes human neutrophils for enhanced killing of Staphylococcus aureus . Moreover, we provide a comprehensive view of the changes in neutrophil gene expression during interaction with seasonal or pandemic IAV and report how these changes relate to functions such as bactericidal activity. This study expands our knowledge of IAV interactions with human neutrophils.

Differential Ability of Pandemic and Seasonal H1N1 Influenza A Viruses To Alter the Function of Human Neutrophils

PubMed Central

Malachowa, Natalia; Freedman, Brett; Sturdevant, Daniel E.; Kobayashi, Scott D.; Nair, Vinod; Feldmann, Friederike; Starr, Tregei; Steele-Mortimer, Olivia; Kash, John C.; Taubenberger, Jeffery K.; Feldmann, Heinz

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Neutrophils are essential cells of host innate immunity. Although the role of neutrophils in defense against bacterial and fungal infections is well characterized, there is a relative paucity of information about their role against viral infections. Influenza A virus (IAV) infection can be associated with secondary bacterial coinfection, and it has long been posited that the ability of IAV to alter normal neutrophil function predisposes individuals to secondary bacterial infections. To better understand this phenomenon, we evaluated the interaction of pandemic or seasonal H1N1 IAV with human neutrophils isolated from healthy persons. These viruses were ingested by human neutrophils and elicited changes in neutrophil gene expression that are consistent with an interferon-mediated immune response. The viability of neutrophils following coculture with either pandemic or seasonal H1N1 IAV was similar for up to 18 h of culture. Notably, neutrophil exposure to seasonal (but not pandemic) IAV primed these leukocytes for enhanced functions, including production of reactive oxygen species and bactericidal activity. Taken together, our results are at variance with the universal idea that IAV impairs neutrophil function directly to predispose individuals to secondary bacterial infections. Rather, we suggest that some strains of IAV prime neutrophils for enhanced bacterial clearance. IMPORTANCE A long-standing notion is that IAV inhibits normal neutrophil function and thereby predisposes individuals to secondary bacterial infections. Here we report that seasonal H1N1 IAV primes human neutrophils for enhanced killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive view of the changes in neutrophil gene expression during interaction with seasonal or pandemic IAV and report how these changes relate to functions such as bactericidal activity. This study expands our knowledge of IAV interactions with human neutrophils. PMID:29299535

Lack of Accuracy of Body Temperature for Detecting Serious Bacterial Infection in Febrile Episodes.

PubMed

De, Sukanya; Williams, Gabrielle J; Teixeira-Pinto, Armando; Macaskill, Petra; McCaskill, Mary; Isaacs, David; Craig, Jonathan C

2015-09-01

Body temperature is a time-honored marker of serious bacterial infection, but there are few studies of its test performance. The aim of our study was to determine the accuracy of temperature measured on presentation to medical care for detecting serious bacterial infection. Febrile children 0-5 years of age presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care pediatric hospital were sampled consecutively. The accuracy of the axillary temperature measured at presentation was evaluated using logistic regression models to generate receiver operating characteristic curves. Reference standard tests for serious bacterial infection were standard microbiologic/radiologic tests and clinical follow-up. Age, clinicians' impression of appearance of the child (well versus unwell) and duration of illness were assessed as possible effect modifiers. Of 15,781 illness episodes 1120 (7.1%) had serious bacterial infection. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for temperature was 0.60 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.58-0.62]. A threshold of ≥ 38°C had a sensitivity of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.64-0.70), specificity of 0.45 (95% CI: 0.44-0.46), positive likelihood ratio of 1.2 (95% CI: 1.2-1.3) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.7 (95% CI: 0.7-0.8). Age and illness duration had a small but significant effect on the accuracy of temperature increasing its "rule-in" potential. Measured temperature at presentation to hospital is not an accurate marker of serious bacterial infection in febrile children. Younger age and longer duration of illness increase the rule-in potential of temperature but without substantial overall change in its test accuracy.

Engineered biomaterial and biophysical stimulation as combinatorial strategies to address prosthetic infection by pathogenic bacteria.

PubMed

Boda, Sunil Kumar; Basu, Bikramjit

2017-10-01

A plethora of antimicrobial strategies are being developed to address prosthetic infection. The currently available methods for implant infection treatment include the use of antibiotics and revision surgery. Among the bacterial strains, Staphylococcus species pose significant challenges particularly, with regard to hospital acquired infections. In order to combat such life threatening infectious diseases, researchers have developed implantable biomaterials incorporating nanoparticles, antimicrobial reinforcements, surface coatings, slippery/non-adhesive and contact killing surfaces. This review discusses a few of the biomaterial and biophysical antimicrobial strategies, which are in the developmental stage and actively being pursued by several research groups. The clinical efficacy of biophysical stimulation methods such as ultrasound, electric and magnetic field treatments against prosthetic infection depends critically on the stimulation protocol and parameters of the treatment modality. A common thread among the three biophysical stimulation methods is the mechanism of bactericidal action, which is centered on biophysical rupture of bacterial membranes, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bacterial membrane depolarization evoked by the interference of essential ion-transport. Although the extent of antimicrobial effect, normally achieved through biophysical stimulation protocol is insufficient to warrant therapeutic application, a combination of antibiotic/ROS inducing agents and biophysical stimulation methods can elicit a clinically relevant reduction in viable bacterial numbers. In this review, we present a detailed account of both the biomaterial and biophysical approaches for achieving maximum bacterial inactivation. Summarizing, the biophysical stimulation methods in a combinatorial manner with material based strategies can be a more potent solution to control bacterial infections. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2174-2190, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sigma Factor SigB Is Crucial to Mediate Staphylococcus aureus Adaptation during Chronic Infections.

PubMed

Tuchscherr, Lorena; Bischoff, Markus; Lattar, Santiago M; Noto Llana, Mariangeles; Pförtner, Henrike; Niemann, Silke; Geraci, Jennifer; Van de Vyver, Hélène; Fraunholz, Martin J; Cheung, Ambrose L; Herrmann, Mathias; Völker, Uwe; Sordelli, Daniel O; Peters, Georg; Löffler, Bettina

2015-04-01

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that causes a range of infections from acute invasive to chronic and difficult-to-treat. Infection strategies associated with persisting S. aureus infections are bacterial host cell invasion and the bacterial ability to dynamically change phenotypes from the aggressive wild-type to small colony variants (SCVs), which are adapted for intracellular long-term persistence. The underlying mechanisms of the bacterial switching and adaptation mechanisms appear to be very dynamic, but are largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the role and the crosstalk of the global S. aureus regulators agr, sarA and SigB by generating single, double and triple mutants, and testing them with proteome analysis and in different in vitro and in vivo infection models. We were able to demonstrate that SigB is the crucial factor for adaptation in chronic infections. During acute infection, the bacteria require the simultaneous action of the agr and sarA loci to defend against invading immune cells by causing inflammation and cytotoxicity and to escape from phagosomes in their host cells that enable them to settle an infection at high bacterial density. To persist intracellularly the bacteria subsequently need to silence agr and sarA. Indeed agr and sarA deletion mutants expressed a much lower number of virulence factors and could persist at high numbers intracellularly. SigB plays a crucial function to promote bacterial intracellular persistence. In fact, ΔsigB-mutants did not generate SCVs and were completely cleared by the host cells within a few days. In this study we identified SigB as an essential factor that enables the bacteria to switch from the highly aggressive phenotype that settles an acute infection to a silent SCV-phenotype that allows for long-term intracellular persistence. Consequently, the SigB-operon represents a possible target to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies against chronic and therapy-refractory infections.

Infection Status of Hospitalized Diarrheal Patients with Gastrointestinal Protozoa, Bacteria, and Viruses in the Republic of Korea

PubMed Central

Cho, Shin-Hyeong; Lee, Jin-Hee; Lim, Yi-Young; Jeon, Ji-Hye; Yu, Jae-Ran; Kim, Tong-Soo; Lee, Won-Ja; Cho, Seung-Hak; Lee, Deog-Yong; Park, Mi-Seon; Jeong, Hye-Sook; Chen, Doo-Sung; Ji, Yeong-Mi; Kwon, Mi-Hwa

2010-01-01

To understand protozoan, viral, and bacterial infections in diarrheal patients, we analyzed positivity and mixed-infection status with 3 protozoans, 4 viruses, and 10 bacteria in hospitalized diarrheal patients during 2004-2006 in the Republic of Korea. A total of 76,652 stool samples were collected from 96 hospitals across the nation. The positivity for protozoa, viruses, and bacteria was 129, 1,759, and 1,797 per 10,000 persons, respectively. Especially, Cryptosporidium parvum was highly mixed-infected with rotavirus among pediatric diarrheal patients (29.5 per 100 C. parvum positive cases), and Entamoeba histolytica was mixed-infected with Clostridium perfringens (10.3 per 100 E. histolytica positive cases) in protozoan-diarrheal patients. Those infected with rotavirus and C. perfringens constituted relatively high proportions among mixed infection cases from January to April. The positivity for rotavirus among viral infection for those aged ≤ 5 years was significantly higher, while C. perfringens among bacterial infection was higher for ≥ 50 years. The information for association of viral and bacterial infections with enteropathogenic protozoa in diarrheal patients may contribute to improvement of care for diarrhea as well as development of control strategies for diarrheal diseases in Korea. PMID:20585526

[Acute skin infections and their imitators in children : A photo quiz].

PubMed

Theiler, M; Schwieger-Briel, A; Weibel, L

2017-10-01

Skin infections account for 40% of emergency visits in pediatric dermatology. It is important to promptly recognize skin infections with potential complications and initiate treatment. However some characteristic skin findings may imitate skin infections and are often misdiagnosed. To illustrate frequent pediatric skin infections and pitfalls in view of imitators and differential diagnoses. A photo quiz is presented with the discussion of a selection of acute pediatric skin infections in comparison to their infectious or noninfectious differential diagnoses. The following infectious skin conditions and imitators are described and clinical clues for differentiation highlighted: eczema herpeticum and bacterial superinfection of atopic dermatitis; exanthematous hand, foot and mouth disease and varicella infection; erythema chronicum multilocularis and anular urticaria; Gianotti-Crosti syndrome and Gianotti-Crosti-like reaction; bacterial folliculitis of the scalp and kerion celsi and eosinophilic pustular folliculitis of the scalp; cutaneous Leishmaniasis and idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma; allergic and bacterial lymphangitis; bullous impetigo contagiosa and nonaccidental scalding. Careful anamnesis and skin examination with attention to the here illustrated differential diagnoses are essential to avoid pitfalls in the evaluation of acute pediatric skin infections.

Infection with the Lyme disease pathogen suppresses innate immunity in mice with diet‐induced obesity

PubMed Central

Zlotnikov, Nataliya; Javid, Ashkan; Ahmed, Mijhgan; Eshghi, Azad; Tang, Tian Tian; Arya, Anoop; Bansal, Anil; Matar, Fatima; Parikh, Maitry; Ebady, Rhodaba; Koh, Adeline; Gupta, Nupur; Song, Peng; Zhang, Yang; Newbigging, Susan; Wormser, Gary P.; Schwartz, Ira; Inman, Robert; Glogauer, Michael

2016-01-01

Abstract Obesity is a major global public health concern. Immune responses implicated in obesity also control certain infections. We investigated the effects of high‐fat diet‐induced obesity (DIO) on infection with the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi in mice. DIO was associated with systemic suppression of neutrophil‐ and macrophage‐based innate immune responses. These included bacterial uptake and cytokine production, and systemic, progressive impairment of bacterial clearance, and increased carditis severity. B. burgdorferi‐infected mice fed normal diet also gained weight at the same rate as uninfected mice fed high‐fat diet, toll‐like receptor 4 deficiency rescued bacterial clearance defects, which greater in female than male mice, and killing of an unrelated bacterium (Escherichia coli) by bone marrow‐derived macrophages from obese, B. burgdorferi‐infected mice was also affected. Importantly, innate immune suppression increased with infection duration and depended on cooperative and synergistic interactions between DIO and B. burgdorferi infection. Thus, obesity and B. burgdorferi infection cooperatively and progressively suppressed innate immunity in mice. PMID:27794208

Infection with the Lyme disease pathogen suppresses innate immunity in mice with diet-induced obesity.

PubMed

Zlotnikov, Nataliya; Javid, Ashkan; Ahmed, Mijhgan; Eshghi, Azad; Tang, Tian Tian; Arya, Anoop; Bansal, Anil; Matar, Fatima; Parikh, Maitry; Ebady, Rhodaba; Koh, Adeline; Gupta, Nupur; Song, Peng; Zhang, Yang; Newbigging, Susan; Wormser, Gary P; Schwartz, Ira; Inman, Robert; Glogauer, Michael; Moriarty, Tara J

2017-05-01

Obesity is a major global public health concern. Immune responses implicated in obesity also control certain infections. We investigated the effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) on infection with the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi in mice. DIO was associated with systemic suppression of neutrophil- and macrophage-based innate immune responses. These included bacterial uptake and cytokine production, and systemic, progressive impairment of bacterial clearance, and increased carditis severity. B. burgdorferi-infected mice fed normal diet also gained weight at the same rate as uninfected mice fed high-fat diet, toll-like receptor 4 deficiency rescued bacterial clearance defects, which greater in female than male mice, and killing of an unrelated bacterium (Escherichia coli) by bone marrow-derived macrophages from obese, B. burgdorferi-infected mice was also affected. Importantly, innate immune suppression increased with infection duration and depended on cooperative and synergistic interactions between DIO and B. burgdorferi infection. Thus, obesity and B. burgdorferi infection cooperatively and progressively suppressed innate immunity in mice. © 2016 The Authors Cellular Microbiology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Bacterial diversity in the feces of dogs with CPV infection.

PubMed

Zheng, Yun; Hao, Xiangqi; Lin, Xi; Zheng, Qingxu; Zhang, Wenyan; Zhou, Pei; Li, Shoujun

2018-04-27

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a contagious disease in dogs that has high morbidity and mortality. In cases of infection, the pups tend to have a higher mortality and more severe clinical symptoms than the adult dogs because the dehydration is difficult for pups to bear. Following the natural infection, there is a rapid antibody response neutralizing the extracellular virus. As a result, virus titers in tissue and feces become markedly reduced. Hence, it is important to have an effective symptomatic therapy of supporting animals to survive in the early stages of CPV infection. Furthermore, the co-infection with bacteria could increase the severity of lesions and clinical signs as well. In this paper, we obtained the bacterial diversity in feces of CPV infected dogs with the enrichment of five bacteria genera (Shigella, Peptoclostridium, Peptostreptococcus, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium). These microorganisms may partly result in the intestinal pathology of the infection. In summary, the discussion of the bacterial biodiversity in feces of CPV infected dogs provides further insights into the pathology of CPV disease and the targets of developing more effective treatment strategies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biomarkers and bacterial pneumonia risk in patients with treated HIV infection: a case-control study.

PubMed

Bjerk, Sonja M; Baker, Jason V; Emery, Sean; Neuhaus, Jacqueline; Angus, Brian; Gordin, Fred M; Pett, Sarah L; Stephan, Christoph; Kunisaki, Ken M

2013-01-01

Despite advances in HIV treatment, bacterial pneumonia continues to cause considerable morbidity and mortality in patients with HIV infection. Studies of biomarker associations with bacterial pneumonia risk in treated HIV-infected patients do not currently exist. We performed a nested, matched, case-control study among participants randomized to continuous combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in the Strategies for Management of Antiretroviral Therapy trial. Patients who developed bacterial pneumonia (cases) and patients without bacterial pneumonia (controls) were matched 1∶1 on clinical center, smoking status, age, and baseline cART use. Baseline levels of Club Cell Secretory Protein 16 (CC16), Surfactant Protein D (SP-D), C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and d-dimer were compared between cases and controls. Cases (n = 72) and controls (n = 72) were 25.7% female, 51.4% black, 65.3% current smokers, 9.7% diabetic, 36.1% co-infected with Hepatitis B/C, and 75.0% were on cART at baseline. Median (IQR) age was 45 (41, 51) years with CD4+ count of 553 (436, 690) cells/mm(3). Baseline CC16 and SP-D were similar between cases and controls, but hsCRP was significantly higher in cases than controls (2.94 µg/mL in cases vs. 1.93 µg/mL in controls; p = 0.02). IL-6 and d-dimer levels were also higher in cases compared to controls, though differences were not statistically significant (p-value 0.06 and 0.10, respectively). In patients with cART-treated HIV infection, higher levels of systemic inflammatory markers were associated with increased bacterial pneumonia risk, while two pulmonary-specific inflammatory biomarkers, CC16 and SP-D, were not associated with bacterial pneumonia risk.

Mycobacterial infections in striped bass from Delaware Bay

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ottinger, C.A.; Brown, J.J.; Densmore, Christine L.; Starliper, C.E.; Blazer, V.S.; Weyers, H.S.; Beauchamp, K.A.; Rhodes, M.W.; Kator, H.; Gauthier, David T.; Vogelbein, W.K.

2007-01-01

Eighty striped bass Morone saxatilis were obtained from Delaware Bay using commercial gill nets set adjacent to Woodland Beach (n = 70) and Bowers Beach (n = 10) in December 2003. Fish were examined for gross lesions. Total lengths (TLs) and eviscerated weights were determined to calculate condition factors (K). Portions of spleens were aseptically harvested for bacterial culture, and portions of spleens, kidneys (anterior and posterior), livers, and gonads were obtained for histological examination. The size distribution of the striped bass was relatively homogeneous; the mean TL was about 600 mm for all samples. Mean K exceeded 0.95 in all samples and was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among samples. Significant differences in mycobacterial infection prevalence (P ??? 0.05) were observed among samples; samples obtained at Woodland Beach (WB) on December 10 (53.8%, n = 13) and December 17 (7.1%, n = 42) exhibited the most striking differences in prevalence. Mycobacterial infection intensity ranged from 1 ?? 102 to 1 ?? 107 colony-forming units per gram of spleen. Acanthocephalan infection prevalence and intensity, non-acid-fast bacterial infection prevalence, and fish sex ratio were also significantly different among the samples (P ??? 0.05). Similar to the mycobacterial infections, differences in sex ratio, acanthocephalan infection, and non-acid-fast bacterial infection were observed between the WB samples taken on December 10 and 17. However, no significant associations (P > 0.05) were observed between sex ratio or these infections and mycobacterial infection. The differences in bacterial and parasite infection prevalence and intensity and fish sex ratio in some samples indicate that these fish had a different history and that the epizootiology of mycobacterial infection in striped bass from Delaware Bay may be relatively complex. ?? Copyright by the American Fisheries Society 2007.

Mycobacterial infections in striped bass from Delaware Bay.

PubMed

Ottinger, C A; Brown, J J; Densmore, C L; Starliper, C E; Blazer, V S; Weyers, H S; Beauchamp, K A; Rhodes, M W; Kator, H; Gauthier, D T; Vogelbein, W K

2007-06-01

Eighty striped bass Morone saxatilis were obtained from Delaware Bay using commercial gill nets set adjacent to Woodland Beach (n = 70) and Bowers Beach (n = 10) in December 2003. Fish were examined for gross lesions. Total lengths (TLs) and eviscerated weights were determined to calculate condition factors (K). Portions of spleens were aseptically harvested for bacterial culture, and portions of spleens, kidneys (anterior and posterior), livers, and gonads were obtained for histological examination. The size distribution of the striped bass was relatively homogeneous; the mean TL was about 600 mm for all samples. Mean K exceeded 0.95 in all samples and was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among samples. Significant differences in mycobacterial infection prevalence (P < or = 0.05) were observed among samples; samples obtained at Woodland Beach (WB) on December 10 (53.8%, n = 13) and December 17 (7.1%, n = 42) exhibited the most striking differences in prevalence. Mycobacterial infection intensity ranged from 1 X 10(2) to 1 X 10(7) colony-forming units per gram of spleen. Acanthocephalan infection prevalence and intensity, non-acid-fast bacterial infection prevalence, and fish sex ratio were also significantly different among the samples (P < or = 0.05). Similar to the mycobacterial infections, differences in sex ratio, acanthocephalan infection, and non-acid-fast bacterial infection were observed between the WB samples taken on December 10 and 17. However, no significant associations (P > 0.05) were observed between sex ratio or these infections and mycobacterial infection. The differences in bacterial and parasite infection prevalence and intensity and fish sex ratio in some samples indicate that these fish had a different history and that the epizootiology of mycobacterial infection in striped bass from Delaware Bay may be relatively complex.

Bacterial infections in patients with liver cirrhosis: clinical characteristics and the role of C-reactive protein.

PubMed

Deutsch, Melanie; Manolakopoulos, Spilios; Andreadis, Ioannis; Giannaris, Markos; Kontos, George; Kranidioti, Hariklia; Pirounaki, Maria; Koskinas, John

2018-01-01

The diagnosis of bacterial infection in cirrhotic patients may be difficult, because of the absence of classical signs such as fever and raised white blood cell count. The role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in this context has not been clearly defined. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of 210 consecutive cirrhotic patients with (n=100) or without (n=110) bacterial infection were compared with a control group of non-cirrhotic patients with infection (n=106). Significantly fewer patients with cirrhosis had a body temperature ≥37°C when presenting with bacterial infection (56% cirrhotic vs. 85.5% non-cirrhotic patients, P=0.01). Mean leukocyte count was 6.92 × 10 3 /mm 3 in patients with cirrhosis and infection, 5.75 × 10 3 /mm 3 (P=0.02) in cirrhotic patients without infection, and 11.28 × 10 3 /mm 3 in non-cirrhotic patients with infection (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that CRP level and model for end-stage liver disease score were significantly associated with the presence of infection in patients with cirrhosis. A cutoff level of CRP>10 mg/L indicated the presence of infection with a sensitivity of 68%, a specificity of 84.5% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.8197. CRP cutoff level differed according to the severity of the liver disease: Child-Pugh score (CPS) A: 21.3 mg/L, B: 17 mg/L, and C: 5.78 mg/L. CRP at admission could help diagnose infection in cirrhotic patients. Since the severity of liver disease seems to affect the CRP values, lower CRP levels might indicate infection. Clinical suspicion is necessary to avoid delay in diagnosis and initiate antibiotic treatment.

Chronic Infection of the Prostate by Chlamydia muridarum Is Accompanied by Local Inflammation and Pelvic Pain Development.

PubMed

Sanchez, Leonardo R; Breser, Maria L; Godoy, Gloria J; Salazar, Florencia C; Mackern-Oberti, Juan P; Cuffini, Cecilia; Motrich, Ruben D; Rivero, Virginia E

2017-04-01

Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infections are the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infections. Although the prevalence of chlamydial infection is similar in men and women, current research is mainly focused on women, neglecting the study of male genital tract infections. We, therefore, investigated Chlamydia infection in the rodent male genital tract. Male NOD and C57BL/6 mice were inoculated in the meatus urethra with C. muridarum. Bacterial DNA, leukocyte infiltration of male genital tract tissues, pelvic pain, and Chlamydia-specific immune responses were analyzed at different time points. The inoculation of C. muridarum in the meatus urethra of male mice resulted in an ascending and widely disseminated infection of the male genital tract. C. muridarum remained longer and with the highest bacterial burdens in the prostate, thus showing a special tropism for this organ. Infection caused leukocyte infiltration, mainly composed by neutrophils, and also induced early pelvic pain development that rapidly dropped and resolved as the infection became chronic. Bacterial load and leukocyte infiltration was observed in all prostate lobes, although dorsolateral prostate was the most affected lobe. Interestingly, immune responses induced by both mice strains were characterized by the production of high levels of IL-10 during early stages of the infection, with highest and sustained levels observed in NOD mice, which showed to be less efficient in clearing the infection. Chronic infection of the prostate accompanied by local inflammation and pelvic pain development described herein have important implications for the improvement of the diagnosis and for the design of new efficient therapies. Prostate 77:517-529, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lipocalin 2 Imparts Selective Pressure on Bacterial Growth in the Bladder and Is Elevated in Women with Urinary Tract Infection

PubMed Central

Steigedal, Magnus; Marstad, Anne; Haug, Markus; Damås, Jan K.; Strong, Roland K.; Roberts, Pacita L.; Himpsl, Stephanie D.; Stapleton, Ann; Hooton, Thomas M.; Mobley, Harry L. T.; Hawn, Thomas R.

2014-01-01

Competition for iron is a critical component of successful bacterial infections, but the underlying in vivo mechanisms are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is an innate immunity protein that binds to bacterial siderophores and starves them for iron, thus representing a novel host defense mechanism to infection. In the present study we show that LCN2 is secreted by the urinary tract mucosa and protects against urinary tract infection (UTI). We found that LCN2 was expressed in the bladder, ureters, and kidneys of mice subject to UTI. LCN2 was protective with higher bacterial numbers retrieved from bladders of Lcn2-deficient mice than from wild-type mice infected with the LCN2-sensitive Escherichia coli strain H9049. Uropathogenic E. coli mutants in siderophore receptors for salmochelin, aerobactin, or yersiniabactin displayed reduced fitness in wild-type mice, but not in mice deficient of LCN2, demonstrating that LCN2 imparts a selective pressure on bacterial growth in the bladder. In a human cohort of women with recurrent E. coli UTIs, urine LCN2 levels were associated with UTI episodes and with levels of bacteriuria. The number of siderophore systems was associated with increasing bacteriuria during cystitis. Our data demonstrate that LCN2 is secreted by the urinary tract mucosa in response to uropathogenic E. coli challenge and acts in innate immune defenses as a colonization barrier that pathogens must overcome to establish infection. PMID:25398327

Prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women receiving antenatal care in Southwestern Nigeria.

PubMed

Olowe, Olugbenga Adekunle; Makanjuola, Olufunmilola Bamidele; Olowe, Rita; Adekanle, Daniel A

2014-12-01

Vaginal infections in pregnancy are associated with considerable discomfort and adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm delivery, low birth weight and increased infant mortality and also predisposition to HIV/AIDS. This study evaluated the prevalence and factors associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis among women attending antenatal clinic at a hospital in Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered and high vaginal swab samples were obtained from consenting pregnant women. The samples were processed following standard protocols. The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was 36%, while those of trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis were 2% and 38%, respectively. Infections were higher in the third trimester and many women admitted to practices that increase risk of these infections. Significant association was found between recent intake of antibiotics and vaginal candidiasis, same association was also found with bacterial vaginosis. Adequate investigation and prompt treatment will reduce the morbidity and attendant effects of these prevalent infections on mother and fetus.

Hierarchical effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the post-influenza susceptibility to pneumococcal coinfection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duvigneau, Stefanie; Sharma-Chawla, Niharika; Boianelli, Alessandro; Stegemann-Koniszewski, Sabine; Nguyen, Van Kinh; Bruder, Dunja; Hernandez-Vargas, Esteban A.

2016-11-01

In the course of influenza A virus (IAV) infections, a secondary bacterial infection frequently leads to serious respiratory conditions provoking high hospitalization and death tolls. Although abundant pro-inflammatory responses have been reported as key contributing factors for these severe dual infections, the relative contributions of cytokines remain largely unclear. In the current study, mathematical modelling based on murine experimental data dissects IFN-γ as a cytokine candidate responsible for impaired bacterial clearance, thereby promoting bacterial growth and systemic dissemination during acute IAV infection. We also found a time-dependent detrimental role of IL-6 in curtailing bacterial outgrowth which was not as distinct as for IFN-γ. Our numerical simulations suggested a detrimental effect of IFN-γ alone and in synergism with IL-6 but no conclusive pathogenic effect of IL-6 and TNF-α alone. This work provides a rationale to understand the potential impact of how to manipulate temporal immune components, facilitating the formulation of hypotheses about potential therapeutic strategies to treat coinfections.

Ag/AgBr-loaded mesoporous silica for rapid sterilization and promotion of wound healing.

PubMed

Jin, Chen; Liu, Xiangmei; Tan, Lei; Cui, Zhenduo; Yang, Xianjin; Zheng, Yufeng; Yeung, Kelvin Wai Kwok; Chu, Paul K; Wu, Shuilin

2018-06-25

Bacterial infection is a major concern during the wound healing process. Herein, Ag/AgBr-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Ag/AgBr/MSNs) are designed to harvest visible light for rapid sterilization and acceleration of wound healing. The Ag/AgBr nanostructure has remarkable photocatalysis ability due to the critical factor that it can generate electron-hole pairs easily after light absorption. This remarkable photocatalytic effect enhances the antibacterial activity by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The bacterial killing efficiency of Ag/AgBr/MSNs is 95.62% and 99.99% against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, within 15 min under simulated solar light irradiation due to the generation of ROS. Furthermore, the composites can arrest the bacterial growth and damage the bacterial membrane through electrostatic interaction. The gradual release of Ag+ not only prevents bacterial infection with good long-term effectiveness but also stimulates the immune function to produce a large number of white blood cells and neutrophils, which favors the promotion of the wound healing process. This platform provides an effective strategy to prevent bacterial infection during wound healing.

Chemically individual armoured bioreporter bacteria used for the in vivo sensing of ultra-trace toxic metal ions.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhijun; Ju, Enguo; Bing, Wei; Wang, Zhenzhen; Ren, Jinsong; Qu, Xiaogang

2017-07-25

A chemically engineered armour is developed for simultaneously improving bioreporter bacterial vitality and shielding infectivity. The armour can help bacteria to resist various insults and even immune phagocytosis. Meanwhile, the bacterial infectivity has proven to be greatly shielded as well. Most importantly, the original bacterial biosensing activity is well preserved, which is competent for sensing trace arsenic in water, serum, and even in vivo.

Bacterial bloodstream infections in the allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant patient: new considerations for a persistent nemesis.

PubMed

Dandoy, C E; Ardura, M I; Papanicolaou, G A; Auletta, J J

2017-08-01

Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) cause significant transplant-related morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). This manuscript reviews the risk factors for and the bacterial pathogens causing BSIs in allo-HCT recipients in the contemporary transplant period. In addition, it offers insight into emerging resistant pathogens and reviews clinical management considerations to treat and strategies to prevent BSIs in allo-HCT patients.

BASIC study: is intravaginal boric acid non-inferior to metronidazole in symptomatic bacterial vaginosis? Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Zeron Mullins, Melinda; Trouton, Konia M

2015-07-26

Bacterial vaginosis is associated with increased transmission of sexually transmitted infections, preterm labor, post-surgical infections, and endometritis. Current treatment for symptomatic bacterial vaginosis includes antibiotics, such as metronidazole, which are 70-80 % effective at one month after treatment and result in high recurrence rates and secondary candida infections. Intravaginal boric acid has been used for over a hundred years to treat vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis. Boric acid is inexpensive, accessible, and has shown to be an effective treatment for other infections, such as vaginal candidiasis. To date, there has been no clinical trial evaluation of boric acid effectiveness to treat bacterial vaginosis. The BASIC (Boric Acid, Alternate Solution for Intravaginal Colonization) trial is a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter study. The study will enroll a minimum of 240 women of 16-50 years of age who are symptomatic with bacterial vaginosis. Eligible participants will have Amsel and Nugent scores confirming bacterial vaginosis. Women who are pregnant or menopausal or have other active co-infections will be excluded. Consenting participants who meet exclusion and inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: boric acid, metronidazole, or an inert placebo. Self-administration of treatment intravaginally for 10 days will be followed by clinical assessment at 7 and 30 days (days 17 and 40, respectively) after the end of the treatment phase. Primary outcome is a non-inferiority, per-protocol comparison of the effectiveness of boric acid with that of metronidazole at day 17, as measured by the Nugent score in 16-50 year olds. Secondary outcomes include: non-inferiority, intention-to-treat comparison of effectiveness of boric acid with that of metronidazole at day 17, analysis for both per-protocol and intention-to-treat at day 40, and safety considerations, including adverse effects requiring patient discontinuation of treatment. This study will be the first to determine whether intravaginal boric acid is non-inferior to metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis in symptomatic women. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00799214, registered online Nov 10, 2008.

Land cover and forest connectivity alter the interactions among host, pathogen and skin microbiome.

PubMed

Becker, C G; Longo, A V; Haddad, C F B; Zamudio, K R

2017-08-30

Deforestation has detrimental consequences on biodiversity, affecting species interactions at multiple scales. The associations among vertebrates, pathogens and their commensal/symbiotic microbial communities (i.e. microbiomes) have important downstream effects for biodiversity conservation, yet we know little about how deforestation contributes to changes in host microbial diversity and pathogen abundance. Here, we tested the effects of landcover, forest connectivity and infection by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ) on amphibian skin bacterial diversity along deforestation gradients in Brazilian landscapes. If disturbance to natural habitat alters skin microbiomes as it does in vertebrate host communities, then we would expect higher host bacterial diversity in natural forest habitats. Bd infection loads are also often higher in these closed-canopy forests, which may in turn impact skin-associated bacterial communities. We found that forest corridors shaped composition of host skin microbiomes; high forest connectivity predicted greater similarity of skin bacterial communities among host populations. In addition, we found that host skin bacterial diversity and Bd loads increased towards natural vegetation. Because symbiotic bacteria can potentially buffer hosts from Bd infection, we also evaluated the bi-directional microbiome- Bd link but failed to find a significant effect of skin bacterial diversity reducing Bd infections. Although weak, we found support for Bd increasing bacterial diversity and/or for core bacteria dominance reducing Bd loads. Our research incorporates a critical element in the study of host microbiomes by linking environmental heterogeneity of landscapes to the host-pathogen-microbiome triangle. © 2017 The Author(s).

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected patients in the United States: estimates from the Medical Monitoring Project.

PubMed

Flagg, Elaine W; Weinstock, Hillard S; Frazier, Emma L; Valverde, Eduardo E; Heffelfinger, James D; Skarbinski, Jacek

2015-04-01

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections may facilitate HIV transmission. Bacterial sexually transmitted infection testing is recommended for sexually active HIV-infected patients annually and more frequently for those at elevated sexual risk. We estimated percentages of HIV-infected patients in the United States receiving at least one syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia test, and repeat (≥2 tests, ≥3 months apart) tests for any of these sexually transmitted infections from mid-2008 through mid-2010. The Medical Monitoring Project collects behavioral and clinical characteristics of HIV-infected adults receiving medical care in the United States using nationally representative sampling. Sexual activity included self-reported oral, vaginal, or anal sex in the past 12 months. Participants reporting more than 1 sexual partner or illicit drug use before/during sex in the past year were classified as having elevated sexual risk. Among participants with only 1 sex partner and no drug use before/during sex, those reporting consistent condom use were classified as low risk; those reporting sex without a condom (or for whom this was unknown) were classified as at elevated sexual risk only if they considered their sex partner to be a casual partner, or if their partner was HIV-negative or partner HIV status was unknown. Bacterial sexually transmitted infection testing was ascertained through medical record abstraction. Among sexually active patients, 55% were tested at least once in 12 months for syphilis, whereas 23% and 24% received at least one gonorrhea and chlamydia test, respectively. Syphilis testing did not vary by sex/sexual orientation. Receipt of at least 3 CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell counts and/or HIV viral load tests in 12 months was associated with syphilis testing in men who have sex with men (MSM), men who have sex with women only, and women. Chlamydia testing was significantly higher in sexually active women (30%) compared with men who have sex with women only (19%), but not compared with MSM (22%). Forty-six percent of MSM were at elevated sexual risk; 26% of these MSM received repeat syphilis testing, whereas repeat testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia was only 7% for each infection. Bacterial sexually transmitted infection testing among sexually active HIV-infected patients was low, particularly for those at elevated sexual risk. Patient encounters in which CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell counts and/or HIV viral load testing occurs present opportunities for increased bacterial sexually transmitted infection testing.

Metal homeostasis in infectious disease: recent advances in bacterial metallophores and the human metal-withholding response.

PubMed

Neumann, Wilma; Gulati, Anmol; Nolan, Elizabeth M

2017-04-01

A tug-of-war between the mammalian host and bacterial pathogen for nutrients, including first-row transition metals (e.g. Mn, Fe, Zn), occurs during infection. Here we present recent advances about three metal-chelating metabolites that bacterial pathogens deploy when invading the host: staphylopine, staphyloferrin B, and enterobactin. These highlights provide new insights into the mechanisms of bacterial metal acquisition and regulation, as well as the contributions of host-defense proteins during the human innate immune response. The studies also underscore that the chemical composition of the microenvironment at an infection site can influence bacterial pathogenesis and the innate immune system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Host-to-host variation of ecological interactions in polymicrobial infections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Sayak; Weimer, Kristin E.; Seok, Sang-Cheol; Ray, Will C.; Jayaprakash, C.; Vieland, Veronica J.; Swords, W. Edward; Das, Jayajit

2015-02-01

Host-to-host variability with respect to interactions between microorganisms and multicellular hosts are commonly observed in infection and in homeostasis. However, the majority of mechanistic models used to analyze host-microorganism relationships, as well as most of the ecological theories proposed to explain coevolution of hosts and microbes, are based on averages across a host population. By assuming that observed variations are random and independent, these models overlook the role of differences between hosts. Here, we analyze mechanisms underlying host-to-host variations of bacterial infection kinetics, using the well characterized experimental infection model of polymicrobial otitis media (OM) in chinchillas, in combination with population dynamic models and a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) based inference scheme. We find that the nature of the interactions between bacterial species critically regulates host-to-host variations in these interactions. Surprisingly, seemingly unrelated phenomena, such as the efficiency of individual bacterial species in utilizing nutrients for growth, and the microbe-specific host immune response, can become interdependent in a host population. The latter finding suggests a potential mechanism that could lead to selection of specific strains of bacterial species during the coevolution of the host immune response and the bacterial species.

Bacterial diversity of oil palm Elaeis guineensis basal stems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amran, Afzufira; Jangi, Mohd Sanusi; Aqma, Wan Syaidatul; Yusof, Nurul Yuziana Mohd; Bakar, Mohd Faizal Abu; Isa, Mohd Noor Mat

2016-11-01

Oil palm, Elaeis guineensis is one of the major industrial production crops in Malaysia. Basal stem rot, caused by the white fungus, Ganoderma boninense, is a disease that reduces oil palm yields in most production areas of the world. Understanding of bacterial community that is associated with Ganoderma infection will shed light on how this bacterial community contributes toward the severity of the infection. In this preliminary study, we assessed the bacterial community that inhabit the basal stems of E. guineensis based on 16S rRNA gene as a marker using next generation sequencing platform. This result showed that a total of 84,372 operational taxonomic-units (OTUs) were identified within six samples analyzed. A total 55,049 OTUs were assigned to known taxonomy whereas 29,323 were unassigned. Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla found in all six samples and the unique taxonomy assigned for each infected and healthy samples were also identified. The findings from this study will further enhance our knowledge in the interaction of bacterial communities against Ganoderma infection within the oil palm host plant and for a better management of the basal stems rot disease.

Liver abscess caused by periodontal bacterial infection with Fusobacterium necrophorum.

PubMed

Yoneda, Masato; Kato, Shingo; Mawatari, Hironori; Kirikoshi, Hiroyuki; Imajo, Kento; Fujita, Koji; Endo, Hiroki; Takahashi, Hirokazu; Inamori, Masahiko; Kobayashi, Noritoshi; Kubota, Kensuke; Saito, Satoru; Tohnai, Iwai; Watanuki, Kei; Wada, Koichiro; Maeda, Shin; Nakajima, Atsushi

2011-02-01

Liver abscess is recognized as a life-threatening disease. However, even in recent years, approximately 50% of liver abscess cases are considered to be cryptogenic. Here, we report a case of liver abscess associated with periodontal bacterial infection by Fusobacterium necrophorum, which is commonly found in the oropharyngeal flora. A 36-year-old man presented with fever and contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple liver abscesses. F.necrophorum was isolated from oral smears, liver aspirates and blood samples. Liver abscesses caused by periodontal bacterial infection are rare, however, the incidence is expected to increase in the future, as periodontitis is extremely common and is on the rise as one of the most common chronic infections in the world. A systemic survey including periodontitis may be required for the exact diagnosis of the source of infection. © 2011 The Japan Society of Hepatology.

PPARγ-mediated increase in glucose availability sustains chronic Brucella abortus infection in alternatively activated macrophages

PubMed Central

Xavier, Mariana N.; Winter, Maria G.; Spees, Alanna M.; den Hartigh, Andreas B.; Nguyen, Kim; Roux, Christelle M.; Silva, Teane M. A.; Atluri, Vidya L.; Kerrinnes, Tobias; Keestra, A. Marijke; Monack, Denise M.; Luciw, Paul A.; Eigenheer, Richard A.; Bäumler, Andreas J.; Santos, Renato L.; Tsolis, Renée M.

2013-01-01

SUMMARY Eradication of persistent intracellular bacterial pathogens with antibiotic therapy is often slow or incomplete. However, strategies to augment antibiotics are hampered by our poor understanding of the nutritional environment that sustains chronic infection. Here we show that the intracellular pathogen Brucella abortus survives and replicates preferentially in alternatively activated macrophages (AAM), which are more abundant during chronic infection. A metabolic shift induced by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ), which increases intracellular glucose availability, is identified as a causal mechanism promoting enhanced bacterial survival in AAM. Glucose uptake was crucial for increased replication of B. abortus in AAM, and chronic infection, as inactivation of the bacterial glucose transporter gluP reduced both intracellular survival in AAM and persistence in mice. Thus, a shift in intracellular nutrient availability induced by PPARγ promotes chronic persistence of B. abortus within AAM and targeting this pathway may aid in eradicating chronic infection. PMID:23954155

Local Inflammation Exacerbates the Severity of Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection

PubMed Central

Montgomery, Christopher P.; Daniels, Melvin D.; Zhao, Fan; Spellberg, Brad; Chong, Anita S.; Daum, Robert S.

2013-01-01

Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin infections. In a mouse model of S. aureus skin infection, we found that lesion size did not correlate with bacterial burden. Athymic nude mice had smaller skin lesions that contained lower levels of myeloperoxidase, IL-17A, and CXCL1, compared with wild type mice, although there was no difference in bacterial burden. T cell deficiency did not explain the difference in lesion size, because TCR βδ (-/-) mice did not have smaller lesions, and adoptive transfer of congenic T cells into athymic nude mice prior to infection did not alter lesion size. The differences observed were specific to the skin, because mortality in a pneumonia model was not different between wild type and athymic nude mice. Thus, the clinical severity of S. aureus skin infection is driven by the inflammatory response to the bacteria, rather than bacterial burden, in a T cell independent manner. PMID:23861974

Should nursing home-acquired pneumonia be treated as nosocomial pneumonia?

PubMed

Ma, Hon Ming; Wah, Jenny Lee Shun; Woo, Jean

2012-10-01

It is contentious whether nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP) should be treated as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or health care-associated pneumonia. This study aimed to compare NHAP with CAP, and to examine whether multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria were significantly more common in NHAP than CAP. A prospective, observational cohort study The medical unit of a tertiary teaching hospital Patients 65 years and older, hospitalized for CAP and NHAP confirmed by radiographs from October 2009 to September 2010 Demographic characteristics, Katz score, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), pneumonia severity (CURB score), microbiology, and clinical outcomes were measured. A total of 488 patients were recruited and 116 (23.8%) patients were nursing home residents. Compared with patients with CAP, patients with NHAP were older and had more comorbidities and higher functional dependence level. A larger proportion of patients with NHAP had severe pneumonia (CURB ≥2) than patients with CAP (30.2% vs 20.7%, P = .034). Similar percentages of patients had identified infective causes in the CAP and NHAP groups (27.7% vs 29.3%, P = .734). Viral infection accounted for more than half (55.9%) of NHAP, whereas bacterial infection was the most frequent (69.9%) cause of CAP. MDR bacteria were found in 6 patients of all study subjects. Nursing home residence and history of MDR bacterial infection were risk factors for MDR bacterial pneumonia, which had more severe pneumonia (CURB ≥2). Logistic regression analysis was limited by the small number of patients with MDR bacterial pneumonia. In both CAP and NHAP, MDR bacterial infections were uncommon. Most cases of NHAP were caused by unknown etiology or viral pathogens. We suggest that NHAP should not be treated as nosocomial infection. The empirical treatment of broad-spectrum antibiotics in NHAP should be reserved for patients with severe pneumonia or at high risk of MDR bacterial infection. Copyright © 2012 American Medical Directors Association, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The development and application of a molecular community profiling strategy to identify polymicrobial bacterial DNA in the whole blood of septic patients.

PubMed

Faria, M M P; Conly, J M; Surette, M G

2015-10-16

The application of molecular based diagnostics in sepsis has had limited success to date. Molecular community profiling methods have indicated that polymicrobial infections are more common than suggested by standard clinical culture. A molecular profiling approach was developed to investigate the propensity for polymicrobial infections in patients predicted to have bacterial sepsis. Disruption of blood cells with saponin and hypotonic shock enabled the recovery of microbial cells with no significant changes in microbial growth when compared to CFU/ml values immediately prior to the addition of saponin. DNA extraction included a cell-wall digestion step with both lysozyme and mutanolysin, which increased the recovery of terminal restriction fragments by 2.4 fold from diverse organisms. Efficiencies of recovery and limits of detection using Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3 region were determined for both viable cells and DNA using mock bacterial communities inoculated into whole blood. Bacteria from pre-defined communities could be recovered following lysis and removal of host cells with >97% recovery of total DNA present. Applying the molecular profiling methodology to three septic patients in the intensive care unit revealed microbial DNA from blood had consistent alignment with cultured organisms from the primary infection site providing evidence for a bloodstream infection in the absence of a clinical lab positive blood culture result in two of the three cases. In addition, the molecular profiling indicated greater diversity was present in the primary infection sample when compared to clinical diagnostic culture. A method for analyzing bacterial DNA from whole blood was developed in order to characterize the bacterial DNA profile of sepsis infections. Preliminary results indicated that sepsis infections were polymicrobial in nature with the bacterial DNA recovered suggesting a more complex etiology when compared to blood culture data.

Paclitaxel and Intraperitoneal Carboplatin Followed by Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IIIC-IV Uterine Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2015-02-10

Endometrial Serous Adenocarcinoma; Stage IIIA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIC1 Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIC2 Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVB Uterine Corpus Cancer

Immediate postpartum ultrasound evaluation for suspected retained placental tissue in patients undergoing manual removal of placenta.

PubMed

Weissbach, T; Haikin-Herzberger, E; Bacci-Hugger, K; Shechter-Maor, G; Fejgin, M; Biron-Shental, T

2015-09-01

Approximately 1% of term deliveries are complicated by retained products of conception. Untreated, this condition may cause bleeding, infection and intrauterine adhesions. This study assessed whether performing routine bedside uterine ultrasound immediately after manual removal of the placenta reduced the occurrence of undiagnosed, retained products of conception and its associated complications. A retrospective study was conducted using the records of patients who delivered and underwent manual removal of placenta at a single obstetrics center over a 6-year period. The outcomes of patients who were assessed using immediate bedside ultrasound were compared to a similar group who were treated based on clinical evaluation alone. All patients underwent ultrasound examination prior to discharge. Outcome variables included the rate of additional interventions (medical or surgical), abnormal pre-discharge uterine ultrasound findings, postpartum hemorrhage rate, puerperal fever and length of hospital stay. A total of 399 charts were reviewed. Immediate post-procedural ultrasound was performed in 235 patients. The remaining 164 women did not undergo immediate post-procedural ultrasound. All patients underwent an ultrasound examination prior to discharge. Among the patients who had an immediate post-procedural ultrasound, 12 (5.1%) received immediate re-intervention (2 methergine, 6 curettage and 4 manual uterine revision) vs. no intervention in the second group (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the group of patients who had immediate post-procedural ultrasound and those who did not, in the rates of postpartum hemorrhage (3.1% vs. 0.7%, p=0.13), abnormal ultrasound findings prior to discharge (14.9% vs. 14.8%, p=0.96) or additional late intervention (7.2% vs. 7.9%, p=0.79), respectively. Our findings suggest that immediate, bedside uterine ultrasound examination after manual removal of placenta might not change patient outcomes. Furthermore, it might increase unnecessary interventions. Further studies are needed to prospectively assess the benefit of routine uterine ultrasound examination after manual removal of placenta. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

76 FR 59405 - Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-26

... development of antibacterials for the treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia, including ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia, and the draft document entitled ``Guidance for Industry: Hospital-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia and Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia: Developing Drugs for Treatment...

Detection of circulating tumor cells in cervical cancer using a conditionally replicative adenovirus targeting telomerase-positive cells.

PubMed

Takakura, Masahiro; Matsumoto, Takeo; Nakamura, Mitsuhiro; Mizumoto, Yasunari; Myojyo, Subaru; Yamazaki, Rena; Iwadare, Jyunpei; Bono, Yukiko; Orisaka, Shunsuke; Obata, Takeshi; Iizuka, Takashi; Kagami, Kyosuke; Nakayama, Kentaro; Hayakawa, Hideki; Sakurai, Fuminori; Mizuguchi, Hiroyuki; Urata, Yasuo; Fujiwara, Toshiyoshi; Kyo, Satoru; Sasagawa, Toshiyuki; Fujiwara, Hiroshi

2018-01-01

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are newly discovered biomarkers of cancers. Although many systems detect CTC, a gold standard has not yet been established. We analyzed CTC in uterine cervical cancer patients using an advanced version of conditionally replicative adenovirus targeting telomerase-positive cells, which was enabled to infect coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor-negative cells and to reduce false-positive signals in myeloid cells. Blood samples from cervical cancer patients were hemolyzed and infected with the virus and then labeled with fluorescent anti-CD45 and anti-pan cytokeratin antibodies. GFP (+)/CD45 (-) cells were isolated and subjected to whole-genome amplification followed by polymerase chain reaction analysis of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. CTC were detected in 6 of 23 patients with cervical cancers (26.0%). Expression of CTC did not correlate with the stage of cancer or other clinicopathological factors. In 5 of the 6 CTC-positive cases, the same subtype of HPV DNA as that of the corresponding primary lesion was detected, indicating that the CTC originated from HPV-infected cancer cells. These CTC were all negative for cytokeratins. The CTC detected by our system were genetically confirmed. CTC derived from uterine cervical cancers had lost epithelial characteristics, indicating that epithelial marker-dependent systems do not have the capacity to detect these cells in cervical cancer patients. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing with Deep Learning Video Microscopy.

PubMed

Yu, Hui; Jing, Wenwen; Iriya, Rafael; Yang, Yunze; Syal, Karan; Mo, Manni; Grys, Thomas E; Haydel, Shelley E; Wang, Shaopeng; Tao, Nongjian

2018-05-15

Timely determination of antimicrobial susceptibility for a bacterial infection enables precision prescription, shortens treatment time, and helps minimize the spread of antibiotic resistant infections. Current antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) methods often take several days and thus impede these clinical and health benefits. Here, we present an AST method by imaging freely moving bacterial cells in urine in real time and analyzing the videos with a deep learning algorithm. The deep learning algorithm determines if an antibiotic inhibits a bacterial cell by learning multiple phenotypic features of the cell without the need for defining and quantifying each feature. We apply the method to urinary tract infection, a common infection that affects millions of people, to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of pathogens from both bacteria spiked urine and clinical infected urine samples for different antibiotics within 30 min and validate the results with the gold standard broth macrodilution method. The deep learning video microscopy-based AST holds great potential to contribute to the solution of increasing drug-resistant infections.

Serum amyloid A is a retinol binding protein that transports retinol during bacterial infection

PubMed Central

Derebe, Mehabaw G; Zlatkov, Clare M; Gattu, Sureka; Ruhn, Kelly A; Vaishnava, Shipra; Diehl, Gretchen E; MacMillan, John B; Williams, Noelle S; Hooper, Lora V

2014-01-01

Retinol plays a vital role in the immune response to infection, yet proteins that mediate retinol transport during infection have not been identified. Serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins are strongly induced in the liver by systemic infection and in the intestine by bacterial colonization, but their exact functions remain unclear. Here we show that mouse and human SAAs are retinol binding proteins. Mouse and human SAAs bound retinol with nanomolar affinity, were associated with retinol in vivo, and limited the bacterial burden in tissues after acute infection. We determined the crystal structure of mouse SAA3 at a resolution of 2 Å, finding that it forms a tetramer with a hydrophobic binding pocket that can accommodate retinol. Our results thus identify SAAs as a family of microbe-inducible retinol binding proteins, reveal a unique protein architecture involved in retinol binding, and suggest how retinol is circulated during infection. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03206.001 PMID:25073702

Legionnaire's Disease and Influenza.

PubMed

Magira, Eleni E; Zakynthinos, Sryros

2017-03-01

Legionella pneumophila and influenza types A and B viruses can cause either community-acquired pneumonia with respiratory failure, or Legionella infection could attribute to influenza infection with potentially fatal prognosis. Copathogenesis between pandemic influenza and bacteria is characterized by complex interactions between coinfecting pathogens and the host. Understanding the underlying reason of the emersion of the secondary bacterial infection during an influenza infection is challenging. The dual infection has an impact on viral control and may delay viral clearance. Effective vaccines and antiviral therapy are crucial to increase resistance toward influenza, decrease the prevalence of influenza, and possibly interrupt the potential secondary bacterial infections. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Viral particles of endogenous betaretroviruses are released in the sheep uterus and infect the conceptus trophectoderm in a transspecies embryo transfer model.

PubMed

Black, Sarah G; Arnaud, Frederick; Burghardt, Robert C; Satterfield, M Carey; Fleming, Jo-Ann G W; Long, Charles R; Hanna, Carol; Murphy, Lita; Biek, Roman; Palmarini, Massimo; Spencer, Thomas E

2010-09-01

The sheep genome contains multiple copies of endogenous betaretroviruses highly related to the exogenous and oncogenic jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). The endogenous JSRVs (enJSRVs) are abundantly expressed in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelia as well as in the conceptus trophectoderm and are essential for conceptus elongation and trophectoderm growth and development. Of note, enJSRVs are present in sheep and goats but not cattle. At least 5 of the 27 enJSRV loci cloned to date possess an intact genomic organization and are able to produce viral particles in vitro. In this study, we found that enJSRVs form viral particles that are released into the uterine lumen of sheep. In order to test the infectious potential of enJSRV particles in the uterus, we transferred bovine blastocysts into synchronized ovine recipients and allowed them to develop for 13 days. Analysis of microdissected trophectoderm of the bovine conceptuses revealed the presence of enJSRV RNA and, in some cases, DNA. Interestingly, we found that RNAs belonging to only the most recently integrated enJSRV loci were packaged into viral particles and transmitted to the trophectoderm. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that intact enJSRV loci expressed in the uterine endometrial epithelia are shed into the uterine lumen and could potentially transduce the conceptus trophectoderm. The essential role played by enJSRVs in sheep reproductive biology could also be played by endometrium-derived viral particles that influence development and differentiation of the trophectoderm.

Fine structure of uterus and non-functioning paruterine organ in Orthoskrjabinia junlanae (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea).

PubMed

Korneva, Janetta V; Kornienko, Svetlana A; Jones, Malcolm K

2016-06-01

Some cyclophyllidean cestodes provide protection for their eggs in the external environment by providing them with additional protective layers around the egg membranes. In attempting to examine such adaptations, the microanatomy and fine structure of the uterus of pregravid and gravid proglottids of the cyclophyllidean cestode Orthoskrjabinia junlanae, a parasite of mammals that inhabit a terrestrial but moist environment, were studied. In the initial stages of uterine development, developing embryos locate freely in the lumen of a saccate uterus that later partitions into chambers. Each chamber that forms encloses several embryos. The chambers are surrounded by muscle cells that synthesize extracellular matrix actively. The paruterine organs consist of stacks of flattened long outgrowths of muscular cells, interspersed with small lipid droplets. In the gravid proglottids, the size of paruterine organ increases and consists of flattened basal and small rounded apical parts separated by constrictions. The fine structure of the organ wall remains the same: sparse nuclei and stacks of flattened cytoplasmic outgrowths but internal invaginations or lumen in the paruterine organ are absent. Completely developed eggs remain localized in the uterus. Based on the comparative morpho-functional analysis of uterine and paruterine organs and uterine capsules in cestodes, we conclude that these non-functioning paruterine organ in O. junlanae is an example of an atavism. We postulate that the life cycle of the parasite, which infects mammals living in wet habitats, where threats of desiccation of parasite ova is reduced, has favoured a reversion to a more ancestral form of uterine development.

Modeling Influenza Virus Infection: A Roadmap for Influenza Research

PubMed Central

Boianelli, Alessandro; Nguyen, Van Kinh; Ebensen, Thomas; Schulze, Kai; Wilk, Esther; Sharma, Niharika; Stegemann-Koniszewski, Sabine; Bruder, Dunja; Toapanta, Franklin R.; Guzmán, Carlos A.; Meyer-Hermann, Michael; Hernandez-Vargas, Esteban A.

2015-01-01

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection represents a global threat causing seasonal outbreaks and pandemics. Additionally, secondary bacterial infections, caused mainly by Streptococcus pneumoniae, are one of the main complications and responsible for the enhanced morbidity and mortality associated with IAV infections. In spite of the significant advances in our knowledge of IAV infections, holistic comprehension of the interplay between IAV and the host immune response (IR) remains largely fragmented. During the last decade, mathematical modeling has been instrumental to explain and quantify IAV dynamics. In this paper, we review not only the state of the art of mathematical models of IAV infection but also the methodologies exploited for parameter estimation. We focus on the adaptive IR control of IAV infection and the possible mechanisms that could promote a secondary bacterial coinfection. To exemplify IAV dynamics and identifiability issues, a mathematical model to explain the interactions between adaptive IR and IAV infection is considered. Furthermore, in this paper we propose a roadmap for future influenza research. The development of a mathematical modeling framework with a secondary bacterial coinfection, immunosenescence, host genetic factors and responsiveness to vaccination will be pivotal to advance IAV infection understanding and treatment optimization. PMID:26473911

Modeling Influenza Virus Infection: A Roadmap for Influenza Research.

PubMed

Boianelli, Alessandro; Nguyen, Van Kinh; Ebensen, Thomas; Schulze, Kai; Wilk, Esther; Sharma, Niharika; Stegemann-Koniszewski, Sabine; Bruder, Dunja; Toapanta, Franklin R; Guzmán, Carlos A; Meyer-Hermann, Michael; Hernandez-Vargas, Esteban A

2015-10-12

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection represents a global threat causing seasonal outbreaks and pandemics. Additionally, secondary bacterial infections, caused mainly by Streptococcus pneumoniae, are one of the main complications and responsible for the enhanced morbidity and mortality associated with IAV infections. In spite of the significant advances in our knowledge of IAV infections, holistic comprehension of the interplay between IAV and the host immune response (IR) remains largely fragmented. During the last decade, mathematical modeling has been instrumental to explain and quantify IAV dynamics. In this paper, we review not only the state of the art of mathematical models of IAV infection but also the methodologies exploited for parameter estimation. We focus on the adaptive IR control of IAV infection and the possible mechanisms that could promote a secondary bacterial coinfection. To exemplify IAV dynamics and identifiability issues, a mathematical model to explain the interactions between adaptive IR and IAV infection is considered. Furthermore, in this paper we propose a roadmap for future influenza research. The development of a mathematical modeling framework with a secondary bacterial coinfection, immunosenescence, host genetic factors and responsiveness to vaccination will be pivotal to advance IAV infection understanding and treatment optimization.

Current use of anti-infectives in dermatology.

PubMed

Fernandez-Obregon, Adolfo C; Rohrback, Janelle; Reichel, Michael Aaron; Willis, Carolyn

2005-08-01

Dermatologic diseases encompass a broad category of pathologic situations. Infection remains a significant aspect of the pathology faced in patient encounters, and it is natural to expect that anti-infectives play a major element in the armamentarium utilized by dermatologists. Aside from the treatment of the classic bacterial and fungal infections, there are now new uses for antiviral agents to help suppress recurrent disease, such as herpes simplex. There is also the novel approach of using anti-infectives, or agents that have been thought to have antimicrobial activity, to treat inflammatory diseases. This review describes anti-infectives, beginning with common antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. The discussion will then cover the current use of antivirals. Finally, the description of antifungals will be separated, starting with the oral agents and ending with the topical antimycotics. The use of anti-infectives in tropical dermatology has been purposefully left out, and perhaps should be the subject of a separate review. Cutaneous bacterial infections consist chiefly of those microorganisms that colonize the skin, such as species of staphylococcus and streptococcus. Propionibacterium acnes and certain other anaerobes can be involved in folliculitis, pyodermas and in chronic conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa.

Antibiofilm Properties of Acetic Acid

PubMed Central

Bjarnsholt, Thomas; Alhede, Morten; Jensen, Peter Østrup; Nielsen, Anne K.; Johansen, Helle Krogh; Homøe, Preben; Høiby, Niels; Givskov, Michael; Kirketerp-Møller, Klaus

2015-01-01

Bacterial biofilms are known to be extremely tolerant toward antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents. These biofilms cause the persistence of chronic infections. Since antibiotics rarely resolve these infections, the only effective treatment of chronic infections is surgical removal of the infected implant, tissue, or organ and thereby the biofilm. Acetic acid is known for its antimicrobial effect on bacteria in general, but has never been thoroughly tested for its efficacy against bacterial biofilms. In this article, we describe complete eradication of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative biofilms using acetic acid both as a liquid and as a dry salt. In addition, we present our clinical experience of acetic acid treatment of chronic wounds. In conclusion, we here present the first comprehensive in vitro and in vivo testing of acetic acid against bacterial biofilms. PMID:26155378

M13 virus based detection of bacterial infections in living hosts.

PubMed

Bardhan, Neelkanth M; Ghosh, Debadyuti; Belcher, Angela M

2014-08-01

We report a first method for using M13 bacteriophage as a multifunctional scaffold for optically imaging bacterial infections in vivo. We demonstrate that M13 virus conjugated with hundreds of dye molecules (M13-Dye) can target and distinguish pathogenic infections of F-pili expressing and F-negative strains of E. coli. Further, in order to tune this M13-Dye complex suitable for targeting other strains of bacteria, we have used a 1-step reaction for creating an anti-bacterial antibody-M13-Dye probe. As an example, we show anti-S. aureus-M13-Dye able to target and image infections of S. aureus in living hosts, with a 3.7× increase in fluorescence over background. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Topical application of zinc oxide nanoparticles reduces bacterial skin infection in mice and exhibits antibacterial activity by inducing oxidative stress response and cell membrane disintegration in macrophages.

PubMed

Pati, Rashmirekha; Mehta, Ranjit Kumar; Mohanty, Soumitra; Padhi, Avinash; Sengupta, Mitali; Vaseeharan, Baskarlingam; Goswami, Chandan; Sonawane, Avinash

2014-08-01

Here we studied immunological and antibacterial mechanisms of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against human pathogens. ZnO-NPs showed more activity against Staphylococcus aureus and least against Mycobacterium bovis-BCG. However, BCG killing was significantly increased in synergy with antituberculous-drug rifampicin. Antibacterial mechanistic studies showed that ZnO-NPs disrupt bacterial cell membrane integrity, reduce cell surface hydrophobicity and down-regulate the transcription of oxidative stress-resistance genes in bacteria. ZnO-NP treatment also augmented the intracellular bacterial killing by inducing reactive oxygen species production and co-localization with Mycobacterium smegmatis-GFP in macrophages. Moreover, ZnO-NPs disrupted biofilm formation and inhibited hemolysis by hemolysin toxin producing S. aureus. Intradermal administration of ZnO-NPs significantly reduced the skin infection, bacterial load and inflammation in mice, and also improved infected skin architecture. We envision that this study offers novel insights into antimicrobial actions of ZnO-NPs and also demonstrates ZnO-NPs as a novel class of topical anti-infective agent for the treatment of skin infections. This in-depth study demonstrates properties of ZnO nanoparticles in infection prevention and treatment in several skin infection models, dissecting the potential mechanisms of action of these nanoparticles and paving the way to human applications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Enteral Nutrition and Synbiotics on Bacterial Infection Rates After Pylorus-preserving Pancreatoduodenectomy

PubMed Central

Rayes, Nada; Seehofer, Daniel; Theruvath, Tom; Mogl, Martina; Langrehr, Jan M.; Nüssler, Natascha C.; Bengmark, Stig; Neuhaus, Peter

2007-01-01

Objective: Patients undergoing pancreas resection carry several risk factors for nosocomial bacterial infections. Pre- and probiotics (synbiotics) are potentially useful for prevention of these infections. Summary Background Data: First trials in patients following major abdominal surgery including liver transplantation using one Lactobacillus (LAB) and one fiber showed significant reduction of infection rates and reduced length of antibiotic therapy compared with a control group. The present study was designed to analyze whether a combination of different LAB and fibers would further improve outcome. Methods: A prospective randomized monocentric double-blind trial was undertaken in 80 patients following pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD). All patients received enteral nutrition immediately postoperatively. One group (A) received a composition of 4 LAB and 4 fibers, and another group (B) received placebo (fibers only) starting the day before surgery and continuing for 8 days. Thirty-day infection rate, length of hospital stay, duration of antibiotic therapy, noninfectious complications, and side effects were recorded. Results: The incidence of postoperative bacterial infections was significantly lower with LAB and fibers (12.5%) than with fibers only (40%). In addition, the duration of antibiotic therapy was significantly shorter in the latter group. Fibers and LAB were well tolerated. Conclusion: Early enteral nutrition supplemented with a mixture of LAB and fibers reduces bacterial infection rates and antibiotic therapy following PPPD. PMID:17592288

Serious Infection Rates Among Children With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Enrolled in Medicaid.

PubMed

Hiraki, Linda T; Feldman, Candace H; Marty, Francisco M; Winkelmayer, Wolfgang C; Guan, Hongshu; Costenbader, Karen H

2017-11-01

To investigate the nationwide prevalence and incidence of serious infections among children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) enrolled in Medicaid, the US health insurance program for low-income patients. From Medicaid claims (2000-2006) we identified children ages 5 to <18 years with SLE (≥3 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision [ICD-9] codes of 710.0, each >30 days apart) and lupus nephritis (LN; ≥2 ICD-9 codes for kidney disease on/after SLE codes). From hospital discharge diagnoses, we identified infection subtypes (bacterial, fungal, and viral). We calculated incidence rates (IRs) per 100 person-years, mortality rates, and hazard ratios adjusted for sociodemographic factors, medications, and preventive care. Among 3,500 children with identified SLE, 1,053 serious infections occurred over 10,108 person-years; the IR was 10.42 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 9.80-11.07) among all those with SLE and 17.65 per 100 person-years (95% CI 16.29-19.09) among those with LN. Bacterial infections were most common (87%, of which 39% were bacterial pneumonias). In adjusted models, African Americans and American Indians had higher rates of infections compared with white children, and those with comorbidities or receiving corticosteroids had higher infection rates than those without. Males had lower rates of serious infections compared to females. The 30-day postdischarge mortality rate was 4.4%. Overall, hospitalized infections were very common in children with SLE, with bacterial pneumonia being the most common infection. Highest infection risks were among African American and American Indian children, those with LN, comorbidities, and those taking corticosteroids. © 2017, American College of Rheumatology.

The Bactericidal Effect of High Temperature Is an Essential Resistance Mechanism of Chicken Macrophage against Brucella abortus Infection.

PubMed

Arayan, Lauren Togonon; Reyes, Alisha Wehdnesday Bernardo; Hop, Huynh Tan; Xuan, Huy Tran; Baek, Eun Jin; Min, Wongi; Kim, Suk

2017-10-28

Knowledge of avian host responses to brucellosis is critical to understanding how birds resist this infection; however, this mechanism is not well established. On the other hand, temperature has a major involvement in the physiology of living organisms, and cell death induced by heat is attributed to protein denaturation. This study demonstrates the direct bactericidal effect of a high temperature (41ºC) on Brucella abortus that resulted in the gradual reduction of intracellular bacteria and inhibited bacterial growth within avian macrophage HD11 in an increasing period of time. On the other hand, this study also revealed that high temperature does not affect the rate of bacterial uptake, as confirmed by the bacterial adherence assay. No significant difference was observed in the expression of target genes between infected and uninfected cells for both temperatures. This study suggests the susceptibility of B. abortus to bacterial death under a high temperature with an increased period of incubation, leading to suppression of bacterial growth.

Structure, Function, and Assembly of Type 1 Fimbriae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knight, Stefan D.; Bouckaert, Julie

Bacterial infections constitute a major global health problem, acutely accentuated by the rapid spread of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. The widespread need for bacteria to attach - adhere - to target cells before they can initiate an infection may be used to advantage by targeting the bacterial adhesion tools such as pili and fimbriae for development of novel anti-bacterial vaccines and drugs. Type 1 fimbriae are widely expressed by Escherichia coli. and are used by uropathogenic strains to mediate attachment to specific niches in the urinary tract. These fimbriae belong to a class of fibrillar adhesion organelles assembled through the chaperone/usher pathway, one of the terminal branches of the general secretion pathway in Gram-negative bacteria. Our understanding of the assembly, structure and function of these structures has evolved significantly over the last decade. Here, we summarize current understanding of the function and biogenesis of fibrillar adhesion organelles, and provide some examples of recent progress towards interfering with bacterial adhesion as a means to prevent infection.

Procalcitonin and albumin as prognostic biomarkers in elderly patients with a risk of bacterial infection.

PubMed

Higashikawa, Toshihiro; Okuro, Masashi; Ishigami, Keiichirou; Mae, Kunihiro; Sangen, Ryusho; Mizuno, Takurou; Usuda, Daisuke; Saito, Atushi; Kasamaki, Yuji; Fukuda, Akihiro; Saito, Hitoshi; Morimoto, Shigeto; Kanda, Tsugiyasu

2018-01-01

Aim This study was performed to investigate serum procalcitonin (PCT) and albumin (Alb) as prognostic biomarkers in elderly patients at risk of bacterial infection. Methods Serum PCT was measured in 270 hospitalized patients (mean age, 77.4 years) with suspected bacterial infection. The PCT-negative (<0.5 ng/mL) and PCT-positive (≥0.5 ng/mL) groups comprised 155 and 115 patients, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed with various clinical laboratory test values as independent variables and PCT positivity/negativity as the dependent variable. Results C-reactive protein (CRP) was the only independent variable significantly associated with PCT positivity/negativity. In the survival analysis, the 30-day in-hospital death rate was significantly higher in the PCT-positive than -negative group. Within the Alb-positive group (>2.5 g/dL), no significant difference in survival was observed between the PCT-positive and -negative groups. However, within the Alb-negative group (≤2.5 g/dL), the survival rate was significantly lower in the PCT-positive than -negative group. PCT was strongly associated with CRP and Alb, and having both PCT positivity and Alb negativity was a prognostic factor for elderly people at risk of bacterial infection. Conclusions Combined measurement of PCT with Alb is expected to be a valuable tool to assess prognosis in elderly people at risk of bacterial infection.

Staphylococcus aureus requires less virulence to establish an infection in diabetic hosts.

PubMed

Tuchscherr, Lorena; Korpos, Èva; van de Vyver, Hélène; Findeisen, Clais; Kherkheulidze, Salome; Siegmund, Anke; Deinhardt-Emmer, Stefanie; Bach, Olaf; Rindert, Martin; Mellmann, Alexander; Sunderkötter, Cord; Peters, Georg; Sorokin, Lydia; Löffler, Bettina

2018-05-22

Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent pathogen causing diabetic foot infections. Here, we investigated the degree of bacterial virulence required to establish invasive tissue infections in diabetic organisms. Staphylococcal isolates from diabetic and non-diabetic foot ulcers were tested for their virulence in in vitro functional assays of host cell invasion and cytotoxicity. Isolates from diabetes mellitus type I/II patients exhibited less virulence than isolates from non-diabetic patients, but were nevertheless able to establish severe infections. In some cases, non-invasive isolates were detected deep within diabetic wounds, even though the strains were non-pathogenic in cell culture models. Testing of defined isolates in murine footpad injection models revealed that both low- and high-virulent bacterial strains persisted in higher numbers in diabetic compared to non-diabetic hosts, suggesting that hyperglycemia favors bacterial survival. Additionally, the bacterial load was higher in NOD mice, which have a compromised immune system, compared to C57Bl/6 mice. Our results reveal that high as well as low-virulent staphylococcal strains are able to cause soft tissue infections and to persist in diabetic humans and mice, suggesting a reason for the frequent and endangering infections in patients with diabetes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Stereological analysis of bacterial load and lung lesions in nonhuman primates (rhesus macaques) experimentally infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

PubMed

Luciw, Paul A; Oslund, Karen L; Yang, Xiao-Wei; Adamson, Lourdes; Ravindran, Resmi; Canfield, Don R; Tarara, Ross; Hirst, Linda; Christensen, Miles; Lerche, Nicholas W; Offenstein, Heather; Lewinsohn, David; Ventimiglia, Frank; Brignolo, Laurie; Wisner, Erik R; Hyde, Dallas M

2011-11-01

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily produces a multifocal distribution of pulmonary granulomas in which the pathogen resides. Accordingly, quantitative assessment of the bacterial load and pathology is a substantial challenge in tuberculosis. Such assessments are critical for studies of the pathogenesis and for the development of vaccines and drugs in animal models of experimental M. tuberculosis infection. Stereology enables unbiased quantitation of three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional sections and thus is suited to quantify histological lesions. We have developed a protocol for stereological analysis of the lung in rhesus macaques inoculated with a pathogenic clinical strain of M. tuberculosis (Erdman strain). These animals exhibit a pattern of infection and tuberculosis similar to that of naturally infected humans. Conditions were optimized for collecting lung samples in a nonbiased, random manner. Bacterial load in these samples was assessed by a standard plating assay, and granulomas were graded and enumerated microscopically. Stereological analysis provided quantitative data that supported a significant correlation between bacterial load and lung granulomas. Thus this stereological approach enables a quantitative, statistically valid analysis of the impact of M. tuberculosis infection in the lung and will serve as an essential tool for objectively comparing the efficacy of drugs and vaccines.

Bacterial lysate in the prevention of acute exacerbation of COPD and in respiratory recurrent infections

PubMed Central

Braido, F; Tarantini, F; Ghiglione, V; Melioli, G; Canonica, G W

2007-01-01

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) represent a serious problem because they are one of the most common cause of human death by infection. The search for the treatment of those diseases has therefore a great importance. In this study we provide an overview of the currently available treatments for RTIs with particular attention to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases exacerbations and recurrent respiratory infections therapy and a description of bacterial lysate action, in particular making reference to the medical literature dealing with its clinical efficacy. Those studies are based on a very large number of clinical trials aimed to evaluate the effects of this drug in maintaining the immune system in a state of alert, and in increasing the defences against microbial infections. From this analysis it comes out that bacterial lysates have a protective effect, which induce a significant reduction of the symptoms related to respiratory infections. Those results could be very interesting also from an economic point of view, because they envisage a reduction in the number of acute exacerbations and a shorter duration of hospitalization. The use of bacterial lysate could therefore represent an important means to achieve an extension of life duration in patients affected by respiratory diseases. PMID:18229572

Neglected Bacterial Zoonoses

PubMed Central

Chikeka, Ijeuru; Dumler, J. Stephen

2015-01-01

Bacterial zoonoses comprise a group of diseases in humans or animals acquired by direct contact with or by oral consumption of contaminated animal materials, or via arthropod vectors. Among neglected infections, bacterial zoonoses are among the most neglected given emerging data on incidence and prevalence as causes of acute febrile illness, even in areas where recognized neglected tropical diseases occur frequently. While many other bacterial infections could also be considered in this neglected category, five distinct infections stand out because they are globally distributed, are acute febrile diseases, have high rates of morbidity and case fatality, and are reported as commonly as malaria, typhoid or dengue virus infections in carefully designed studies in which a broad spectrum diagnoses are actively sought. Thus, this review will focus attention on leptospirosis, relapsing fever borreliosis, and rickettsioses, including scrub typhus, murine typhus and spotted fever group rickettsiosis. Of greatest interest is the lack of distinguishing clinical features among these infections when in humans, which confounds diagnosis where laboratory confirmation is lacking, and in regions where clinical diagnosis is often attributed to one of several perceived more common threats. As diseases such as malaria come under improved control, the real impact of these common and under-recognized infections will become evident, as will the requirement for the strategies and allocation of resources for their control. PMID:25964152

Retrospective study of bacterial infective arthritis in 31 dogs.

PubMed

Clements, D N; Owen, M R; Mosley, J R; Carmichael, S; Taylor, D J; Bennett, D

2005-04-01

To characterise the presenting signs and pathological changes of canine bacterial infective arthritis in 31 dogs, and to document the response to different treatment regimens. Risk factors that may predispose joints to bacterial infective arthritis and influence the success of treatment were also investigated. A retrospective review of cases of bacterial infective arthritis that were presented to three university veterinary referral hospitals over a five-year period (January 1997 to January 2002) was performed. The elbow joint (38 per cent) and stifle joint (44 per cent) were most commonly affected. Radiographic changes consistent with pre-existing osteoarthritis were identified in 14 joints, which had no history of previous surgery (articular or periarticular) or penetrating wound. No significant difference (P = 0.78) was identified between the outcome of combined surgical and medical management, and medical management alone. There were trends for poorer outcomes with increased bodyweight of the dog, longer duration of lameness and a higher nucleated cell count of the affected joint fluid at presentation. The overall infection rate for articular surgical procedures at one institution was 1-3 per cent. Medical and/or surgical management were usually successful in resolving infection (94 per cent). However, they were frequently unsuccessful in restoring full joint function; this may in part have been due to the nature of the underlying joint

Novel Prevention Strategies for Bacterial Infections in Cirrhosis

PubMed Central

Yan, Kathleen; Garcia-Tsao, Guadalupe

2016-01-01

Introduction Bacterial infections are a serious complication of cirrhosis, as they can lead to decompensation, multiple organ failure, and/or death. Preventing infections is therefore very relevant. Because gut bacterial translocation is their main pathogenic mechanism, prevention of infections is mostly based on the use of orally administered poorly absorbed antibiotics such as norfloxacin (selective intestinal decontamination). However, antibiotic prophylaxis leads to antibiotic resistance, limiting therapy and increasing morbidity and mortality. Prevention of bacterial infections in cirrhosis should therefore move away from antibiotics. Areas Covered This review focuses on various potentially novel methods to prevent infections in cirrhosis focusing on non-antibiotic strategies. The use of probiotics, nonselective intestinal decontamination with rifaximin, prokinetics and beta-blockers or fecal microbiota transplant as means of targeting altered gut microbiota, bile acids and FXR agonists are all potential alternatives to selective intestinal decontamination. Prokinetics and beta-blockers can improve intestinal motility, while bile acids and FXR agonists help by improving the intestinal barrier. Finally, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and statins are emerging therapeutic strategies that may improve immune dysfunction in cirrhosis. Expert Opinion Evidence for these strategies has been restricted to animal studies and proof-of concept studies but we expect this to change in coming years. PMID:26799197

Role for Telomerase in Listeria monocytogenes Infection

PubMed Central

Samba-Louaka, Ascel; Stavru, Fabrizia

2012-01-01

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the catalytic subunit of the human telomerase complex. Growing evidence suggests that hTERT also contributes to the cell physiology independently of telomere elongation. However, its role in bacterial infection is unknown. Here we show that hTERT is critical for Listeria monocytogenes infection, as the depletion of hTERT impaired bacterial intracellular replication. In addition, we observed that L. monocytogenes caused a decrease in hTERT levels at early time points of the infectious process. This effect was mediated by the pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO) and did not require bacterial entry into host cells. Calcium influx through the LLO pores contributed to a proteasome-independent decrease in hTERT protein levels. Together, our data provide evidence that these bacteria trigger hTERT degradation, an event that is detrimental to bacterial replication. PMID:23006849

Differentiation of bacterial versus viral otitis media using a combined Raman scattering spectroscopy and low coherence interferometry probe (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Youbo; Shelton, Ryan L.; Tu, Haohua; Nolan, Ryan M.; Monroy, Guillermo L.; Chaney, Eric J.; Boppart, Stephen A.

2016-02-01

Otitis media (OM) is a highly prevalent disease that can be caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. Because antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, blind use of antibiotics without definitive knowledge of the infectious agent, though commonly practiced, can lead to the problems of potential harmful side effects, wasteful misuse of medical resources, and the development of antimicrobial resistance. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of using a combined Raman scattering spectroscopy and low coherence interferometry (LCI) device to differentiate OM infections caused by viruses and bacteria and improve our diagnostic ability of OM. Raman spectroscopy, an established tool for molecular analysis of biological tissue, has been shown capable of identifying different bacterial species, although mostly based on fixed or dried sample cultures. LCI has been demonstrated recently as a promising tool for determining tympanic membrane (TM) thickness and the presence and thickness of middle-ear biofilm located behind the TM. We have developed a fiber-based ear insert that incorporates spatially-aligned Raman and LCI probes for point-of-care diagnosis of OM. As shown in human studies, the Raman probe provides molecular signatures of bacterial- and viral-infected OM and normal middle-ear cavities, and LCI helps to identify depth-resolved structural information as well as guide and monitor positioning of the Raman spectroscopy beam for relatively longer signal acquisition time. Differentiation of OM infections is determined by correlating in vivo Raman data collected from human subjects with the Raman features of different bacterial and viral species obtained from cultured samples.

Elucidation of Bacterial Pneumonia-Causing Pathogens in Patients with Respiratory Viral Infection.

PubMed

Jung, Hwa Sik; Kang, Byung Ju; Ra, Seung Won; Seo, Kwang Won; Jegal, Yangjin; Jun, Jae Bum; Jung, Jiwon; Jeong, Joseph; Jeon, Hee Jeong; Ahn, Jae Sung; Lee, Taehoon; Ahn, Jong Joon

2017-10-01

Bacterial pneumonia occurring after respiratory viral infection is common. However, the predominant bacterial species causing pneumonia secondary to respiratory viral infections other than influenza remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to know whether the pathogens causing post-viral bacterial pneumonia vary according to the type of respiratory virus. Study subjects were 5,298 patients, who underwent multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous detection of respiratory viruses, among who visited the emergency department or outpatient clinic with respiratory symptoms at Ulsan University Hospital between April 2013 and March 2016. The patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 251 clinically significant bacteria were identified in 233 patients with post-viral bacterial pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most frequent bacterium in patients aged <16 years, regardless of the preceding virus type (p=0.630). In patients aged ≥16 years, the isolated bacteria varied according to the preceding virus type. The major results were as follows (p<0.001): pneumonia in patients with influenza virus (type A/B), rhinovirus, and human metapneumovirus infections was caused by similar bacteria, and the findings indicated that Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia was very common in these patients. In contrast, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus infections were associated with pneumonia caused by gram-negative bacteria. The pathogens causing post-viral bacterial pneumonia vary according to the type of preceding respiratory virus. This information could help in selecting empirical antibiotics in patients with post-viral pneumonia. Copyright©2017. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Two cases of bacterial meningitis accompanied by thalidomide therapy in patients with multiple myeloma: is thalidomide associated with bacterial meningitis?

PubMed

Pasa, Semir; Altintas, Abdullah; Cil, Timucin; Ustun, Cemal; Bayan, Kadim; Danis, Ramazan; Urakci, Zuhat; Tuzun, Yekta; Ayyildiz, Orhan

2009-01-01

Morbidity and mortality in multiple myeloma is often attributed to life-threatening infections. A defect in humoral immunity has been proposed for the predisposition to bacterial infections. Most of the infections are of bacterial origin, and the most serious are septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia. Thalidomide is a drug with pleiotropic effects. The immunomodulatory effects of thalidomide are at least partially mediated through its ability to down-regulate the pathogenic over-production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha is a cytokine that plays a central role in the regulation of the host immune and inflammatory response to infection. In the central nervous system, TNF-alpha is involved in induction of a fever response and triggers the release of other cytokines, and may also influence transport of compounds into the brain, leading to cerebrospinal fluid leukocytosis, increased protein influx, and lactate accumulation. Thalidomide has been shown to down-regulate the production of TNF-alpha. On the other hand, knowledge of the effects of thalidomide on granulocyte functions is limited. Thalidomide has been shown to attenuate neutrophil adhesion and chemotaxis. We present herein two cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial meningitis that developed soon after the initiation of thalidomide treatment, and discuss the effect of thalidomide on the immune system. Although, it is not clear whether thalidomide caused the development of the bacterial infections and meningitis, or what its pathogenetic mechanisms are, physicians should be alert for signs and symptoms of meningitis in patients with multiple myeloma who are treated with thalidomide, especially those in neutropenic states.

Cell-Based Screen Identifies Human Interferon-Stimulated Regulators of Listeria monocytogenes Infection

PubMed Central

Eitson, Jennifer L.; Chen, Didi; Jimenez, Alyssa; Mettlen, Marcel; Schoggins, John W.; Alto, Neal M.

2016-01-01

The type I interferon (IFN) activated transcriptional response is a critical antiviral defense mechanism, yet its role in bacterial pathogenesis remains less well characterized. Using an intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) as a model bacterial pathogen, we sought to identify the roles of individual interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in context of bacterial infection. Previously, IFN has been implicated in both restricting and promoting Lm growth and immune stimulatory functions in vivo. Here we adapted a gain-of-function flow cytometry based approach to screen a library of more than 350 human ISGs for inhibitors and enhancers of Lm infection. We identify 6 genes, including UNC93B1, MYD88, AQP9, and TRIM14 that potently inhibit Lm infection. These inhibitors act through both transcription-mediated (MYD88) and non-transcriptional mechanisms (TRIM14). Further, we identify and characterize the human high affinity immunoglobulin receptor FcγRIa as an enhancer of Lm internalization. Our results reveal that FcγRIa promotes Lm uptake in the absence of known host Lm internalization receptors (E-cadherin and c-Met) as well as bacterial surface internalins (InlA and InlB). Additionally, FcγRIa-mediated uptake occurs independently of Lm opsonization or canonical FcγRIa signaling. Finally, we established the contribution of FcγRIa to Lm infection in phagocytic cells, thus potentially linking the IFN response to a novel bacterial uptake pathway. Together, these studies provide an experimental and conceptual basis for deciphering the role of IFN in bacterial defense and virulence at single-gene resolution. PMID:28002492

The Zebrafish as a New Model for the In Vivo Study of Shigella flexneri Interaction with Phagocytes and Bacterial Autophagy

PubMed Central

Mostowy, Serge; Boucontet, Laurent; Mazon Moya, Maria J.; Sirianni, Andrea; Boudinot, Pierre; Hollinshead, Michael; Cossart, Pascale; Herbomel, Philippe; Levraud, Jean-Pierre; Colucci-Guyon, Emma

2013-01-01

Autophagy, an ancient and highly conserved intracellular degradation process, is viewed as a critical component of innate immunity because of its ability to deliver cytosolic bacteria to the lysosome. However, the role of bacterial autophagy in vivo remains poorly understood. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a vertebrate model for the study of infections because it is optically accessible at the larval stages when the innate immune system is already functional. Here, we have characterized the susceptibility of zebrafish larvae to Shigella flexneri, a paradigm for bacterial autophagy, and have used this model to study Shigella-phagocyte interactions in vivo. Depending on the dose, S. flexneri injected in zebrafish larvae were either cleared in a few days or resulted in a progressive and ultimately fatal infection. Using high resolution live imaging, we found that S. flexneri were rapidly engulfed by macrophages and neutrophils; moreover we discovered a scavenger role for neutrophils in eliminating infected dead macrophages and non-immune cell types that failed to control Shigella infection. We observed that intracellular S. flexneri could escape to the cytosol, induce septin caging and be targeted to autophagy in vivo. Depletion of p62 (sequestosome 1 or SQSTM1), an adaptor protein critical for bacterial autophagy in vitro, significantly increased bacterial burden and host susceptibility to infection. These results show the zebrafish larva as a new model for the study of S. flexneri interaction with phagocytes, and the manipulation of autophagy for anti-bacterial therapy in vivo. PMID:24039575

Activity of Uncleaved Caspase-8 Controls Anti-bacterial Immune Defense and TLR-Induced Cytokine Production Independent of Cell Death.

PubMed

Philip, Naomi H; DeLaney, Alexandra; Peterson, Lance W; Santos-Marrero, Melanie; Grier, Jennifer T; Sun, Yan; Wynosky-Dolfi, Meghan A; Zwack, Erin E; Hu, Baofeng; Olsen, Tayla M; Rongvaux, Anthony; Pope, Scott D; López, Carolina B; Oberst, Andrew; Beiting, Daniel P; Henao-Mejia, Jorge; Brodsky, Igor E

2016-10-01

Caspases regulate cell death programs in response to environmental stresses, including infection and inflammation, and are therefore critical for the proper operation of the mammalian immune system. Caspase-8 is necessary for optimal production of inflammatory cytokines and host defense against infection by multiple pathogens including Yersinia, but whether this is due to death of infected cells or an intrinsic role of caspase-8 in TLR-induced gene expression is unknown. Caspase-8 activation at death signaling complexes results in its autoprocessing and subsequent cleavage and activation of its downstream apoptotic targets. Whether caspase-8 activity is also important for inflammatory gene expression during bacterial infection has not been investigated. Here, we report that caspase-8 plays an essential cell-intrinsic role in innate inflammatory cytokine production in vivo during Yersinia infection. Unexpectedly, we found that caspase-8 enzymatic activity regulates gene expression in response to bacterial infection as well as TLR signaling independently of apoptosis. Using newly-generated mice in which caspase-8 autoprocessing is ablated (Casp8DA/DA), we now demonstrate that caspase-8 enzymatic activity, but not autoprocessing, mediates induction of inflammatory cytokines by bacterial infection and a wide variety of TLR stimuli. Because unprocessed caspase-8 functions in an enzymatic complex with its homolog cFLIP, our findings implicate the caspase-8/cFLIP heterodimer in control of inflammatory cytokines during microbial infection, and provide new insight into regulation of antibacterial immune defense.

Monitoring Bacterial Burden, Inflammation and Bone Damage Longitudinally Using Optical and μCT Imaging in an Orthopaedic Implant Infection in Mice

PubMed Central

Niska, Jared A.; Meganck, Jeffrey A.; Pribaz, Jonathan R.; Shahbazian, Jonathan H.; Lim, Ed; Zhang, Ning; Rice, Brad W.; Akin, Ali; Ramos, Romela Irene; Bernthal, Nicholas M.; Francis, Kevin P.; Miller, Lloyd S.

2012-01-01

Background Recent advances in non-invasive optical, radiographic and μCT imaging provide an opportunity to monitor biological processes longitudinally in an anatomical context. One particularly relevant application for combining these modalities is to study orthopaedic implant infections. These infections are characterized by the formation of persistent bacterial biofilms on the implanted materials, causing inflammation, periprosthetic osteolysis, osteomyelitis, and bone damage, resulting in implant loosening and failure. Methodology/Principal Findings An orthopaedic implant infection model was used in which a titanium Kirshner-wire was surgically placed in femurs of LysEGFP mice, which possess EGFP-fluorescent neutrophils, and a bioluminescent S. aureus strain (Xen29; 1×103 CFUs) was inoculated in the knee joint before closure. In vivo bioluminescent, fluorescent, X-ray and μCT imaging were performed on various postoperative days. The bacterial bioluminescent signals of the S. aureus-infected mice peaked on day 19, before decreasing to a basal level of light, which remained measurable for the entire 48 day experiment. Neutrophil EGFP-fluorescent signals of the S. aureus-infected mice were statistically greater than uninfected mice on days 2 and 5, but afterwards the signals for both groups approached background levels of detection. To visualize the three-dimensional location of the bacterial infection and neutrophil infiltration, a diffuse optical tomography reconstruction algorithm was used to co-register the bioluminescent and fluorescent signals with μCT images. To quantify the anatomical bone changes on the μCT images, the outer bone volume of the distal femurs were measured using a semi-automated contour based segmentation process. The outer bone volume increased through day 48, indicating that bone damage continued during the implant infection. Conclusions/Significance Bioluminescent and fluorescent optical imaging was combined with X-ray and μCT imaging to provide noninvasive and longitudinal measurements of the dynamic changes in bacterial burden, neutrophil recruitment and bone damage in a mouse orthopaedic implant infection model. PMID:23082163

Temsirolimus With or Without Megestrol Acetate and Tamoxifen Citrate in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2017-04-11

Endometrial Carcinoma; Recurrent Uterine Corpus Carcinoma; Stage IIIA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIC1 Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIC2 Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVB Uterine Corpus Cancer

M-CSF Mediates Host Defense during Bacterial Pneumonia by Promoting the Survival of Lung and Liver Mononuclear Phagocytes.

PubMed

Bettina, Alexandra; Zhang, Zhimin; Michels, Kathryn; Cagnina, R Elaine; Vincent, Isaah S; Burdick, Marie D; Kadl, Alexandra; Mehrad, Borna

2016-06-15

Gram-negative bacterial pneumonia is a common and dangerous infection with diminishing treatment options due to increasing antibiotic resistance among causal pathogens. The mononuclear phagocyte system is a heterogeneous group of leukocytes composed of tissue-resident macrophages, dendritic cells, and monocyte-derived cells that are critical in defense against pneumonia, but mechanisms that regulate their maintenance and function during infection are poorly defined. M-CSF has myriad effects on mononuclear phagocytes but its role in pneumonia is unknown. We therefore tested the hypothesis that M-CSF is required for mononuclear phagocyte-mediated host defenses during bacterial pneumonia in a murine model of infection. Genetic deletion or immunoneutralization of M-CSF resulted in reduced survival, increased bacterial burden, and greater lung injury. M-CSF was necessary for the expansion of lung mononuclear phagocytes during infection but did not affect the number of bone marrow or blood monocytes, proliferation of precursors, or recruitment of leukocytes to the lungs. In contrast, M-CSF was essential to survival and antimicrobial functions of both lung and liver mononuclear phagocytes during pneumonia, and its absence resulted in bacterial dissemination to the liver and hepatic necrosis. We conclude that M-CSF is critical to host defenses against bacterial pneumonia by mediating survival and antimicrobial functions of mononuclear phagocytes in the lungs and liver. Copyright © 2016 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

M-CSF mediates host defense during bacterial pneumonia by promoting the survival of lung and liver mononuclear phagocytes

PubMed Central

Bettina, Alexandra; Zhang, Zhimin; Michels, Kathryn; Cagnina, R. Elaine; Vincent, Isaah S.; Burdick, Marie D.; Kadl, Alexandra; Mehrad, Borna

2016-01-01

Gram-negative bacterial pneumonia is a common and dangerous infection with diminishing treatment options due to increasing antibiotic resistance among causal pathogens. The mononuclear phagocyte system is a heterogeneous group of leukocytes composed of tissue-resident macrophages, dendritic cells and monocyte-derived cells that are critical in defense against pneumonia, but mechanisms that regulate their maintenance and function during infection are poorly defined. Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) has myriad effects on mononuclear phagocytes but its role in pneumonia is unknown. We therefore tested the hypothesis that M-CSF is required for mononuclear phagocyte-mediated host defenses during bacterial pneumonia in a murine model of infection. Genetic deletion or immunoneutralization of M-CSF resulted in reduced survival, increased bacterial burden and greater lung injury. M-CSF was necessary for the expansion of lung mononuclear phagocytes during infection but did not affect the number of bone marrow or blood monocytes, the proliferation of precursors or the recruitment of leukocytes to the lungs. In contrast, M-CSF was essential to survival and anti-microbial functions of both lung and liver mononuclear phagocytes during pneumonia and its absence resulted in bacterial dissemination to the liver and hepatic necrosis. We conclude that M-CSF is critical to host defenses against bacterial pneumonia by mediating survival and anti-microbial functions of mononuclear phagocytes in the lungs and liver. PMID:27183631

The Listeria monocytogenes ChiA Chitinase Enhances Virulence through Suppression of Host Innate Immunity

PubMed Central

Chaudhuri, Swarnava; Gantner, Benjamin N.; Ye, Richard D.; Cianciotto, Nicholas P.; Freitag, Nancy E.

2013-01-01

ABSTRACT Environmental pathogens survive and replicate within the outside environment while maintaining the capacity to infect mammalian hosts. For some microorganisms, mammalian infection may be a relatively rare event. Understanding how environmental pathogens retain their ability to cause disease may provide insight into environmental reservoirs of disease and emerging infections. Listeria monocytogenes survives as a saprophyte in soil but is capable of causing serious invasive disease in susceptible individuals. The bacterium secretes virulence factors that promote cell invasion, bacterial replication, and cell-to-cell spread. Recently, an L. monocytogenes chitinase (ChiA) was shown to enhance bacterial infection in mice. Given that mammals do not synthesize chitin, the function of ChiA within infected animals was not clear. Here we have demonstrated that ChiA enhances L. monocytogenes survival in vivo through the suppression of host innate immunity. L. monocytogenes ΔchiA mutants were fully capable of establishing bacterial replication within target organs during the first 48 h of infection. By 72 to 96 h postinfection, however, numbers of ΔchiA bacteria diminished, indicative of an effective immune response to contain infection. The ΔchiA-associated virulence defect could be complemented in trans by wild-type L. monocytogenes, suggesting that secreted ChiA altered a target that resulted in a more permissive host environment for bacterial replication. ChiA secretion resulted in a dramatic decrease in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and ΔchiA mutant virulence was restored in NOS2−/− mice lacking iNOS. This work is the first to demonstrate modulation of a specific host innate immune response by a bacterial chitinase. PMID:23512964

Pathogen characteristics reveal novel antibacterial approaches for interstitial lung disease.

PubMed

Lu, Hai-Wen; Ji, Xiao-Bin; Liang, Shuo; Fan, Li-Chao; Bai, Jiu-Wu; Chen, Ke-Bing; Zhou, Yin; Li, Hui-Ping; Xu, Jin-Fu

2014-12-01

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a clinical disorder associated with changes of lung structure. Concurrent infection is a serious complication and one of the major factors that exacerbates ILD. Pathogen screening is a critical step in early diagnosis and proper treatment of ILD with secondary infection. Here we analyzed distribution and drug susceptibility of pathogens isolated from hospitalized ILD patients from January, 2007 to December, 2008 and compared them to bacterial drug resistance data in CHINET during the same period. The main specimens were from sputum culture, lavage fluid culture, lung biopsy tissue culture, and pleural effusion culture and bacterial or fungal cultures were performed on these specimens accordingly. Drug susceptibility was tested for positive bacterial cultures using disk diffusion (Kirby-Bauer method) and E Test strips in which results were determined based on the criteria of CLSI (2007). A total of 371 pathogen strains from ILD patients, including 306 bacterial strains and 65 fungal strains were isolated and cultured. Five main bacterial strains and their distribution were as follows: Klebsiella pneumoniae (31.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.6%), Acinetobacter (12.7%), Enterobacter cloacae (8.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (7.8%). The results showed that ILD patients who had anti-infection treatment tended to have Gram-negative bacteria, whether they acquired an infection in the hospital or elsewhere. Drug resistance screening indicated that aminoglycosides and carbapenems had lower antibiotic resistance rates. In addition, we found that the usage of immunosuppressants was associated with the increased infection rate and number of pathogens that were isolated. In conclusion, aminoglycosides and carbapenems may be selected as a priority for secondary infection to control ILD progression. Meanwhile, the use of anti-MRSA/MRCNS drugs may be considered for Staphylococcus infection. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bacterial Adherence and Dwelling Probability: Two Drivers of Early Alveolar Infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae Identified in Multi-Level Mathematical Modeling

PubMed Central

Santos, Guido; Lai, Xin; Eberhardt, Martin; Vera, Julio

2018-01-01

Pneumococcal infection is the most frequent cause of pneumonia, and one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. The population groups at high risk of death from bacterial pneumonia are infants, elderly and immunosuppressed people. These groups are more vulnerable because they have immature or impaired immune systems, the efficacy of their response to vaccines is lower, and antibiotic treatment often does not take place until the inflammatory response triggered is already overwhelming. The immune response to bacterial lung infections involves dynamic interactions between several types of cells whose activation is driven by intracellular molecular networks. A feasible approach to the integration of knowledge and data linking tissue, cellular and intracellular events and the construction of hypotheses in this area is the use of mathematical modeling. For this paper, we used a multi-level computational model to analyse the role of cellular and molecular interactions during the first 10 h after alveolar invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. By “multi-level” we mean that we simulated the interplay between different temporal and spatial scales in a single computational model. In this instance, we included the intracellular scale of processes driving lung epithelial cell activation together with the scale of cell-to-cell interactions at the alveolar tissue. In our analysis, we combined systematic model simulations with logistic regression analysis and decision trees to find genotypic-phenotypic signatures that explain differences in bacteria strain infectivity. According to our simulations, pneumococci benefit from a high dwelling probability and a high proliferation rate during the first stages of infection. In addition to this, the model predicts that during the very early phases of infection the bacterial capsule could be an impediment to the establishment of the alveolar infection because it impairs bacterial colonization. PMID:29868515

Capsular Sialic Acid of Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Binds to Swine Influenza Virus and Enhances Bacterial Interactions with Virus-Infected Tracheal Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Wang, Yingchao; Gagnon, Carl A.; Savard, Christian; Music, Nedzad; Srednik, Mariela; Segura, Mariela; Lachance, Claude; Bellehumeur, Christian

2013-01-01

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an important swine bacterial pathogen, and it is also an emerging zoonotic agent. It is unknown how S. suis virulent strains, which are usually found in low quantities in pig tonsils, manage to cross the first host defense lines to initiate systemic disease. Influenza virus produces a contagious infection in pigs which is frequently complicated by bacterial coinfections, leading to significant economic impacts. In this study, the effect of a preceding swine influenza H1N1 virus (swH1N1) infection of swine tracheal epithelial cells (NTPr) on the ability of S. suis serotype 2 to adhere to, invade, and activate these cells was evaluated. Cells preinfected with swH1N1 showed bacterial adhesion and invasion levels that were increased more than 100-fold compared to those of normal cells. Inhibition studies confirmed that the capsular sialic acid moiety is responsible for the binding to virus-infected cell surfaces. Also, preincubation of S. suis with swH1N1 significantly increased bacterial adhesion to/invasion of epithelial cells, suggesting that S. suis also uses swH1N1 as a vehicle to invade epithelial cells when the two infections occur simultaneously. Influenza virus infection may facilitate the transient passage of S. suis at the respiratory tract to reach the bloodstream and cause bacteremia and septicemia. S. suis may also increase the local inflammation at the respiratory tract during influenza infection, as suggested by an exacerbated expression of proinflammatory mediators in coinfected cells. These results give new insight into the complex interactions between influenza virus and S. suis in a coinfection model. PMID:24082069

Bacterial Adherence and Dwelling Probability: Two Drivers of Early Alveolar Infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae Identified in Multi-Level Mathematical Modeling.

PubMed

Santos, Guido; Lai, Xin; Eberhardt, Martin; Vera, Julio

2018-01-01

Pneumococcal infection is the most frequent cause of pneumonia, and one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. The population groups at high risk of death from bacterial pneumonia are infants, elderly and immunosuppressed people. These groups are more vulnerable because they have immature or impaired immune systems, the efficacy of their response to vaccines is lower, and antibiotic treatment often does not take place until the inflammatory response triggered is already overwhelming. The immune response to bacterial lung infections involves dynamic interactions between several types of cells whose activation is driven by intracellular molecular networks. A feasible approach to the integration of knowledge and data linking tissue, cellular and intracellular events and the construction of hypotheses in this area is the use of mathematical modeling. For this paper, we used a multi-level computational model to analyse the role of cellular and molecular interactions during the first 10 h after alveolar invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. By "multi-level" we mean that we simulated the interplay between different temporal and spatial scales in a single computational model. In this instance, we included the intracellular scale of processes driving lung epithelial cell activation together with the scale of cell-to-cell interactions at the alveolar tissue. In our analysis, we combined systematic model simulations with logistic regression analysis and decision trees to find genotypic-phenotypic signatures that explain differences in bacteria strain infectivity. According to our simulations, pneumococci benefit from a high dwelling probability and a high proliferation rate during the first stages of infection. In addition to this, the model predicts that during the very early phases of infection the bacterial capsule could be an impediment to the establishment of the alveolar infection because it impairs bacterial colonization.

Ischaemia-modified albumin: a marker of bacterial infection in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.

PubMed

Giannone, Ferdinando A; Domenicali, Marco; Baldassarre, Maurizio; Bartoletti, Michele; Naldi, Marina; Laggetta, Maristella; Bertucci, Carlo; Colecchia, Antonio; Viale, Pierluigi; Bernardi, Mauro; Caraceni, Paolo

2015-11-01

Patients with cirrhosis present structural changes of human serum albumin (HSA) affecting non-oncotic functions. Ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA), which reflects the capacity to bind cobalt, has been associated to patient mortality during acute-on-chronic liver failure. This study aimed to assess whether circulating IMA is elevated in advanced cirrhosis and its relationship with severity of cirrhosis and specific complications. A total of 127 cirrhotic patients hospitalized for an acute complication of the disease and 44 healthy controls were enrolled. Plasma IMA and IMA to albumin ratio (IMAr) were measured with a cobalt-binding assay. HSA isoforms carrying post-transcriptional molecular changes were assessed with HPLC-ESI-MS. The effect of endotoxemia on IMA was evaluated in rats with CCl4 -cirrhosis. IMA/IMAr is significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls, but no correlations were found with prognostic scores. IMA did not correlate with the altered HSA isoforms. Ascites, renal impairment and hepatic encephalopathy did not influence IMA/IMAr levels. In contrast, IMA/IMAr is significantly higher in infected than non-infected patients. ROC curves showed that IMA/IMAr had similar discriminating performances for bacterial infection as C-reactive protein (CRP). Moreover, CRP and IMA were independently associated with bacterial infection. Consistently, endotoxin injection significantly increased IMA in cirrhotic, but not in healthy rats. IMA is elevated in patients with advanced cirrhosis. The IMA level does not correlate with disease severity scores, but it is specifically associated to bacterial infection, showing a discriminating performance similar to CRP. Further investigations to assess IMA as a novel diagnostic test for bacterial infection are advocated. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in female clinic attendees in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

PubMed

Marks, M; Kako, H; Butcher, R; Lauri, B; Puiahi, E; Pitakaka, R; Sokana, O; Kilua, G; Roth, A; Solomon, A W; Mabey, D C

2015-04-28

This study sought to determine the prevalence of common bacterial sexually transmitted infections, including Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, in women attending clinics in the Solomon Islands. We conducted a sexual health survey among women attending three nurse-led community outpatient clinics in August 2014, to establish the prevalence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in female clinic attenders in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Vaginal swab samples were tested for infection with C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae using a commercial strand displacement amplification assay. Serum samples were tested for syphilis. We enrolled 296 women, aged 16-49, attending three clinics. Knowledge of safe sexual practices was high but reported condom usage was low. The prevalence of infection with C. trachomatis was 20%. The prevalence of infection with N. gonorrhoeae and syphilis were 5.1% and 4.1%, respectively. Bacterial sexually transmitted infections are a major health problem in the Solomon Islands. Interventions are urgently needed. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Quantifying Limits on Replication, Death, and Quiescence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mice

PubMed Central

McDaniel, Margaret M.; Krishna, Nitin; Handagama, Winode G.; Eda, Shigetoshi; Ganusov, Vitaly V.

2016-01-01

When an individual is exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) three outcomes are possible: bacterial clearance, active disease, or latent infection. It is generally believed that most individuals exposed to Mtb become latently infected and carry the mycobacteria for life. How Mtb is maintained during this latent infection remains largely unknown. During an Mtb infection in mice, there is a phase of rapid increase in bacterial numbers in the murine lungs within the first 3 weeks, and then bacterial numbers either stabilize or increase slowly over the period of many months. It has been debated whether the relatively constant numbers of bacteria in the chronic infection result from latent (dormant, quiescent), non-replicating bacteria, or whether the observed Mtb cell numbers are due to balance between rapid replication and death. A recent study of mice, infected with a Mtb strain carrying an unstable plasmid, showed that during the chronic phase, Mtb was replicating at significant rates. Using experimental data from this study and mathematical modeling we investigated the limits of the rates of bacterial replication, death, and quiescence during Mtb infection of mice. First, we found that to explain the data the rates of bacterial replication and death could not be constant and had to decrease with time since infection unless there were large changes in plasmid segregation probability over time. While a decrease in the rate of Mtb replication with time since infection was expected due to depletion of host's resources, a decrease in the Mtb death rate was counterintuitive since Mtb-specific immune response, appearing in the lungs 3–4 weeks after infection, should increase removal of bacteria. Interestingly, we found no significant correlation between estimated rates of Mtb replication and death suggesting the decline in these rates was driven by independent mechanisms. Second, we found that the data could not be explained by assuming that bacteria do not die, suggesting that some removal of bacteria from lungs of these mice had to occur even though the total bacterial counts in these mice always increased over time. Third and finally, we showed that to explain the data the majority of bacterial cells (at least ~60%) must be replicating in the chronic phase of infection further challenging widespread belief of nonreplicating Mtb in latency. Our predictions were robust to some changes in the structure of the model, for example, when the loss of plasmid-bearing cells was mainly due to high fitness cost of the plasmid. Further studies should determine if more mechanistic models for Mtb dynamics are also able to accurately explain these data. PMID:27379030

Insights into potential pathogenesis mechanisms associated with Campylobacter jejuni-induced abortion in ewes.

PubMed

Sanad, Yasser M; Jung, Kwonil; Kashoma, Isaac; Zhang, Xiaoli; Kassem, Issmat I; Saif, Yehia M; Rajashekara, Gireesh

2014-11-25

Campylobacter jejuni is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of many food-animals including sheep without causing visible clinical symptoms of disease. However, C. jejuni has been implicated in ovine abortion cases worldwide. Specifically, in the USA, the C. jejuni sheep abortion (SA) clone has been increasingly associated with sheep abortion. In vivo studies in sheep (the natural host) are needed to better characterize the virulence potential and pathogenesis of this clone. Pregnant ewes intravenously (IV) or orally inoculated with ovine or bovine abortion-associated C. jejuni SA clones exhibited partial or complete uterine prolapse with retained placenta, and abortion or stillbirth, whereas delivery of healthy lambs occurred in pregnant ewes inoculated with C. jejuni 81-176 or in the uninfected group. In sheep inoculated with the SA clone, histopathological lesions including suppurative necrotizing placentitis and/or endometritis coincided with: 1) increased apoptotic death of trophoblasts, 2) increased expression of the host genes (e.g. genes encoding interleukin IL-6 and IL-15) related to cellular necrosis and pro-inflammatory responses in uterus, and 3) decreased expression of the genes encoding GATA binding protein 6, chordin, and insulin-like 3 (INSL3) that account for embryonic development in uterus. Immunohistochemistry revealed localization of bacterial antigens in trophoblasts lining the chorioallantoic membrane of ewes inoculated with the C. jejuni SA clone. The results showed that C. jejuni SA clones are capable of causing abortion or stillbirth in experimentally infected sheep. Furthermore, down- or up-regulation of specific genes in the uterus of infected pregnant ewes might implicate host genes in facilitating the disease progression. Since the C. jejuni SA strains share genotypic similarities with clones that have been isolated from human clinical cases of gastroenteritis, these strains might represent a potential public health risk.

The Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus Eye Infections

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen of the eye able to infect the tear duct, eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior and posterior chambers, and the vitreous chamber. Of these infections, those involving the cornea (keratitis) or the inner chambers of the eye (endophthalmitis) are the most threatening because of their potential to cause a loss in visual acuity or even blindness. Each of these ocular sites is protected by the constitutive expression of a variety of antimicrobial factors and these defenses are augmented by a protective host response to the organism. Such infections often involve a predisposing factor that weakens the defenses, such as the use of contact lenses prior to the development of bacterial keratitis or, for endophthalmitis, the trauma caused by cataract surgery or intravitreal injection. The structural carbohydrates of the bacterial surface induce an inflammatory response able to reduce the bacterial load, but contribute to the tissue damage. A variety of bacterial secreted proteins including alpha-toxin, beta-toxin, gamma-toxin, Panton-Valentine leukocidin and other two-component leukocidins mediate tissue damage and contribute to the induction of the inflammatory response. Quantitative animal models of keratitis and endophthalmitis have provided insights into the S. aureus virulence and host factors active in limiting such infections. PMID:29320451

Intermittent fasting promotes bacterial clearance and intestinal IgA production in Salmonella typhimurium-infected mice.

PubMed

Godínez-Victoria, M; Campos-Rodriguez, R; Rivera-Aguilar, V; Lara-Padilla, E; Pacheco-Yepez, J; Jarillo-Luna, R A; Drago-Serrano, M E

2014-05-01

The impact of intermittent fasting versus ad libitum feeding during Salmonella typhimurium infection was evaluated in terms of duodenum IgA levels, bacterial clearance and intestinal and extra-intestinal infection susceptibility. Mice that were intermittently fasted for 12 weeks or fed ad libitum were infected with S. typhimurium and assessed at 7 and 14 days post-infection. Next, we evaluated bacterial load in the faeces, Peyer's patches, spleen and liver by plate counting, as well as total and specific intestinal IgA and plasmatic corticosterone levels (by immunoenzymatic assay) and lamina propria IgA levels in plasma cells (by cytofluorometry). Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, α- and J-chains, Pax-5 factor, pro-inflammatory cytokine (tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (transforming growth factor-β) mRNA levels were assessed in mucosal and liver samples (by real-time PCR). Compared with the infected ad libitum mice, the intermittently fasted infected animals had (1) lower intestinal and systemic bacterial loads; (2) higher SIgA and IgA plasma cell levels; (3) higher mRNA expression of most intestinal parameters; and (4) increased or decreased corticosterone levels on day 7 and 14 post-infection, respectively. No contribution of liver IgA was observed at the intestinal level. Apparently, the changes following metabolic stress induced by intermittent fasting during food deprivation days increased the resistance to S. typhimurium infection by triggering intestinal IgA production and presumably, pathogen elimination by phagocytic inflammatory cells. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Primary uterine inertia in four labrador bitches.

PubMed

Davidson, Autumn P

2011-01-01

Uterine inertia is a common cause of dystocia in the bitch and is designated as primary (i.e., uterine contractions fail to ever be initiated) or secondary (i.e., uterine contractions cease after a period of time but before labor is completed). The etiology of primary uterine inertia is not well understood. The accurate diagnosis of primary uterine inertia requires the use of tocodynamometry (uterine monitoring). Primary uterine inertia has been postulated to result from a failure of luteolysis resulting in persistently elevated progesterone concentrations. In this study, primary uterine inertia was diagnosed in a series of four bitches in which luteolysis was documented suggesting some other etiopathogenesis for primary uterine inertia.

Detection of bacterial infection by a technetium-99m-labeled peptidoglycan aptamer.

PubMed

Ferreira, Iêda Mendes; de Sousa Lacerda, Camila Maria; Dos Santos, Sara Roberta; de Barros, André Luís Branco; Fernandes, Simone Odília; Cardoso, Valbert Nascimento; de Andrade, Antero Silva Ribeiro

2017-09-01

Nuclear medicine clinicians are still waiting for the optimal scintigraphic imaging agents capable of distinguishing between infection and inflammation, and between fungal and bacterial infections. Aptamers have several properties that make them suitable for molecular imaging. In the present study, a peptidoglycan aptamer (Antibac1) was labeled with 99m Tc and evaluated by biodistribution studies and scintigraphic imaging in infection-bearing mice. Labeling with 99m Tc was performed by the direct method and the complex stability was evaluated in saline, plasma and in the molar excess of cysteine. The biodistribution and scintigraphic imaging studies with the 99m Tc-Antibac1 were carried out in two different experimental infection models: Bacterial-infected mice (S. aureus) and fungal-infected mice (C. albicans). A 99m Tc radiolabeled library, consisting of oligonucleotides with random sequences, was used as a control for both models. Radiolabeling yields were superior to 90% and 99m Tc-Antibac1 was highly stable in presence of saline, plasma, and cysteine up to 6h. Scintigraphic images of S. aureus infected mice at 1.5 and 3.0h after 99m Tc-Antibac1 injection showed target to non-target ratios of 4.7±0.9 and 4.6±0.1, respectively. These values were statistically higher than those achieved for the 99m Tc-library at the same time frames (1.6±0.4 and 1.7±0.4, respectively). Noteworthy, 99m Tc-Antibac1 and 99m Tc-library showed similar low target to non-target ratios in the fungal-infected model: 2.0±0.3 and 2.0±0.6for 99m Tc-Antibac1 and 2.1±0.3 and 1.9 ± 0.6 for 99m Tc-library, at the same times. These findings suggest that the 99m Tc-Antibac1 is a feasible imaging probe to identify a bacterial infection focus. In addition, this radiolabeled aptamer seems to be suitable in distinguishing between bacterial and fungal infection. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Fever

MedlinePlus

... infections , sinus infections , mononucleosis , bronchitis , pneumonia , and tuberculosis Urinary tract infections Viral gastroenteritis and bacterial gastroenteritis Children may have a low-grade fever for 1 ...

Estimation of the Incidence of Bacterial Vaginosis and other Vaginal Infections and its Consequences on Maternal/Fetal Outcome in Pregnant Women Attending an Antenatal Clinic in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

PubMed Central

Lata, Indu; Pradeep, Yashodhara; Sujata; Jain, Amita

2010-01-01

Aims: This study was undertaken to estimate the incidence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and other vaginal infections during pregnancy and its association with urinary tract infections (UTI) and its consequences on pregnancy outcome, maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Settings and Design: Prospective cohort study. Materials and Methods: The present prospective cohort study was conducted on 200 women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) of a tertiary hospital. All pertinent obstetric and neonatal data covering antenatal events during the course of pregnancy, delivery, puerperium and condition of each newborn at the time of birth were collected. BV was detected by both Gram stain and gold standard clinical criteria (Amsel’s composite criteria). Statistical analysis used: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 9. Fischer’s exact test, chi square tests and Student’s’ test has been used for analysis. The probability of 5% was considered as significant for continuous variables such as age, period of gestation and birth weight. Odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) with 95% probability were determined. Results: The incidence of bacterial vaginosis was 41 in 200 patients. Adverse outcomes such as preterm labor, PROM and fetal complications were found more in pregnant women who had bacterial vaginosis (N=41), bacterial vaginosis with UTI (N=14) as compared to those without bacterial vaginosis (N=118). Conclusions: The incidence of poor pregnancy outcome was higher in bacterial vaginosis with UTI. Prevention of BV and UTI is cost effective to minimize the pregnancy-related complications and preterm labor to decrease in perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity. We recommend all antenatal patients should be screened for the presence of bacterial vaginosis, other infections and UTI. PMID:20922108

Estimation of the Incidence of Bacterial Vaginosis and other Vaginal Infections and its Consequences on Maternal/Fetal Outcome in Pregnant Women Attending an Antenatal Clinic in a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India.

PubMed

Lata, Indu; Pradeep, Yashodhara; Sujata; Jain, Amita

2010-04-01

This study was undertaken to estimate the incidence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and other vaginal infections during pregnancy and its association with urinary tract infections (UTI) and its consequences on pregnancy outcome, maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Prospective cohort study. The present prospective cohort study was conducted on 200 women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) of a tertiary hospital. All pertinent obstetric and neonatal data covering antenatal events during the course of pregnancy, delivery, puerperium and condition of each newborn at the time of birth were collected. BV was detected by both Gram stain and gold standard clinical criteria (Amsel's composite criteria). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 9. Fischer's exact test, chi square tests and Student's' test has been used for analysis. The probability of 5% was considered as significant for continuous variables such as age, period of gestation and birth weight. Odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) with 95% probability were determined. The incidence of bacterial vaginosis was 41 in 200 patients. Adverse outcomes such as preterm labor, PROM and fetal complications were found more in pregnant women who had bacterial vaginosis (N=41), bacterial vaginosis with UTI (N=14) as compared to those without bacterial vaginosis (N=118). The incidence of poor pregnancy outcome was higher in bacterial vaginosis with UTI. Prevention of BV and UTI is cost effective to minimize the pregnancy-related complications and preterm labor to decrease in perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity. We recommend all antenatal patients should be screened for the presence of bacterial vaginosis, other infections and UTI.

Multiple reservoirs contribute to intraoperative bacterial transmission.

PubMed

Loftus, Randy W; Brown, Jeremiah R; Koff, Matthew D; Reddy, Sundara; Heard, Stephen O; Patel, Hetal M; Fernandez, Patrick G; Beach, Michael L; Corwin, Howard L; Jensen, Jens T; Kispert, David; Huysman, Bridget; Dodds, Thomas M; Ruoff, Kathryn L; Yeager, Mark P

2012-06-01

Intraoperative stopcock contamination is a frequent event associated with increased patient mortality. In the current study we examined the relative contributions of anesthesia provider hands, the patient, and the patient environment to stopcock contamination. Our secondary aims were to identify risk factors for stopcock contamination and to examine the prior association of stopcock contamination with 30-day postoperative infection and mortality. Additional microbiological analyses were completed to determine the prevalence of bacterial pathogens within intraoperative bacterial reservoirs. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to assess the contribution of reservoir bacterial pathogens to 30-day postoperative infections. In a multicenter study, stopcock transmission events were observed in 274 operating rooms, with the first and second cases of the day in each operating room studied in series to identify within- and between-case transmission events. Reservoir bacterial cultures were obtained and compared with stopcock set isolates to determine the origin of stopcock contamination. Between-case transmission was defined by the isolation of 1 or more bacterial isolates from the stopcock set of a subsequent case (case 2) that were identical to reservoir isolates from the preceding case (case 1). Within-case transmission was defined by the isolation of 1 or more bacterial isolates from a stopcock set that were identical to bacterial reservoirs from the same case. Bacterial pathogens within these reservoirs were identified, and their potential contribution to postoperative infections was evaluated. All patients were followed for 30 days postoperatively for the development of infection and all-cause mortality. Stopcock contamination was detected in 23% (126 out of 548) of cases with 14 between-case and 30 within-case transmission events confirmed. All 3 reservoirs contributed to between-case (64% environment, 14% patient, and 21% provider) and within-case (47% environment, 23% patient, and 30% provider) stopcock transmission. The environment was a more likely source of stopcock contamination than provider hands (relative risk [RR] 1.91, confidence interval [CI] 1.09 to 3.35, P = 0.029) or patients (RR 2.56, CI 1.34 to 4.89, P = 0.002). Hospital site (odds ratio [OR] 5.09, CI 2.02 to 12.86, P = 0.001) and case 2 (OR 6.82, CI 4.03 to 11.5, P < 0.001) were significant predictors of stopcock contamination. Stopcock contamination was associated with increased mortality (OR 58.5, CI 2.32 to 1477, P = 0.014). Intraoperative bacterial contamination of patients and provider hands was linked to 30-day postoperative infections. Bacterial contamination of patients, provider hands, and the environment contributes to stopcock transmission events, but the surrounding patient environment is the most likely source. Stopcock contamination is associated with increased patient mortality. Patient and provider bacterial reservoirs contribute to 30-day postoperative infections. Multimodal programs designed to target each of these reservoirs in parallel should be studied intensely as a comprehensive approach to reducing intraoperative bacterial transmission.

Imaging and diagnosis of postpartum complications: sonography and other imaging modalities.

PubMed

Kamaya, Aya; Ro, Kyung; Benedetti, Nancy J; Chang, Pauline L; Desser, Terry S

2009-09-01

Postpartum complications can be broadly divided into 4 categories: postpartum hemorrhage, obstetrical trauma, thromboembolic complications, and puerperal infections. Postpartum hemorrhage is most commonly caused by uterine atony, abnormal placentation, or genital tract trauma. Secondary causes of hemorrhage include retained products of conception and, rarely, subinvolution of the placental implantation site. Uterine dehiscence or rupture may be occult on ultrasound examination and may be better visualized on sagittal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Obstetric trauma during prolonged vaginal or cesarean delivery may lead to fistula formation, ureteral injury, or bowel injury. Later potential complications of cesarean delivery include cesarean delivery scar ectopic, endometrial implants in the cesarean scar, and placenta accreta. Thromboembolic complications can include pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis as well as ovarian vein thrombosis, the latter of which can be difficult to clinically differentiate from appendicitis in the postpartum female.

Cytological diagnosis of tuberculous cervicitis: A case report with review of literature.

PubMed

Kalyani, R; Sheela, Sr; Rajini, M

2012-01-01

Tuberculosis of cervix is a rare disease. Tuberculosis usually affects women of childbearing age, indicating hormone dependence of infection. The patient presents with menstrual irregularities, infertility or vaginal discharge. Cervical lesions presents as papillary/vegetative growth or ulceration mimicking cervical cancer. Cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smear plays an important role in diagnosing the disease by non-invasive technique in which the presence of epithelioid cells and Langhan's type of giant cells is diagnostic. However, other causes of granulomatous cervicitis should be considered and ruled out. Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain for acid fast bacilli, fluorescent technique, biopsy and culture help in confirming the disease. We present the case of a 45-year-old female, who presented with vaginal discharge, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, first degree uterine descent with grade II cystocele and rectocele and cervical ulcer. Pap smear revealed epithelioid cells and Langhan's type of giant cells, confirmed by ZN stain of cervical smear, fluorescent technique and culture.

Meningitis (For Parents)

MedlinePlus

... or sneezes on someone who isn't infected. Bacterial Meningitis Bacterial meningitis is rare, but is usually serious and ... not treated right away. In some cases of bacterial meningitis, the bacteria spread to the meninges from ...

Chlamydia caviae infection alters abundance but not composition of the guinea pig vaginal microbiota

PubMed Central

Neuendorf, Elizabeth; Gajer, Pawel; Bowlin, Anne K.; Marques, Patricia X.; Ma, Bing; Yang, Hongqiu; Fu, Li; Humphrys, Michael S.; Forney, Larry J.; Myers, Garry S.A.; Bavoil, Patrik M.; Rank, Roger G.; Ravel, Jacques

2015-01-01

In humans, the vaginal microbiota is thought to be the first line of defense again pathogens including Chlamydia trachomatis. The guinea pig has been extensively used as a model to study chlamydial infection because it shares anatomical and physiological similarities with humans, such as a squamous vaginal epithelium as well as some of the long-term outcomes caused by chlamydial infection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the guinea pig-C. caviae model of genital infection as a surrogate for studying the role of the vaginal microbiota in the early steps of C. trachomatis infection in humans. We used culture-independent molecular methods to characterize the relative and absolute abundance of bacterial phylotypes in the guinea pig vaginal microbiota in animals non-infected, mock-infected or infected by C. caviae. We showed that the guinea pig and human vaginal microbiotas are of different bacterial composition and abundance. Chlamydia caviae infection had a profound effect on the absolute abundance of bacterial phylotypes but not on the composition of the guinea pig vaginal microbiota. Our findings compromise the validity of the guinea pig-C. caviae model to study the role of the vaginal microbiota during the early steps of sexually transmitted infection. PMID:25761873

Chlamydia caviae infection alters abundance but not composition of the guinea pig vaginal microbiota.

PubMed

Neuendorf, Elizabeth; Gajer, Pawel; Bowlin, Anne K; Marques, Patricia X; Ma, Bing; Yang, Hongqiu; Fu, Li; Humphrys, Michael S; Forney, Larry J; Myers, Garry S A; Bavoil, Patrik M; Rank, Roger G; Ravel, Jacques

2015-06-01

In humans, the vaginal microbiota is thought to be the first line of defense again pathogens including Chlamydia trachomatis. The guinea pig has been extensively used as a model to study chlamydial infection because it shares anatomical and physiological similarities with humans, such as a squamous vaginal epithelium as well as some of the long-term outcomes caused by chlamydial infection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the guinea pig-C. caviae model of genital infection as a surrogate for studying the role of the vaginal microbiota in the early steps of C. trachomatis infection in humans. We used culture-independent molecular methods to characterize the relative and absolute abundance of bacterial phylotypes in the guinea pig vaginal microbiota in animals non-infected, mock-infected or infected by C. caviae. We showed that the guinea pig and human vaginal microbiotas are of different bacterial composition and abundance. Chlamydia caviae infection had a profound effect on the absolute abundance of bacterial phylotypes but not on the composition of the guinea pig vaginal microbiota. Our findings compromise the validity of the guinea pig-C. caviae model to study the role of the vaginal microbiota during the early steps of sexually transmitted infection. © FEMS 2015.

Lipocalin 2 imparts selective pressure on bacterial growth in the bladder and is elevated in women with urinary tract infection.

PubMed

Steigedal, Magnus; Marstad, Anne; Haug, Markus; Damås, Jan K; Strong, Roland K; Roberts, Pacita L; Himpsl, Stephanie D; Stapleton, Ann; Hooton, Thomas M; Mobley, Harry L T; Hawn, Thomas R; Flo, Trude H

2014-12-15

Competition for iron is a critical component of successful bacterial infections, but the underlying in vivo mechanisms are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is an innate immunity protein that binds to bacterial siderophores and starves them for iron, thus representing a novel host defense mechanism to infection. In the present study we show that LCN2 is secreted by the urinary tract mucosa and protects against urinary tract infection (UTI). We found that LCN2 was expressed in the bladder, ureters, and kidneys of mice subject to UTI. LCN2 was protective with higher bacterial numbers retrieved from bladders of Lcn2-deficient mice than from wild-type mice infected with the LCN2-sensitive Escherichia coli strain H9049. Uropathogenic E. coli mutants in siderophore receptors for salmochelin, aerobactin, or yersiniabactin displayed reduced fitness in wild-type mice, but not in mice deficient of LCN2, demonstrating that LCN2 imparts a selective pressure on bacterial growth in the bladder. In a human cohort of women with recurrent E. coli UTIs, urine LCN2 levels were associated with UTI episodes and with levels of bacteriuria. The number of siderophore systems was associated with increasing bacteriuria during cystitis. Our data demonstrate that LCN2 is secreted by the urinary tract mucosa in response to uropathogenic E. coli challenge and acts in innate immune defenses as a colonization barrier that pathogens must overcome to establish infection. Copyright © 2014 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Viruses as Sole Causative Agents of Severe Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Children.

PubMed

Moesker, Fleur M; van Kampen, Jeroen J A; van Rossum, Annemarie M C; de Hoog, Matthijs; Koopmans, Marion P G; Osterhaus, Albert D M E; Fraaij, Pieter L A

2016-01-01

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A viruses are known to cause severe acute respiratory tract infections (SARIs) in children. For other viruses like human rhinoviruses (HRVs) this is less well established. Viral or bacterial co-infections are often considered essential for severe manifestations of these virus infections. The study aims at identifying viruses that may cause SARI in children in the absence of viral and bacterial co-infections, at identifying disease characteristics associated with these single virus infections, and at identifying a possible correlation between viral loads and disease severities. Between April 2007 and March 2012, we identified children (<18 year) with or without a medical history, admitted to our paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with SARI or to the medium care (MC) with an acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) (controls). Data were extracted from the clinical and laboratory databases of our tertiary care paediatric hospital. Patient specimens were tested for fifteen respiratory viruses with real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assays and we selected patients with a single virus infection only. Typical bacterial co-infections were considered unlikely to have contributed to the PICU or MC admission based on C-reactive protein-levels or bacteriological test results if performed. We identified 44 patients admitted to PICU with SARI and 40 patients admitted to MC with ARTI. Twelve viruses were associated with SARI, ten of which were also associated with ARTI in the absence of typical bacterial and viral co-infections, with RSV and HRV being the most frequent causes. Viral loads were not different between PICU-SARI patients and MC-ARTI patients. Both SARI and ARTI may be caused by single viral pathogens in previously healthy children as well as in children with a medical history. No relationship between viral load and disease severity was identified.

Bacterial Pathogens versus Autophagy: Implications for Therapeutic Interventions

PubMed Central

Kimmey, Jacqueline M.; Stallings, Christina L.

2016-01-01

Research in recent years has focused significantly on the role of selective macroautophagy in targeting intracellular pathogens for lysosomal degradation, a process termed xenophagy. In this review we evaluate the proposed roles for xenophagy in controlling bacterial infection, highlighting the concept that successful pathogens have evolved ways to subvert or exploit this defense, minimizing the actual effectiveness of xenophagy in innate immunity. Instead, studies in animal models have revealed that autophagy-associated proteins often function outside of xenophagy to influence bacterial pathogenesis. In light of current efforts to manipulate autophagy and the development of host-directed therapies to fight bacterial infections, we also discuss the implications stemming from the complicated relationship that exists between autophagy and bacterial pathogens. PMID:27866924

Carboplatin and Paclitaxel With or Without Cisplatin and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage I, Stage II, Stage III, or Stage IVA Endometrial Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-01-09

Endometrial Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma; Endometrial Serous Adenocarcinoma; Stage IA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage II Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIC Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVA Uterine Corpus Cancer

Prevention of bacterial infection in pediatric oncology: what do we know, what can we learn?

PubMed

Alexander, Sarah; Nieder, Michael; Zerr, Danielle M; Fisher, Brian T; Dvorak, Christopher C; Sung, Lillian

2012-07-15

Bacterial sepsis continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and toxic death in children receiving intensive therapy for cancer. Empiric therapy for suspected infections and treatment of documented infections are well-established standards of care. The routine use of prophylactic strategies is much less common in pediatric oncology. This paper will review the current literature on the use and risks of antimicrobial prophylaxis as well as non-pharmacological methods for infection prevention and will address areas in need of further research. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Medroxyprogesterone in Treating Patients With Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Corpus

ClinicalTrials.gov

2016-03-17

Endometrial Adenocarcinoma; Endometrial Adenosquamous Carcinoma; Endometrial Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma, Variant With Squamous Differentiation; Recurrent Uterine Corpus Carcinoma; Stage I Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage II Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage III Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IV Uterine Corpus Cancer

Changes in endometrial transcription of TLR2, TLR4, and CD14 during the first-week postpartum in dairy cows with retained placenta.

PubMed

Martins, Telma M; Muniz, Clarice S; Andrade, Virgílio B; Paixão, Tatiane A; Santos, Renato L; Borges, Álan M

2016-04-15

Changes in the endometrial transcription of pattern recognition receptors may increase the susceptibility to postpartum uterine infections in Holstein cows with retained placenta. To test this hypothesis, nine cows with retained placenta and ten cows without retained placenta were submitted to endometrial biopsies at the first and seventh days postpartum. Cows were monitored weekly with clinical and gynecological examinations until 42 days postpartum. Samples of the uterine contents were collected weekly for aerobic bacteria isolation. All cows had endometrial transcription of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 1/6, 2, 4, 5, and 9; nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors 1 and 2; and the coreceptors cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD-2), as measured on the first and seventh days postpartum. Escherichia coli was the most common bacterium isolated from the uterine contents of cows with or without retained placenta until 21 days postpartum. Transcription levels of TLR2, TLR4, and CD14 in Holstein cows with retained placenta significantly decreased (P < 0.05) between the first and the seventh day postpartum. Conversely, cows without retained placenta did not have any significant changes in transcription levels between these time points. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Unusual case of cavitary lung metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

PubMed Central

Raissouni, Soundouss; Ghizlane, Rais; Mouzount, Houda; Saoussane, Kharmoum; Khadija, Setti; Zouaidia, Fouad; Latib, Rachida; Mrabti, Hind; Errihani, Hassan

2013-01-01

Spontaneous excavation of primary lung cancer is common; however cavitation of metastatic lung lesions is rare and usually confused with benign lesions. In Moroccan context tuberculosis is the first suspected diagnosis of lung excavations. We report a rare case of cavitary lung metastasis of a uterine cervix cancer, treated initially as tuberculosis. A 40-year old non-smoking woman with a known history of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix since August 2005; presented on September 2008 with right chest pain without fever, hemoptysis or weight loss. CT scan showed a thin walled cavity. Empirical Antibiotic therapy was conducted 15 days with poor outcome. Then antibacillary treatment was started with no proof of mycobacterial infection. A month later, the patient presented with gynecological bleeding and a pneumothorax. Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy of the cavitary mass was performed. Pathology demonstrated a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Pelvic examination and MRI showed a subsequent local cervix recurrence. Patient underwent 3 courses of systemic chemotherapy. She died on June 2009 due to progressive disease. Even cavitary lung metastases are rare and benign differential diagnosis are more common, clinician should be careful in neoplastic context and investigation should be done to eliminate a recurrence. PMID:23560120

New intrauterine technologies for contraception and treatment in -nulliparous/adolescent and parous women.

PubMed

Wildemeersch, D

2009-01-01

The IUD (intra uterine device) is a highly effective method of contraception that is underused. New developments in intrauterine technology, smaller frameless copper and levonorgestrel-releasing devices, could help increase the prevalence-- of use in adolescents and nulliparous women. Because adolescents and young nulliparous women contribute disproportionately to the epidemic of unintended pregnancies, long-acting methods of contraception, particularly IUDs, should be considered as first-line choices for interval, emergency and immediate post-abortal contraception in this population of women. As the uterine cavity is generally much smaller in this group than in older women, adapted IUDs may be very useful. Compatibility of the IUD with the small uterine cavity leads to high acceptability and continuation of use, a prerequisite to reduce unintended pregnancies. A strategic advantage of IUDs is that, unlike the Pill, they are genuinely 'fit-and-forget'. In use, they are much more effective than Pills in this age group. However, copper intrauterine devices do not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and, therefore, they are not always the methods of first choice for teenagers and nulliparous women. New evidence, however, from the World Health -Organization and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, shows that IUDs can be used and that they are safe for most women, including adolescents.

Lipocalin 2 in cerebrospinal fluid as a marker of acute bacterial meningitis

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Early differential diagnosis between acute bacterial and viral meningitis is problematic. We aimed to investigate whether the detection of lipocalin 2, a protein of the acute innate immunity response, may be used as a marker for acute bacterial meningitis. Methods Transgenic mice expressing the human transferrin were infected by intraperitoneal route and were imaged. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was sampled up to 48hours post- infection to measure lipocalin 2. We also tested a collection of 90 and 44 human CSF with confirmed acute bacterial or acute viral meningitis respectively. Results Lipocalin 2 was detected after 5 h in CSF during experimental infection in mice. Lipocalin 2 levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in patients with confirmed acute bacterial meningitis (mean 125 pg/mL, range 106–145 pg/mL) than in patients with acute viral meningitis (mean 2 pg/mL, range 0–6 pg/mL) with a sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 96% and a negative predictive value of 71% in diagnosing acute bacterial meningitis. Conclusions Increased levels of lipocalin 2 in cerebrospinal fluid may discriminate between acute bacterial and viral meningitis in patients with clinical syndrome of meningitis. PMID:24885531

Acidosis increases the susceptibility of respiratory epithelial cells to Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced cytotoxicity.

PubMed

Torres, Iviana M; Demirdjian, Sally; Vargas, Jennifer; Goodale, Britton C; Berwin, Brent

2017-07-01

Bacterial infection can lead to acidosis of the local microenvironment, which is believed to exacerbate disease pathogenesis; however, the mechanisms by which changes in pH alter disease progression are poorly understood. We test the hypothesis that acidosis enhances respiratory epithelial cell death in response to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Our findings support the idea that acidosis in the context of P. aeruginosa infection results in increased epithelial cell cytotoxicity due to ExoU intoxication. Importantly, enforced maintenance of neutral pH during P. aeruginosa infection demonstrates that cytotoxicity is dependent on the acidosis. Investigation of the underlying mechanisms revealed that host cell cytotoxicity correlated with increased bacterial survival during an acidic infection that was due to reduced bactericidal activity of host-derived antimicrobial peptides. These findings extend previous reports that the activities of antimicrobial peptides are pH-dependent and provide novel insights into the consequences of acidosis on infection-derived pathology. Therefore, this report provides the first evidence that physiological levels of acidosis increase the susceptibility of epithelial cells to acute Pseudomonas infection and demonstrates the benefit of maintaining pH homeostasis during a bacterial infection. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Uterine Microbiota and Immune Parameters Associated with Fever in Dairy Cows with Metritis.

PubMed

Jeon, Soo Jin; Cunha, Federico; Ma, Xiaojie; Martinez, Natalia; Vieira-Neto, Achilles; Daetz, Rodolfo; Bicalho, Rodrigo C; Lima, Svetlana; Santos, Jose E P; Jeong, K Casey; Galvão, Klibs N

2016-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate bacterial and host factors causing a fever in cows with metritis. For that, we investigated uterine microbiota using a metagenomic sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (Study 1), and immune response parameters (Study 2) in metritic cows with and without a fever. Bacterial communities were similar between the MNoFever and MFever groups based on distance metrics of relative abundance of bacteria. Metritic cows showed a greater prevalence of Bacteroidetes, and Bacteroides and Porphyromonas were the largest contributors to that difference. A comparison of relative abundance at the species level pointed to Bacteroides pyogenes as a fever-related species which was significantly abundant in the MFever than the MNoFever and Healthy groups; however, absolute abundance of Bacteroides pyogenes determined by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was similar between MFever and MNoFever groups, but higher than the Healthy group. The same trend was observed in the total number of bacteria. The activity of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) and the production of TNFα, PGE2 metabolite, and PGE2 were evaluated in serum, before disease onset, at 0 and 3 DPP. Cows in the MNoFever had decreased proportion of PMN undergoing phagocytosis and oxidative burst compared with the MFever. The low PMN activity in the MNoFever was coupled with the low production of TNFα, but similar PGE2 metabolite and circulating PGE2. Our study is the first to show a similar microbiome between metritic cows with and without a fever, which indicates that the host response may be more important for fever development than the microbiome. Bacteroides pyogenes was identified as an important pathogen for the development of metritis but not fever. The decreased inflammatory response may explain the lack of a febrile response in the MNoFever group.

Serum soluble ST2 as diagnostic marker of systemic inflammatory reactive syndrome of bacterial etiology in children.

PubMed

Calò Carducci, Francesca Ippolita; Aufiero, Lelia Rotondi; Folgori, Laura; Vittucci, Anna Chiara; Amodio, Donato; De Luca, Maia; Li Pira, Giuseppina; Bergamini, Alberto; Pontrelli, Giuseppe; Finocchi, Andrea; D'Argenio, Patrizia

2014-02-01

Accurate and timely diagnosis of community-acquired bacterial versus viral infections in children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) remains challenging both for clinician and laboratory. In the quest of new biochemical markers to distinguish bacterial from viral infection, we have explored the possible role of the soluble secreted form of ST2 (sST2). This explorative prospective cohort study included children with SIRS who were suspected of having community-acquired infections. Plasma samples for sST2 measurement were obtained from 64 hospitalized children, 41 of whom had SIRS of bacterial etiology and 23 SIRS of viral etiology, and from 20 healthy, age- and sex-matched control children. sST2 measurement was carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in parallel with standard measurements of procalcitonin (PCT) and C reactive protein (CRP). Our findings demonstrate that children with SIRS associated with bacterial infection present significantly increased levels of sST2, when compared with patients with SIRS of viral etiology and healthy children. More important, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that sST2 has a significant diagnostic performance with respect to early identification of SIRS of bacterial etiology, which was similar to that of PCT and greater than that of CRP. Finally, the combination of sST2 plus PCT and/or CRP, and PCT plus CRP increased their sensitivity and negative predictive value compared with sST2, PCT and CRP alone. In conclusion, sST2 level may prove useful in predicting bacterial etiology in children with SIRS.

Contribution of Vaccine-Induced Immunity toward either the HA or the NA Component of Influenza Viruses Limits Secondary Bacterial Complications▿

PubMed Central

Huber, Victor C.; Peltola, Ville; Iverson, Amy R.; McCullers, Jonathan A.

2010-01-01

Secondary bacterial infections contribute to morbidity and mortality from influenza. Vaccine effectiveness is typically assessed using prevention of influenza, not secondary infections, as an endpoint. We vaccinated mice with formalin-inactivated influenza virus vaccine preparations containing disparate HA and NA proteins and demonstrated an ability to induce the appropriate anti-HA and anti-NA immune profiles. Protection from both primary viral and secondary bacterial infection was demonstrated with vaccine-induced immunity directed toward either the HA or the NA. This finding suggests that immunity toward the NA component of the virion is desirable and should be considered in generation of influenza vaccines. PMID:20130054

Use of Pneumococcal Disease Epidemiology to Set Policy and Prevent Disease during 20 Years of the Emerging Infections Program.

PubMed

Moore, Matthew R; Whitney, Cynthia G

2015-09-01

Two decades ago, the Emerging Infections Program of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented what seemed like a simple yet novel idea: a population- and laboratory-based surveillance system designed to identify and characterize invasive bacterial infections, including those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. This system, known as Active Bacterial Core surveillance, has since served as a flexible platform for following trends in invasive pneumococcal disease and studying vaccination as the most effective method for prevention. We report the contributions of Active Bacterial Core surveillance to every pneumococcal vaccine policy decision in the United States during the past 20 years.

Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Cisplatin, and Paclitaxel or Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Stage III-IV or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-03-23

Recurrent Uterine Corpus Carcinoma; Stage IIIA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIB Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IIIC Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVA Uterine Corpus Cancer; Stage IVB Uterine Corpus Cancer

Within-host evolution of bacterial pathogens

PubMed Central

Didelot, Xavier; Walker, A. Sarah; Peto, Tim E.; Crook, Derrick W.; Wilson, Daniel J.

2016-01-01

Whole genome sequencing has opened the way to investigating the dynamics and genomic evolution of bacterial pathogens during colonization and infection of humans. The application of this technology to the longitudinal study of adaptation in the infected host — in particular, the evolution of drug resistance and host adaptation in patients chronically infected with opportunistic pathogens — has revealed remarkable patterns of convergent evolution, pointing to an inherent repeatability of evolution. In this Review, we describe how these studies have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms and principles of within-host genome evolution, and we consider the consequences of findings such as a potent adaptive potential for pathogenicity. Finally, we discuss the possibility that genomics may be used in the future to predict the clinical progression of bacterial infections, and to suggest the best treatment option. PMID:26806595

Within-host evolution of bacterial pathogens.

PubMed

Didelot, Xavier; Walker, A Sarah; Peto, Tim E; Crook, Derrick W; Wilson, Daniel J

2016-03-01

Whole-genome sequencing has opened the way for investigating the dynamics and genomic evolution of bacterial pathogens during the colonization and infection of humans. The application of this technology to the longitudinal study of adaptation in an infected host--in particular, the evolution of drug resistance and host adaptation in patients who are chronically infected with opportunistic pathogens--has revealed remarkable patterns of convergent evolution, suggestive of an inherent repeatability of evolution. In this Review, we describe how these studies have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms and principles of within-host genome evolution, and we consider the consequences of findings such as a potent adaptive potential for pathogenicity. Finally, we discuss the possibility that genomics may be used in the future to predict the clinical progression of bacterial infections and to suggest the best option for treatment.

PvdQ Quorum Quenching Acylase Attenuates Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence in a Mouse Model of Pulmonary Infection

PubMed Central

Utari, Putri D.; Setroikromo, Rita; Melgert, Barbro N.; Quax, Wim J.

2018-01-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the predominant pathogen in pulmonary infections associated with cystic fibrosis. Quorum sensing (QS) systems regulate the production of virulence factors and play an important role in the establishment of successful P. aeruginosa infections. Inhibition of the QS system (termed quorum quenching) renders the bacteria avirulent thus serving as an alternative approach in the development of novel antibiotics. Quorum quenching in Gram negative bacteria can be achieved by preventing the accumulation of N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signaling molecule via enzymatic degradation. Previous work by us has shown that PvdQ acylase hydrolyzes AHL signaling molecules irreversibly, thereby inhibiting QS in P. aeruginosa in vitro and in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of P. aeruginosa infection. The aim of the present study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of intranasally instilled PvdQ acylase in a mouse model of pulmonary P. aeruginosa infection. First, we evaluated the deposition pattern of intranasally administered fluorochrome-tagged PvdQ (PvdQ-VT) in mice at different stages of pulmonary infection by in vivo imaging studies. Following intranasal instillation, PvdQ-VT could be traced in all lung lobes with 42 ± 7.5% of the delivered dose being deposited at 0 h post-bacterial-infection, and 34 ± 5.2% at 72 h post bacterial-infection. We then treated mice with PvdQ during lethal P. aeruginosa pulmonary infection and that resulted in a 5-fold reduction of lung bacterial load and a prolonged survival of the infected animals with the median survival time of 57 hin comparison to 42 h for the PBS-treated group. In a sublethal P. aeruginosa pulmonary infection, PvdQ treatment resulted in less lung inflammation as well as decrease of CXCL2 and TNF-α levels at 24 h post-bacterial-infection by 15 and 20%, respectively. In conclusion, our study has shown therapeutic efficacy of PvdQ acylase as a quorum quenching agent during P. aeruginosa infection. PMID:29755959

Secondary Bacterial Infections Associated with Influenza Pandemics

PubMed Central

Morris, Denise E.; Cleary, David W.; Clarke, Stuart C.

2017-01-01

Lower and upper respiratory infections are the fourth highest cause of global mortality (Lozano et al., 2012). Epidemic and pandemic outbreaks of respiratory infection are a major medical concern, often causing considerable disease and a high death toll, typically over a relatively short period of time. Influenza is a major cause of epidemic and pandemic infection. Bacterial co/secondary infection further increases morbidity and mortality of influenza infection, with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus reported as the most common causes. With increased antibiotic resistance and vaccine evasion it is important to monitor the epidemiology of pathogens in circulation to inform clinical treatment and development, particularly in the setting of an influenza epidemic/pandemic. PMID:28690590

Bacterial proteinases as targets for the development of second-generation antibiotics.

PubMed

Travis, J; Potempa, J

2000-03-07

The emergence of bacterial pathogen resistance to common antibiotics strongly supports the necessity to develop alternative mechanisms for combating drug-resistant forms of these infective organisms. Currently, few pharmaceutical companies have attempted to investigate the possibility of interrupting metabolic pathways other than those that are known to be involved in cell wall biosynthesis. In this review, we describe multiple, novel roles for bacterial proteinases during infection using, as a specific example, the enzymes from the organism Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontopathogen, which is known to be involved in the development and progression of periodontal disease. In this manner, we are able to justify the concept of developing synthetic inhibitors against members of this class of enzymes as potential second-generation antibiotics. Such compounds could not only prove valuable in retarding the growth and proliferation of bacterial pathogens but also lead to the use of this class of inhibitors against invasion by other infective organisms.

Manipulation of host membranes by the bacterial pathogens Listeria, Francisella, Shigella and Yersinia.

PubMed

Pizarro-Cerdá, Javier; Charbit, Alain; Enninga, Jost; Lafont, Frank; Cossart, Pascale

2016-12-01

Bacterial pathogens display an impressive arsenal of molecular mechanisms that allow survival in diverse host niches. Subversion of plasma membrane and cytoskeletal functions are common themes associated to infection by both extracellular and intracellular pathogens. Moreover, intracellular pathogens modify the structure/stability of their membrane-bound compartments and escape degradation from phagocytic or autophagic pathways. Here, we review the manipulation of host membranes by Listeria monocytogenes, Francisella tularensis, Shigella flexneri and Yersinia spp. These four bacterial model pathogens exemplify generalized strategies as well as specific features observed during bacterial infection processes. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of bacterial meningitis in Egypt

PubMed Central

Shaban, Lamyaa; Siam, Rania

2009-01-01

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. In Egypt bacterial diseases constitute a great burden, with several particular bacteria sustaining the leading role of multiple serious infections. This article addresses profound bacterial agents causing a wide array of infections including but not limited to pneumonia and meningitis. The epidemiology of such infectious diseases and the prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae are reviewed in the context of bacterial meningitis. We address prevalent serotypes in Egypt, antimicrobial resistance patterns and efficacy of vaccines to emphasize the importance of periodic surveillance for appropriate preventive and treatment strategies. PMID:19778428