Medicine in Microecology最新文献

Background

Although invasive mycosis is a common complication of hematologic malignancies, invasive Fusarium infection, especially systemic disseminated Fusarium infection is rare, which has a high mortality due to remarkable intrinsic drug resistance.

Result

We reported a case of 5-year-old high-risk acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) female patient complicated with disseminated Fusarium solani infection during the course of chemotherapy. After diagnosis of ALL, the case was treated according to the South China Children's Leukemia Group-ALL-2016 protocol, and achieved a molecular complete response. On the seventh day of reinduction chemotherapy, she experienced endophthalmitis in the right eye along with recurrent high fever. Three days later, endophthalmitis spread to the left eye, blood culture and next-generation sequencing returned positive result for Fusarium solani. The patient was subsequently treated with antifungal therapy including Amphotericin B, Voriconazole and Posaconazole together with supportive treatments, but the effects were less satisfying. The patient then developed endocarditis, encephalitis, arthritis and other disseminated lesions caused by Fusarium solani infection, and eventually died of multiple organ failure.

Conclusion

This case we reported highlights the lethality of disseminated Fusarium species infection in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, early diagnosis and timely anti-infective treatments are of utmost importance as that helps in controlling the spread of infection thereby leading to a favorable outcome.

The increasing abundance of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes in E. coli, and other commensal and pathogenic bacteria, endangers the utility of third or more recent generation cephalosporins, which are major tools for fighting deadly infections. The role of domestic animals in the transmission of ESBL carrying bacteria has been recognized, especially in low- and middle-income countries, however the horizontal gene transfer of these genes is difficult to assess. Here we investigate bla_CTX-M gene diversity (and flanking nucleotide sequences) in E. coli from chicken and humans, in an Ecuadorian rural community and from chickens in another location in Ecuador. The bla_CTX-M associated sequences in isolates from humans and chickens in the same remote community showed greater similarity than those found in E. coli in a chicken industrial operation 200 km away. Our study may provide evidence of bla_CTX-M transfer between chickens and humans in the community.

The increased production and consumption of plastic items in the modern era has resulted in the generation of numerous microplastics (MPs) in the environment. Numerous researchers and clinicians were intrigued by the world's extensive use, distribution, and abundance of MPs. They were curious to study their interactions with biological systems and their impact on human health. Microplastic exposure occurs through various routes like oral, dermal, and inhalation, leading to metabolism alteration, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Microplastics contain intentionally added additives that, when combined, act as endocrine disruptors (EDCs), disrupting the natural hormone system and can cause cancer, diabetes, and neurological impairment in a developing fetus. The EDCs in microplastics may regulate glucose homeostasis, as shown by the occurrence of gestational impaired glucose tolerance, leading to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). As the primary route of exposure to microplastics in humans is through ingestion, microplastics, and their additives ultimately enter the gastrointestinal tract and alter the gut microflora. Numerous metagenomics studies have demonstrated that the gut microflora of women with GDM are enriched with organisms like Ruminococcae, Parabacteroides distansonis, and Prevatella. The metabolic pathways for insulin signaling and carbohydrate metabolism are connected to these microbiota populations. The impact of microplastics on maternal exposure and their possible alteration of glucose metabolism, leading to GDM, as well as their association with gut microbiome dysbiosis, are addressed in this review.

Introduction

EDP1815 is a single-strain of Prevotella histicola with preclinical immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacodynamic effects of EDP1815 on the immune response following immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and dermal rechallenge.

Methods

Thirty-two healthy subjects (median 30, range 18–59 years) were randomized over two cohorts to EDP1815 or placebo (12:4). Both cohorts received 8.0 × 10¹¹ total cells daily for 28 days, reconstituted in 10 (A formulation) or 5 (B formulation) capsules. KLH-specific antibodies and circulating regulatory T cells were evaluated. Skin response after rechallenge was assessed with imaging. Immune cell subsets from blister exudates were assessed in the B cohort only. Ex vivo phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide whole blood challenges were performed to evaluate cytokine release. Gastrointestinal tract persistence, prevalence, and colonization of EDP1815 were assessed by fecal qPCR and microbiome assays. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariances.

Results

There was a trend toward a treatment effect on the KLH-induced skin rechallenge response (CIELab a* estimated difference (ED) −1.50 arbitrary unit (AU), 95% CI −3.47–0.47 AU, P = .13, and average redness ED −0.14 AU, 95% CI −0.31–0.03 AU, P = .10 in B cohort) and, to a lesser extent, on the humoral KLH response. No notable EDP1815 effects were observed on gut persistence, microbiome, and other safety parameters.

Conclusion

Based on our findings and the clinical benefit observed in the phase 2 study in psoriasis, further investigation of the immunomodulatory effects and potential clinical benefit of EDP1815 is warranted.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are compounds that inhibit the growth of bacterial pathogens by preventing microbial colonization in the host. AMPs are usually found in animals, humans, and plants. In particular, AMPs of human origin are released by cells of the immune system in response to microbial infections. Studies have shown that AMPs target virulence proteins of bacterial strains and inhibit the colonization of host tissues. However, over the past few decades, the emergence of drug-resistant pathogenic strains has led to sources for AMPs from green sources such as tropical plants. Such plant-based AMPs (pAMPs) were proven to exhibit antimicrobial activity against several gram-positive, gram-negative, and fungal pathogens. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of pAMPs such as thionins, defensins, snakins, lipid transfer peptides, and knottin-like peptides from a wide range of plant sources. For instance, pAMP such as defensins (CtDef1) from the plant species Clitoria ternatea were proven to inhibit Bacillus subtilis. In addition, such pAMPs are sustainable as they are extracted from green sources such as plants. Therefore, pAMP can potentially combat the threat of drug resistance in pathogenic strains. This review highlights the mechanism of the plant AMPs and their role in killing bacterial cells. In addition, this article also critically evaluates the studies conducted using pAMP conjugated with fluorescent markers to identify the subcellular targets. Overall, this article emphasizes the potential of plant AMPs in mitigating drug resistance.

Aims

This study was designed to investigate the incidence of subgingival Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans infections and their relationship with genetic variability in Saudi Arabian adults with chronic periodontitis and to evaluate the correlation between infection frequency and other variables.

Methods

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed to detect P. gingivalis 16 ​S rDNA, fimbria (fimA), and collagenase (prtC) genes, as well as the A. actinomycetemcomitans 16 ​S rDNA, leukotoxin (lktA), and fimbria-associated protein (fap) genes in saliva samples from 50 patients with periodontitis and 51 healthy subjects.

Results

The incidence of both P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans infections was higher (72% and 14%) in the “Periodontal disease” group than in the healthy subjects (P ​< ​0.001). The P. gingivalis 16 ​S rDNA, fimA, and prtC genes were detected in 43.56%, 61.36%, and 84.09% of saliva samples, respectively, while A. actinomycetemcomitans 16 ​S rDNA, lktA, and fap genes were detected in 6.93%, 71.43%, and 0%, respectively. P. gingivalis strains with the fimA+/prtC ​+ ​genotype were found in 61.11% and 25% of chronic periodontitis patients and healthy subjects, respectively. By comparison, A. actinomycetemcomitans strains with the lktA+ ​genotype were found in 71.43% of chronic periodontitis patients.

Conclusion

Infection with fimA+ and prtC+ ​P. gingivalis or lktA+ ​A. actinomycetemcomitans was correlated with periodontal disease occurrence in Saudi adults. Nevertheless, A. actinomycetemcomitans lktA and P. gingivalis fimA and prtC are closely linked to periodontal destruction, whereas A. actinomycetemcomitans fap is not.

Human is a host to billions of microbes and has developed sophisticated defense systems to stave off infections. Macrophages, which are at the forefront of innate immune protection against bacterial invaders, play a critical role in host responses to intracellular bacteria. At the same time, these phagocytes are prime targets for intracellular bacteria seeking to exploit host cells. Neisseria meningitidis belongs to a select group of bacterial pathogens with a sophisticated arsenal of virulence factors that can disrupt macrophage defense mechanisms or counter-balance the host's immunological defense mechanisms in order to ensure survival or expansion in a hostile environment. Worldwide, meningococci continues to play a significant role in the development of severe sepsis and meningitis. There is still much to learn about the tactics N. meningitidis uses to avoid immune response, such as mimicking host molecules, expression of virulence factor, capsule switching, and lipopolysaccharide phase changes. The macrophage evasion mechanisms of meningococcal present significant challenges for therapy and treatments. This review provides an overview of factors that meningococci utilize to manipulate macrophage immune responses and understand the asymptomatic and infection phases. Knowledge of the intricate web of host-pathogen interaction can help us find new target sites to devise effective therapeutics.

This current study is to identify the most appropriate dose against intra and extrahepatic toxic agents as well as hematosuppressive agent in rats. The animals were divided into six groups (n ​= ​10). Group 1 was placed on basal diet. Group II, III and IV were placed on a basal diets supplemented with 9.9%, 19.8% and 30%, respectively of MCF-ADSPC. Group V was placed on basal diet fed with unfermented Adasonia digitata seeds (UF-ADS) for 56 days. The results revealed 9.9% MCF-ADSPC as better dose to augment weight growth and total protein in rats. Similarly, MCF-ADSPC generated slight increase of WBC and centrophils count at lowest dose (9.9%) and highest dose (30%), respectively better than UF-ADS. The levels of PCV, RBC, haemoglobin, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes showed no significant difference. Whereas, 19.8% MCF-ADSPC showed a better protection against hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, intestinal mucosa, abnormal cholesterol level and splenomegaly in relation to 9.9%, 30% MCF-ADSPC and UF-ADS. Conclusively, MCF-ADSPC nutriment at 19.8% dose protected functional endpoints of intra and extrahepatic tissues than UF-ADS in a rat model.

Women of European Ancestry are more likely to harbor a Lactobacillus-dominated microbiome that supports healthy pregnancy progression compared to women of African descent who are more likely to experience preterm birth due to a diverse microbial profile. However, to date, many of these studies linking a diverse vaginal profile to adverse pregnancy outcomes in women of African ancestry are commonly focused on Blacks in Westernized populations. To bridge this gap, a comparative systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. A total of 40 studies assessing the vaginal microbiome and preterm birth using molecular-based techniques were selected for full-text review. After extensively analyzing these studies for experimental design, the method applied, clinical characteristics, and geographical location, only two articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. A meta-analysis was conducted by merging two studies comprising 217 samples from 115 pregnant women of African descent. Taxon analysis of vaginal profiles shows that Nigerian women had a significantly higher abundance of Atopobium (q<0.05; permutation test), compared to African American (AA) women who were significantly more enriched with Sneathia (q<0.05; permutation test). The mean Alpha-diversity was not significantly different between the AA and Nigerian groups (3.3 ​± ​0.09 versus 2.9 ​± ​0.09, p ​= ​0.10) respectively. Vaginal communities of AA women were relatively unstable, only Ureaplasma parvum remained stable throughout pregnancy (p_ADF <0.001), whereas L. crispatus, L. iners, and Atopobium vaginae were relatively more stable over pregnancy (p_ADF <0.001) in Nigerian women. In summary, our study indicated that there are differences in the core vaginal microbiome composition in women of similar ethnicity in different geographical locations. Future work should focus on advancing precision medicine by understanding the microbiome from an individual perspective, independent of ethnicity.