Sepsis compromises post-ischemic stroke neurological recovery and is associated with sex differences.

AIMS: Infection is a complication after stroke and outcomes vary by sex. Thus, we investigated if sepsis affects brain from ischemic stroke and sex involvement. MAIN METHODS: Male and female Wistar rats, were submitted to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and after 7 days sepsis to cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). Infarct size, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial activity were quantified 24 h after CLP in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Survival and neurological score were assessed up to 15 days after MCAO or 8 days after CLP (starting at 2 h after MCAO) and memory at the end. KEY FINDINGS: CLP decreased survival, increased neurological impairments in MCAO females. Early, in male sepsis following MCAO led to increased glial activation in the brain structures, and increased TNF-α and IL-1ß in the hippocampus. All groups had higher IL-6 in both tissues, but the hippocampus had lower IL-10. CLP potentiated myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the prefrontal cortex of MCAO male and female. In MCAO+CLP, only male increased MPO and nitrite/nitrate in hippocampus. Males in all groups had protein oxidation in the prefrontal cortex, but only MCAO+CLP in the hippocampus. Catalase decreased in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of all males and females, and MCAO+CLP only increased this activity in males. Female MCAO+CLP had higher prefrontal cortex complex activity than males. In MCAO+CLP-induced long-term memory impairment only in females. SIGNIFICANCE: The parameters evaluated for early sepsis after ischemic stroke show a worse outcome for males, while females are affected during long-term follow-up.

Protection of blood brain barrier integrity and modulation of inflammatory mediators during treatment of pneumococcal meningitis with daptomycin or ceftriaxone.

Pneumococcal meningitis is associated with neurologic sequelae, such as learning and memory impairment. Most recently, a nonbacteriolytic antibiotic has been investigated to minimise the inflammatory host response and prevent cognitive damage. In this study, we compared daptomycin (DPTO) or ceftriaxone (CFX) treatment on the inflammatory parameters and on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in experimental pneumococcal meningitis. In the first experiment, the animals received 10 µl of a Streptococcus pneumoniae suspension or artificial cerebrospinal fluid by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and were treated with CFX or DPTO at 18 h post-infection. The animals were euthanised at 18, 20, 24, 36 and 40 h post-infection. In the hippocampus, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 levels were not different between treatment groups; however, IL-4 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1) levels decreased in the CFX group. In the frontal cortex, TNF-α, IL- 4, IL-6, IL-10 and BDNF levels were not different between treatment groups. Only CINC-1 levels decreased at 40 h postinfection with CFX treatment. In the second experiment, the animals received DPTO or CFX for 7 days and were euthanised 10 days after pneumococcal meningitis induction. TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, CINC-1 and BDNF levels were not different between treatment groups in the hippocampus; however, IL-4 levels decreased in CFX group. In the third experiment, the animals received 10 µl of an S. pneumoniae suspension or artificial CSF by i.c.v. and were treated with a single dose of CFX or DTPO antibiotic; assessment of the BBB breakdown showed that both antibiotics prevented the BBB disruption. Both treatments equally protected the BBB integrity, and there were no significant difference in cytokine production.

Microbiological evaluation of bristles of frequently used toothbrushes / Avaliação microbiológica das cerdas de escovas dentárias de uso frequente

INTRODUCTION: Brushing teeth is probably the practice of oral hygiene most common in the world; however, inadequate use can become a risk to the population health, once they may be contaminated with various microorganisms. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial contamination on toothbrush bristles using different methodologies. METHOD: We used 40 toothbrushes from healthy individuals aged 3 to 58 years. The samples were grown in test tubes containing trypticase soy broth sterile, and with the help of a tracking 0.1 μl samples were placed on plates containing sheep blood agar 5% and MacConkey agar then the samples were stored in a bacteriological incubator at 37°C for 24 hours for later analysis. It was counted the colony forming units and bacteria identification present in the brush. RESULTS: On the microbiological analysis, there was a growth of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus coagulase negative. CONCLUSION: According to the results presented in this study, we observed a high incidence of bacterial contamination in the brushes analyzed. The most frequent microorganisms were members of the Enterobacteriaceae. The usage time of toothbrushes may be related to contamination found and, therefore, not only good hygiene ensures the reduction of microbial load, but replacing the toothbrush can also ensure individuals better oral health.

INTRODUÇÃO: a escovação de dentes é, provavelmente, a prática de higiene bucal mais comumente realizada no mundo; entretanto, o acondicionamento inadequado pode se transformar em um risco para a saúde da população, uma vez que podem estar contaminadas com vários tipos de microrganismos. OBJETIVO: o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a contaminação bacteriana de cerdas de escovas dentais através de diferentes métodos. MÉTODOS: foram utilizadas 40 escovas de dentes provenientes de indivíduos sadios, com idade entre 3 a 58 anos. As amostras foram semeadas em tubo de ensaio contendo caldo tripticaseína de soja (TSB) estéril e, com o auxílio de uma alça de 0,1μl, as amostras foram semeadas em placas contendo ágar sangue de carneiro a 5% e ágar MacConkey. Em seguida foram armazenadas em estufa bacteriológica a 37°C por 24hs para posterior análise. Foi realizada a contagem das unidades formadora de colônias (UFC) e a identificação das bactérias presentes nas escovas. RESULTADOS: nas análises microbiológicas, houve crescimento de Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes e Staphylococcus coagulase negativas. Conclusões: de acordo com os resultados apresentados nesse trabalho, verificamos que houve alta incidência de contaminação bacteriana nas escovas analisadas. Os microrganismos com maior frequência foram membros da família Enterobacteriaceae. O tempo de uso das escovas dentárias pode estar relacionado à contaminação encontrada e, por isso, não só uma boa higienização garantirá a redução da carga microbiana, mas a troca da escova dentária também pode garantir melhor saúde bucal aos indivíduos.