RESUMEN
Introduction: Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) continue to pose a challenge for clinicians. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment option in CDI. Furthermore, recent and ongoing studies suggest potential benefits of FMT in other diseases as well. Methods: We would like to present a novel protocol for encapsulation of lyophilized fecal material. Our method provides with better compliance as well as improved flexibility, storage and safety. Results: FMT was conducted in 28 patients with an overall success rate of 82,14% using apsules containing lyophilized stool. 16 of patients were given capsules with lessened bacteria counts. The success rate in this group was 93,75%. Discussion: The results highlight the still unanswered questions about the mechanism of action and contribute to a wider use of FMT in the clinical praxis and in research.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Clostridium , Trasplante de Microbiota Fecal , Heces , Trasplante de Microbiota Fecal/métodos , Humanos , Infecciones por Clostridium/terapia , Infecciones por Clostridium/microbiología , Heces/microbiología , Resultado del Tratamiento , Femenino , Clostridioides difficile , Liofilización , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , AdultoRESUMEN
Today, antibiotic therapies that previously worked well against certain bacteria due to their natural sensitivity, are becoming less effective. Honey has been proven to inhibit the biofilm formation of some respiratory bacteria, however few data are available on how the storage time affects the antibacterial effect. The activity of black locust, goldenrod, linden and sunflower honeys from three consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022) was analyzed in 2022 against Gram-negative (Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Streptococcus pneumoniae) bacteria using in vitro microbiological methods. After determining the physicochemical parameters of honey, broth microdilution was applied to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of each honey type against each bacterium, and crystal violet assay was used to test their antibiofilm effect. The possible mechanism of action was explored with membrane degradation test, while structural changes were illustrated with scanning electron microscopy. Honeys stored for one or two years were darker than fresh honeys, while older honeys had significantly lower antibacterial activity. The most remarkable inhibitory effect was exerted by linden and sunflower honeys, and P. aeruginosa proved to be the most resistant bacterium. Based on our results, honey intended for medicinal purposes should be used as fresh as possible during a treatment.
Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos , Miel , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Miel/análisis , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Biopelículas/efectos de los fármacos , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Factores de Tiempo , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efectos de los fármacos , Almacenamiento de Alimentos/métodos , HumanosRESUMEN
Fatty acids (FAs) play important roles as membrane components and signal transduction molecules. Changes in short chain FA (SCFA) composition are associated with gut microbiota modifications. However, the effect of bacteria-driven changes on the detailed FA spectrum has not been explored yet. We investigated the effect of antibiotics (ABx) and/or probiotics, in four treatment groups on rat stool FA composition. Principal component analysis indicated that the chromatogram profiles of the treatment groups differ, which was also observed at different time points. Linear mixed effects models showed that in the parameters compared (sampling times, treatments. and their interactions), both the weight percentage and the concentration of FAs were affected by ABx and probiotic administration. This study found that the gut microbiome defines trans and branched saturated FAs, most saturated FAs, and unsaturated FAs with less carbon atoms. These results are among the first ones to demonstrate the restoring effects of a probiotic mixture on a substantial part of the altered total FA spectrum, and also revealed a previously unknown relationship between gut bacteria and a larger group of FAs. These findings suggest that intestinal bacteria produce not only SCFAs but also other FAs that may affect the host's physiological processes.
Asunto(s)
Ácidos Grasos , Probióticos , Ratas , Animales , Ácidos Grasos/análisis , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Heces/microbiología , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/análisis , Probióticos/farmacología , Bacterias , Ácidos Grasos VolátilesRESUMEN
The irresponsible overuse of antibiotics has increased the occurrence of resistant bacterial strains, which represents one of the biggest patient safety risks today. Due to antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in bacteria, it is becoming increasingly difficult to suppress the bacterial strains responsible for various chronic infections. Honey was proven to inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm development, offering an alternative solution in the treatment of resistant infections and chronic wounds. Our studies included chestnut honey, valued for its high antibacterial activity, and the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis, known to form multi-species biofilm communities. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of chestnut honey were determined for each bacterial strain. Afterwards, the mixed bacterial biofilms were treated with chestnut honey at different stages of maturity (incubation times: 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h). The extent of biofilm inhibition was measured with a crystal violet assay and demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As the incubation time increased and the biofilm became more mature, inhibition rates decreased gradually. The most sensitive biofilm was the combination MRSA-S. epidermidis, with a 93.5% inhibition rate after 2 h of incubation. Our results revealed that chestnut honey is suitable for suppressing the initial and moderately mature stages of mixed biofilms.
RESUMEN
Urbanization with reduced microbial exposure is associated with an increased burden of asthma and atopic symptoms. Conversely, environmental exposure to endotoxins in childhood can protect against the development of allergies. Our study aimed to investigate whether the renaturation of the indoor environment with aerosolized radiation-detoxified lipopolysaccharide (RD-LPS) has a preventative effect against the development of ragweed-induced Th2-type airway inflammation. To explore this, cages of six-week-old BALB/c mice were treated daily with aerosolized native LPS (N-LPS) or RD-LPS. After a 10-week treatment period, mice were sensitized and challenged with ragweed pollen extract, and inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways was observed. As dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in the polarization of T-cell responses, in our in vitro experiments, the effects of N-LPS and RD-LPS were compared on human monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs). Mice in RD-LPS-rich milieu developed significantly less allergic airway inflammation than mice in N-LPS-rich or common environments. The results of our in vitro experiments demonstrate that RD-LPS-exposed moDCs have a higher Th1-polarizing capacity than moDCs exposed to N-LPS. Consequently, we suppose that the aerosolized, non-toxic RD-LPS applied in early life for the renaturation of urban indoors may be suitable for the prevention of Th2-mediated allergies in childhood.
Asunto(s)
Endotoxinas , Hipersensibilidad , Ratones , Humanos , Animales , Endotoxinas/farmacología , Lipopolisacáridos/farmacología , Ambrosia , Células Th2 , Inflamación , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Ovalbúmina/farmacología , Células DendríticasRESUMEN
SCOPE: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen considered one of the paradigms of antimicrobial resistance, is among the main causes of hospital-acquired and chronic infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This growing threat results from the extraordinary capacity of P. aeruginosa to develop antimicrobial resistance through chromosomal mutations, the increasing prevalence of transferable resistance determinants (such as the carbapenemases and the extended-spectrum ß-lactamases), and the global expansion of epidemic lineages. The general objective of this initiative is to provide a comprehensive update of P. aeruginosa resistance mechanisms, especially for the extensively drug-resistant (XDR)/difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) international high-risk epidemic lineages, and how the recently approved ß-lactams and ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations may affect resistance mechanisms and the definition of susceptibility profiles. METHODS: To address this challenge, the European Study Group for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (ESGARS) from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases launched the 'Improving Surveillance of Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Europe (ISARPAE)' initiative in 2022, supported by the Joint programming initiative on antimicrobial resistance network call and included a panel of over 40 researchers from 18 European Countries. Thus, a ESGARS-ISARPAE position paper was designed and the final version agreed after four rounds of revision and discussion by all panel members. QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THE POSITION PAPER: To provide an update on (a) the emerging resistance mechanisms to classical and novel anti-pseudomonal agents, with a particular focus on ß-lactams, (b) the susceptibility profiles associated with the most relevant ß-lactam resistance mechanisms, (c) the impact of the novel agents and resistance mechanisms on the definitions of resistance profiles, and (d) the globally expanding XDR/DTR high-risk lineages and their association with transferable resistance mechanisms. IMPLICATION: The evidence presented herein can be used for coordinated epidemiological surveillance and decision making at the European and global level.
Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos , Infecciones por Pseudomonas , Humanos , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , beta-Lactamasas/genética , Infecciones por Pseudomonas/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Pseudomonas/epidemiología , Infecciones por Pseudomonas/microbiología , Pseudomonas , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genética , Inhibidores de beta-Lactamasas/uso terapéutico , beta-Lactamas/farmacología , beta-Lactamas/uso terapéutico , Pruebas de Sensibilidad MicrobianaRESUMEN
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major human pathogen as it is responsible for various infections. In the past years hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKP) emerged and disseminated worldwide. In this review a summary will be given about epidemiology, detection and antibiotic resistance of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae. A common feature of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae is a combined expression of several virulence factors. A mucoviscosus phenotype, certain capsulare serotypes (e.g.: K1, K2, K28, K47, K63) together with additional genetic markers namely, magA, rmpA or iucABCD, are needed in combinations to achieve the hypervirulent pathotype. Plasmid coded virulence determinants are also detected, that indicates horizontal gene transfer of hypervirulence factors in K. pneumoniae.Interestingly, infections caused by hypervirulent K. pneumoniae occur usually in the community in otherwise healthy people, and during these infections multiple infection sites are detected. Clinical pictures include both invasive infections and local abscess formation. Pyogenic liver abscess is the most frequently reported clinical manifestation and abscess formation in brain, spleen and lung are also diagnosed. Additionally, meningitis, endophthalmitis, trombophlebitis, pneumonia can also develop.In the early reports, hypervirulent K. pneumoniae strains exhibited enhanced virulence but these were susceptible to commonly used antibiotics. However, recently KPC, VIM, NDM and OXA-48 carbapenemase producing hypervirulent K. pneumoniae strains are increasingly reported, furthermore, well-known high-risk K. pneumoniae clones (e.g.: ST11, ST147, ST307) can develop hypervirulent pathotype, that poses an even more alarming challenge.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Klebsiella , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Humanos , Absceso/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Klebsiella/epidemiología , Infecciones por Klebsiella/tratamiento farmacológico , Virulencia/genética , Factores de Virulencia/genética , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Farmacorresistencia MicrobianaRESUMEN
Delafloxacin is a novel fluoroquinolone agent that is approved for clinical application. In this study, we analyzed the antibacterial efficacy of delafloxacin in a collection of 47 Escherichia coli strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the broth microdilution method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for delafloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and imipenem. Two multidrug-resistant E. coli strains, which exhibited delafloxacin and ciprofloxacin resistance as well as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype, were selected for whole-genome sequencing (WGS). In our study, delafloxacin and ciprofloxacin resistance rates were 47% (22/47) and 51% (24/47), respectively. In the strain collection, 46 E. coli were associated with ESBL production. The MIC50 value for delafloxacin was 0.125 mg/L, while all other fluoroquinolones had an MIC50 value of 0.25 mg/L in our collection. Delafloxacin susceptibility was detected in 20 ESBL positive and ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli strains; by contrast, E. coli strains that exhibited a ciprofloxacin MIC value above 1 mg/L were delafloxacin-resistant. WGS analysis on the two selected E. coli strains (920/1 and 951/2) demonstrated that delafloxacin resistance is mediated by multiple chromosomal mutations, namely, five mutations in E. coli 920/1 (gyrA S83L, D87N, parC S80I, E84V, and parE I529L) and four mutations in E. coli 951/2 (gyrA S83L, D87N, parC S80I, and E84V). Both strains carried an ESBL gene, blaCTX-M-1 in E. coli 920/1 and blaCTX-M-15 in E. coli 951/2. Based on multilocus sequence typing, both strains belong to the E. coli sequence type 43 (ST43). In this paper, we report a remarkable high rate (47%) of delafloxacin resistance among multidrug-resistant E. coli as well as the E. coli ST43 international high-risk clone in Hungary.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Parallel to the growth of the oral healthcare market, there is a constantly increasing demand for natural products as well. Many customers prefer products that contain fewer toxic agents, therefore providing an environmentally friendly solution with the benefit of smaller risk to the user. Medieval and early modern medicinal knowledge might be useful when looking for natural, herbal-based components to develop modern products. Along with these considerations we created, tested, and compared an entirely natural mouthwash, named Herba Dei. METHODS: The manufacturing procedure was standardized, and the created tincture was evaluated by GC/MS analysis for active compounds, experimentally tested in cell-based cytotoxicity, salivary protein integrity, cell-free antioxidant activity, anti-bacterial and anti-viral assays, and compared with three market-leading mouthwashes. RESULTS: Our tincture did not show significant damage in the cytotoxicity assays to keratinocyte and Vero E6 cells and did not disrupt the low molecular weight salivary proteins. Its radical scavenging capacity surpassed that of two tested, partly natural, and synthetic mouthwashes, while its antibacterial activity was comparable to the tested products, or higher in the bacterial aerobic respiratory assay. The active compounds responsible for the effects include naturally occurring phenylpropanoids, terpenes, and terpenoids. Our mouthwash proved to be effective in vitro in lowering the copy number of SARS-CoV-2 in circumstances mimicking the salivary environment. CONCLUSIONS: The developed product might be a useful tool to impede the transmission and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in interpersonal contact and aerosol-generating conditions. Our mouthwash can help reduce the oral bacterial flora and has an antioxidant activity that facilitates wound healing and prevents adverse effects of smoke in the oral cavity.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Antisépticos Bucales , Humanos , Antisépticos Bucales/efectos adversos , SARS-CoV-2 , Antioxidantes , Boca/microbiología , TerpenosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular in medicinal applications because of their antimicrobial effect. Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) is a well-known and widely cultivated medicinal plant, which is used as a remedy for cold, cough and gastrointestinal symptoms. Essential oil content of thyme is responsible for its antimicrobial activity, however, it has been reported that the chemical composition of essential oils influences its biological activity. In order to explore flowering phenophases influence on the chemical composition of thyme essential oil and its antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity, plant materials were collected at the beginning of flowering, in full bloom and at the end of flowering periods in 2019. METHODS: Essential oils from fresh and dried plant materials were distilled and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The antibacterial activity was performed by broth microdilution and thin layer chromatography-direct bioautography (TLC-DB) assays and the anti-biofilm effect by crystal violet assay, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to illustrate the cellular changes of bacterial cells after essential oil treatment. RESULTS: Thymol (52.33-62.46%) was the main component in the thyme essential oils. Thyme oil distilled from fresh plant material and collected at the beginning of flowering period exerted the highest antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: The different flowering periods of Thymus vulgaris influence the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of its essential oils, therefore, the collection time has to be taken into consideration and not only the full bloom, but the beginning of flowering period may provide biological active thyme essential oil.
Asunto(s)
Aceites Volátiles , Thymus (Planta) , Aceites Volátiles/farmacología , Cromatografía de Gases y Espectrometría de Masas , Antibacterianos/farmacologíaRESUMEN
Essential oils (EOs) with established and well-known activities against human pathogens might become new therapeutics in multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of EOs obtained from several samples of Origanum vulgare, O. syriacum, and O. majorana cultivated in Poland. EOs were analyzed by GC-MS and tested against four bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chemical analyses showed that the Eos were characterized by a high diversity in composition. Based on the chemical data, four chemotypes of Origanum EOs were confirmed. These were carvacrol, terpineol/sabinene hydrate, caryophyllene oxide, and thymol chemotypes. Thin-layer chromatography-bioautography confirmed the presence of biologically active antibacterial components in all tested EOs. The highest number of active spots were found among EOs with cis-sabinene hydrate as the major compound. On the other hand, the largest spots of inhibition were characteristic to EOs of the carvacrol chemotype. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were evaluated for the most active EOs: O. vulgare 'Hirtum', O. vulgare 'Margarita', O. vulgare 'Hot & Spicy', O. majorana, and O. syriacum (I) and (II); it was shown that both Haemophilus strains were the most sensitive with an MIC value of 0.15 mg/mL for all EOs. O. majorana EO was also the most active in the MIC assay and had the highest inhibitory rate in the anti-biofilm assay against all strains. The most characteristic components present in this EO were the trans-sabinene hydrate and terpinen-4-ol. The strain with the least sensitivity was the MRSA with an MIC of 0.6 mg/mL for all EOs except for O. majorana, where the MIC value reached 0.3 mg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy performed on the Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae biofilms showed a visible decrease in the appearance of bacterial clusters under the influence of O. majorana EO.
Asunto(s)
Aceites Volátiles , Origanum , Humanos , Aceites Volátiles/farmacología , Aceites Volátiles/química , Origanum/química , Cimenos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/química , Bacterias , Pruebas de Sensibilidad MicrobianaRESUMEN
Honey is known as an alternative remedy for the treatment of wounds. To evaluate the potential of five Hungarian honey types against wound-associated bacteria, in vitro microbiological assays were conducted on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined with the broth macrodilution method, and biofilm degradation capacity was tested with a crystal violet assay. To understand the underlying mechanisms, the effects of honey treatments were assessed on bacterial membrane integrity and quorum sensing (QS). The highest antibacterial activity, indicated by the lowest MIC values, as well as the highest biofilm inhibition rates and membrane disruption, was displayed by chestnut and linden honeys. The most sensitive bacterium was S. epidermidis. Bacterial membrane degradation took place 40 min after treatment with honey solutions of at least a 40% concentration. Each honey sample exhibited anti-QS activity, which was most pronounced in the case of chestnut honey. It was concluded that the antibacterial, biofilm-inhibiting and anti-QS activities of linden and chestnut honeys were superior to those of acacia, goldenrod and milkweed honeys. In addition to the floral source, the antibacterial effect of honey is influenced by the microbial species treated. The use of honey in wound treatment can be justified by its diverse antibacterial mechanisms.
RESUMEN
Background and aims: Faecal microbiota transfer (FMT) has managed to earn its place in the Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) guidelines by having comparable efficacy and recurrence rate of fidaxomicin. After more than 100 successful FMT administration through nasogastric tube, we started using hard gelatine capsules filled with lyophilised faecal sediment and supernatant. Our main question was whether uncoated capsules (containing faecal sediment or supernatant) are comparable to the widely used nasogastric tubes in CDI. We also investigated the effect of storage and time on the survival rate of bacteria in the samples. Methods: We compared the efficacy of our capsules to other treatment options of CDI at the Department of Infectology at the University of Pécs (Hungary). For our study, stool was collected from a single donor. We treated 10 patients with relapsing CDI, 5 of them received supernatant, 5 received sediment. Donor samples were stored on 4 different temperatures and tested to determine the survival rates of bacteria. As pilot projects, we also assessed the changes of bacterial taxa, protein- and lipid compositions. Moreover, we selected 4 patients to compare their samples prior and after FMT by using microbiome (16S amplicon sequencing), protein, and lipid analyses. Results: 4 out of the 5 patients who received supernatant became symptomless within 2 days after FMT. In the sediment group 3 out of 5 patients were cured from CDI. Comparing the supernatant to the sediment, we found significantly lower number of colony-forming units in the supernatant. We found that -80°C is the most suitable temperature to store the samples. The stool lipid profiles of recipients showed a more diverse composition after FMT, and changes in the stool protein profiles were observed as well. In the microbiome analysis, we observed an increase in the alpha diversity after FMT. Conclusions: Our study of 10 patients showed good efficacy of lyophilised faecal supernatant using capsules. The single donor approach proved to be effective in our investigation. A significantly lower CFU number was sufficient for the effect, the separation can be achieved by widely available instruments. For storage temperature, -20°C was sufficient in our clinical practice.
Asunto(s)
Clostridioides difficile , Infecciones por Clostridium , Humanos , Trasplante de Microbiota Fecal , Carga Bacteriana , Cápsulas , Heces/microbiología , Infecciones por Clostridium/terapia , Infecciones por Clostridium/microbiología , Bacterias , Lípidos , Resultado del Tratamiento , RecurrenciaRESUMEN
Multiresistant Escherichia coli has been disseminated worldwide, and it is one of the major causative agents of nosocomial infections. E. coli has a remarkable and complex genomic plasticity for taking up and accumulating genetic elements; thus, multiresistant high-risk clones can evolve. In this review, we summarise all available data about internationally disseminated extraintestinal pathogenic high-risk E. coli clones based on whole-genome sequence (WGS) data and confirmed outbreaks. Based on genetic markers, E. coli is clustered into eight phylogenetic groups. Nowadays, the E. coli ST131 clone from phylogenetic group B2 is the predominant high-risk clone worldwide. Currently, strains of the C1-M27 subclade within clade C of ST131 are circulating and becoming prominent in Canada, China, Germany, Hungary and Japan. The C1-M27 subclade is characterised by blaCTX-M-27. Recently, the ST1193 clone has been reported as an emerging high-risk clone from phylogenetic group B2. ST38 clone carrying blaOXA-244 (a blaOXA-48-like carbapenemase gene) caused several outbreaks in Germany and Switzerland. Further high-risk international E. coli clones include ST10, ST69, ST73, ST405, ST410, ST457. High-risk E. coli strains are present in different niches, in the human intestinal tract and in animals, and persist in environment. These strains can be transmitted easily within the community as well as in hospital settings. WGS analysis is a useful tool for tracking the dissemination of resistance determinants, the emergence of high-risk mulitresistant E. coli clones and to analyse changes in the E. coli population on a genomic level.
RESUMEN
The profiling of bacterial fatty acids is a well-established technique in identifying and classifying bacteria. Cultivation conditions may affect the biosynthesis, thereby, changing the fatty acid profile in bacteria. The effect of the culture conditions on the fatty acid components of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Pseudomonas aeruginosa polyresistant and Pseudomonas putida all are aligned to the genus Pseudomonas. The fatty acids in the lipopolysaccharides of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 were also examined. The effects of the cultivation conditions were followed by using agar and blood agar media at the characteristic temperatures, 25 °C, 37 °C and 42 °C, respectively, and an analysis was made during the 1st, 3rd and 5th day following inoculation. In addition to quantitative differences, we also experienced qualitative differences in the fatty acid profiles which detect newly appearing fatty acids, due to changes in environmental factors. The application of ionic liquid-based column unveils new possibilities for the analyses of fatty acids in GC-MS experiments for bacterial fatty acid profiling. The validation results (response linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, system suitability, intraday and interday repeatability and accuracy) show the high separation efficiency of the ionic liquid-based column in the analyses.
Asunto(s)
Líquidos Iónicos , Pseudomonas putida , Cromatografía de Gases y Espectrometría de Masas/métodos , Ácidos Grasos/análisis , Lipopolisacáridos , Agar , Pseudomonas aeruginosaRESUMEN
The present study aims to review the main communicable diseases that experienced an upsurge in the past decade in Lebanon and to highlight the reasons behind this increase. Data of reported communicable diseases from 2010 till 2019 were obtained from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (LMOPH) epidemiological surveillance database. Tuberculosis, measles, mumps, leishmaniasis, and hepatitis A were the main communicable diseases that showed a sharp increase in the past 10 y. Measles outbreaks occurred in 2013 and 2018, leishmaniasis outbreak in 2013, and mumps and hepatitis A outbreaks in 2014. The highest percentages of reported diseases were from Beqaa and North governorates. The massive influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon, together with the poor water management system, poor sanitation, deprived living conditions, and limited health-care access in rural areas might have contributed to the upsurge of communicable diseases. Although the LMOPH succeeded in containing the outbreaks, further efforts are needed to improve the identified gaps to avoid future outbreaks.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Transmisibles , Hepatitis A , Leishmaniasis , Sarampión , Paperas , Refugiados , Humanos , Líbano/epidemiología , Enfermedades Transmisibles/epidemiología , Sarampión/epidemiología , Leishmaniasis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
This paper presents the genome sequence of a Shigella sonnei mutant strain (S. sonnei 4351) and the effect of mutation in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis on bacterial fitness. Lipopolysaccharides are the major component of the outer leaflet of the Gram-negative outer membrane. We report here a frameshift mutation of the gene gmhD in the genome of S. sonnei 4351. The mutation results in a lack of epimerization of the core heptose while we also found increased thermosensitivity, abnormal cell division, and increased susceptibility to erythromycin and cefalexin compared to the S. sonnei 4303. Comparative genomic analysis supplemented with structural data helps us to understand the effect of specific mutations on the virulence of the bacteria and may provide an opportunity to study the effect of short lipopolysaccharides.
Asunto(s)
Aptitud Genética , Lipopolisacáridos , Shigella sonnei , Cefalexina/farmacología , Eritromicina/farmacología , Lipopolisacáridos/genética , Shigella sonnei/efectos de los fármacos , Shigella sonnei/genética , Genoma Bacteriano , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Carbohidrato Epimerasas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Mutación del Sistema de LecturaRESUMEN
The biofilm formation of bacteria in different parts of the human body can influence the success of antibiotic therapy. Essential oils (EOs) and their components are becoming increasingly popular in point of view of medicinal applications, because of their antibacterial efficacy. The immortelle EO has been used traditionally as an expectorant; however, there are no studies summarizing its antibacterial effect against respiratory tract bacteria. Our aim was to investigate the antibacterial and biofilm inhibitory activity of immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) EO against respiratory tract pathogens such as Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae. In order to prove the antibacterial effect of the immortelle EO, broth microdilution and biofilm inhibition tests, and membrane damage assay were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to identify the structural modifications in bacterial cells. Our results showed that immortelle EO has antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects against respiratory tract bacteria used in this study. H. parainfluenzae was the most sensitive to each treatment, however, P. aeruginosa was the most resistant bacteria. In conclusion, the studied EO may have a role in the treatment of respiratory tract infections due to their antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity.
Asunto(s)
Helichrysum , Aceites Volátiles , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Bacterias , Biopelículas , Helichrysum/química , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Aceites Volátiles/química , Aceites Volátiles/farmacología , Pseudomonas aeruginosaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, there is currently no psychometrically validated Hungarian scale to evaluate nurses' knowledge about infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Thus, we aim in this study to assess the validity and reliability of the infection control standardized questionnaire Hungarian version (ICSQ-H). METHODS: A cross-sectional, multisite study was conducted among 591 nurses in Hungary. The original ICSQ included 25 questions. First, the questionnaire was translated into Hungarian. Then, content validity was assessed by a committee of four specialists. This was done by calculating the item content validity index and scale content validity index. Afterward, structural validity was evaluated in a two-step process using principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The goodness of fit for the model was measured through fit indices. Convergent validity was assessed by calculating the average variance extracted. Additionally, discriminant validity was evaluated by computing the Spearman correlation coefficient between the factors. Finally, the interitem correlations, the corrected item-total correlations, and the internal consistency were calculated. RESULTS: The content validity of the questionnaire was established with 23 items. The final four-factor ICSQ-H including 10 items showed a good fit model. Convergent validity was met except for the alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) factor, while discriminant validity was met for all factors. The interitem correlations and the corrected item-total correlations were met for all factors, but the internal consistency of ABHR was unsatisfactory due to the low number of items. CONCLUSIONS: The results did not support the original three-factor structure of the ICSQ. However, the four-factor ICSQ-H demonstrated an adequate degree of good fit and was found to be reliable. Based on our findings, we believe that the ICSQ-H could pave the way for more research regarding nurses' IPC knowledge to be conducted in Hungary. Nevertheless, its validation among other healthcare workers is important to tailor effective interventions to enhance knowledge and awareness.
RESUMEN
Scots pine (SO) and clove (CO) essential oils (EOs) are commonly used by inhalation, and their main components are shown to reduce inflammatory mediator production. The aim of our research was to investigate the chemical composition of commercially available SO and CO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and study their effects on airway functions and inflammation in an acute pneumonitis mouse model. Inflammation was evoked by intratracheal endotoxin and EOs were inhaled three times during the 24 h experimental period. Respiratory function was analyzed by unrestrained whole-body plethysmography, lung inflammation by semiquantitative histopathological scoring, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and cytokine measurements. α-Pinene (39.4%) was the main component in SO, and eugenol (88.6%) in CO. Both SO and CO significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, and prevented peak expiratory flow, tidal volume increases and perivascular edema formation. Meanwhile, inflammatory cell infiltration was not remarkably affected. In contrast, MPO activity and several inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, KC, MCP-1, MIP-2, TNF-α) were aggravated by both EOs. This is the first evidence that SO and CO inhalation improve airway function, but enhance certain inflammatory parameters. These results suggest that these EOs should be used with caution in cases of inflammation-associated respiratory diseases.