Escherichia coli, a common constituent of benign prostate hyperplasia-associated microbiota induces inflammation and DNA damage in prostate epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: The role of microbiota in the pathophysiology of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), especially in creating an inflammatory milieu may not be avoided. The major objectives of this study were to investigate the microbial composition of BPH tissues, its association with inflammation and check the effect of clinically isolated bacteria on prostate epithelial cells. METHODS: The study includes 36 patients with a pathological diagnosis of BPH. Following strict aseptic measures, tissues were collected after transurethral resection of prostate, multiple pieces of the resected tissues were subjected to histopathological analysis, bacterial culture and genomic DNA extraction. Microbial composition was analyzed by culture and/or next-generation sequencing methods. Annotation of operational taxonomy unit has been done with an in-house algorithm. The extent of inflammation was scored through histological evaluation of tissue sections. The effect of clinical isolates on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity and induction of DNA-damage in the prostate epithelial cells were evaluated. RESULTS: Histopathological analysis of the BPH tissues showed the presence of inflammation in almost all the tissues with a varied level at different regions of the same tissue section and the level of overall inflammation was different from patients to patients. Microbial culture of tissue samples showed the presence of live bacteria in 55.5% (20 out of 36) of the patient tissues. Majority of the isolates were coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, E. coli and Micrococcus spp. Further, V3 16S rRNA sequencing of the DNA isolated from BPH tissues showed the presence of multiple bacteria and the most common phylum in the BPH tissues were found to be Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. The E. coli, isolated from one of the tissue was able to activate NF-κB and induce DNA damage in prostate epithelial cells. Phospho-histone γH2A.X staining confirmed the presence of cells with damaged DNA lesion in BPH tissues and also correlated with the severity of inflammation. CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that the BPH tissues do have a divergent microbial composition including the commonly found E. coli (phylum Proteobacteria), and these bacteria might contribute to the BPH-associated inflammation and/or tissue damage. The BPH-associated E. coli induced NF-κB signaling and DNA damage in prostate epithelial cells in vitro.

The sensitivity and specificity of a urine based Rapid Diagnostic Test for the diagnosis of plasmodium falciparum in a malaria endemic area in Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND: Rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial in the treatment of malaria. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) using blood have been recommended by the WHO as an acceptable method for the diagnosis of malaria. RDTs provide results quickly, is simple to use and easy to interpret. However, its use requires collection of blood by skin puncture. Hence the aim of the pilot study is to explore the sensitivity and specificity of RDTs using urine (collected non-invasively) for diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and to assess the relation between parasite density in blood with HRP-2 Ag detection in urine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All fever cases admitted to Ispat General Hospital (IGH) Rourkela, India, during June 2012-March 2013 with a clinical diagnosis of malaria were examined for the presence of asexual forms of P. falciparum in peripheral blood smears. All smear positive febrile patients who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled. Smear negative fever cases were enrolled as control cases. RDTs were performed using both urine and blood samples by using commercially available blood specific kits. RESULTS: Sixty blood smear positive cases and 51 febrile blood smear negative cases were enrolled. Sensitivity and specificity of RDT urine were 86.67% (95%CI:75.83-93.09) and 94.12% (95%CI:84.08-97.98) respectively whereas those of RDT blood were 91.67% (95% CI: 81.93-96.39) and 98.04% (95% CI 89.7-99.65). The sensitivity of both RDT urine as well as RDT blood were found to be dependent on the level of parasitemia. CONCLUSION: Results of this study are promising. Larger studies are needed to assess whether RDTs using urine could serve as a practical, reliable method for the detection of P. falciparum in a non-invasive manner where invasive blood taking is less feasible.

Abdominal scar endometriosis.

Abdominal scar endometriosis is very rare. We report a case of abdominal scar endometriosis in a 32-year-old woman presented with a blue lesion over the abdominal scar for 7 months. She had history of intermittent dull aching pain over the scar for 5 years. Excision of the lump was done with the clinical diagnosis of vascular malformation over the scar. The specimen was sent for histopathological examination. The histopathological report revealed decidual change in the scar tissue suggesting abdominal scar endometriosis. Abdominal scar endometriosis should be kept in mind while dealing a case of the painful lump over the abdominal scar in any woman of childbearing age having a history of obstetric or gynecological procedure.