[The formation of bio-films by opportunistic microorganisms isolated from patients with rheumatic diseases].

The study was carried out concerning capability of 194 strains of opportunistic microorganisms to form bio-films. It is established that bacteria ecizing organism of patients with rheumatic diseases have capacity to form microbial bio-films. The formation of bio-films is manifested with the same rate as in agents of inflammatory processes. At that, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and bacteria of genus Proteus isolated under rheumatic diseases have significantly higher capability to form biofilms that matters for development of comorbide infections.

[Colonic microbial biocenosis in rheumatoid arthritis].

The aim of the work was to study colonic microbial biocenosis and colonizing ability of opportunistic bacteria in 32 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 30 healthy subjects. RA was diagnosed based on the American Rheumatism Association criteria (1987). Qualitative and quantitative composition of the microflora was detected by a bacteriological method. StatSoft Statistics 6.0 was used to treat the data obtained. RA was associated with significant modification of the intestinal flora, viz. decrease in lactobacteria and significant increase of enterococci, clostridia, colibacteria showing reduced enzymatic activity, and opportunistic species. Also, symbiotic relationships between microorganisms altered. The fraction of bifidobacteria, bacteroids, and lactopositive colibacteria reduced while the abundance of opportunistic enterobacteria and staphylococci was elevated. Opportunistic Enterobacteriaceae were present in urine and nasal mucosa which suggested their translocation from the intestines. It is concluded that changes in intestinal microflora and colonization by opportunistic bacteria enhance the risk of development of co-morbid conditions in patients with RA.

[Adhesive properties of microorganisms colonizing rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus patients].

AIM: Evaluation of adhesive properties of microorganisms colonizing rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nose mucosa and urinal microflora from 62 rheumatoid patients (32--rheumatoid arthritis and 30--systemic lupus erythematosus patients) was studied. 57 opportunistic microorganisms were isolated: including representatives of Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Morganella, Enterobactergenera. Adhesive properties on erythrocyte model of microorganisms isolated in patients with rheumatoid disease, museum cultures and clinical strains were analyzed by using standard technique. RESULTS: Bacteria isolated in rheumatoid disease patients were characterized by pronounced adhesive potential. Bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae family have shown significantly higher adhesive properties. Heterogeneity of adhesive properties levels, and genera and species adhesive potential of bacteria was determined. CONCLUSION: Microorganisms colonizing rheumatoid disease patients have a high adhesive potential that can increase the risk of patient infections.

[Intestinal microbial biocenosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with prednisolone].

This study of intestinal microflora included 60 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (LE) and 30 ones with cardiologic problems (controls). LE was diagnosed using criteria of American Rheumatologic Association (1982). Activity of the disease was estimated based on the ECLAM index. Nineteen patients with grade II LE were given with prednisolone (15 mg/day) and 15 ones did not receive this treatment. The qualitative and quantitative composition of intestinal microflora was evaluated by bacteriological methods. Results of the study were analysed with the use of STATISTICA 6.0 software system (StatSoft). Prednisolone was shown to alter the qualitative composition of microflora and the structure of symbiotic interactions between different organisms. Specifically, colonic flora contained more enterococci and organisms possessed of hemolytic activity whereas quantitative composition remained practically unchanged. Enterococci and colibacilli with modified enzymatic activity became predominant forms. It is concluded that prednisolone therapy affects colonic microbiocenosis in patients with LE favouring the development of enterococci, atypical colibacilli, and organisms with hemolytic activity.

[Microflora in patients with systemic connective tissue diseases].

The study of microflora of skin, mucous tunic of nose and mouth, and the quantitative and qualitative structure of the intestinal and urinal microflora in cases of systemic connective tissues diseases, are reproduced. The decrease of the dominant state of typical representatives, and the increase of the role of pseudopathogenic bacteria in various biotypes, were observed. The frequency of S. aureus detection increased in skin, mucous tunic of nose and mouth. Pseudopathogenic microbes acquired greater significance in the forming of microbiocenosis of intestine, while the number of E. coli, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacterium decreased. The frequency of detection of microbes in urine decreased. The comparative analyses of the microflora in patients with systemic lupus erythromatosis and progressive systemic sclerosis demonstrated the common peculiarities for microflora character change.

[Microflora of the open biotopes in systemic lupus erythematosus].

AIM: To study microflora of open biotopes and opportunistic mictoflora contamination of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Colon and nasal mucosa microflora was studied in 82 patients--52 SLE and 30 cardiological (control) patients. SLE diagnosis was made according to ARC 1982 criteria. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of microflora were studied bacteriologically. The statistical data was analysed using STATISTICA 6.0 software package (Data analysis software system, StatSoft). RESULTS: SLE patients' colon contains reduced amount of typical bacteria while the content of opportunistic intestinal bacteria, E. coli with changed enzymatic characteristics, staphylococci and agents with hemolytic activity rose. Enterobacteriaceae and coagula-positive staphylococci were detected on the nasal mucosa. Coagula-negative staphylococci were not frequent. Bacteriuria incidence and severity increased significantly. Opportunistic intestinal bacteria and Candida spp. were detected in SLE patients' urine. CONCLUSION: The change of normal microflora of the open biotopes was observed in SLE, opportunistic microflora takes part in forming intestinal and mucosal microbiocenosis. The detected changes in the microflora demonstrate the development of intestinal dysbacteriosis in SLE patients and translocation of intestinal bacteria to atypical biotopes. The increased pool of gram-negative enterobacteria may contribute to maintenance of intoxication and inflammation. Contamination of the open biotopes with opportunistic bacteria raises the risk of pyoinflammatory complications in SLE patients.

[Intestinal microbiocenosis in systemic connective tissue diseases].

The purpose of the investigation was to study the quantitative and qualitative composition of colon microflora in system connective tissue diseases and system vasculites. The authors studied colon microflora in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma, nodular polyarteritis, and hemorrhagic vasculitis. The structure of symbiotic interrelations between microorganisms participating in the formation of colon microbiocenosis was determined. Colon microflora was found to be disordered in terms of its qualitative and quantitative composition. The predomination of anaerobic microorganisms was decreased, while the role of conditionally pathogenic bacteria was increased. The number of lactobacteria was significantly lowered; bifidobacteria and bacteroids were found frequently, while their number was substantially lowered as well. Conditionally pathogenic microorganisms and bacteria with hemolytic activity acquired high significance in the forming of the colon microbiocenosis of the patients. The frequency of the isolation and the density of colon colonization with staphylococci and conditionally pathogenic enterobacteria were significantly increased. General trends and peculiarities of changes in the quantitative and qualitative composition of colon microflora in some rheumatic diseases were determined. The data on the peculiarities of the colon microbiocenosis in these patients may be used to substantiate methods of complex therapy including correction of dysbiotic disturbances.

[Intestinal microecology in some systemic connective tissue diseases].

In patients with systemic connective tissue diseases were studied. The species structure intestinal microflora was characterized by decrease of dominating status of anaerobic bacteria and increase of role of opportunistic bacteria. The number of Lactobacillus decreased significantly. Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides was also decreased in number while their detection rate did not change. Opportunistic bacteria with hemolytic activity acquired greater significance in the forming of patients' intestinal microbiocenosis. Significant increase of Staphylococcus and opportunistic Enterobacteriaceae detection rate and density of intestine colonization was detected. Colonization of the intestine by S. aureus was revealed. Comparative analysis of the qualitative and quantitative structure of the intestinal microflora in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic scleriasis revealed similar patterns. However, colonization of the gut by opportunistic intestinal bacteria, Candida and microorganisms with hemolytic activity was more frequently observed in patients with systemic scleriasis.