Authentication, phytochemical characterization and anti-bacterial activity of twoArtemisiaspecies.

Artemisia species are aromatic herbs used as food and/or ethnomedicine worldwide; however, the use of these plants is often impeded by misidentification. Here, molecular and chemotaxonomic approaches were combined to assist in the morphology-based authentication of Artemisia species, and Artemisia indica and Artemisia argyi were identified. The plant extracts and compounds obtained from these species, 1,8-cineole, carveol, α-elemene, α-farnesene, methyl linolenate, diisooctyl phthalate inhibited the growth of food-borne harmful bacteria. Mechanistic studies showed that the extract and active compounds of A. indica killed Gram-negative and -positive bacteria via destruction of the bacterial membrane. Finally, in vivo data demonstrated that A. indica protected against bacterial infection in mice as evidenced by survival rate, bacterial load in organs, gut pathology, diarrhea, body weight, food consumption, stool weight, and pathology score. A. indica and its active compounds have potential for use as food supplements for food-borne bacterial diseases and thus improve human health.

Associations between host characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella typhimurium.

A collection of Salmonella Typhimurium isolates obtained from sporadic salmonellosis cases in humans from Lower Saxony, Germany between June 2008 and May 2010 was used to perform an exploratory risk-factor analysis on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using comprehensive host information on sociodemographic attributes, medical history, food habits and animal contact. Multivariate resistance profiles of minimum inhibitory concentrations for 13 antimicrobial agents were analysed using a non-parametric approach with multifactorial models adjusted for phage types. Statistically significant associations were observed for consumption of antimicrobial agents, region type and three factors on egg-purchasing behaviour, indicating that besides antimicrobial use the proximity to other community members, health consciousness and other lifestyle-related attributes may play a role in the dissemination of resistances. Furthermore, a statistically significant increase in AMR from the first study year to the second year was observed.

Composition of Herba Pogostemonis water extract and protection of infected mice against Salmonella Typhimurium-induced liver damage and mortality by stimulation of innate immune cells.

GC-MS analysis of a hot water extract of Herba Pogostemonis (HP) revealed the presence of 131 compounds. HP slightly inhibited Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria in culture and stimulated uptake of the bacteria into RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells as indicated by both increased fluorescence from internalized FITC-dextran and increased colony-forming unit (CFU) counts of the lysed macrophages. Postinfection, the HP-treated cells showed lower bacterial counts than the control. HP elicited altered morphology, elevated inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in macrophage cells. Salmonella induced increased expression of iNOS mRNA, cognate polypeptides, and NO. Histology of mice infected with a sublethal dose (1 × 10(4) CFU) of Salmonella showed that intraperitoneally administered HP protected against necrosis of the liver, a biomarker of in vivo salmonellosis. The lifespan of mice infected with a lethal dose (1 × 10(5) CFU) was significantly extended. These results suggest that the activity of HP against bacterial infection in mice occurs through the activation of innate immune macrophage cells. The relationship of composition of HP to bioactivity is discussed.

Salmonella gastroenteritis in children (clinical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility): comparison of the years 1995-2001 and 2002-2008.

We document herein the prevalence and serotype distribution among Salmonella enterica strains isolated from children treated for diarrhea over two seven-year periods spanning 14 years. Four hundred and eight (1.38%) S. enterica cases were isolated among 29,601 diarrheal admissions. Among the Salmonella isolates, 63.7% were serogroup D and 29.9% were serogroup B. Overall, 21.7% of cases were under one year of age, with 2.1% being younger than three months. Bloody diarrhea was found in 18.8% of the cases. The resistance rates were 25.8%, 18.2%, 7.0%, 4.7%, and 0.3%, to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin, respectively. In conclusion, our study has revealed that the predominance of Salmonella serogroup D continues. The clinical features of our patients were mostly mild, with no deaths or severe complications. While resistance to antimicrobial agents changes constantly, it is important to keep these strains under surveillance in order to formulate policies for the rational use of antimicrobial agents.

Evaluation of antibacterial effects of a combination of Coptidis Rhizoma, Mume Fructus, and Schizandrae Fructus against Salmonella.

The antibacterial potential of a preparation of medicinal herbs for the treatment of salmonellosis was evaluated. The preparation contained a combination of methanolic extracts from Mume Fructus, Coptidis Rhizoma and Schizandrae Fructus, and is designated NP532. NP532 was tested against 26 different Salmonella stains. All these strains were affected by NP532 even though many of the salmonella strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics. The MIC values of this combination against the Salmonella strains varied from 0.49 to 7.8 mg/ml. The in vivo antibacterial activity of NP532 was examined using a S. Gallinarum infection chicken model. The chickens were initially infected with S. Gallinarum, and NP532 was then administered. This preparation was found to have major effects on mortality. The histopathological observations of the NP532 treated animals did not show any of the clinical signs and rarely showed histological damage associated with the disease. On the other hand, the untreated controls showed the clinical signs, e.g. congestion and necrotic changes in the liver, kidney, and spleen. This suggests that NP532 might be an effective treatment for salmonellosis.

Antibacterial activity of medicinal herb extracts against Salmonella.

The therapeutic potentials of twenty-two medicinal herb species traditionally used in Korea to treat gastrointestinal infections were evaluated for the treatment of salmonellosis. Candidates were primarily screened using the disk-agar method for antibacterial activity against three different Salmonella serotypes. Of the herbs tested, the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Schizandrae Fructus exhibited antibacterial activity against all three Salmonella. The extracts of this herb were further tested against 13 additional Salmonella strains of 6 different serotypes. All of these strains were also affected by these extracts, though the methanolic extract had slightly higher activity. The MIC values of this extract against the 16 Salmonella strains varied from 15.6 to 125 microg/ml. Nine of the 16 strains tested had MIC values of <31.3 microg/ml for the methanolic extract of Schizandrae Fructus. The in vivo antibacterial activity of Schizandrae Fructus extract was examined in a S. Typhimurium infection mouse model. Mice were initially infected with S. Typhimurium, and then administered with Schizandrae Fructus extract. The extract was found to have major effects on mortality and on the numbers of viable S. Typhimurium recovered from feces. Clinical signs and histological damages were rarely observed in the treated mice, whereas the untreated controls showed clinical signs, e.g., lethargy, and histological damage in the kidney, liver, intestine, and spleen. We conclude that Schizandrae Fructus has the potential to provide an effective treatment for salmonellosis.

Eradicative effect of cotrimoxazole and quinolones on non-typhoid salmonellae.

Opinions on antibiotic treatment of salmonella gastroenteritis are still different. Many authors support an opinion that antimicrobial treatment has no effect on salmonella elimination. The authors of the study have tried to prove that fluoroquinolones shorten the elimination of salmonellae and therefore they are useful not only for the treatment of salmonella gastroenteritis in immunocompromised patients to prevent sepsis and extraintestinal manifestations of the infection, but also for eradication of salmonellae in food industry workers, whose carrier state might exclude them from their work. (Tab. 3, Ref. 10.)

Large scale use of ciprofloxacin in the control of a Salmonella outbreak in a hospital for the mentally handicapped.

An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning occurred in a hospital for the mentally handicapped in July 1990. Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 was identified in 101 patients and eight staff. Standard infection control measures were instituted. Ciprofloxacin was given to all resident patients and to all affected staff. The outbreak was rapidly controlled. There were no new cases after ciprofloxacin was started and there were no clinical relapses. Microbiological relapsers were retreated with ciprofloxacin. A gradual return to normal activity was possible and within two months the hospital was functioning normally. No salmonellae have been identified in the hospital since that time, confirming that the organism was eradicated, rather than just temporarily suppressed.

Management of institutional outbreaks of Salmonella gastroenteritis.

The number of reports of outbreaks of salmonella gastroenteritis in hospitals has decreased since 1984 but the number of outbreaks in institutions such as old peoples' homes have increased during 1988. Foods, particularly chickens, remain a source of salmonellae and particular attention has to be paid to training and practices in food preparation areas. Staff who are convalescent are very unlikely to be sources of salmonella and do not need to be excluded unless they handle food that receives no further cooking. Outbreaks that do occur can usually be controlled by patient isolation and good control-of-infection measures and an effective Major Outbreak Control Plan is necessary. In some large old hospitals cross infection outbreaks may continue despite good control-of-infection measures. Antibiotics have been contraindicated in the treatment of salmonella gastroenteritis, but the new 4-quinolone antibiotics have demonstrated potential. Ciprofloxacin was used successfully in two outbreaks of salmonella gastroenteritis at a dose of 500 mg bd orally for seven days. Relapses did not occur and resistance did not develop. Ciprofloxacin should be considered as a therapeutic adjunct to control of infection measures in cross infection outbreaks in these situations.

[Experience in using new drug preparations for treating adult patients with acute intestinal infections]. / Opyt primeneniia nekotorykh novykh lekarstvennykh preparatov dlia lecheniia vzroslykh bol'nykh s ostrymi kishechnymi infektsiiami.

Ciprofloxacin (Bayer, FRG), a derivative of hydroxyquinolone acid, was used for the treatment of patients with shigellosis and salmonellosis and for the sanitation of Salmonella carriers. The drug turned out to exert a positive effect on bacteriological sanitation of the body. In order to treat patients with food toxinfection of unknown etiology, use was made of intetrix (Farmacos, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). Inclusion of the drug into combined treatment of patients with food toxinfections did not show any material advantages.