[Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii breast infections: Report of four cases]. / Infecciones mamarias por Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii: comunicación de 4 casos.

Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii is an immobile, non-sporulated, glucose-fermenting and lipophilic gram-positive rod of the skin microbiota. In recent years, numerous isolates of this species have been reported mainly in breast infections, such as abscesses and granulomatous mastitis. We present here four cases of C. kroppenstedtii infections isolated from breast aspiration samples in women. C. kroppenstedtii was identified by conventional methodology and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Using the epsilometric method, these isolates showed susceptibility to penicillin, ceftriaxone, minocycline, ciprofloxacin, and vancomycin, and variable susceptibility to clindamycin and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. Due to the association of C. kroppenstedtii with mammary infections, the identification at the species level of those corynebacteria isolated from this location is highly advisable in order to reach the final diagnosis and to test the antimicrobial susceptibility in order to apply the appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Epithelial and neural cadherin expression in the mammalian reproductive tract and gametes and their participation in fertilization-related events.

Mammalian fertilization involves a series of well-orchestrated cell-cell interaction steps between gametes, as well as among spermatozoa and somatic cells of both the male and female reproductive tracts. Cadherins are Ca(2+)-dependent glycoproteins that have been involved in cellular adhesion and signaling in somatic cells. Taking into account that Ca(2+) ions are required during fertilization, the involvement of these proteins in adhesion events during this process can be anticipated. This report presents an overview on two members of classical cadherins, Epithelial (E-) and Neural (N-) cadherin in reproductive biology. Its provides evidence of studies done by several research groups about the expression of E- and N-cadherin during spermatogenesis, oogenesis and folliculogenesis, and their involvement in gamete transport in the reproductive tracts. Moreover, it describes current knowledge of E- and N-cadherin presence in cells of the cumulus-oocyte complex and spermatozoa from several mammalian species, and shows gathered evidence on their participation in different steps of the fertilization process. A brief summary on general information of both proteins is also presented.

Epithelial and Neural Cadherin in Mammalian Fertilization: Studies in the Mouse Model.

Successful mammalian fertilization requires a well-orchestrated sequence of molecular events leading to gamete fusion. Since this interaction involves Ca2+-dependent adhesion events, the participation of the Ca+2-dependent cell-cell adhesion proteins Epithelial (E-cad) and Neural (N-cad) cadherin is envisaged. We have previously reported the expression of E-cad and N-cad in human gametes and showed evidence of their involvement in sperm-oocyte adhesion events leading to fertilization. To overcome ethical limitations associated with the use of human gametes in fertilization-related studies, the mouse has been selected worldwide as the experimental model for over 4 decades. Herein, we report a detailed study aimed at characterizing the expression of E-cad and N-cad in murine gametes and their involvement in murine fertilization using specific antibodies and blocking peptides towards both adhesion proteins. E-cad and N-cad protein forms, as well as other members of the adhesion complex, specifically ß-catenin and actin, were identified in spermatozoa, cumulus cells and oocytes protein extracts by means of Western immunoblotting. In addition, subcellular localization of these proteins was determined in whole cells using optical fluorescent microscopy. Gamete pre-incubation with anti-E-cad (ECCD-1) or N-cad (H-63) antibodies resulted in decreased (p < 0.05) In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) rates, when using both cumulus-oocytes complexes and cumulus-free oocytes. Moreover, IVF assays done with denuded oocytes and either antibodies or blocking peptides against E-cad and N-cad led to lower (p < 0.05) fertilization rates. When assessing each step, penetration of the cumulus mass was lower (p < 0.05) when spermatozoa were pre-incubated with ECCD-1 or blocking peptides towards E-cad or towards both E- and N-cad. Moreover, sperm-oolemma binding was impaired (p < 0.0005) after sperm pre-incubation with E-cad antibody or blocking peptide towards E-cad, N-cad or both proteins. Finally, sperm-oocyte fusion was lower (p < 0.05) after sperm pre-incubation with either antibody or blocking peptide against E-cad or N-cad. Our studies demonstrate the expression of members of the adherent complex in the murine model, and the use of antibodies and specific peptides revealed E-cad and N-cad participation in mammalian fertilization.

Empiema necessitatis por Campylobacter rectus. Identificación rápida por MALDI-TOF MS / Empyema necessitatis caused by Campylobacter rectus. Rapid identification by MALDI-TOF MS

Resumen El empiema necessitatis (EN) constituye una muy rara complicación de un empiema pleural en el cual la infección se extiende a los tejidos blandos adyacentes. La etiología por anaerobios es muy infrecuente y se da en el curso de infecciones crónicas. Se presenta el primer caso de empiema necessitatis por Campylobacter rectus. La identificación de este agente se efectuó por espectrometría de masas (MALDI-TOF MS) y su sensibilidad antimicrobiana se determinó por el método epsilométrico.

Abstract Empyema necessitatis (EN) is a very rare complication of a pleural empyema, in which the infection extends to adjacent soft tissues. Anaerobic bacteria are very rare etiologic agents of EN, which occurs in the course of chronic infections. We present the first case of empyema necessitatis caused by Campylobacter rectus. Bacterial identification was carried out by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the epsilometer method.

Immune mediators associated to male infertility in a mouse model of DNA immunization with the sperm protease proacrosin.

The immune response has relevant physiological functions both in the male and female reproductive system, and must be tightly controlled to achieve a successful pregnancy. Several immune factors have been related to infertility, among them humoral and cellular immune responses triggered by sperm antigens. The present study was aimed at evaluating the immune profile induced by DNA immunization against the sperm protease proacrosin in CF1 male mice and its effect upon fertility. Immunized animals exhibited higher anti-proacrosin antibodies levels than controls (indirect ELISA), both in serum (p<0.01) and in seminal vesicle fluid (SVF; p<0.05). IgG2a levels were higher than IgG1 in serum (p<0.01) and similar in SVF. IL-10 and TGF-ß1 mRNA levels were lower in testis (p<0.05), whereas TNF-α and IFN-γ transcript levels were increased in SV tissue (p<0.05). Immunized mice showed a trend toward higher IFN-γ concentration in serum and SVF than controls. Male fertility rate was diminished in immunized mice (p<0.01) and inversely correlated with serum and SVF anti-proacrosin IgG levels (p<0.001). Immunized animals also had fewer pups born than controls (p<0.01). To our knowledge, this is the first report on DNA immunization done in CF1 mice. Injection of proacrosin DNA induces an immune response in the male reproductive tract characterized by high levels of specific antibodies and cytokine changes. These factors may alter the crucial balance of the genital tract microenvironment required for adequate fertilization and pregnancy.

Expression of dysadherin in the human male reproductive tract and in spermatozoa.

OBJECTIVE: To study expression of dysadherin in human testis, epididymis, and spermatozoa. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Basic research laboratory. PATIENT(S): Testis, epididymis, and testicular spermatozoa from patients under treatment and semen from volunteer donors. INTERVENTION(S): Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, and Western immunoblotting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Dysadherin messenger RNA (mRNA) analysis in testis, epididymis, and ejaculated spermatozoa, immunohistochemistry of both tissues, Western immunoblotting of tissue/cell extracts, and immunocytochemistry of spermatozoa. RESULT(S): Dysadherin mRNA was found in testis, epididymis, and ejaculated spermatozoa. Whereas testis and spermatozoa exhibited a distinctive 91-kDa protein form, the epididymis showed a 50-kDa moiety, also found in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed >99% homology between testicular and somatic cell mRNA, suggesting differential protein glycosylation. Dysadherin was immunodetected in round spermatids and testicular/ejaculated spermatozoa. It localizes to the acrosomal region and flagellum and colocalized with E-cadherin in the head and with the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase α4 subunit in the flagellum. CONCLUSION(S): This is the first report on expression of dysadherin in the male gonad and in spermatozoa. Its colocalization with E-cadherin and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase leads us to postulate a role for dysadherin as a modulator of sperm function.