Peptococcus simiae sp. nov., isolated from rhesus macaque faeces and emended description of the genus Peptococcus.

A study of the faecal microbiome in three healthy female rhesus macaques revealed the presence of a novel obligately anaerobic, chemoorganoheterotrophic, non-sporing, coccoid, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive bacterial species. Three strains of this species, designated as M108T, M916-1/1, and M919-2/1, were non-haemolytic, H2S-positive, catalase-positive, bile- and NaCl-sensitive and required peptone for growth. Strains also were asaccharolytic, able to utilize sulfite, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur as electron acceptors, and produced acetic and butyric acids as metabolic end-products. Strain M108T is characterized by the prevalence of C14 : 0, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9cis dimethyl acetal among the cellular fatty acids, and the presence of MK-10 menaquinone. The DNA G+C content was found to be 51 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains M108T, M916-1/1 and M919-2/1 placed these strains into the genus Peptococcus (family Peptococcaceae). On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties we conclude that these strains represent a novel bacterial species for which the name Peptococcus simiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M108T (=DSM 100347T=VKM B-2932T).

Oral Microbiota: Microbial Biomarkers of Metabolic Syndrome Independent of Host Genetic Factors.

The oral microbiota plays a critical role in both local and systemic inflammation. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by low-grade inflammation, and many studies have been conducted on the gut microbiota from stool specimens. However, the etiological role of the oral microbiota in the development of MetS is unclear. In this study, we analyzed the oral and gut microbiome from 228 subgingival plaque and fecal samples from a Korean twin-family cohort with and without MetS. Significant differences in microbial diversity and composition were observed in both anatomical niches. However, a host genetic effect on the oral microbiota was not observed. A co-occurrence network analysis showed distinct microbiota clusters that were dependent on the MetS status. A comprehensive analysis of the oral microbiome identified Granulicatella and Neisseria as bacteria enriched in subjects with MetS and Peptococcus as bacteria abundant in healthy controls. Validation of the identified oral bacteria by quantitative PCR (qPCR) showed that healthy controls possessed significantly lower levels of G. adiacens (p = 0.023) and a higher ratio of Peptococcus to Granulicatella (p < 0.05) than MetS subjects. Our results support that local oral microbiota can be associated with systemic disorders. The microbial biomarkers identified in this study would aid in determination of which individuals develop chronic diseases from their MetS and contribute to strategic disease management.

Chiasmal syndrome due to intrasellar abscess.

A 43-year-old woman had diabetes insipidus and amenorrhea. There was panhypopituitarism on endocrine testing and visual field examination showed inexorably progressive loss to bitemporal hemianopsia. All radiographic findings were normal, but craniotomy disclosed the cause of this chiasmal syndrome to be an intrasellar abscess which, on culture, grew a Gram-positive anaerobe, Peptococcus. Intrasellar or pituitary abscess is rare, but it must always be considered in the differential diagnosis of the chiasmal syndrome, since loss of pituitary and visual function may occur much more rapidly than with the tumors most often responsible for this syndrome and since surgical cure is possible.

Ticarcillin disodium in anaerobic infections.

Twenty-five patients were treated with ticarcillin disodium, 18 of whom had anaerobic infections that included pleuropulmonary infections (seven), mandibular osteomyelitis (four), perirectal abscess (two), sepsis, primary site unknown (one), liver abscess (one), pelvic abscess (one), decubitus ulcer (one), and synergistic gangrene (one). Seven had no anaerobic infections. Three had anaerobic septicemia. Culture results included anaerobes: peptococci (ten), peptostreptococci (ten), Bacteroides fragilis (six), Bacteroides not fragilis (ten), eubacteria (three), fusobacteria (two), Clostridium (one), Veillonella (one), and acidaminococcus (one); aerobes: Proteus (three), Klebsiella (two), Escherichia coli (two), and streptococci (two). Six patients with mixed aerobic infections initially received gentamicin sulfate in addition. The serum levels were 110 +/- 20 microgram/ml one hour after intravenous infusion of 5 g of ticarcillin disodium. All anaerobic isolates were susceptible at less than or equal to 100 microgram/ml and 85% by less than or equal to 25 microgram/ml of ticarcillin. Sixteen patients responded well to ticarcillin and two failed to respond. Our study suggests that ticarcillin is useful in the treatment of anaerobic infections.

A comparison of faecal microbial populations of South African Windsnyer-type indigenous pigs (SAWIPs) and Large White × Landrace (LW × LR) crosses fed diets containing ensiled maize cobs.

Faecal microbial communities in South African Windsnyer-type indigenous pigs (SAWIPs) and Large White × Landrace (LW × LR) crosses were investigated using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rDNA genes. The faecal microbial communities in LW × LR crosses and SAWIPs fed control (CON) and high maize cob (HMC) diets were evaluated through parallel sequencing of 16S rDNA genes. Butrivibrio, Faecalibacterium and Desulfovibrio, although present in LW × LR pigs, were absent from the SAWIP microbial community. Bacteroides, Succiniclasticum, Peptococcus and Akkermansia were found in SAWIPs but not in LW × LR crosses. The ratios of Bacteroidia to Clostridia on the CON and HMC diets were similar (0.37 versus 0.39) in SAWIPs but different (0.24 versus 0.1) in LW × LR crosses. The faecal microbial profiles determined were different between the LW × LR and SAWIP breeds but not between pigs fed the CON and HMC diets. The composition of faecal bacterial communities in SAWIPs was determined for the first time. The differences in microbial communities detected may explain the enhanced ability of SAWIPs to digest fibrous diets compared with the LW × LR crosses.

Individual differences in the bacterial flora of the skin of the forehead: Peptococcus saccharolyticus.

Peptococcus saccharolyticus was a numerically important constituent of the bacterial flora of the forehead of 20% of 40 subjects. 16 of these subjects were studied over periods of 12 to 54 mo. It was consistently absent from 12 subjects, was present on every test of 3 subjects, and constituted 96 to 100% of the total flora on 1 subject tested 8 times in a 16-month period. On the forehead of one subject, Peptococcus saccharolyticus was recovered in only 1 of 5 tests.

Eight year persistence of individual differences in the bacterial flora of the forehead.

Eight subjects having a rich (greater than or equal to 100,000 per cm2) population of Propionibacterium acnes on the forehead and 7 with a sparse population (great than or equal to 15,000 per cm2) in earlier tests were reexamined after median interval of 8 yr. All of those with an initial rich population had greater than or equal to 100,000 per cm2 on retest. Of the 7 with an initial sparse population, 4 again had fewer than 15,000, one had more than 100,000 per cm2 and 2 were intermediate. Three subjects harbored Peptococcus saccharolyticus in the initial test (26,000 to 75,000 per cm2) and all 3 carried this organism on the later test (5,000 to 49,000 per cm2). Of the 12 without P. saccharolyticus initially, 11 were again negative and one had a small number (200 per cm 2). We conclude that the presence or absence of P. saccharolyticus and the relative population density of P. acnes were individual characteristics that persisted in most subjects for at least 8 yr.

Fungus-like hyphochytrids associated with human disease.

We report two cases, with liver and brain abscess, respectively, where fungus-like organisms belonging to the Hyphochytriomycota were found at the site of inflammation together with Peptococcus in the first and Cysticercus cellulosae in the second case. This is the first time these groups of organisms have been reported in human material. The role of hyphochytrids in human pathology remained uncertain as they were found together with already known human pathogens.

Infection of the foot with Peptococcus magnus.

Peptococcus magnus was the predominant organism in severe infections of the feet in three diabetic patients. In one patient the organism was found also in blood culture, and in two it was repeatedly recovered from the feet, usually in pure culture.

Survival of gram positive anaerobic cocci on swabs and their isolation from the mouth and vagina.

The survival of Gram positive anaerobic cocci on plain cotton wool and albumin coated swabs held in various transport media was investigated. Results suggested that in most cases Amies', Stuart's and VMGII media do not offer any more protection to the bacteria than storing swabs dry in their containers. A technique was developed for the isolation and identification of Gram positive anaerobic cocci from the mouth and vagina, incorporating bicozamycin in the medium as a selective agent. Few strains were recovered from the oral cavity, but larger numbers were isolated from the vagina. Using a minimum number of antibiotic sensitivity and biochemical tests, including analysis of end products by gas-liquid chromatography, most isolates were identified to species level.

Bacteriological findings in cultures of clinical material from Bartholin's abscess.

Purulent exudate from 28 cases of Bartholin's abscess were examined for aerobic, anaerobic, and microaerophilic bacteria. Three cases gave no bacterial growth, five cases grew facultative bacteria only, and a further three grew a mixture of facultative and anaerobic bacteria. One case gave a pure growth of a microaerophilic streptococcus. Anaerobic bacteria were the only isolates in 16 cases and Bacteroides species were the most common organisms isolated; they were present as 62.5% of the total anaerobes cultured and accounted for 45.4% of the total bacteria cultured. Escherichia coli was the most common of the facultative organisms, accounting for 18% of the total bacteria. Most infections seemed to be caused by a single organism, anaerobic types predominating.

The isolation of anaerobic bacteria from wound swabs.

The isolation of anaerobic bacteria from routine wound swabs by three procedures was evaluated. Recovery of anaerobic organisms was doubled by immediate incubation of seeded plates, and the recovery could be further dramatically improved by the use of prereduced media, in conjunction with an anaerobic chamber. Recommendations for the treatment of swabs and cultures for anaerobic investigation are made.

Peptococcaceae bacteremia.

Bacteremia with Peptococcaceae is an uncommon clinical manifestation of infection with this family of microorganisms. A 20-month review of 12 patients with bacteremic infections due to anaerobic gram-positive cocci revealed that obstetrical patients during the peripartum period constitute the group at greatest risk for the development of such infections. Eight of the 12 patients were young women hospitalized on the obstetrical service. Seven patients had postpartum endometritis and one patient had chorioamnionitis. The remaining four patients include a single patient each with pylephlebitis and microabscesses of the liver, ascending cholangitis, thoracic empyema, and necrotizing soft-tissue infection. Bacteriologic identification of the microorganisms revealed the following: Peptostreptococcus micros (5 patients), Peptostreptococcus asaccharolyticus (5 patients), Peptostreptococcus magnus (1 patient), and Peptococcus species (1 patient). Eleven of the 12 patients received appropriate antibiotic therapy. All patients did well and there were no major sequelae.

The clinical importance of gram-positive anaerobic cocci isolated at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, in 1987.

The clinical importance of the gram-positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC) isolated in 1987 at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, is assessed. Of about 800 anaerobic isolates, 209 (27%) were GPAC, of which 67 (32%) were from abscesses and 22 (11%) were in pure growth. Four species comprised 77% of the 168 isolates available for study: Peptostreptococcus magnus (55 isolates, 33%), P. micros (23, 14%), P. asaccharolyticus (24, 14%) P. asaccharolyticus (24, 14%) and P. anaerobius (27, 16%). Different species were associated with different sites, from P. magnus (usually skin-associated sites; normally cultured with aerobes, infrequently with other anaerobes), P. asaccharolyticus (distributed widely) and P. anaerobius (usually genitourinary and gastrointestinal; always below the diaphragm) to P. micros (always deep sites with other anaerobes). P. magnus was isolated from 15 abscesses and was obtained in pure culture from 11 specimens, six of them abscesses developing from infected sebaceous cysts. P. micros was usually isolated from soft tissue abscesses, never from the skin, and with a characteristic mixed flora consisting of "Streptococcus milleri" and anaerobic gram-negative rods. P. heliotrinreducens was a rare isolate from similar specimens. P. asaccharolyticus was cultured from a wide variety of sites, typically mixed with both aerobes and anaerobes, and frequently from abscesses. Most isolates of P. anaerobius came from gastrointestinal or female genitourinary specimens, never from above the diaphragm and rarely from the skin; cultures were usually heavily mixed. Isolates of P. vaginalis and the "bGAL" group made up 11% of str ains and were usally cultured from superficial sites, P. vaginalis often from post-operative wound infections with Staphylococcus aureus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitative bacteriology of acute dento-alveolar abscesses.

A qualitative and quantitative bacteriological study was performed on pus specimens obtained by needle aspiration of 50 acute dento-alveolar abscesses. Most samples contained a mixture of species (average 3.3); 20 (40%) of the abscesses contained anaerobes alone, 3 (6%) contained facultative anaerobes only and the remaining 27 (54%) contained mixtures of both types of bacteria, with anaerobes predominating. In total, 166 bacterial strains were isolated, 75% of which were strictly anaerobic; the most common species were Peptococcus spp, Bacteroides oralis and B. melaninogenicus. Among facultative anaerobes, Streptococcus milleri was particularly common. The mean concentration of bacteria in each abscess was 10(6.9 +/- 0.2). The mean concentration of anaerobic bacteria was 10(6.2 +/- 0.1) and of facultatively anaerobic bacteria 10(5.7 +/- 0.2).

The influence of a diet rich in wheat fibre on the human faecal flora.

The effect on the faecal flora of adding wheat fibre to a controlled diet in four healthy volunteers for a 3-week period has been observed. No change in the concentration of the bacteria in the bacterial groups counted was found, although there was a slight increase in total output associated with increased faecal weight. The predominant organisms in all subjects were non-sporing anaerobes, but the dominant species in each subject was different and was unaffected by changing the diet. Similarly, the concentration of faecal beta-glucuronidase detected in two subjects was unaltered and the concentration of clostridia able to dehydrogenate the steroid nucleus found in one subject was unaltered. It is suggested that the faecal microflora is not primarily controlled by the presence of undigested food residues in the large bowel.

Urinary tract infection caused by anaerobic bacteria in children.

Anaerobic bacteria were recovered from 5 children with urinary tract infection (UTI). Three had pyelonephritis and 2 cystitis. Two of the patients had a history of prior recurrent UTI. Urine samples were collected using suprapubic aspiration. The anaerobic organism recovered were 3 isolates of Bacteroides fragilis and one each of B. melaninogenicus, Peptococcus asaccharolyticus, and Bifidobacterium adolescentis. Mixed infection was present in 3 children. In 2 cases B. fragilis were present with Escherichia coli, and in the other case two anaerobes were present. All patients were treated with antimicrobial agents for ten to fourteen days and responded well to therapy. Two of the children had a recurrence of UTI with aerobic organisms recovered from their urine within six to eight months. This report demonstrates the association of anaerobic organisms with UTI in children. It is suggested that cultures for anaerobic organisms be performed in symptomatic children whose aerobic cultures show no bacterial growth.

Isolation of anaerobic organisms from kidney in serious renal infections.

We have studied 45 patients who underwent nephrectomy owing to unilateral renal sepsis for anaerobic and aerobic bacterial growth in the urine and kidney. Anaerobic organisms were recovered from 11 patients: 10 had positive kidney cultures, and only 1 had positive kidney and urine cultures. There was a distinct relationship between anaerobic infection of the kidney and urinary tract obstruction; 44 per cent of the obstructed kidneys yielded anaerobic organisms versus only 11 per cent of the unobstructed kidneys. Bacteroides fragilis was the anaerobic organism most often cultured. It is suggested that cultures for anaerobic organisms be performed together with aerobic cultures in patients with symptomatic upper urinary tract infections associated with urinary obstruction. In patients in whom anaerobic infection is suspected, in spite of negative anaerobic cultures, antibiotic treatment for anaerobes should be added to the existing therapeutic measures.

Qualitative and quantitative changes of the vaginal microbial flora during the menstrual cycle.

Knowledge of the normal vaginal microbial flora is essential in understanding the etiology of female genital tract infections. This study was done to investigate both qualitative and quantitative differences that occur during the menstrual cycle. We studied 34 reproductive age women longitudinally. Quantitative cultures were obtained during menses and following the cessation of menses. A greater variety of organisms were found during menstruation. The effect was not selective with respect to aerobes or anaerobes. The total number of bacteria between the two culture periods did not change significantly.

Otitis media in children: a prospective study of aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology.

Tympanocentesis with aerobic and anaerobic cultivation of middle ear fluid was performed through one or both tympanic membranes of 186 children with acute otitis media. Aerobic bacteria alone, predominantly pneumococcus and Hemophilus influenzae, were isolated from 118 (63.4%) patients: and anaerobic organisms alone, most commonly Peptococcus, from 24 (12.9%). Twenty-six (14%) yielded mixtures of aerobes and anaerobes, and several had multiple aerobic agents. No bacterial growth was noted in 18 (9.7%) patients. The isolation of anaerobic bacteria alone, supported in some patients by Gram-stain observations of middle ear fluid, suggests that these bacteria, especially Peptococcus, may occasionally play a direct role in acute otitis media.