Impact of Lactobacillus crispatus-containing oral and vaginal probiotics on vaginal health: a randomised double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial.

Health of reproductive tract is tightly associated with balance of microbial communities in this area. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) represent common disturbances of vaginal communities. Vaginal discharge due to BV or VVC is a very frequent reason for visiting gynaecologist. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the novel evidence-based probiotics on BV and VVC patients. The study group included 89 BV and 93 VVC patients (aged 18-50 years) who were recruited into randomised double-blind placebo-controlled two-arm parallel trial. The patients of each diagnosis group received oral or vaginal probiotic capsules, or placebo capsules during 3 months. A probiotic capsule contained two (DSM32717 and DSM32720, in case of BV) or three (DSM32720, DSM32718 and DSM32716, in case of VVC) Lactobacillus crispatus strains. Vaginal, intestinal and general health was monitored weekly by questionnaire. Blood analyses were done in the beginning and at the end of trial. Vaginal samples were collected monthly, microscopic and molecular analyses were performed. The study revealed that both oral and vaginal capsules reduced the signs and symptoms in BV patients. Remarkable improvement was noted in Nugent score, amount and smell of discharge, but also in itching/irritation. Consumption of vaginal probiotics significantly increased the lactobacilli counts in their vagina while mean proportion of some BV-related bacteria decreased. In VVC patients, both oral and vaginal capsules lowered the combined score of two most important symptoms, amount of discharge and itching/irritation. In conclusion, the novel formulations of evidence-based well-focused probiotic L. crispatus strains are effective against BV and VVC being suitable for both vaginal and oral administration. Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN34840624, BioMed Central.

[Surveillance of gastroenteritic infections in lower Saxony: results and experiences from a regional public-health project over six years]. / Gastroenteritis-Surveillance in Niedersachsen: Ergebnisse und Erfahrungen aus einem sechsjährigen OGD-Regionalprojekt.

In Lower Saxony, a regional public health project on a pathogen-specific surveillance of Enteritis infectiosa was carried out from 1994 to 2000. In a separate reporting procedure thirteen health departments transmitted data on the specific pathogen collected from laboratory reports for a joint analysis. The results were distributed among the participants, providing them with information on the situation and trends in their districts and in addition giving them the possibility to compare their data with those of other districts. The incidence of Enteritis infectiosa was 199 reported cases per 100,000 person years. Salmonella was reported most frequently (51 %; S. enteritidis: 33 %, S. TYPHIMURIUM: 14 %, 111 other serotypes: 4 %), followed by Campylobacter (18 %), Rotavirus (17 %), Yersinia enterocolitica (6 %) and Adenovirus (5 %). The incidences of Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica were found to be nearly constant over the project period while the incidences of Campylobacter, Rotavirus and Adenovirus increased. This, however, may be due to intensified diagnostics and better reporting behaviour rather than to a real increase. The incidence rates and their trends differed from other German states. This observation emphasizes the need for a regional analysis of infectious disease surveillance data.

Two cases of Mycobacterium microti derived tuberculosis in HIV-negative immunocompetent patients.

We describe two cases of Mycobacterium microti infection causing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-seronegative immunocompetent patients in Germany. The isolates were identified as M. microti of the llama and vole types, according to spoligotype patterns. Our data demonstrate that M. microti can cause severe pulmonary TB in immunocompetent patients.

[Nosocomial transmission of pneumococcus]. / Nosokomiale Ubertragung von Pneumokokken.

Increasing resistance of pneumococci against antimicrobial agents in several parts of the world is reported. We observed a probably nosocomial transmission of a pneumococcal strain with reduced susceptibility to penicillin (capsular type 6A). Recommendations for diagnostic procedures in the laboratory and therapy are given.