Inhibitory Effects of Carrageenans on Endotoxin-Induced Inflammation.

The inhibitory effects of carrageenans (CRGs) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in a mouse model of endotoxemia and in complex therapy of patients with enteric infections of Salmonella etiology were studied. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) examination of LPS and its mixture with CRGs showed that the LPS morphology is significantly changed under the action of κ- and κ/ß-CRGs. CRGs were able to increase the synthesis of anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) in vitro, and, at low concentrations, their activity in the mixture with LPS was higher. The protective effect of CRGs against Escherichia coli LPS was studied in vivo by monitoring the biochemical and pathomorphological parameters. The κ- and κ/ß-CRGs and food supplement "Carrageenan-FE" increased the nonspecific resistance of mice to E. coli LPS at the expense of the inhibition of processes of thymus involution, adrenals hypertrophy, thyroid atrophy, hypercorticoidism, glycogenolysis, and lactate acidosis. The estimation of the therapeutic action of food supplement Carrageenan-FE in complex therapy of patients with enteric infections of Salmonella etiology is given. Carrageenan-FE restores the system of hemostasis and corrects some biochemical indicators and parameters in the immune systems of patients. These results allow us to hope for the practical application of CRGs for lowering the endotoxemia level in patients under the development of the infectious process caused by Gram-negative bacteria.

An outbreak of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infections with an unusually long incubation period.

A 1998 investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infections among children tasting unpasteurized milk during tours of a dairy farm demonstrated a distribution of unusually long incubation periods (median, 8 days; interquartile range [IQR], 6-14 days). Bacterial isolates were highly acid tolerant and contained genes associated with protection against destructive phagocytic reactive oxygen intermediates. We hypothesize that exposure to low-dose oral inoculum of a pathogen with these properties could have contributed to cases of non-typhoidal salmonellosis with the longest incubation period reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Manhattan infection associated with meat products, France, 2005.

Between August 2005 and March 2006 in France, 69 cases of Salmonella enterica serotype Manhattan (Salmonella Manhattan) were reported, 51 (74%) of them from southeastern France. At the time of the alert (November 2005), 13 cases and 33 controls were interviewed. Cases were more likely than controls to have eaten pork sausages (OR=5.9, confidence interval CI [1.3; 26.9]) and beef (OR=9.3, CI [1.3; 68.6]). At the same time, 19 strains of Salmonella Manhattan isolated from meat products in southeastern France, reported to the French food safety agency (Afssa, Agence francaise de securite sanitaire des aliments) in September and November 2005, had an indistinguishable PFGE profile to the 7 human isolates of Salmonella Manhattan from the outbreak in southeastern France. Trace-back investigations revealed that pork samples came from one wholesaler whose pork products had tested positive for S. Manhattan during routine food testing in August 2005. This wholesaler supplied retail outlets in southeastern France. Additionally, a slaughterhouse supplying the wholesaler was inspected and widespread contamination with Salmonella spp. and S. Manhattan was found. Cooperation between the national agencies in charge of human health (Institut de veille sanitaire, InVS) and food safety (Afssa) allowed us to determine the most probable source of contamination and to take appropriate control measures.

An outbreak of typhoid Fever in Florida associated with an imported frozen fruit.

An outbreak of typhoid fever in Florida involving at least 16 persons during the winter of 1998-99 was investigated using case-control, environmental, and laboratory methods. The genomic profiles of Salmonella serovar Typhi (Salmonella Typhi) isolates from the 15 confirmed case subjects were identical. Consumption of fruit shakes made with frozen mamey, a tropical fruit, was significantly associated with illness (matched odds ratio, 7.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-81.4). Laboratory testing showed that the fruit was heavily contaminated with fecal coliforms; no Salmonella Typhi was isolated. The frozen mamey was prepared in plants in Guatemala and Honduras. No further cases occurred after the frozen product was recalled. As our nation's food sources become increasingly globalized, the risk of outbreaks of exotic diseases linked to contaminated imported food will increase. This outbreak highlights the need for new approaches to ensure the safety of our food supply.

Serological survey of salmonellosis in grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) in Asejire, Irewole Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria.

A serological survey of salmonellosis in grey duiker was carried out in Asejire, Irewole Local Government Area (LGA), Osun State, between August and September, 1996. The sera of 50 animals were screened for antibodies to salmonella flagella (H) and/or somatic (O) antigens. Ten "bushmeat" hawkers/processors were interviewed on their state of health. Twenty-two (44%) and 3 (6%) had antibodies to the H and O antigens, respectively. Nine (18%) had antibodies to both the H and O antigens. Antibody titres of 1/320 were detected against Salmonella paratyphi serotypes B (12%) and C (2%) and S. typhi serotype D (8%). Four (40%) of the interviewed hawkers/processors had had 'fever' in the recent past, and 80% of them usually take traditional herbal medicines for most fever-related ailments. A human typhoid epidemiological surveillance carried out within the LGA between 15th March and 4th April, 1995 revealed 64 cases of tentatively diagnosed salmonellosis. Eleven (17.2%) cases were conclusively diagnosed as typhoid fever by laboratory examination. High antibody titres against H and O antigens of S. paratyphi serotype B and S. typhi serotype were detected. Two (3.1%) of the patients died. The public health importance of these findings is discussed.

Salmonella enteritidis: um agente infeccioso emergente / Salmonella enteritidis: an emergent infective agent

Um aumento súbito de isolamentos de salmonelas, identificados como de Salmonella enteritidis soro grupo D, foi observado. As amostras foram isoladas em cultura de fezes (coprocultura) e sangue (hemocultura). A maioria dos pacientes e entrevistados revelou ingestäo ingestäo de alimentos preparados com produtos e subprodutos à base de ovos, aves e seus derivados. As cepas obtidas se mostraram sensíveis a: ampicilina, cefalotina, ceftriaxona, sulfametoxazol/trimetoprima, amicacina e gentamicina. Uma permanente vigilância das salmoneloses é imperativa, haja vista a persistência de isolamentos de Salmonella enteritidis em casos esporádicos e em surto

[The effect of oral rehydration therapy on pancreatic function in patients with acute intestinal infections]. / Vliianie oral'noi regidratatsionnoi terapii na funktsiiu podzheludochnoi zhelezy u bol'nykh ostrymi kishechnymi infektsiiami.

The results of the study of the level of pancreatic hormones (insulin, glucagon, C-peptide and trypsin), carried out with the aim of finding out the character of relationship between hormonal disturbances and the state of carbohydrate metabolism, as well as the influence of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) with glucose-salt solutions on the function of the pancreas, are summarized. All subjects to be examined were divided into two groups receiving different kinds of ORT. The patients in group 1 (153 subjects) were treated with glucosolan and in group 2 (73 subjects), with sodium citrate in an amount of 2.5-5 lit. over the 6-hour period of treatment. The determination of the content of immunoreactive insulin, glucagon C-peptide and trypsin in the blood as the characteristics of the hormonal activity of the pancreas has made it possible to find out disturbances in the incretory and excretory activity of the pancreas in patients with acute enteric infections of different etiology. ORT with glucosolan and sodium citrate facilitates the restoration of pancreatic function in 65-70% of in patients with acute enteric infections of different etiology.

Serologic testing for reactive arthritis.

The objective of the study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of quantitative serum antibody response to Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a diagnostic test for post-Salmonella reactive arthritis (ReA). In a single food-source outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis, serum was collected from dysenteric individuals with and without ReA at 6, 12, and 24 months post infection. Serum was also collected from control patients with no prior exposure to Salmonella infection. Quantitative measurements of isotypic antibodies to Salmonella enteritidis LPS were performed by an ELISA. Sensitivity and specificity of quantitative isotypic antibody levels over time were plotted on receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Serum IgG and IgA anti-LPS were found to be present in higher levels in the ReA patients than in controls. Using the optimal cutoff of 0.10 selected from an ROC curve, IgG anti-LPS is 88% sensitive and 94% specific, and IgA anti-LPS is 75% sensitive and 100% specific. We conclude that IgA anti-LPS is both sensitive and specific in distinguishing prior exposure to Salmonella LPS in ReA patients compared to unexposed controls.

[Endotoxemia in patients with food poisoning]. / Endotoksemija u bolesnika sa alimentarnom toksiinfekcijom.

In 22 patients with alimentary toxoinfection caused by salmonella and other gram-negative bacteria, endotoxemia was proved in 8 (36%) patients. The causative agent of the disease was proved in 11 (50%) of cases. In 6 (54%) patients the causative agent were from salmonella species: S. enteritidis, S. typhimurioum, S. hadar and S. heidelberg. Endotoxemia and positive coprocultures, that is, hemocultures were found in two patients respectively. In two patients with positive coprocultures and hemocultures, endotoxemia was found as well as in two patients with unknown causative agent. In patients with alimentary toxoinfection caused by salmonella and other gram-negative bacteria, endotoxemia occurred relatively often. Early detection of endotoxemia is important for application of urgent therapeutic measures and procedures, especially in immunocompromised patients.

[Pseudopancreatitis in entero-invasive salmonellosis]. / "Pseudopankreatitis" bei enteroinvasiver Salmonellose.

The incidence of pancreatitis in bacterial enterocolitis is disputed. Two cases of young patients with S. enteritidis-induced enterocolitis and markedly elevated amylase and lipase blood levels are described. In both patients there were neither clinical nor ultrasonographic signs of pancreatitis. Furthermore, both had increased intestinal permeability for oral 51Cr-EDTA, a condition discussed as "leaky gut" in other publications. In one patient enzyme levels and 51Cr-EDTA resorption became rapidly normal, while in the other the values remained elevated after a 7-month interval with stool culture negative. Enhanced intestinal absorption of 51Cr-EDTA (mw 391) suggests--but does not definitely prove--an inflammatory response of the mucosa leading to increased intestinal permeability, which in turn may allow resorption of amylase (mw 62,000), lipase (43,000) or other macromolecules. Performance of a 51Cr-EDTA resorption test may be helpful in cases of clinical uncertainty.

[The function of the humoral antiendotoxic systems in patients with acute intestinal infections]. / Sostoianie nekotorykh gumoral'nykh antiéndotoksicheskikh sistem u bol'nykh s ostrymi kishechnymi infektsiiami.

The authors propose an original approach to the problem of intoxication syndrome observed in patients with acute intestinal infections (AII). They focus on such endogenic humoral antiendotoxic systems as Re-hemotype glycolipid antibodies and high-density lipoproteins. The titers of Re-antibodies in patients with light and moderate AII at the height of intoxication remained within control levels, whereas in patients with a severe AII course the titers values remained low throughout 7 days of the follow-up. Indometac administration induced changes in the antibodies formation. Lipoprotein endotoxin-binding activity persisted at low levels to the end of 7-day follow-up. Mechanisms involved in changing functional activity of the body antiendotoxic systems are considered.

The differential leukocyte count in adults with acute gastroenteritis.

The total and differential leukocyte count of 4 groups of patients, admitted to the hospital because of acute gastroenteritis was evaluated. The 4 groups included: (a) 131 adult patients with positive stool culture for shigella; (b) 23 children (age less than 15 years) with positive stool culture for shigella; (c) 52 adult patients with positive stool culture for salmonella; (d) 43 adult patients with negative stool culture for bacterial pathogens. The total leukocyte count did not contribute to the differential diagnosis between shigella gastroenteritis and gastroenteritis of other etiology. However, the absolute band count was significantly higher in adults with shigella gastroenteritis. Moreover, a band to total neutrophil ratio further increased the diagnosis specificity. The differential leukocyte count can contribute to early diagnosis of shigellosis in adult patients.

[Hemolytic anemia associated with minor salmonellosis in an HIV positive, G6PD deficient Congolese woman]. / Anémie hémolytique associée a une salmonellose mineure chez une congolaise VIH positive déficitaire en G6PD.

Haemolytic anaemia in G6PD-deficient patients with thyphoid fever is well known, but there is only one case-report associated with non-typhic salmonella fever. We report here a case observed in a black african young woman whose HIV infection has been discovered on this occasion. Because of the high prevalence of HIV infection, salmonellosis and G6PD deficiency in sub-saharian Africa, an increasing number of such haemolytic anaemias should be expected in this geographic area.

[The chemiluminescence of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes in food poisoning]. / Khemiliuminestsentsiia polimorfnoiadernykh leikotsitov pri pishchevykh toksikoinfektsiiakh.

Luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) induced by zymosan, opsonized autoserum was used to study the oxygen-dependent bactericidal system of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PNL) in patients with food toxico-infections, at different disease periods. Different modifications of CL were established to have analogous dynamics on days 1 and 2 of the disease and differences as to the period of convalescence. A correlation was revealed between the amplitude of CL and the intensity of the intoxication syndrome. The conclusion is made about the role played by granulocytes in the disease pathogenesis. The authors review potential mechanisms of participation of PNL free radicals in the pathophysiological shifts responsible for the development, course and outcome of food toxico-infections.

[Water-electrolyte balance and plasma corticosteroid level in patients with food poisoning and salmonellosis]. / Vodno-élektrolitnyi obmen i soderzhanie kortikosteroidov v plazme krovi u bol'nykh pishchevymi toksikoinfektsiiami i sal'monellezom.

Altogether 57 patients with alimentary toxoinfections of obscure etiology and 39 patients with the gastrointestinal form of salmonellosis of average gravity were examined. Two methods were employed: rehydration and incorporation of indomethacin in the therapeutic scheme. The time course of the studied indices in the patients with salmonellosis was similar to dynamic changes in the patients with alimentary toxoinfections. The incorporation of indomethacin in the therapeutic scheme brought the indices of water-electrolyte metabolism and corticosteroid secretion more rapidly to normal.

[Role of gastrin in the development of gastrointestinal disorders in patients with acute intestinal infections]. / Rol' gastrina v razvitii zheludochno-kishechnykh narushenii u bol'nykh ostrymi kishechnymi infektsiiami.

Examination of 85 patients with acute intestinal infections (food toxoinfections of medium gravity) of non-established etiology, salmonellosis and acute dysentery) has revealed a significant increase in gastrin concentration in blood plasma both in the acute period and convalescence. The highest increase in blood plasma gastrin concentration was recorded during convalescence, particularly in patients with acute dysentery. Based on the data obtained, the conclusion is made about the involvement of gastrin in the development of gastrointestinal disorders and formation of the adaptation syndrome in acute intestinal infections.