Daily ingestion of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei ST11 decreases Vaccinia virus dissemination and lethality in a mouse model.

Vaccinia virus (VACV) is an important pathogen. Although studies have shown relationships between probiotics and viruses, the effect of probiotics on VACV infection is unknown. Therefore, this work aims to investigate the probiotics effects on VACV infection. Mice were divided into four groups, two non-infected groups, one receiving the probiotic, the other one not receiving it, and two groups infected intranasally with VACV Western Reserve (VACV-WR) receiving or not receiving the probiotic. Viral titres in organs and cytokine production in the lungs were analysed. Lung samples were also subjected to histological analysis. The intake of probiotic results in reduction in viral spread with a significant decrease of VACV titer on lung, liver and brain of treated group. In addition,treatment with the probiotic results in attenuated mice lung inflammation showing fewer lesions on histological findings and decreased lethality in mice infected with VACV. The ingestion of Lactobacillus paracasei ST11 (LPST11) after VACV infection resulted in 2/9 animal lethality compared with 4/9 in the VACV group. This is the first study on probiotics and VACV interactions, providing not only information about this interaction, but also proposing a model for future studies involving probiotics and other poxvirus.

Resistance and reactance in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different surgical variables, such as perfusion duration and number of grafts, on resistance and reactance, in heart surgery patients. METHODS: 77 patients submitted to coronary artery bypass were studied. The variable concerning time of extracorporeal circulation was classified in four progressive degrees. Resistance and reactance measurements were performed and compared to time of extracorporeal circulation and to number of grafts. Ten measurements were performed by bioelectrical impedance equipment. RESULTS: The comparison of reactance before surgery to the first measurement at the first postoperative day, for the different times of extracorporeal circulation, showed decrease (p = 0.01). Regarding gender, resistance and reactance showed significant differences (p < 0.001). There was also significant difference (p = 0.001) for the number of grafts. CONCLUSION: The decrease of resistance and reactance is related not only with surgery procedure, but also with the number of grafts and time of extracorporeal circulation.