Disentangling outbreaks using whole-genome sequencing: concurrent multistate outbreaks of Salmonella Kottbus in Germany, 2017.

In June 2017, an outbreak of Salmonella Kottbus infection was suspected in Germany. We investigated the outbreak with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and a case-control study. Forty-six isolates from 69 cases were subtyped. Three WGS clusters were identified: cluster 1 (n = 36), cluster 2 (n = 5) and cluster 3 (n = 3). Compared to controls, cluster 1 cases more frequently consumed raw smoked ham (odds ratio (OR) 10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-88) bought at supermarket chain X (OR 36, 95% CI 4-356; 9/10 consumed ham Y). All four cluster 2 cases interviewed had consumed quail eggs. Timely WGS was invaluable in distinguishing concurrent outbreaks of a rare Salmonella serotype.

Acute administration of antibiotics modulates intestinal capillary perfusion and leukocyte adherence during experimental sepsis.

Antibiotic treatment represents a mainstay of therapy for clinical sepsis. Distinct from their antimicrobial effects, antibiotics may impact the inflammatory process in sepsis, e.g. within the intestinal microcirculation. The impact of seven antibiotics relevant to clinical sepsis on intestinal leukocyte recruitment and capillary perfusion was studied in rats with colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP)-induced sepsis or after endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] challenge. The following antibiotics were included: daptomycin; erythromycin; imipenem; linezolid; tigecycline; tobramycin; and vancomycin. The number of rolling and adherent leukocytes in intestinal submucosal venules and the functional capillary density (FCD) in three layers of the intestinal wall were assessed using intravital microscopy. CASP-induced sepsis reduces the intestinal FCD by 30-50%. Single administration of daptomycin, tigecycline or linezolid increased the intestinal FCD. CASP sepsis increased the number of rolling leukocytes by 4.5-fold, which was reduced by erythromycin but increased by vancomycin. The number of adherent leukocytes increased 3-fold in rats with CASP sepsis. It was reduced following administration of daptomycin, tigecycline (in V1 and V3 venules), erythromycin and linezolid (in V1 venules). However, following tobramycin and vancomycin, leukocyte adhesion was further enhanced. Administration of tigecycline and linezolid reduced the LPS-induced increase in the number of adherent leukocytes by 50%. However, imipenem did not affect leukocyte adherence. In conclusion, this work highlights the beneficial impact of the antibiotics daptomycin, tigecycline, erythromycin and linezolid in that they improve intestinal capillary perfusion and/or reduce leukocyte recruitment, whilst the antibiotics imipenem, tobramycin and vancomycin do not exert these properties.

[Effect of immunotherapy on the level of immunoglobulin in serum of women with pruritus of the vulva]. / Wplyw immunoterapii na poziom immunoglobulin w surowicy u kobiet ze swiadem sromu.

This study was performed in 52 women in their early postmenopausal period, divided into two equal groups. The control group included women with menopausal symptoms only, women in the study group demonstrated also pruritus. All women were on estrogen replacement therapy, additionally a bacterial auto-vaccine was administered in the study group. The level of IgG, IgA, IgM was determined by radioimmunodiffusion, IgE with an immunoenzymatic method. It was found that women with pruritus of the vulva had lower levels of IgG and IgM and higher levels of IgA and IgE, as compared with the control group. The auto-vaccine caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase of IgG and IgM and significant (p < 0.05) decrease of IgA and IgE, as compared with initial values.

The elementary catalytic system model as a building unit of large enzymatic systems. General model.

A model of an elementary catalytic system (ECS) is suggested, derived from the notions of the general theory of systems, which is capable of performing a single elementary catalytic act (ECA). For large chemical systems involving high numbers of ECAs occurring on various ECSs, the system's action becomes increasingly effective when component ECSs are coupled into complex structures. Models are suggested to describe these couples and several fundamental theorems are proved concerning the possible structures. Complex catalytic systems are shown to contain finite numbers of ECSs.