Effect of pH and dilution rate on specific production rate of extra cellular metabolites by Lactobacillus salivarius UCO_979C in continuous culture.

The effect of pH and dilution rate on the production of extracellular metabolites of Lactobacillus salivarius UCO_979 was studied. The experiments were carried out in continuous mode, with chemically defined culture medium at a temperature of 37 °C, 200 rpm agitation and synthetic air flow of 100 ml/min. Ethanol, acetic acid, formic acid, lactic acid and glucose were quantified through HPLC, while exopolysaccharide (EPS) was extracted with ethanol and quantified through the Dubois method. The results showed no linear trends for the specific production of lactic acid, EPS, acetic acid and ethanol, while the specific glucose consumption and ATP production rates showed linear trends. There was a metabolic change of the strain for dilution rates below 0.3 h(-1). The pH had a significant effect on the metabolism of the strain, which was evidenced by a higher specific glucose consumption and increased production of ATP at pH 6 compared with that obtained at pH 7. This work shows not only the metabolic capabilities of L. salivarius UCO_979C, but also shows that it is possible to quantify some molecules associated with its current use as gastrointestinal probiotic, especially regarding the production of organic acids and EPS.

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastrointestinal symptoms on Chilean pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection on Chilean pregnant women and its relationship with the appearance and severity of hyperemesis and dyspepsia. METHODS: quantitative study of prevalence in a transversal cut with variable analysis. The sample was taken from 274 Chilean pregnant women from the Bío Bío province through vein puncture between June and December, 2005. Pregnant women were informed of this study, interviewed and signed an informed consent. The samples were processed using ImmunoComb II Helicobacter pylori IgG kit. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Program. RESULTS: out of the total number of pregnant women, 68.6% showed infection by Helicobacter pylori. 79.6% of the total sample had symptoms of dyspepsia, and 72.5% of this group presented Helicobacter pylori infection. 12.4% showed pregnancy hyperemesis; among them, 79.4% were infected with Helicobacter pylori. 73.4% of the pregnant women that showed gastric discomfort during the first three months had Helicobacter pylori infection. 53.7% of them continued with gastric discomfort after the first three months; of those, 95.8% were infected. Helicobacter pylori infection was present only in 1.5% of pregnant women without gastric discomfort. CONCLUSION: both, gastric discomfort of pregnant women and the continuity of severe symptoms of dyspepsia and hyperemesis after the first three months of gestation are significantly correlated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastrointestinal symptoms on Chilean pregnant women / Infecção por Helicobacter pylori e sintomas gastrointestinais em mulheres grávidas chilenas

Objective: the aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection on Chilean pregnant women and its relationship with the appearance and severity of hyperemesis and dyspepsia. Methods: quantitative study of prevalence in a transversal cut with variable analysis. The sample was taken from 274 Chilean pregnant women from the Bío Bío province through vein puncture between June and December, 2005. Pregnant women were informed of this study, interviewed and signed an informed consent. The samples were processed using ImmunoComb II Helicobacter pylori IgG kit. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Program. Results: out of the total number of pregnant women, 68.6% showed infection by Helicobacter pylori. 79.6% of the total sample had symptoms of dyspepsia, and 72.5% of this group presented Helicobacter pylori infection. 12.4% showed pregnancy hyperemesis; among them, 79.4% were infected with Helicobacter pylori. 73.4% of the pregnant women that showed gastric discomfort during the first three months had Helicobacter pylori infection. 53.7% of them continued with gastric discomfort after the first three months; of those, 95.8% were infected. Helicobacter pylori infection was present only in 1.5% of pregnant women without gastric discomfort. Conclusion: both, gastric discomfort of pregnant women and the continuity of severe symptoms of dyspepsia and hyperemesis after the first three months of gestation are significantly correlated with Helicobacter pylori infection. .

Objetivo: o objetivo desta investigação foi determinar a prevalência da infecção por Helicobacter pylori em mulheres grávidas chilenas e a sua relação com o aparecimento e agravamento de hiperêmese e dispepsia. Métodos: estudo de prevalência, quantitativo de coorte transversal com análise de variáveis. A amostra foi tomada através de punção venosa em 274 mulheres grávidas chilenas, da província de Bío Bío, nos meses de junho a dezembro de 2005. As mulheres que participaram foram informadas, assinaram um consentimento e responderam uma pesquisa. As amostras foram processadas usando o kit ImmunoComb II Helicobacter pylori IgG. A análise estatística foi realizada com o programa Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Resultados: do total de mulheres pesquisadas, 68,5% apresentam infecção por Helicobacter pylori. Do total, 80,7% tiveram sinais de dispepsia; dessa porcentagem, 72,5% apresentaram infecção por Helicobacter pylori. Uma porcentagem de 12,6% das pacientes apresentou hiperêmese gravídica; dessas, 79,4% tiveram a infecção. Do total das mulheres grávidas com moléstias gástricas no primeiro trimestre de gravidez, 73,4% registraram infecção por Helicobacter pylori. Uma porcentagem de 53,7% continuou com moléstias gástricas depois do primeiro trimestre e dentro desse grupo 95,8% tiveram a infecção. Infecção por Helicobacter pylori estava presente em apenas em 1,5% das mulheres grávidas sem desconforto gástrico. Conclusão: as moléstias gástricas das mulheres grávidas e o agravamento dos sinais de dispepsia e hiperêmese depois do primeiro trimestre de gravidez estão correlacionados significativamente à infecção por Helicobacter pylori. .