Real-time PCR detection of Helicobacter pylori clarithromycin resistance in Thrace, Greece.

BACKGROUND: Growing resistance to clarithromycin is a major concern regarding treating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Resistance rates have a great variation even in different geographic areas within the same country and are associated with point mutations of the microbial 23S rRNA (A2142C, A2142G, and A2143G). Given the absence of available data in Thrace, the objective of this study was to estimate the resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin and identify specific mutations that contribute to clarithromycin resistance. METHODS: In this prospective study, we enrolled consecutive patients referred for dyspeptic complaints who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy over two years. Gastric biopsies from corpus and antrum were initially tested for the presence of urease by a rapid urease test. Urease positive samples were followed by real-time PCR to confirm the presence of H. pylori and to detect point mutations. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and thirty patients were included in the study (72 women and 58 men). Resistance to clarithromycin was detected at 23.2 %. Neither gender nor age was independently correlated with resistance rate in our patient group. The most common mutations were A2142G and A2143G. CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin was observed in our region, implicating that it should be addressed in accordance with the recommendations provided by national and international guidelines. Molecular testing should be considered an integral tool for effective monitoring in case of suspected antibiotic resistance. HIPPOKRATIA 2021, 25 (2):51-55.

Efficacy of moxidectin 1% injectable against natural infection of Sarcoptes scabiei in sheep.

Thirty ewes naturally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei var. ovis, were allocated into three groups of 10 animals each. Animals in groups B and C were treated on day 0 and on days 0 and +10, respectively, with moxidectin 1% injectable at a dose of 0.2mg moxidectin/kg body weight (BW). Group A remained untreated. Seven days before treatment, the geometric mean of Sarcoptes scabiei var. ovis per square centimeter of skin in groups A, B and C were not significantly different. From the day of treatment to the end of the trial, the average number of mites/cm(2) increased in untreated animals and decreased in groups B and C, but these values were higher for group C. Active lesions produced by S. scabiei var. ovis consistently increased during the trial in the untreated animals; in group B the minimum count occurred on day +56 this reduction being more evident in group C (no lesions on days +49 and +56). Also in this group, the number of cured animals was 100%, therefore, the application of two treatments with moxidectin (group C) showed higher efficacy than a single treatment (group B). Body condition score decreased in the three experimental groups along the trial. All animals were individually weighed on days -1, +28 and at the end of the trial. No adverse reactions were observed in the animals treated with 0.2mg moxidectin/kg BW.

[Pediatric fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Analysis of a decade]. / Fibrobroncoscopia pediátrica. Análisis de una década.

OBJECTIVE: To review the contribution of new advances in flexible bronchoscopy to the management of respiratory problems in children. METHODS: Over a 10-year-period, 536 flexible bronchoscopies were performed under sedation and local anesthesia in 433 children aged from 5 days to 14 years. Data on symptomatology, underlying diseases, indications, sedation, instrumentation, findings and complications were prospectively collected and stored in a database for later analysis. RESULTS: Underlying disease was found in 300 children (69.3 %). The most common indications for flexible bronchoscopy were persistent atelectasis (n 166), stridor (n 134), tuberculosis (n 66), suspected foreign body (n 61), persistent wheezing (n 55), middle lobe syndrome (n 47) and opportunistic pneumonias (n 41). In 178 patients the procedures were performed on an outpatient basis. One hundred forty-seven bronchoalveolar lavages, 10 bronchial biopsies, and 8 selective bronchographies were performed. Airway anomalies were found in 447 procedures (83.4 %) and 32 pathogenic organisms were identified. In 13 patients cytological study of the samples obtained guided the diagnosis of noninfectious lung disease. Therapeutic interventions were performed in 54 (10.1 %) flexible bronchoscopies. The most important of these were aspiration of bronchial secretions (n 31), removal of foreign bodies (n 6), selective intubation (n 5), and balloon dilatation of bronchial stenosis (n 2). The procedure was diagnostically or therapeutically useful in 391 procedures (79.2 %). CONCLUSION: Although rigid bronchoscopy is currently the procedure of choice in most therapeutic interventions, flexible bronchoscopy is very useful in improving airway exploration and understanding of respiratory disorders in children.

In vitro and in vivo inhibition of Helicobacter pylori by Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota.

We studied the potential inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (from the fermented milk product Yakult [Yakult Ltd., Tokyo, Japan]) on Helicobacter pylori by using (i) in vitro inhibition assays with H. pylori SS1 (Sydney strain 1) and nine H. pylori clinical isolates and (ii) the in vivo H. pylori SS1 mouse model of infection over a period of 9 months. In vitro activity against H. pylori SS1 and all of the clinical isolates was observed in the presence of viable L. casei strain Shirota cells but not in the cell-free culture supernatant, although there was profound inhibition of urease activity. In vivo experiments were performed by oral administration of L. casei strain Shirota in the water supply over a period of 9 months to 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice previously infected with H. pylori SS1 (study group; n = 25). Appropriate control groups of H. pylori-infected but untreated animals (n = 25) and uninfected animals given L. casei strain Shirota (n = 25) also were included in the study. H. pylori colonization and development of gastritis were assessed at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9 months postinfection. A significant reduction in the levels of H. pylori colonization was observed in the antrum and body mucosa in vivo in the lactobacillus-treated study group, as assessed by viable cultures, compared to the levels in the H. pylori-infected control group. This reduction was accompanied by a significant decline in the associated chronic and active gastric mucosal inflammation observed at each time point throughout the observation period. A trend toward a decrease in the anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G response was measured in the serum of the animals treated with lactobacillus, although this decrease was not significant.

Fibrobroncoscopia pediátrica. Análisis de una década / Pediatric fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Analysis of a decade

Objetivo: Estudiar la contribución de los progresivos avances en fibrobroncoscopia al tratamiento de los trastornos respiratorios del niño. Métodos: A lo largo de 10 años se han realizado 536 fibrobroncoscopias en 433 niños de edades comprendidas entre 5 días y 14 años, bajo sedación y anestesia local. Prospectivamente se recogieron datos sobre la sintomatología del paciente, enfermedades subyacentes, indicaciones, sedación, instrumentación, hallazgos y complicaciones, y almacenados posteriormente en una base de datos para su análisis. Resultados: Tenían enfermedad subyacente 300 niños (69,3%). Las indicaciones más frecuentes de fibrobroncoscopia fueron las siguientes: atelectasia persistente (n = 166), estridor (n = 134), tuberculosis (n = 66), sospecha de cuerpo extraño (n = 61), sibilancias persistentes (n = 55), síndrome de lóbulo medio (n = 47), neumonías oportunistas (n = 41). Los procedimientos fueron realizados en hospital de día en 178 casos. Se realizaron 147 lavados broncoalveolares, 10 biopsias bronquiales y 8 broncografías selectivas. Se detectaron alteraciones de las vías respiratorias en 447 exploraciones (83,4%) y se identificaron 32 microorganismos con responsabilidad etiológica. En 13 casos, los estudios citológicos de las muestras obtenidas orientaron el diagnóstico de la enfermedad pulmonar no infecciosa responsable. Se hicieron 54 indicaciones terapéuticas (10,1%), siendo las más destacadas: aspiración de secreciones bronquiales (n = 31), extracción de cuerpos extraños (n = 6), intubación selectiva (n = 5), dilatación con balón de estenosis bronquial (n = 2). Se obtuvo un rendimiento diagnóstico-terapéutico en 391 procedimientos (72,9 %). Conclusión: La fibrobroncoscopia es una técnica de gran utilidad en el diagnóstico y orientación de la enfermedad respiratoria pediátrica, aunque hoy día la broncoscopia rígida la aventaja como instrumento terapéutico (AU)