- Volume 65, Issue 3, 2016
Volume 65, Issue 3, 2016
- Pathogenicity and Virulence/Host Response
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Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 ameliorates experimental colitis by modulating intestinal permeability, the inflammatory response and clinical signs in a faecal transplantation model
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are a group of inflammatory conditions of the gut that include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Probiotics are live micro-organisms that may be used as adjuvant therapy for patients with IBD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic ingestion of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) in a murine model of colitis. For induction of colitis, mice were given a 3.5 % dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) solution for 7 days in drinking water. EcN administration to mice subjected to DSS-induced colitis resulted in significant reduction in clinical and histopathological signs of disease and preservation of intestinal permeability. We observed reduced inflammation, as assessed by reduced levels of neutrophils, eosinophils, chemokines and cytokines. We observed an increase in the number of regulatory T-cells in Peyer's patches. Germ-free mice received faecal content from control or EcN-treated mice and were then subjected to DSS-induced colitis. We observed protection from colitis in animals that were colonized with faecal content from EcN-treated mice. These results suggest that preventative oral administration of EcN or faecal microbiota transplantation with EcN-containing microbiota ameliorates DSS-induced colitis by modifying inflammatory responsiveness to DSS.
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- Clinical Microbiology
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Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modelling of meropenem against VIM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates: clinical implications
VIM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates are usually associated with high MICs to carbapenems. Preclinical studies investigating the pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) characteristics of carbapenems against these isolates are lacking. The in vitro antibacterial activity of meropenem against one WT and three VIM-producing K. pneumoniae clinical isolates (median MICs 0.031, 8, 16 and 128 mg l− 1) was studied in a dialysis-diffusion PK-PD model and verified in a thigh infection neutropenic animal model by testing selected strains and exposures. The in vitro PK-PD target associated with bactericidal activity was estimated and the target attainment for different dosing regimens was calculated with Monte Carlo analysis. The in vitro model was correlated with the in vivo data, with log10CFU/ml reduction of < 1 for the VIM-producing (MIC 16 mg l− 1) and >2 for the WT (MIC 0.031 mg l− 1) isolates, with %f T >MIC 25 and 100 %, respectively. The in vitro bactericidal activity for all isolates was associated with 40 % f T>MIC and attained in >90 % of cases with the standard 1 g q8 0.5 h infusion dosing regimen only for isolates with MICs up to 1 mg l− 1. For isolates with MICs of 2–8 mg l− 1, prolonged infusion regimens (4 h infusion q8 or 2 h infusion q4) of standard (1 g) and higher (2 g) doses or continuous infusion regimens (3–6 g) are required. For isolates with a MIC of 16 mg l− 1 the unconventional dosing regimen of 2 g as 2 h infusion q4 or 12 g continuous infusion will be required. Prolonged and continuous infusion regimens of meropenem may increase efficacy against VIM-producing K. pneumoniae isolates.
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Campylobacter concisus pathotypes are present at significant levels in patients with gastroenteritis
Given that Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, recent findings showing comparable levels of Campylobacter concisus in patients with gastroenteritis would suggest that this bacterium is clinically important. The prevalence and abundance of Campylobacter concisus in stool samples collected from patients with acute gastroenteritis was examined using quantitative real-time PCR. The associated virulence determinants exotoxin 9 and zonula occludens toxin DNA were detected for Campylobacter concisus-infected samples using real-time PCR. Campylobacter concisus was detected at high prevalence in patients with gastroenteritis (49.7 %), higher than that observed for Campylobacter jejuni (∼5 %). The levels of Campylobacter concisus were putatively classified into clinically relevant and potentially transient subgroups based on a threshold developed using Campylobacter jejuni levels, as the highly sensitive real-time PCR probably detected transient passage of the bacterium from the oral cavity. A total of 18 % of patients were found to have clinically relevant levels of Campylobacter concisus, a significant number of which also had high levels of one of the virulence determinants. Of these patients, 78 % were found to have no other gastrointestinal pathogen identified in the stool, which strongly suggests a role for Campylobacter concisus in the aetiology of gastroenteritis in these patients. These results emphasize the need for diagnostic laboratories to employ identification protocols for emerging Campylobacter species. Clinical follow-up in patients presenting with high levels of Campylobacter concisus in the intestinal tract is needed, given that it has been associated with more chronic sequelae.
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Development and application of two independent real-time PCR assays to detect clinically relevant Mucorales species
PCR-based detection of Mucorales species could improve diagnosis of suspected invasive fungal infection, leading to a better patient outcome. This study describes two independent probe-based real-time PCR tests for detection of clinically relevant Mucorales, targeting specific fragments of the 18S and the 28S rRNA genes. Both assays have a short turnaround time, allow fast, specific and very sensitive detection of clinically relevant Mucorales and have the potential to be used as quantitative tests. They were validated on various clinical samples (fresh and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens, mainly biopsies, n = 17). The assays should be used as add-on tools to complement standard techniques; a combined approach of both real-time PCR assays has 100 % sensitivity. Genus identification by subsequent sequencing is possible for amplicons of the 18S PCR assay. In conclusion, combination of the two independent Mucorales assays described in this study, 18S and 28S, detected all clinical samples associated with proven Mucorales infection (n = 10). Reliable and specific identification of Mucorales is a prerequisite for successful antifungal therapy as these fungi show intrinsic resistance to voriconazole and caspofungin.
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Characterization of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumannii complex isolates from nosocomial bloodstream infections in southern Iran
More LessAcinetobacter baumannii is an important opportunistic bacterial pathogen responsible for serious infections in hospitalized patients. From a total of 78 consecutive non-repetitive Acinetobacter spp. isolates from patients with blood infections, 61 were carbapenem resistant, which were positive for bla OXA-51-like (96.7 %), bla OXA-23-like (77 %), bla OXA-58-like (8.1 %) and bla OXA-40-like genes (32.8 %) by multiplex PCR. The isolates were identified as A. baumannii (n = 59) and Acinetobacter nosocomialis (n = 2). Also, we found a case of Acinetobacter junii, causing bacteraemia, that possessed the IMP gene. High levels of resistance were observed to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, tigecycline and to the beta-lactam antibiotics, including piperacillin/tazobactam and ampicillin/sulbactam. ISAba1 was present in 96.7 % of all Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumannii complex (Acb) isolates. Also, 33 (54.1 %) and 23 (37.7 %) isolates harboured ISAba1 upstream of bla OXA-23-like and bla OXA-51-like genes, respectively, though this was not observed in A. nosocomialis isolates. No relationship was observed between the presence of ISAba1 upstream of oxacillinase genes and the level of carbapenem resistance in all Acb isolates. Only two genes encoding metallo-beta-lactamase (VIM, SPM) were detected in all Acb isolates. This suggests that carbapenem resistance in blood-isolate Acb is mostly due to the presence of acquired carbapenemases. This is the first report from Iran on the identification of A. nosocomialis isolates that possess multiple oxacillinase genes and lack upstream ISAba1.
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- Microbial Epidemiology
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A ten-year surveillance study of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a tertiary care Greek university hospital: predominance of KPC- over VIM- or NDM-producing isolates
Resistance patterns and carbapenemase gene presence among Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from the University General Hospital of Patras, Greece during a ten-year period were analysed under a surveillance programme for multi-drug-resistant bacteria. From 2005 to 2014, K. pneumoniae isolates from clinically significant specimens were identified by the Vitek 2 Advanced Expert System. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the agar disc diffusion method and Etest. The strains were tested for the presence of bla VIM, bla IMP, bla KPC, bla NDM and bla OXA-48 genes by PCR. PFGE of chromosomal Xbal DNA digests was performed. A total of 3449 K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered during the last decade. Among them, 1668 (48 %) were carbapenemase-producing: 1333 (80 %) K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-, 286 (17 %) Verona imipenemase (VIM), 45 (3 %) KPC- and VIM-, and four New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM)-producing. Their resistance rates to gentamicin, colistin and tigecycline were 41 %, 23 % and 16 %, respectively. VIM-producing K. pneumoniae were isolated in 2005 and since 2008 have been endemic. KPC-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) isolates were introduced in 2008 and until now represent the predominant carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae in our institution. PFGE of 97 KPC-Kp strains identified three types: A, 84 (87 %); B, 11 (11 %); and E, two (2 %). Eleven co-producing KPC and VIM K. pneumoniae isolates belonged to PFGE B. The four NDM-positives were classified to type F. The number of K. pneumoniae bacteraemias increased during the study period, which may be solely attributed to the increase of carbapenemase-producing isolates. The threat of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae emphasizes the urgent need for implementation of infection control measures and budgetary allocations to infection control.
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- Prevention and Therapy
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Serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from infected cultured tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Thailand: Nine-year perspective
More LessStreptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) infection remains a major problem associated with high mortality of cultured tilapia worldwide. The present study reports the serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibilities of GBS isolated from infected tilapia cultured in Thailand. One hundred and forty-four GBS isolates were identified by biochemical, serological and molecular analyses. Of these 144 GBS isolates, 126 were serotype Ia and 18 were serotype III. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of the 144 GBS isolates were determined by the disc diffusion method. Most GBS isolates were susceptible to lincomycin, norfloxacin, oxytetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol, but resistant to oxolinic acid, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. However, 17 isolates displayed an oxytetracycline-resistant phenotype and harboured the tet(M) gene. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 17 oxytetracycline-resistant GBS isolates, and then minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of these isolates were evaluated. Oxytetracyline-resistant isolates were found to be susceptible to ampicillin, lincomycin, norfloxacin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol, with the MIC and MBC ranging from ≤ 0.125 to 0.5 μg ml− 1 and ≤ 0.125 to 2 μg ml− 1, respectively. Moreover, all 17 oxytetracycline-resistant isolates demonstrated resistance to trimethoprim, oxolinic acid, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole and oxytetracycline, with the MIC and MBC ranging from 16 to ≥ 128 μg ml− 1 and ≥ 128 μg ml− 1, respectively. These findings are useful information for antibiotic usage in fish aquaculture.
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- Correspondence
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Volumes and issues
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Volume 73 (2024)
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Volume 72 (2023 - 2024)
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Volume 71 (2022)
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Volume 70 (2021)
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Volume 69 (2020)
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Volume 68 (2019)
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Volume 67 (2018)
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Volume 66 (2017)
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Volume 65 (2016)
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Volume 64 (2015)
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Volume 63 (2014)
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Volume 62 (2013)
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Volume 61 (2012)
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Volume 60 (2011)
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Volume 59 (2010)
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Volume 58 (2009)
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Volume 57 (2008)
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Volume 56 (2007)
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Volume 55 (2006)
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Volume 54 (2005)
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Volume 53 (2004)
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Volume 52 (2003)
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Volume 51 (2002)
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Volume 50 (2001)
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Volume 49 (2000)
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Volume 48 (1999)
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Volume 47 (1998)
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Volume 46 (1997)
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Volume 45 (1996)
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Volume 44 (1996)
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Volume 43 (1995)
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Volume 42 (1995)
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Volume 41 (1994)
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Volume 40 (1994)
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Volume 39 (1993)
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Volume 38 (1993)
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Volume 37 (1992)
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Volume 36 (1992)
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Volume 35 (1991)
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Volume 34 (1991)
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Volume 33 (1990)
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Volume 32 (1990)
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Volume 31 (1990)
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Volume 30 (1989)
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Volume 29 (1989)
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Volume 28 (1989)
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Volume 27 (1988)
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Volume 26 (1988)
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Volume 25 (1988)
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Volume 24 (1987)
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Volume 23 (1987)
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Volume 22 (1986)
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Volume 21 (1986)
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Volume 20 (1985)
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Volume 19 (1985)
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Volume 18 (1984)
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Volume 17 (1984)
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Volume 16 (1983)
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Volume 15 (1982)
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Volume 14 (1981)
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Volume 13 (1980)
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Volume 12 (1979)
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Volume 11 (1978)
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Volume 10 (1977)
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Volume 9 (1976)
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Volume 8 (1975)
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Volume 7 (1974)
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Volume 6 (1973)
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Volume 5 (1972)
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Volume 4 (1971)
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Volume 3 (1970)
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Volume 2 (1969)
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Volume 1 (1968)