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Radiology Case Reports Aug 2024Actinomycosis is a rare chronic suppurative granulomatous disease. Surgical biopsy is often performed in patients with chest actinomycosis because malignancy is...
Actinomycosis is a rare chronic suppurative granulomatous disease. Surgical biopsy is often performed in patients with chest actinomycosis because malignancy is suspected in most cases. A 62-year-old man presented to our hospital with fever and exertional dyspnea that had persisted for several months. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed an irregularly shaped mass with contrast enhancement in the anterior mediastinum and consolidation in the left upper lung lobe contiguous with this mass, as well as multiple nodules in both lungs. The pulmonary artery trunk was stenotic and surrounded by the mass, and the right heart system was enlarged. Thoracoscopic biopsy was performed but failed to yield a diagnosis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography after one month revealed an increased mass and worsening right heart strain. F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) positron emission tomography/computed tomography and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging also suggested a malignant tumor, and an open chest biopsy was performed. No malignant cells were identified and actinomycetes were detected by histopathology and bacterial culture. The patient was treated with antibiotics, following which his contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings and general condition improved.
PubMed: 38860267
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.05.001 -
BMC Oral Health Jun 2024Crohn's disease (CD)-associated periodontitis is common. However, the role of periodontal pathogens in the Coexistence of CD and periodontal disease remains unclear.
BACKGROUND
Crohn's disease (CD)-associated periodontitis is common. However, the role of periodontal pathogens in the Coexistence of CD and periodontal disease remains unclear.
METHODS
To investigate the potential relationship mediated by periodontal pathogens between periodontitis and CD, we collected salivary samples from healthy participants (H group, n = 12), patients with CD (Ch group, n = 10), patients with periodontitis (Ps group, n = 12), and patients with Coexistence of CD and periodontal disease (Cp group, n = 12) and analyzed them by 16 S rRNA sequencing.
RESULTS
Patients with Coexistence of CD and periodontal disease had increased levels of Fusobacterium, Actinomyces, Leptotrichia, and Prevotella, which correlated with the severity of periodontitis. Conversely, the levels of Streptococcus, Neisseria, Haemophilus, and Gemella, which decreased in Coexistence of CD and periodontal disease, were negatively correlated with the severity of periodontitis. To further investigate the role of periodontal pathogens in CD development, representative periodontal pathogens causing periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, were administered to mice. These pathogens migrate to, and colonize, the gut, accelerating CD progression and aggravating colitis, and even systemic inflammation. In vitro experiments using a Caco-2/periodontal pathogen coculture revealed that P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum increased intestinal permeability by directly disrupting the tight junctions of intestinal epithelial cells.
CONCLUSION
Our findings strongly suggest that periodontal pathogens play a role in the relationship between periodontitis and CD. These results provide a basis for understanding the pathogenesis of Coexistence of CD and periodontal disease and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Humans; Crohn Disease; Periodontitis; Animals; Mice; Male; Female; Adult; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Caco-2 Cells; Saliva; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 38849764
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04425-0 -
Genes & Genomics Jun 2024Since most of the commonly known oral diseases are explained in link with balance of microbial community, an accurate bacterial taxonomy profiling for determining...
BACKGROUND
Since most of the commonly known oral diseases are explained in link with balance of microbial community, an accurate bacterial taxonomy profiling for determining bacterial compositional network is essential. However, compared to intestinal microbiome, research data pool related to oral microbiome is small, and general 16S rRNA screening method has a taxonomy misclassification issue in confirming complex bacterial composition at the species level.
OBJECTIVE
Present study aimed to explore bacterial compositional networks at the species level within saliva of 39 oral disease patients (Dental Caries group: n = 26 and Periodontitis group: n = 13) through comparison with public Korean-specific healthy oral microbiome data.
METHODS
Here, we applied comprehensive molecular diagnostics based on qRT-PCR and Sanger sequencing methods to complement the technical limitations of NGS-based 16S V3-V4 amplicon sequencing technology.
RESULTS
As a result of microbiome profiling at the genus level, relative frequencies of many nitrate-reducing bacteria within each oral disease group were found to be significantly low compared to the healthy group. In addition, the molecular diagnostics-based bacterial identification method allowed the determination of the correct taxonomy of screened primary colonizers (Streptococcus and Actinomyces unclassification clusters) for each oral disease. Finally, as with the results of microbiome profiling at the genus level, many core-species classified within the saliva of each oral disease group were also related to nitrate-reduction, and it was estimated that various pathogens associated with each disease formed a bacterial network with the core-species.
CONCLUSION
Our study introduced a novel approach that can compensate for the difficulty of identifying an accurate bacterial compositional network at the species level due to unclear taxonomy classification by using the convergent approach of NGS-molecular diagnostics. Ultimately, we suggest that our experimental approach and results could be potential reference materials for researchers who intend to prevent oral disease by determining the correlation between oral health and bacterial compositional network according to the changes in the relative frequency for nitrate-reducing species.
PubMed: 38847972
DOI: 10.1007/s13258-024-01526-6 -
Clinical Case Reports Jun 2024Bronchopulmonary sequestration, a rare congenital anomaly, involves a nonfunctioning lung tissue mass supplied by anomalous vessels. It is rarely infected by...
Bronchopulmonary sequestration, a rare congenital anomaly, involves a nonfunctioning lung tissue mass supplied by anomalous vessels. It is rarely infected by Actinomyces, further complicating the clinical presentation, with limited reported cases. This case highlights the distinctive clinical aspects, diagnostic challenges, and successful management strategies of such a rare clinical entity.
PubMed: 38845797
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8984 -
Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2024Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative bacterial infection commonly seen in the tropics, caused by gram-positive, anaerobic bacilli of the genus . There are very few...
Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative bacterial infection commonly seen in the tropics, caused by gram-positive, anaerobic bacilli of the genus . There are very few reported cases of primary cutaneous actinomycosis. It can mimic mycetoma, tuberculosis, nocardiosis, and botryomycosis. A high index of clinical suspicion is required for diagnosis in the absence of sinuses. Even with repeated attempts, cultures are mostly negative; and hence, histology reveals the diagnosis in most cases. Here, we report an unusual case of primary cutaneous actinomycosis in a 21-year-old female patient, following a road traffic accident (RTA). A positive Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon and special stains demonstrated the ray fungus and helped us reach the diagnosis. The patient was started on oral penicillin G and showed good response.
PubMed: 38845663
DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_276_23 -
Cancer Investigation Jun 2024Biliary dysbiosis is associated with gallbladder cancer (GBC). We aimed to look for biliary bacteria specifically detected in GBC patients. We used 16S rRNA-based...
Biliary dysbiosis is associated with gallbladder cancer (GBC). We aimed to look for biliary bacteria specifically detected in GBC patients. We used 16S rRNA-based metagenomic analysis to elucidate biliary microbiota in 30 GBC and 30 gallstones-associated chronic cholecystitis patients. Relative abundance of five genera, , , and was significantly associated with GBC. Of 15-species, 7 were detected significantly higher in GBC, , , , , , and were biosafety level-2 infectious bacteria; other 8 species were biosafety level-1 bacteria. These bacterial species may be involved in pathogenesis of GBC.
PubMed: 38845533
DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2024.2361305 -
Journal For Immunotherapy of Cancer Jun 2024The association between gut bacteria and the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been studied; however, multi-kingdom...
BACKGROUND
The association between gut bacteria and the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been studied; however, multi-kingdom gut microbiome alterations and interactions in ICI-treated HCC cohorts are not fully understood.
METHODS
From November 2018 to April 2022, patients receiving ICI treatment for advanced HCC were prospectively enrolled. Herein, we investigated the multi-kingdom microbiota characterization of the gut microbiome, mycobiome, and metabolome using metagenomic, ITS2, and metabolomic data sets of 80 patients with ICI-treated HCC.
RESULTS
Our findings demonstrated that bacteria and metabolites differed significantly between the durable clinical benefit (DCB) and non-durable clinical benefit (NDB) groups, whereas the differences were smaller for fungi. The overall diversity of bacteria and fungi before treatment was higher in the DCB group than in the NDB group, and the difference in diversity began to change with the use of immunotherapy after 6-8 weeks. We also explored the alterations of gut microbes in the DCB and NDB groups, established 18 bacterial species models as predictive biomarkers for predicting whether immunotherapy is of sustained benefit (area under the curve=75.63%), and screened two species of bacteria (, and ) and one metabolite (galanthaminone) as prognostic biomarkers for predicting survival in patients with HCC treated with ICI.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the status and characterization of the multi-kingdom microbiota, including gut bacteria, fungi, and their metabolites, were described by multiomics sequencing for the first time in patients with HCC treated with ICI. Our findings demonstrate the potential of bacterial taxa as predictive biomarkers of ICI clinical efficacy, and bacteria and their metabolites as prognostic biomarkers.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Liver Neoplasms; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Bacteria; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 38844407
DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008686 -
Cureus May 2024Fungal rhino-orbital-cerebral infections present significant treatment challenges, especially in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with diabetes. These...
Fungal rhino-orbital-cerebral infections present significant treatment challenges, especially in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with diabetes. These infections seldom occur with bacterial co-infections, which complicate their management. This report presents the case of a 74-year-old diabetic male with a long-standing history of left malar pain who experienced rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and confusion. Diagnostic imaging revealed angioinvasive fungal sinusitis, ultimately attributed to chronic mucormycosis (CM) with concurrent infection, a rarely reported occurrence. We employed a comprehensive treatment strategy, which resulted in a successful recovery after 24 days. Although CM is rare, accounting for approximately 5.6% of cases with mucormycosis, it requires thorough diagnostic evaluation and prolonged treatment. The rarity of co-infections like the one we describe underscores the need for an integrated management approach. Histopathological analysis serves as the gold standard for diagnosis, with treatment typically involving surgical and extensive antifungal interventions.
PubMed: 38841036
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59694 -
Heliyon May 2024Disturbances in the oral microbiota may be due to several mechanisms and factors, such as smoking. An imbalance in oral bacteria may result in changes to the innate...
Disturbances in the oral microbiota may be due to several mechanisms and factors, such as smoking. An imbalance in oral bacteria may result in changes to the innate immune system and the development of periodontal disease. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of oral microbiota in smokers and non-smokers in a South African population using subgingival plaque samples. From the 128 recruited participants, 57 were identified as smokers (serum cotinine: >15 ng/ml). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated significant differences between the two groups with a reduced abundance of Actinobacteria in smokers. Fusobacterium and Campylobacter were found in higher abundance, while a lower abundance of Leptotrichia, Actinomyces, Corynebacterium, and Lautropia were observed. This study highlighted significant differences in the oral microbiota of smokers, indicating an abundance of anaerobic gram-negative bacteria. These findings suggest that smoking allows certain oral microorganisms to gain dominance, thereby predisposing individuals to periodontal disease development and progression.
PubMed: 38831830
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31559 -
Journal of Dental Research Jun 2024Bacteria on the tongue dorsum (TD) form consortia tens to hundreds of microns in diameter organized around a core of epithelial cells. Whole-mount preparations have been...
Bacteria on the tongue dorsum (TD) form consortia tens to hundreds of microns in diameter organized around a core of epithelial cells. Whole-mount preparations have been instrumental in revealing their organization and specific microbial associations. However, their thickness and intricate 3-dimensional complexity present challenges for a comprehensive spatial analysis. To overcome these challenges, we employed a complementary approach: embedding in hydrophilic plastic followed by sectioning and postsectioning labeling. Samples were labeled by hybridization with multiplexed fluorescent oligonucleotide probes and visualized by spectral imaging and linear unmixing. Application of this strategy to TD biofilms improved the visualization of bacteria that were difficult to resolve in whole-mount imaging. , previously detected as patches, became resolved at the single-cell level. The filamentous taxa and Lachnospiraceae, located at the core of the consortium, were regularly visualized whereas previously they were rarely detected when using whole mounts. , heterogeneously detected in whole mounts, were regularly and homogenously observed. Two-dimensional images provide valuable information about the organization of bacterial biofilms. However, they offer only a single plane of view for objects that can extend to hundreds of microns in thickness, and information obtained from such images may not always reflect the complexity of a 3-dimensional object. We combined serial physical sectioning with optical sectioning to facilitate the 3-dimensional reconstruction of consortia, spanning over 100 µm in thickness. Our work showcases the use of hydrophilic plastic embedding and sectioning for examining the structure of TD biofilms through spectral imaging fluorescence in situ hybridization. The result was improved visualization of important members of the human oral microbiome. This technique serves as a complementary method to the previously employed whole-mount analysis, offering its own set of advantages and limitations. Addressing the spatial complexity of bacterial consortia demands a multifaceted approach for a comprehensive and effective analysis.
PubMed: 38828615
DOI: 10.1177/00220345241251784