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The American Journal of Case Reports Feb 2024BACKGROUND With the advent of antibiotics, petrous apicitis (PA), inflammation of the petrous temporal bone, has become a rare complication of otitis media. Even more...
BACKGROUND With the advent of antibiotics, petrous apicitis (PA), inflammation of the petrous temporal bone, has become a rare complication of otitis media. Even more uncommon is Gradenigo syndrome (GS), a result of PA, characterized by a triad of otitis media or purulent otorrhea, pain within the regions innervated by the first and second division of the trigeminal nerve, and ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy. Recent literature has demonstrated increasing reports of Fusobacterium necrophorum isolated in cases of GS. CASE REPORT A 21-year-old man presented with otalgia, reduced hearing, and severe headache. Examination revealed right-sided purulent otorrhea, anesthesia within the trigeminal nerve distribution, and an ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy. F. necrophorum was isolated from an ear swab and a blood culture. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated otomastoiditis, PA, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and severe stenosis of the petrous internal carotid artery. He was treated with intravenous benzylpenicillin, underwent a mastoidectomy and insertion of a ventilation tube, and was started on a 3-month course of dabigatran. Interval MRI showed improved internal carotid artery caliber, persistent petrous apex inflammation, and normal appearance of both cavernous sinuses. Follow-up clinical review noted persistent abducens and trigeminal nerve dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS We identified 190 cases of PA; of these, 80 presented with the classic Gradenigo triad. Fusobacterium sp. were cultured in 10% of GS cases, making them the most frequent isolates. Due to the fastidious nature of F. necrophorum, it may be underrepresented in the historical literature, and we recommend that empiric antibiotics cover anaerobic organisms.
Topics: Male; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Petrositis; Fusobacterium necrophorum; Otitis Media; Abducens Nerve Diseases; Inflammation; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38319911
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942652 -
Veterinary Research Feb 2024This study investigated the role of causative infectious agents in ulceration of the non-glandular part of the porcine stomach (pars oesophagea). In total, 150 stomachs...
This study investigated the role of causative infectious agents in ulceration of the non-glandular part of the porcine stomach (pars oesophagea). In total, 150 stomachs from slaughter pigs were included, 75 from pigs that received a meal feed, 75 from pigs that received an equivalent pelleted feed with a smaller particle size. The pars oesophagea was macroscopically examined after slaughter. (q)PCR assays for H. suis, F. gastrosuis and H. pylori-like organisms were performed, as well as 16S rRNA sequencing for pars oesophagea microbiome analyses. All 150 pig stomachs showed lesions. F. gastrosuis was detected in 115 cases (77%) and H. suis in 117 cases (78%), with 92 cases (61%) of co-infection; H. pylori-like organisms were detected in one case. Higher infectious loads of H. suis increased the odds of severe gastric lesions (OR = 1.14, p = 0.038), while the presence of H. suis infection in the pyloric gland zone increased the probability of pars oesophageal erosions [16.4% (95% CI 0.6-32.2%)]. The causal effect of H. suis was mediated by decreased pars oesophageal microbiome diversity [-1.9% (95% CI - 5.0-1.2%)], increased abundances of Veillonella and Campylobacter spp., and decreased abundances of Lactobacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, and Enterobacteriaceae spp. Higher infectious loads of F. gastrosuis in the pars oesophagea decreased the odds of severe gastric lesions (OR = 0.8, p = 0.0014). Feed pelleting had no significant impact on the prevalence of severe gastric lesions (OR = 1.72, p = 0.28). H. suis infections are a risk factor for ulceration of the porcine pars oesophagea, probably mediated through alterations in pars oesophageal microbiome diversity and composition.
Topics: Animals; Swine; Stomach Ulcer; Helicobacter heilmannii; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Swine Diseases; Helicobacter Infections; Gastric Mucosa; Microbiota; Fusobacterium
PubMed: 38317242
DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01274-1 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023The elevated mortality rate associated with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a well-established global concern. Considerable attention has been directed toward...
BACKGROUND
The elevated mortality rate associated with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a well-established global concern. Considerable attention has been directed toward exploring the association between gut microbiota and various malignant tumors. We herein investigated the associations between the intestinal microbiome and its metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in patients with NSCLC at different stages, including early and brain metastasis (BM) stages. The findings aim to offer a fresh perspective on the diagnosis and management of NSCLC.
METHODS
Fecal samples were collected from 115 participants, comprising healthy controls (n = 35) and patients with treatment-naive NSCLC at the early stage (ELC, n = 40) and the BM stage (n = 40). Characterization of the intestinal microbiome and fecal SCFA levels was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and gas chromatography.
RESULTS
The microbial diversity in patients with NSCLC was found to be less abundant and uniform, particularly in the BM stage. Significant alterations in the community structure of the gut microbiota were observed in patients with NSCLC, with an increase in pathogens in Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria and a decrease in SCFA-producing bacteria in Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, particularly in the BM stage. Meanwhile, microbial communities displayed intricate associations in patients with NSCLC. A biomarker panel (, , , , , and ) successfully distinguished patients in the ELC and BM stages from healthy controls (area under the curve: 0.884). The overall concentration of fecal SCFAs was significantly lower in patients with BM compared to patients with ELC and healthy controls. Subgroup analysis of acetate and butyrate yielded similar results. Moreover, multiple disrupted pathways in the NSCLC group were identified using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotation, including lipid metabolism and genetic information processing, specifically in the BM stage.
CONCLUSION
Compared with healthy controls, distinct host-microbe interactions were evident in different phases of patients with NSCLC. Furthermore, specific forms of the gut microbiome and SCFAs may serve as valuable biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.
Topics: Humans; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Lung Neoplasms; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Bacteria; Feces; Brain Neoplasms
PubMed: 38304459
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1211855 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and certain oral and intestinal pathogens have been associated with cancer development...
Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and certain oral and intestinal pathogens have been associated with cancer development and progression. We asked if esophageal microbiomes had shared alterations that could provide novel biomarkers for ESCA risk. We extracted DNA from tumor and non-tumor tissue of 212 patients in the NCI-MD case control study and sequenced the 16S rRNA gene (V3-4), with TCGA ESCA RNA-seq (n = 172) and WGS (n = 123) non-human reads used as validation. We identified four taxa, Campylobacter, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Fusobacterium as highly enriched in esophageal cancer across all cohorts. Using SparCC, we discovered that Fusobacterium and Prevotella were also co-enriched across all cohorts. We then analyzed immune cell infiltration to determine if these dysbiotic taxa were associated with immune signatures. Using xCell to obtain predicted immune infiltrates, we identified a depletion of megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor (MEP) cells in tumors with presence of any of the four taxa, along with enrichment of platelets in tumors with Campylobactor or Fusobacterium. Taken together, our results suggest that intratumoral presence of these co-occurring bacterial genera may confer tumor promoting immune alterations that allow disease progression in esophageal cancer.
Topics: Humans; Case-Control Studies; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Esophageal Neoplasms; Fusobacterium; Blood Platelets
PubMed: 38296990
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48862-3 -
Cancer Biology & Therapy Dec 2024, an anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium primarily residing in the oral cavity, has garnered significant attention for its emerging role in cancer progression and... (Review)
Review
, an anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium primarily residing in the oral cavity, has garnered significant attention for its emerging role in cancer progression and prognosis. While extensive research has revealed mechanistic links between and colorectal cancer, a comprehensive review spanning its presence and metastatic implications in cancers beyond colorectal origin is conspicuously absent. This paper broadens our perspective from colorectal cancer to various malignancies associated with , including oral, pancreatic, esophageal, breast, and gastric cancers. Our central focus is to unravel the mechanisms governing colonization, initiation, and promotion of metastasis across diverse cancer types. Additionally, we explore 's adverse impacts on cancer therapies, particularly within the domains of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Furthermore, this paper underscores the clinical research significance of as a potential tumor biomarker and therapeutic target, offering a novel outlook on its applicability in cancer detection and prognostic assessment.
Topics: Humans; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Carcinogenesis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Stomach Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 38289287
DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2306676 -
MSystems Feb 2024The major oral odor compound methyl mercaptan (CHSH) is strongly associated with halitosis and periodontitis. CHSH production stems from the metabolism of polymicrobial...
The major oral odor compound methyl mercaptan (CHSH) is strongly associated with halitosis and periodontitis. CHSH production stems from the metabolism of polymicrobial communities in periodontal pockets and on the tongue dorsum. However, understanding of CHSH-producing oral bacteria and their interactions is limited. This study aimed to investigate CHSH production by major oral bacteria and the impact of interspecies interactions on its generation. Using a newly constructed large-volume anaerobic noncontact coculture system, was found to be a potent producer of CHSH, with that production stimulated by metabolic interactions with , an early dental plaque colonizer. Furthermore, analysis of extracellular amino acids using an arginine-ornithine antiporter (ArcD) mutant demonstrated that ornithine excreted from is a key contributor to increased CHSH production by . Further study with C, N-methionine, as well as gene expression analysis, revealed that ornithine secreted by increased the demand for methionine through accelerated polyamine synthesis by , leading to elevated methionine pathway activity and CHSH production. Collectively, these findings suggest that interaction between and plays a key role in CHSH production, providing a new insight into the mechanism of CHSH generation in oral microbial communities. A better understanding of the underlying interactions among oral bacteria involved in CHSH generation can lead to the development of more appropriate prophylactic approaches to treat halitosis and periodontitis. An intervention approach like selectively disrupting this interspecies network could also offer a powerful therapeutic strategy.IMPORTANCEHalitosis can have a significant impact on the social life of affected individuals. Among oral odor compounds, CHSH has a low olfactory threshold and halitosis is a result of its production. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the collective properties of oral polymicrobial communities, regarded as important for the development of oral diseases, which are shaped by physical and metabolic interactions among community participants. However, it has yet to be investigated whether interspecies interactions have an impact on the production of volatile compounds, leading to the development of halitosis. The present findings provide mechanistic insights indicating that ornithine, a metabolite excreted by , promotes polyamine synthesis by , resulting in a compensatory increase in demand for methionine, which results in elevated methionine pathway activity and CHSH production. Elucidation of the mechanisms related to CHSH production is expected to lead to the development of new strategies for managing halitosis.
Topics: Humans; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Halitosis; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Bacteria; Streptococcus gordonii; Periodontitis; Ornithine; Methionine; Polyamines
PubMed: 38289043
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00764-23 -
Nucleic Acids Research Apr 2024The common oral microbe Fusobacterium nucleatum has recently drawn attention after it was found to colonize tumors throughout the human body. Fusobacteria are also...
The common oral microbe Fusobacterium nucleatum has recently drawn attention after it was found to colonize tumors throughout the human body. Fusobacteria are also interesting study systems for bacterial RNA biology as these early-branching species encode many small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) but lack homologs of the common RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) CsrA, Hfq and ProQ. To search for alternate sRNA-associated RBPs in F. nucleatum, we performed a systematic mass spectrometry analysis of proteins that co-purified with 19 different sRNAs. This approach revealed strong enrichment of the KH domain proteins KhpA and KhpB with nearly all tested sRNAs, including the σE-dependent sRNA FoxI, a regulator of several envelope proteins. KhpA/B act as a dimer to bind sRNAs with low micromolar affinity and influence the stability of several of their target transcripts. Transcriptome studies combined with biochemical and genetic analyses suggest that KhpA/B have several physiological functions, including being required for ethanolamine utilization. Our RBP search and the discovery of KhpA/B as major RBPs in F. nucleatum are important first steps in identifying key players of post-transcriptional control at the root of the bacterial phylogenetic tree.
Topics: Fusobacterium nucleatum; RNA-Binding Proteins; Bacterial Proteins; RNA, Small Untranslated; RNA, Bacterial; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Protein Binding; Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38281181
DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae010 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Epidemiological studies have spotlighted the intricate relationship between individual oral bacteria and tumor occurrence. and , which are known periodontal pathogens,... (Review)
Review
Epidemiological studies have spotlighted the intricate relationship between individual oral bacteria and tumor occurrence. and , which are known periodontal pathogens, have emerged as extensively studied participants with potential pathogenic abilities in carcinogenesis. However, the complex dynamics arising from interactions between these two pathogens were less addressed. This narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the prevalence and mechanism implications of and in the carcinogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In particular, it explores the clinical and experimental evidence on the interplay between and in affecting oral and gastrointestinal carcinogenesis. and , which are recognized as keystone or bridging bacteria, were identified in multiple clinical studies simultaneously. The prevalence of both bacteria species correlated with cancer development progression, emphasizing the potential impact of the collaboration. Regrettably, there was insufficient experimental evidence to demonstrate the synergistic function. We further propose a hypothesis to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, offering a promising avenue for future research in this dynamic and evolving field.
PubMed: 38276166
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010093 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023The gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity of animal species harbor complex microbial communities, the composition of which is indicative of the behavior, co-evolution,...
INTRODUCTION
The gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity of animal species harbor complex microbial communities, the composition of which is indicative of the behavior, co-evolution, diet, and immune system of the host.
METHODS
This study investigated the microbial composition in snakes from varying altitudinal ranges by assessing the fecal and oral bacterial communities in , and from Sichuan Province, China, using metagenomic sequencing.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
It was revealed that Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Fusobacteria were the core microbial phyla in fecal samples across all three species, while Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes were the core microbial phyla in oral samples across all three species. Notably, the dominance of Armatimonadetes was documented for the first time in the feces of all three species. Comparative analysis of the microbiomes of the three species indicated distinct microbiological profiles between snakes living at low- and high-altitude regions. Furthermore, 12 to 17 and 22 to 31 bacterial pathogens were detected in the oral and fecal samples, respectively, suggesting that snakes may serve as a novel reservoir for emerging diseases. Overall, this study provides a comparative analysis of the fecal and oral microbiomes in three snake species. Future investigations are anticipated to further elucidate the influence of age, genetics, behavior, diet, environment, ecology, and evolution on the gut and oral microbial communities of snakes.
PubMed: 38274764
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1339188 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023As one of the most important environmental signals, photoperiod plays a crucial role in regulating the growth, metabolism, and survival of organisms. The photoperiod...
OBJECTIVE
As one of the most important environmental signals, photoperiod plays a crucial role in regulating the growth, metabolism, and survival of organisms. The photoperiod shifts with the transition of the seasons. The difference in photoperiod between summer and winter is the greatest under natural conditions. However, the effect of photoperiod on Huanghe carp () was paid little attention. We investigated the impact of artificial manipulation of seasonal photoperiod on Huanghe carp by integrating growth performance, intestinal flora, and intestinal metabolome.
METHOD
We conducted an 8-week culture experiment with summer photoperiod (14 h light:10 h dark, n = 60) as the control group and winter photoperiod (10 h light:14 h dark, n = 60) based on the natural laws.
RESULTS
Winter photoperiod provokes significant weight increases in Huanghe carp. The altered photoperiod contributed to a significant increase in triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the gene expressions of lipid metabolism in the intestine of Huanghe carp. 16s rDNA sequencing revealed that winter photoperiod diminished intestinal flora diversity and altered the abundance. Specifically, the relative abundances of Fusobacteria and Acidobacteriota phyla were higher but Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes phyla were reduced. Analogously, photoperiodic changes induced a significant reduction in the , , , , and at the genus level. Additionally, metabolomics analysis showed more than 50% of differential metabolites were associated with phospholipids and inflammation. Microbiome and metabolome correlation analyses revealed that intestinal microbe mediated lipid metabolism alteration.
CONCLUSION
The winter photoperiod induced intestinal flora imbalance and lipid metabolism modification, ultimately affecting the growth of Huanghe carp. This study provides new insights into the effects of seasonal photoperiodic alteration on the well-being of fish.
Topics: Animals; Photoperiod; Carps; Seasons; Microbiota; Gastrointestinal Microbiome
PubMed: 38250741
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1293749