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Pathogens and Disease Jan 2023Bacterial vaginosis, a type of vaginal inflammation, can be considered the main reason for abnormal discharges of the vagina and vaginal dysbiosis during reproductive...
Bacterial vaginosis, a type of vaginal inflammation, can be considered the main reason for abnormal discharges of the vagina and vaginal dysbiosis during reproductive years. Epidemiological investigations of females suffering from vaginitis demonstrated that at least 30% to 50% of all women had Bacterial vaginosis (BV). One of the fields of treatment is the use of probiotics, probiotics are commonly defined as viable microorganisms (yeasts or bacteria) that can positively affect the health of their hosts. They are used in foods, notably fermented milk products, and medicine-related products. The development of new probiotic strains is aimed at more active advantageous organisms. Lactobacillus species are the dominant bacteria in a normal vagina that can decrease the pH of the vagina by the production of lactic acid. A number of lactobacilli types can produce hydrogen peroxide as well. The presence of hydrogen peroxide-induced low pH can prevent the growth of several other microorganisms. The vaginal flora of BV cases can modify by replacing the Lactobacillus species with a high density of anaerobic bacteria (i.e. Mobiluncus sp. Bacteroides sp.), Mycoplasma hominis, and Gardnerella vaginalis. More vaginal infections are treated with medications, while there is a possibility of recurrence and chronic infection because of the adverse effects on the indigenous lactobacilli. Probiotics and prebiotics have shown capacities for optimizing, maintaining, and restoring the vaginal microflora. Therefore, biotherapeutics can offer alternative approaches to reduce infections of the vagina and thus promote consumers' health.
Topics: Female; Humans; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Hydrogen Peroxide; Vagina; Gardnerella vaginalis; Lactobacillus; Probiotics
PubMed: 37286796
DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad012 -
Molecular Immunology Aug 2023Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a global health concern and it is the most prevalent cause of infant mortality and morbidity with occurrence rate of 5 - 18%...
Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a global health concern and it is the most prevalent cause of infant mortality and morbidity with occurrence rate of 5 - 18% worldwide. Studies suggest infection and infection-driven activation of inflammatory responses are the potential risk factors for sPTB. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are thought to control the expression of several immune genes, making them crucial components of the intricate immune regulatory network and the dysregulation of miRNAs in placenta has been associated to several pregnancy-related complications. However, studies on possible role of miRNAs in immunomodulation of cytokine signalling in infection-associated sPTB are scarce. Present study aimed to investigate expression/ correlation of a few circulating miRNAs (miR-223, -150-5p, -185-5p, -191-5p), miRNA target genes and associated cytokines in sPTB women found infected with Chlamydia trachomatis/ Mycoplasma hominis/ Ureaplasma urealyticum. Non-heparinized blood and placental sample were collected from 140 sPTB and 140 term women visiting Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi (India) for conducting PCR and RT-PCR for pathogen detection and miRNA/ target gene/ cytokine expression, respectively. Common target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained from databases. The correlation between select target genes/ cytokines and serum miRNAs was determined by Spearman's rank correlation. 43 sPTB were infected with either pathogen and a significant upregulation of serum miRNAs was observed. However, miR-223 and 150-5p showed maximum fold-change (4.78 and 5.58, respectively) in PTB versus control group. IL-6ST, TGF-β R3 and MMP-14 were important target genes among 454 common targets, whereas, IL-6 and TGF-β were associated cytokines. miR-223 and 150-5p showed significant negative correlation with IL-6ST/ IL-6/ MMP-14 and positive correlation with TGF-β R3/ TGF-β. A significant positive correlation was found between IL-6ST and IL-6, TGF-β R3 and TGF-β. However, miR-185-5p and 191-5p were not significantly correlated. Although post-transcriptional validation is required, yet on the basis of mRNA findings, the study concludes that miR-223 and 150-5p are apparently of clinical importance in regulation of inflammatory processes during infection-associated sPTB.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14; Premature Birth; Interleukin-6; Placenta; MicroRNAs; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Cytokines; Immunomodulation
PubMed: 37285685
DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.05.009 -
Orthopedics 2024Postoperative deep infection is usually identified by microbial culture. However, frequent false-negative results have severely limited effective treatment. We report a...
Postoperative deep infection is usually identified by microbial culture. However, frequent false-negative results have severely limited effective treatment. We report a rare case of intra-articular and paravertebral infection after total knee arthroplasty caused by and , with multiple negative microbial culture results. Eventually, the pathogens were identified using metagenomic high-throughput sequencing, and the patient was successfully treated with several "old" antibiotics. We analyze the clinical characteristics of this patient and systematically describe the application of high-throughput sequencing and antibiotics. [. 2024;47(1):e52-e56.].
Topics: Humans; Mycoplasma Infections; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Ureaplasma Infections; Ureaplasma urealyticum; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 37276443
DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20230531-04 -
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical... 2023and species threaten reproductive health and fertility worldwide. Due to the lack of sensitive, accurate, and affordable diagnostic tools, the simultaneous...
OBJECTIVES
and species threaten reproductive health and fertility worldwide. Due to the lack of sensitive, accurate, and affordable diagnostic tools, the simultaneous contributions of these agents in infertility have been overlooked. This study aims to detect and identify and species in the genital tracts of fertile and infertile females simultaneously.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In a case-control study, cervicovaginal clinical samples were collected from patients referred to two teaching hospitals in Isfahan from July 2019 to February 2019. The initial screening was by using Real-time PCR and designed primer to evaluate the presence of and species including fertile and infertile women. The bacteria species were then detected and differentiated by using the melt curve and sequenced to confirm and identify. Finally, the standard curve was used to measure and compare the copy number of each species in each group. The isolates also were detected in clinical samples using the commercial PCR method.
RESULTS
The frequencies of and were (0.0, 10.0%) in the fertile group and (4.3%, 34.3%) in the infertile group, respectively. and species in the fertile group (7.1%, 5.7%) and in the infertile group (32.9%, 24.3) were determined, respectively. The comparison of the results obtained from PCR and Real-time PCR showed that the recent technique has the ability to track 101-103 copy numbers.
CONCLUSION
The present method allows differential diagnosis and quantification of and species in a short time and simultaneously.
PubMed: 37275751
DOI: 10.22038/IJBMS.2023.66170.14545 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023As the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, preterm birth is recognized as a major public health concern around the world. The purpose of this review is to... (Review)
Review
As the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, preterm birth is recognized as a major public health concern around the world. The purpose of this review is to analyze the connection between infections and premature birth. Spontaneous preterm birth is commonly associated with intrauterine infection/inflammation. The overproduction of prostaglandins caused by the inflammation associated with an infection could lead to uterine contractions, contributing to preterm delivery. Many pathogens, particularly , , , , , , , spp., and spp. have been related with premature delivery, chorioamnionitis, and sepsis of the neonate. Further research regarding the prevention of preterm delivery is required in order to develop effective preventive methods with the aim of reducing neonatal morbidity.
PubMed: 37238455
DOI: 10.3390/children10050907 -
Journal of Medical Virology May 2023The vaginal microbiome has emerged as potentially influencing the natural history of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their clinical impact. We aimed to...
The vaginal microbiome has emerged as potentially influencing the natural history of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their clinical impact. We aimed to characterize the vaginal microbiome in samples from 807 high-risk HPVs (Hr-HPV) positive women with a mean age of 41.45 ± 10.79 years who participated in the Regional Cervical Cancer Screening Program from the Northern Region of Portugal. Microbiome analysis was performed with commercial kits for the detection of 21 microorganisms. The most frequent microorganisms were Ureaplasma parvum (52.5%), Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) (34.5%), Atopobium vaginae (AV) (32.6%), Lacto (30.7%), and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) (23.5%). The distribution according to age reveals that MH, Mega1, GV, BVab2, AV, and Mob were more prevalent in women older than 41 years of age (p < 0.050), while Lacto is significantly decreased in this group (23.5% vs. 39.4%, p < 0.001; RR = 0.47). The risk analysis showed that Hr-HPV-16/-18 and Hr-HPV-9val genotypes are associated with an increased risk of developing cervical abnormalities, while Lacto (p < 0.001; odd ratio [OR] = 0.33), GV (p = 0.0111; OR = 0.41), AV (p = 0.033; OR = 0.53) and Mob (p = 0.022; OR = 0.29) are associated with protection. Similar results were found for the risk of development atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL/high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Overall, the multivariate analysis confirmed that lactobacillus and bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (GV, AV, and Mob) are associated with protection against the development of cervical abnormalities. This study provides important data to be included in the future management of risk stratification for Hr-HPV-positive women.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Papillomavirus Infections; Early Detection of Cancer; Microbiota; Papillomaviridae
PubMed: 37212334
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28762 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Extra-urogenital infections due to () are rare, particularly co-infection with (). Herein, we report on a patient who was co-infected and successfully treated despite...
BACKGROUND
Extra-urogenital infections due to () are rare, particularly co-infection with (). Herein, we report on a patient who was co-infected and successfully treated despite delayed treatment.
CASE PRESENTATION
We reported the case of a 43-year-old man with and co-infection after a traffic accident. The patient developed a fever and severe infection despite postoperative antimicrobial therapies. The blood culture of wound tissues was positive for Meanwhile, culturing of blood and wound samples showed pinpoint-sized colonies on blood agar plates and fried-egg-type colonies on mycoplasma medium, which were identified as by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S rRNA sequencing. Based on antibiotic susceptibility and symptoms, ceftazidime-avibactam and moxifloxacin were administered for infection. Meanwhile, after the failure of a series of anti-infective agents, and co-infection was successfully treated with a minocycline-based regimen and polymyxin B.
CONCLUSION
The co-infection with and was successfully treated with anti-infective agents despite delayed treatment, providing information for the management of double infection.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Mycoplasma hominis; Mycoplasma Infections; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Coinfection; Anti-Infective Agents; Pseudomonas Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37197207
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1159891 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023In , two genes ( and ) have been found to be associated with the invasion of the amniotic cavity, and a single gene () to be associated with intra-amniotic infections...
In , two genes ( and ) have been found to be associated with the invasion of the amniotic cavity, and a single gene () to be associated with intra-amniotic infections and a high risk of preterm birth. The syntopic presence of spp. in the same patient has been shown to correlate with the absence of in . The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of , , and genes in two groups of isolates collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic male and non-pregnant female patients attending an Outpatients Centre. Group A consisted of 26 isolates from patients with only confirmed; group B consisted of 24 isolates from patients with spp. as the only co-infection. We extracted DNA from all isolates and analysed the samples for the presence of , , and in a qPCR assay. Additionally, we determined their cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. We confirmed the presence of the gene in 85% of group A isolates and in 100% of group B isolates; was detected in 46% of the samples in both groups, whereas was found in 73% of group A and 79% of group B isolates, respectively. It was shown that co-colonisation with spp. in the same patient had no effect on the presence of in the respective isolate. We did not observe any cytotoxic effect of the investigated isolates on human cells, regardless of the presence or absence of the investigated genes.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Austria; HeLa Cells; Mycoplasma hominis; Mycoplasma Infections; Premature Birth; Ureaplasma; Virulence; Genes, Bacterial
PubMed: 37175701
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097993 -
Medicine May 2023Postoperative intracranial mycoplasma hominis infection was a rare complication. Timely diagnosis was difficult due to its growth characteristics and nonspecific...
RATIONALE
Postoperative intracranial mycoplasma hominis infection was a rare complication. Timely diagnosis was difficult due to its growth characteristics and nonspecific clinical symptoms.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 52-year-old man underwent bilateral decompressive craniotomy for severe traumatic brain injury. On the seventeenth day after surgery, the patient developed an unexplained high fever. Empirical anti-infective therapy was ineffective, and the fever persisted. In addition, viscous pus oozed from the head incision. Empiric therapy was still ineffective, the fever persisted, and the culture result was negative. The lumbar puncture pressure was 150 mmH2O and the cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count was 3600 × 106/L, suggesting an intracranial infection.
DIAGNOSES
Culture growth morphologically consistent with mycoplasma species was obtained from multiple specimens (scalp incision fluid and cerebrospinal fluid) and the identification of mycoplasma hominis was confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing.
INTERVENTION
Targeted anti-infective therapy (Minocycline), change of fresh wound dressing, and continued lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage.
OUTCOME
At the 3-month follow-up, the patient was still in the rehabilitation department of the local hospital for treatment, but there were no symptoms of intracranial infection.
LESSONS
Neurosurgeons should carefully examine postoperative incisions and be aware of the possibility of mycoplasma infection during clinical management.
Topics: Male; Humans; Middle Aged; Mycoplasma hominis; Decompressive Craniectomy; Meningitis; Postoperative Complications; Epidural Abscess; Mycoplasma Infections; Surgical Wound; Empyema; Craniotomy
PubMed: 37171345
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033745 -
Placenta Jul 2023Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a global health issue. Studies suggest infections are chiefly associated with sPTB and galectins (gals) play a role in regulation of...
INTRODUCTION
Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a global health issue. Studies suggest infections are chiefly associated with sPTB and galectins (gals) play a role in regulation of innate and adaptive maternal immune response against pathogens during sPTB. The aim of this study was to describe the gene expression of gal -1, -3, -8, -9, -13 in relation to gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the cytokines IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-ϒ in the setting of sPTB and confirmed infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum.
METHODS
Placental samples were collected from 120 term control and 120 sPTB pregnancies. PCR was used to detect specific pathogens. Gene expression of galectins, cytokines, and COX-2 was performed using real time qPCR.
RESULTS
Fold-change expression of gal -1, -3, -8, -9, -13 was 5.13, 6.11, 1.14, 5.23 and 7.16 (p<0.001), respectively; while IL-10, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-ϒ and COX-2 was 6.29, 6.55, 6.35, 6.36 and 2.73-fold upregulated (p<0.05), respectively in infected sPTB. Gal-1 was positively correlated with IL-10 (r=0.49, p=0.003) while gal-3 showed significant correlation with IL-8 (r=0.42, p=0.0113), TNF-α (r=0.65, p=< 0.001) and COX-2 (r=0.72, p=0.001). However, gal-8 was not significantly correlated with any cytokine. Gal-9, -13 were negatively correlated with IFN-ϒ (r=-0.45, p=0.006) and IL-8 (r=-0.39, p=0.018).
DISCUSSION
Gal-1, -9, -13 are anti-inflammatory and might play role in immune-tolerance while gal-3 is pro-inflammatory and possibly responsible for immunogenic response, having potential to anticipate the clinical beginning of preterm labour during infection.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Premature Birth; Interleukin-10; Placenta; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Cyclooxygenase 2; Interleukin-8; Cytokines; Galectins
PubMed: 37146535
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.04.015