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Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Brucellosis is an infection widely distributed around the world, and in some countries it is considered a public health problem. Brucellosis causes insidious symptoms...
Brucellosis is an infection widely distributed around the world, and in some countries it is considered a public health problem. Brucellosis causes insidious symptoms that make it difficult to diagnose. Infection can also trigger chronic pain and neuropsychiatric complications. Antibiotics are not always effective to eradicate infection, contributing to chronicity. We aimed to investigate the effects of antibiotic treatment on proinflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters, corticosterone, and behavior in a murine model of infecrion of strain 2308. Four study groups were created: (a) control; (b) antibiotic control; (c) infected with 2308; and (d) infected and treated with rifampicin and doxycycline. We determined 2308 colony-forming units (CFUs), the count of dendritic cells, and macrophages in the spleen; serum levels of cytokines and corticosterone; levels of serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine in the brain; and equilibrium, physical strength, anxiety, and hopelessness tests. The infected and treated mice group was compared with the control and infected mice to assess whether treatment is sufficient to recover neuroimmunoendocrine parameters. Our results showed that despite the treatment of brucellosis with rifampicin and doxycycline, antibiotic-treated mice showed a persistence of 2308 CFUs, an increased count in macrophage number, and higher circulating levels of corticosterone. Furthermore, the levels of IL-12, IL-6, and TNF-α remained higher. We found a decrease in muscular strength and equilibrium concomitant to changes in neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and frontal cortex. Our data suggest that the remaining bacterial load after antibiotic administration favors inflammatory, neurochemical, and behavioral alterations, partly explaining the widespread and paradoxical symptomatology experienced by patients with chronic brucellosis.
PubMed: 38794208
DOI: 10.3390/ph17050638 -
Microorganisms May 2024B13, selected from fermentation chili, has been proven to promote animal growth by previous studies, but it belongs to opportunistic pathogens, so a comprehensive...
B13, selected from fermentation chili, has been proven to promote animal growth by previous studies, but it belongs to opportunistic pathogens, so a comprehensive evaluation of its probiotic properties and safety is necessary. In this study, the probiotic properties and safety of B13 were evaluated at the genetic and phenotype levels in vitro and then confirmed in vivo. The genome of B13 contains one chromosome and two plasmids. The average nucleotide identity indicated that B13 was most closely related to the fermentation-plant-derived strain. The strain does not carry the major virulence genes of the clinical strains but contains , , genes. The strain had a higher tolerance to acid at pH 3.0, 4.0, and 0.3% bile salt and a 32.83% free radical DPPH clearance rate. It can adhere to Caco-2 cells and reduce the adhesion of to Caco-2 cells. The safety assessment revealed that the strain showed no hemolysis and did not exhibit gelatinase, ornithine decarboxylase, lysine decarboxylase, or tryptophanase activity. It was sensitive to twelve antibiotics but was resistant to erythromycin, rifampicin, tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline. Experiments in vivo have shown that B13 can be located in the ileum and colon and has no adverse effects on experiment animals. After 28 days of feeding, B13 did not remarkable change the α-diversity of the gut flora or increase the virulence genes. Our study demonstrated that B13 may be used as a probiotic candidate.
PubMed: 38792822
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050994 -
Microorganisms Apr 2024() is a zoonotic pathogen capable of causing severe diseases in humans and pigs, including meningitis, sepsis, polyserositis, arthritis, and endocarditis. This study...
() is a zoonotic pathogen capable of causing severe diseases in humans and pigs, including meningitis, sepsis, polyserositis, arthritis, and endocarditis. This study aimed to investigate the biological characteristics of 19 strains of isolated from diseased pigs in Hubei Province between 2021 and 2023. Through bioinformatics analysis, we investigated the serotype, MLST, pan-genome characteristics, SNP, AMR, and ICE of the 19 isolates. Among the 19 strains, ten serotypes were identified, and serotype 9 was the most prevalent (21.05%). Ten new alleles and nine new sequence types (STs) were discovered, with ST28 and ST243 emerging as the predominant STs. The results of the pan-genomic analysis of indicate that there are 943 core genes, 2259 shell genes, and 5663 cloud genes. Through SNP evolutionary analysis, we identified a strong genetic similarity between SS31 and the reference genome P1/7. The analysis of antibiotic resistance genes revealed widespread presence of (B) and (O) genes among 19 strains of . This association may be linked to the high resistance of to lincosamides, macrolides, and tetracyclines. Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) and integrative and mobilizable elements (IMEs) were identified in 16 strains, with a carriage rate of 84.21%, and resistance genes were identified within the ICE/IME elements of 8 strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that all strains showed sensitivity to vancomycin and lincomycin but resistance to tilmicosin, tiamulin, amoxicillin, and doxycycline. This study contributes to our understanding of the genomic diversity of in Hubei Province of China, providing essential data for the comprehensive prevention and control of infections in China.
PubMed: 38792744
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050917 -
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology... May 2024Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening disease affecting mostly the ileum of preemies. Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis contributes to NEC...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening disease affecting mostly the ileum of preemies. Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) apoptosis contributes to NEC pathogenesis. However, how scattered crypt IEC apoptosis leads to NEC with excessive villus epithelial necrosis remains unclear.
METHODS
A novel triple-transgenic mouse model, namely, 3xTg-iAP (inducible apoptosis phenotype in crypt-IEC), was developed to induce IEC-specific overexpression of Fasl transgene using doxycycline (Dox)-inducible tetO-rtTA system and villin-cre technology. The 3-day-old neonatal 3xTg-iAP mice and their littermate controls were subcutaneously (s.c.) challenged with a single dose of Dox. Intestinal tissues were processed at different time points to examine scattered crypt IEC apoptosis-mediated NEC development. Gene knockout technology, antibody-mediated cell depletion, and antibiotic-facilitated Gram-positive bacteria depletion were used to study mechanisms.
RESULTS
Treatment of 3xTg-iAP mouse pups with Dox induces scattered crypt IEC apoptosis followed by crypt inflammation and excessive villous necrosis resembling NEC. This progression correlated with elevated Ifng, Rip3, CD8 T cells, and Gram-positive bacteria in the ileum. Mechanistically, IFN-γ and RIP3-activated signals mediate the effect of scattered crypt IEC apoptosis on the induction of intestinal crypt inflammation and villous necrosis. Meanwhile, pathophysiological events of CD8 T cell infiltration and dysbiosis with Gram-positive bacteria primarily contribute to excessive villous inflammation and necrosis. Notably, blocking any of these events protects against NEC development in 3xTg-iAP mouse pups, underlining their central roles in NEC pathogenesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Scattered crypt IEC apoptosis induces NEC in mouse pups via IFN-g, RIP3, CD8 T cells, and Gram-positive bacteria-mediated comprehensive pathophysiological events. Our findings may advance knowledge in the prevention and treatment of NEC.
PubMed: 38788898
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.05.012 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The aim of the study was two-fold: first, to collect data on the use of antibiotics in Germany for dogs and cats and, second, their owners' experiences and opinions....
The aim of the study was two-fold: first, to collect data on the use of antibiotics in Germany for dogs and cats and, second, their owners' experiences and opinions. Using an anonymous online survey, dog and cat owners were asked about the last antibiotic administration in their pet. The inclusion criterion was any antibiotic administration within the last year. A total of 708 questionnaires from 463 dogs and 245 cats could be evaluated. Diarrhea was reported as the most common reason for antibiotic administration in dogs (18.4%). Wound infection/abscess/bite injury was the second most common reason in dogs (16.0%). In cats wound infection/abscess/bite injury was the most common reason (23.3%), followed by dental treatment (21.2%) and upper respiratory tract infections (16.7%). The most common antibiotics used systemically in both species were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (32.5%), amoxicillin (14.8%), metronidazole (6.9%), and doxycycline (6.8%). While efficacy (99.9%) and tolerability (94.8%) were rated as most important for the choice of antibiotics, costs (51.6%) were cited as predominantly unimportant. First-line antibiotics were used significantly more often than critically important antibiotics. The majority of animal owners show awareness for avoidance of antibiotic resistance and the use of critically important antibiotics.
PubMed: 38786111
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050382 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Captive birds of prey are often used for pest control in urban areas, while also participating in falconry exhibitions. Traveling across the country, these birds may...
Captive birds of prey are often used for pest control in urban areas, while also participating in falconry exhibitions. Traveling across the country, these birds may represent a public health concern as they can host pathogenic and zoonotic agents and share the same environment as humans and synanthropic species. In this work, from the cloacal samples of 27 captive birds of prey were characterized to determine their pathogenic potential. Isolates were clustered through ERIC-PCR fingerprinting, and the phylogenetic groups were assessed using a quadruplex PCR method. Their virulence and resistance profile against nine antibiotics were determined, as well as the isolates' ability to produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). The 84 original isolates were grouped into 33 clonal types, and it was observed that more than half of the studied isolates belonged to groups D and B2. Most isolates presented gelatinase activity (88%), almost half were able to produce biofilm (45%), and some were able to produce α-hemolysin (18%). The isolates presented high resistance rates towards piperacillin (42%), tetracycline (33%), and doxycycline (30%), and 6% of the isolates were able to produce ESBLs. The results confirm the importance of these birds as reservoirs of virulence and resistance determinants that can be disseminated between wildlife and humans, stressing the need for more studies focusing on these animals.
PubMed: 38786108
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050379 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Scrub typhus, caused by the , is a widespread vector-borne disease transmitted by chigger mites. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is considered to be one of the...
BACKGROUND
Scrub typhus, caused by the , is a widespread vector-borne disease transmitted by chigger mites. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is considered to be one of the potentially severe complications. The diagnosis of scrub typhus-associated HLH may be overlooked due to the non-specific clinical characteristics and the absence of pathognomonic eschar.
CASE PRESENTATION
We obtained clinical data from two patients in the South of Sichuan, China. The first case involved a 6-year-old girl who exhibited an unexplained fever and was initially diagnosed with sepsis, HLH, and pulmonary infection. The other patient presented a more severe condition characterized by multiple organ dysfunction and was initially diagnosed with septic shock, sepsis, HLH, acute kidney injury (AKI), and pulmonary infection. At first, a specific examination for scrub typhus was not performed due to the absence of a characteristic eschar. Conventional peripheral blood cultures yielded negative results in both patients, and neither of them responded to routine antibiotics. Fortunately, the causative pathogen was detected in the plasma samples of both patients using metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Subsequently, they both were treated with doxycycline and recovered quickly.
CONCLUSION
The unbiased mNGS provided a clinically actionable diagnosis for an uncommon pathogen-associated infectious disease that had previously evaded conventional diagnostic approaches.
Topics: Scrub Typhus; Humans; Female; Child; Orientia tsutsugamushi; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic; China; Male; Doxycycline
PubMed: 38784570
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1321123 -
Traditional cheese consumption leading to hemodialysis induced by rifampin treatment: A case report.Toxicology Reports Jun 2024This case report details the journey of a 51-year-old man residing in a remote Iranian village, involved in livestock rearing, who was hospitalized due to Brucellosis...
This case report details the journey of a 51-year-old man residing in a remote Iranian village, involved in livestock rearing, who was hospitalized due to Brucellosis contracted from consuming traditional cheese and dairy products. Initially treated with doxycycline and rifampin, complications arose during antituberculosis therapy, with the patient developing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and edema alongside renal function deterioration necessitating medication cessation. Subsequent manifestations of proteinuria, toxic hepatitis, and nephrotic syndrome prompted renal biopsy, revealing drug-induced glomerular and tubular damage. Swift cessation of rifampicin, combined with prednisolone therapy, led to symptom amelioration, resulting in the cessation of dialysis and the patient's discharge within three weeks. This case underscores the intricate relationship between traditional cheese consumption, medication-induced renal complications, and the importance of timely intervention and appropriate management in achieving a successful patient outcome.
PubMed: 38778801
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.04.012 -
BMC Infectious Diseases May 2024Lagenidium deciduum is an oomycete that can cause infections in mammals that present similarly to pythiosis and mucormycosis. Most of the existing case reports have...
BACKGROUND
Lagenidium deciduum is an oomycete that can cause infections in mammals that present similarly to pythiosis and mucormycosis. Most of the existing case reports have occurred in canines and have been fatal. In animals, medical therapy has not been successful, so surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment. Lagenidium sp. infections in humans are rare. There is only one case of a human Lagenidium sp. infection in the literature, and it presented as an ocular infection. The human ocular infection was resistant to medical therapy and required a penetrating keratoplasty for cure. Additional reports of effective therapy are needed to guide management of this emerging pathogen. We present the first case of a cutaneous Lagenidium deciduum infection in a human patient, which is also the first documented case of a Lagenidium deciduum infection in an immunocompromised host of any species.
CASE PRESENTATION
An 18-year-old female with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia, awaiting a haploidentical stem cell transplant, presented with erythematous cutaneous lesions on her left hip and bilateral buttocks that enlarged and blackened over several days. About 1 week later, boil-like lesions appeared on her bilateral buttocks. The skin lesions were initially presumed to be bacterial in origin, so the patient was treated with clindamycin and cefepime with little improvement. Upon further investigation, fungal cultures and skin biopsies revealed aseptate hyphae, so the patient was switched to isavuconazole and amphotericin B due to concern for mucormycosis. Phenotypic characterization and DNA sequencing were performed by the Fungus Testing Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, which identified the causal fungal organism as Lagenidium deciduum. All of her cutaneous lesions were surgically excised, and the patient was treated with micafungin, terbinafine, doxycycline, and azithromycin. Micafungin and terbinafine were continued until she achieved engraftment post-transplant.
CONCLUSIONS
We report the first successful treatment of a human Lagenidium infection in an immunocompromised host through a combination of aggressive surgical excision and prolonged antifungal therapy during the prolonged neutropenia associated with allogeneic stem cell transplant. Prompt diagnosis and management may prevent disseminated oomycosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Antifungal Agents; Adolescent; Lagenidium; Dermatomycoses; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 38778275
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09281-5 -
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology,... May 2024Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging etiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with increasing resistance to antimicrobials. Surveillance on the epidemiology of...
BACKGROUND
Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging etiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with increasing resistance to antimicrobials. Surveillance on the epidemiology of M. genitalium infection and antimicrobial resistance is warranted.
METHODS
Between September 2021 and August 2023, people with HIV (PWH) and people without HIV (PWoH) at risk of STIs were screened for M. genitalium infection using a multiplex polymerase-chain-reaction assay of specimens collected from the rectum, urethra, oral cavity, and vagina. The prevalences of resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) of M. genitalium to fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and tetracycline were investigated.
RESULTS
During the 2-year study period, 1021 participants were enrolled, including 531 PWH and 490 PWoH. Overall, 83 (8.1%) and 34 (7.6%) participants had M. genitalium infection at baseline and during follow-up, respectively, with the rectum being the most common site of detection (61.5%). With the first course of antimicrobial treatment, 27 of 63 (42.9%) participants with M. genitalium infection were cured during follow-up, including 24 of 58 (41.4%) who received doxycycline monotherapy. The prevalence of RAMs to macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines at baseline were 24.3%, 22.4%, and 7.9%, respectively. Though PWH had more M. genitalium infection (10.2% vs 5.9%, p = 0.01), a higher rate of RAMs to macrolides (41.0% vs 14.7%, p < 0.01) was found in PWoH.
CONCLUSIONS
Among high-risk populations, the prevalence of M. genitalium infection was 8.1%. The overall genotypic resistance of M. genitalium to macrolides and fluoroquinolones was moderately high in Taiwan. Detection of M. genitalium infection and antimicrobial resistance is warranted to ensure resistance-guided antimicrobial treatments to be administered.
PubMed: 38777653
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2024.05.004