Review

Authors: Joanna Jeżewska-Frąckowiak, Krystyna Seroczyńska, Justyna Banaszczyk...

Supplementing the human microbiome with probiotic microorganisms is a proposed solution for civilization syndromes such as dysbiosis and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders. Bimodal probiotic strains of the Bacillus genus constitute the microbiota of the human environment, and are typically found in soil, water, a number of non-dairy fermented foods, as well as in human and animal GIT. Probiotic Bacillus sp. are Gram positive rods, with the ability of sporulation to survive environmental stress and preparation conditions. In vitro models of the human stomach and human studies with probiotic Bacillus reveal the mechanisms of its life cycle and sporulation. The Bacillus sp. probiotic biofilm introduces biochemical effects such as antimicrobial and enzymatic activity, thus contributing to protection from GIT and other infections. Despite the beneficial activity of Bacillus strains belonging to the safety group 1, a number of strains can pose a substantial health risk, carrying genes for various toxins or antibiotic resistance. Commercially available Bacillus probiotic preparations include strains from the subtilis and other closely related phylogenetic clades. Those intended for oral administration in humans, often encapsulated with appropriate supporting materials, still tend to be mislabeled or poorly characterized. Bacillus sp. MALDI-TOF analysis, combined with sequencing of characteristic 16S rRNA or enzyme coding genes, may provide accurate identification. A promising future application of the probiotic Bacillus sp. might be the microflora biocontrol in the human body and the closest human environment. Environmental probiotic Bacillus species display the potential to support human microflora, however controversies regarding the safety of certain strains is a key factor in their still limited application.

Topics: Bacillus; Biofilms; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Probiotics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Risk

PubMed: 30521647
DOI: 10.18388/abp.2018_2652

Authors: Yehuda Eidensohn, Abraham Wei, Michael Sirkin...

Brevibacteria are Gram-positive rods found in human skin flora and dairy products. Although generally not considered human pathogens, case reports have implicated species as rare causes of bacteremia, endocarditis, peritonitis, and osteomyelitis. We report a case of tibial osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent individual with implanted hardware and highlight the challenge of identifying the organism and recognizing it as a potential pathogen.

PubMed: 33511032
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01046

Authors: Yigit Baykara, Carlotta Trapassi, Gina Miceli...

Two cases of Brucellosis were identified at a hospital in Rhode Island. In both cases, the organisms were isolated from the blood cultures. The bacteria did not appear as the classical textbook description of Brucella spp. as short, Gram-negative rods; instead, Gram-positive rods and Gram-positive cocci in chains were observed. Due to the atypical Gram stain morphology, Brucella spp. were not initially considered as a possible pathogen. Antimicrobial prophylaxes were offered to the technologists who were exposed to the organisms.

Topics: Humans; Gram-Positive Cocci; Brucella; Gram-Positive Rods; Bacteria; Staining and Labeling

PubMed: 36300962
DOI: No ID Found

Authors: Javzandulam Natsag, Zaw Min, Yasir Hamad...

We encountered a patient with a history of intravenous drug use presenting with fever, malaise and nausea who was found to have cavitary lung lesions. Unexpectedly, gram positive rods grew out on day five on multiple blood cultures, which were later identified as Mycobacterium fortuitum. The patient underwent transesophageal echocardiogram, which showed aortic and tricuspid valve vegetations. Liver biopsy demonstrated granulomatous hepatitis. Interestingly, serum alkaline phosphatase level fell with antibiotic treatment. Mycobacterium fortuitum is ubiquitous worldwide, being found in tap water, and soil. M. fortuitum is usually considered as a contaminant. Disseminated infection caused by this bacterium in an immunocompetent host is extremely rare. Most of the disseminated infections have been reported in immune-deficient patients. In immunocompetent people, M. fortuitum causes human infection primarily by direct inoculation, including localized post-traumatic and surgical wound infections, and catheter-related sepsis. Our patient, an HIV-negative intravenous drug user, had Mycobacterium fortuitum sepsis associated with infective endocarditis, septic pulmonary emboli, and granulomatous hepatitis. Interestingly, the patient admitted using tap water occasionally for mixing heroin when her sterile water ran out, which we thought was the likely source of M. fortuitum.

PubMed: 22957282
DOI: 10.1155/2012/841834

Review

Authors: Rachana Rao Battaje, Ravikant Piyush, Vidyadhar Pratap...

Combating anti-microbial resistance by developing alternative strategies is the need of the hour. Cell division, particularly FtsZ, is being extensively studied for its potential as an alternative target for anti-bacterial therapy. Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli are the two well-studied models for research on FtsZ, the leader protein of the cell division machinery. As representatives of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, respectively, these organisms have provided an extensive outlook into the process of cell division in rod-shaped bacteria. However, research on other shapes of bacteria, like cocci and ovococci, lags behind that of model rods. Even though most regions of FtsZ show sequence and structural conservation throughout bacteria, the differences in FtsZ functioning and interacting partners establish several different modes of division in different bacteria. In this review, we compare the features of FtsZ and cell division in the model rods B. subtilis and E. coli and the four pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Reviewing several recent articles on these pathogenic bacteria, we have highlighted the functioning of FtsZ, the unique roles of FtsZ-associated proteins, and the cell division processes in them. Further, we provide a detailed look at the anti-FtsZ compounds discovered and their target bacteria, emphasizing the need for elucidation of the anti-FtsZ mechanism of action in different bacteria. Current challenges and opportunities in the ongoing journey of identifying potent anti-FtsZ drugs have also been described.

Topics: Cytoskeletal Proteins; Escherichia coli; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Proteins; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Bacillus subtilis

PubMed: 36695643
DOI: 10.1042/BSR20221664

Authors: M Svendsen, R Amlie, S D Henriksen...

Topics: Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans

PubMed: 16561332
DOI: 10.1128/jb.53.6.755-758.1947

Authors: Ratika Lihala, Deepika Jayaprakash, Praveen Jayaram...

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to identify the anaerobic pigment-forming bacteria present in black stain and correlate its occurrence with dental caries incidence and periodontal destruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 50 healthy subjects with the chief complaint of recurrent black stains were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. decayed/missing/filled surfaces score, community periodontal index, Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF), black stain score, and microbial analysis were done.

RESULTS

The data presented indicate that black stain has a constant microflora, dominated by various gram-negative rods, gram-positive cocci and rods (P ≤ 0.1). However, the incidence of gram-positive rods decreased with the increase in plaque score and probing depths and decrease in black stain score.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence of black stains is predominated by various gram-positive and negative rods, and gram-positive cocci. Increase in the plaque score decreases the severity of black stains, thereby increasing the probability of periodontal destruction and dental caries incidence in adult subjects. Further studies are required to corroborate the results.

Topics: Adult; Coloring Agents; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque Index; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Humans; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontal Index

PubMed: 31854370
DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_260_17

Authors: B Sanyal, C Russell

Quantitative and qualitative examination of anaerobically isolated flora of the gingival crevice and saliva was carried out. It was found that half the organisms were anaerobes and that there were twice as many gram-positive organisms as there were gram-negative ones. Rods were predominant in the gingival crevice (60.5%) and cocci in saliva (69.1%). Of the total organisms, nonsporing, gram-positive anaerobic rods accounted for 24% in the gingival crevice and 9.7% in saliva. These organisms were characterized on the basis of the type of fatty acids produced from glucose and various biochemical reactions. They belonged to the following genera: Actinomyces, Propionibacterium, Arachnia, Lactobacillus, Eubacterium, and Bifidobacterium. Bifidobacteria were present only in saliva. Although members of the other genera were present both in the gingival crevice and saliva, there were considerable differences in the proportion of any particular organism (in relation to the total anaerobic viable count) between the two sites. The result of this study also indicates a greater than previously appreciated level of Propionibacterium and Arachnia in the human mouth.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anaerobiosis; Bacteria; Gingiva; Humans; Middle Aged; Saliva; Species Specificity

PubMed: 646354
DOI: 10.1128/aem.35.4.670-678.1978