Roumanian Archives Of Microbiology And Immunology[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Abstracts of a conference: Diaspora in Romanian Scientific Research and Education, September 25-28, 2012, Bucharest, Romania.
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 23236654
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Impact of the molecular diagnosis on the management of patients with aseptic meningitis.
Băicuş A, Cardaş R
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 23210324
Between 2007-2008, epidemic episodes of aseptic meningitis occurred in Romania. Most important strains isolated were Echoviruses. A commercial kit for rapid molecular detection of aetiological agents of aseptic meningiti...
Between 2007-2008, epidemic episodes of aseptic meningitis occurred in Romania. Most important strains isolated were Echoviruses. A commercial kit for rapid molecular detection of aetiological agents of aseptic meningitis was tested. The introduction of the molecular tests in clinical use is important by the efficient decision-making concerning the treatment.
Immunological manifestations in type I diabetic children.
Răchişan AL, David BA, Căinap S … +3 more , Miu N, Andreica M, Samaşca G
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 23210323
In the past decade a number of studies suggested that type 1 diabetes mellitus is an oxidative stress influenced disease. Paraoxonase 1 enzyme plays a crucial role in antiatherogenic-antioxidant circle. The aim of our st...
In the past decade a number of studies suggested that type 1 diabetes mellitus is an oxidative stress influenced disease. Paraoxonase 1 enzyme plays a crucial role in antiatherogenic-antioxidant circle. The aim of our study was to examine the possible differences in paraoxonase 1 enzymatic activities in diabetic children associated other autoimmune diseases versus a control group. Another objective of the study was to determine if there is any difference according to the gender in paraoxonase 1 activities (arylesterase and paraoxonase activities). Paraoxonase 1 activities were determined in 51 diabetic children and 36 healthy controls. In diabetic children we determined also the C-peptide level. The paraoxonase 1 arylesterase activity was lower in diabetic females compared with diabetic males. The level of C-peptide is in an inverse correlation with the years of the disease. The paraoxonase activities have a correlation with the level of insulin antibodies in type I diabetic children. Our data suggest that paraoxonase enzymatic pattern may be different in these two activities. PON1 arylesterase activity may exhibit a tendency to low levels in women in comparison to men. The C-peptide level is a valuable tool in assessing the restant beta cell function.
Bloodstream infections in immunocompromised hosts.
Papagheorghe R
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 23210322
Immunocompromised hosts are at high risk for bloodstream infections (BSIs); the outcome is unpredictable (even with adequate therapy), frequently severe (mortality 27%). A 26 months survey in a haematology/oncology hospi...
Immunocompromised hosts are at high risk for bloodstream infections (BSIs); the outcome is unpredictable (even with adequate therapy), frequently severe (mortality 27%). A 26 months survey in a haematology/oncology hospital was set-up; it comprised 158 patients and detected 171 positive blood cultures. The origin of the infections was primitive in 27.22% and secondary in 72.78% of the cases; the most frequent cause was the presence of a vascular catheter (23.41%). The second most important cause were the respiratory infections (19.62%), followed by the urinary tract infections (UTIs) (11.39%). Gram negative bacilli represented 59.4%, the enterobacteriaceae were predominant (35.59%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.73%) and species like Serratia marcescens and Acinetobacter baumannii. Although isolated at low level, they worry by an increasing frequency. Among Gram positive cocci (43.51%) coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) were the most frequent (25.42%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18.08%); Enterococcus faecalis (5.65%) was isolated from polymicrobial (associated) infections. The strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa were constantly susceptible to carbapenems, demonstrating otherwise various susceptibility patterns, generally elevated to the antibiotics we tested. The production of extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) was 22.58%. The methicillin resistance was 54.4% in S. aureus strains; the susceptibility was variable among 7 other antibiotics tested. One Staphylococcus strain had reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. A multidisciplinary survey is necessary for the control of the multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO).
Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases and AMPC type beta-lactamases isolated from hospitalized patients in Kerman, Iran.
Mansouri S, Kalantar D, Asadollahi P … +2 more , Taherikalani M, Emaneini M
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 23210321
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of nosocomial infections. Emergence of antibacterial resistance and production of beta-lactamases are responsible for the frequently observed empirical therapy failures. The aim of...
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of nosocomial infections. Emergence of antibacterial resistance and production of beta-lactamases are responsible for the frequently observed empirical therapy failures. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC beta-lactamases in clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae in Kerman, Iran. Resistance to different antibiotics was determined using standard disk diffusion method. The beta-lactamases phenotypes were determined by combined disk method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine blaCTX-M and blaCMY genes in the ESBLs and AmpC positive isolates. Out of the 75 K. pneumoniae isolates, 31 (41.3%) produced ESBLs, 11 (14.6%) produced AmpC beta-lactamases and 1 (1.3%) was resistant to imipenem, probably by the production of a metallo beta lactamase in the phenotypic assay. Simultaneous production of ESBLs and AmpC beta-lactamases as well as the concomitant presence of blaCTX-M and blacMY genes was detected in one isolate. Prevalence of blaCTX-M and blaCMY among isolates were 20% and 2.6%, respectively. Beta-lactam therapy can fail when beta-lactamase-hyper-producing organisms appear in an infection. The occurrence of isolates co-expressing many types of beta-lactamases can cause serious problems, regarding the treatment of infections caused by these pathogens.
Antibiotic resistance profiles of Acinetobacter sp. strains isolated from intensive-care unit patients.
Borcan E, Ghiţă C, Chifiriuc MC … +1 more , Lazăr V
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 23210320
UNLABELLED: Multidrug resistance and the increasing number of severe infections caused by Acinetobacter sp. strains are a major issue for intensive care units (ICUs), where patients with severe diseases and often destabi...
UNLABELLED: Multidrug resistance and the increasing number of severe infections caused by Acinetobacter sp. strains are a major issue for intensive care units (ICUs), where patients with severe diseases and often destabilized physiological condition are admitted. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles of 200 Acinetobacter spp. isolated from tracheal aspirates in patients admitted to ICU, Fundeni Clinical Institute (FCI). METHODS: the samples were collected from intubated patients between January 2006-December 2007. The microbial strains were identified with the help of the BD Phoenix system. The investigation of the antibiotic resistance patterns was performed by agar disk diffusion method according to CLSI recommendations, and the production of metallo-betalactamases (MBL) was confirmed by MBL E-test. RESULTS: the majority of the studied strains (80%) were multidrug resistant with a high percentage of panresistance (32%). Metallo-beta-lactamases production among the strains with resistance to imipenem was high (over 83%), these strains being also resistant to the majority of the other tested antibiotics with the exception of colistin. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that the multidrug resistance is the major threat of Acinetobacter sp. infections, especially when they occur in high risk patients.
In vitro antimicrobial activity of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium).
Soroush S, Taherikalani M, Asadollahi P … +4 more , Asadollahi K, Taran M, Emaneini M, Alizadeh S
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 23210319
Allium hirtifolium is a Persian native plant grown in cool mountain slopes of Iran. It has been used as a spice in Iran for many years. According to the literature review, there are no considerable reports on the antimic...
Allium hirtifolium is a Persian native plant grown in cool mountain slopes of Iran. It has been used as a spice in Iran for many years. According to the literature review, there are no considerable reports on the antimicrobial properties of this plant. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of Persian shallot hydroalcoholic extract and F1 fraction of the plant (containing amino acid derivatives and/or other cationic compounds) was investigated on some Gram positive cocci and bacilli, Gram negative bacilli, two protozoa, a yeast and a fungus. Excellent activity against Candida albicans (MIC = 64 microg/ml, MBC = 128 microg/ml), Leishmania infantum (MIC = 0.2 mg/ml on the first day of study) and Trichomonas vaginalis (MIC = 5 microg/ml in PSDE form) and a moderate activity against Bacillus spp and Pseudomonas aeroginosa (MIC = 128 microg/ml) was observed. The results showed that this plant contains some anti-trichomonas and anti-leishmania components.
In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of black thyme (Thymbra spicata L.) essential oils.
Saidi M, Ghafourian S, Zarin-Abaadi M … +2 more , Movahedi K, Sadeghifard N
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 23210318
In order to study antimicrobial effects of essential oils of Wild Thyme (Thymbra spicata L.) on two Gram positive bacteria (Streptococcus agalactiae RJTTC1978 and Staphylococcus aureus RJTTC1885) and two Gram negative ba...
In order to study antimicrobial effects of essential oils of Wild Thyme (Thymbra spicata L.) on two Gram positive bacteria (Streptococcus agalactiae RJTTC1978 and Staphylococcus aureus RJTTC1885) and two Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli RJTTC2409 and Klebsiella pneumoniae RJTTC1097), the research carried out with five concentrations (0.2, 2, 4, 10 and 20 microl) using disk diffusion and microbroth dilution (to determine MIC and MBC) methods at Ilam University during 2010. Tetracycline and Gentamicin discs were used as control. Chemical composition of the EOs was analyzed by GC-MS. Antioxidant activity of the essential oils (EOs) was measured following DPPH assay. Results showed that Carvacrol (60.36%), gamma-Terpinene (15.09%), beta-Myrcene (2.15%), trans-Caryophyllene (1.78%) and alpha-Thujene (1.54%) were the main components of the oils. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity revealed that the oils were active against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. However, the biggest growth inhibitory zone (33.34 +/- 0.5 mm) was recorded on Streptococcus agalactiae at 20 microl/ml concentration. The lowest MIC (3.12 microl/ml) observed for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus agalactiae, while minimum MBC (6.25 microl/ml) recorded on Klebsiella pneumoniae. Radical-scavenging ability of the EOs and BHT ranged from 9.93 +/- 2.57 to 77.81 +/- 1.3% and 80.48 +/- 0.56 to 10.66 +/- 1.11%, respectively. The inhibiting effect of Thymbra oils was stronger than the synthetic BHT, particularly at lower concentrations, as IC50 concentration of EOs for the reduction of DPPH radicals was 1.28 microl/ml which was lower than IC50 calculated for BHT (1.31 microl/ml). The total phenolic content, determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method, was 1.52 +/- 0.15 mg PyE/ml EOs.
Prevalence of hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis B patients.
Sadeghifard N, Mohebi R, Sekawi Z … +3 more , Ghafourian S, Kazemian H, Rezaee M
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838221
The aim of the current study was to detect HBV by Real time - PCR in chronic hepatitis B patients. Fifty-eight sera of chronic hepatitis B patients were subjected during the period March 2009 to April 2010 in Ilam cities...
The aim of the current study was to detect HBV by Real time - PCR in chronic hepatitis B patients. Fifty-eight sera of chronic hepatitis B patients were subjected during the period March 2009 to April 2010 in Ilam cities in West of Iran. Sera assayed by real-time PCR and ELISA methods. Twenty serum samples from healthy volunteers and non-hepatitis B patients and negative for hepatitis B seromarkers served as negative controls for the study. Among fifty-eight sera, ELISA showed fifty-five (94.8%) of the samples were positive for HBsAg and three (5.2%) negative results obtained while real-time PCR specified fifty-eight (100%) positive results in chronic hepatitis B patients. HBsAg status did not necessarily reflect HBV DNA level in the serum, as 5.2% of chronic Hepatitis B patients were positive for HBV DNA but negative for HBsAg. HBV DNA was not found to be positive amongst any of the negative controls. Real time - PCR is a sensitive and reproducible assay for HBV DNA quantization.
Etiology of pneumonia in children in the absence of pneumococcal and antihaemophilus vaccines.
Sur G, Kudor-Szabadi L, Vidrean V … +1 more , Samaşca G
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838220
Childhood pneumonia represents an important pathology, a cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our study aims to determine etiology of pneumonia in hospitalized children using several laboratory methods. We perform...
Childhood pneumonia represents an important pathology, a cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our study aims to determine etiology of pneumonia in hospitalized children using several laboratory methods. We performed a prospective study that enrolled 560 children age 1 up to 18 years old all diagnosed with pneumonia by clinical and radiological features. We applied various laboratory methods (serologic, bacteriologic: bronchial aspirate, sputum, pleural effusion and blood culture) in order to identify a pathogen agent that caused pneumonia. Statistics used Statistical Package for Social Science. An etiology was established in 68.92% of all cases included in the study, as follows: in 33.93% viral etiology, in 25.13% we identified Streptococcus pneumoniae, in 20.2% Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae in 8.29%, Staphylococcus aureus in 7.51%, Haemophilus influenzae in 4.92%. Mixed bacterial and viral infection was identified in 4.40% of all cases. A potential causative agent of childhood pneumonia was determined in most cases, S. pneumoniae being the main agent involved in community acquired childhood pneumonia in our country.
Identification of four Treponema species in subgingival samples by nested-PCR and their correlation with clinical diagnosis.
Dabu B, Mironiuc-Cureu M, Jardan D … +2 more , Szmal C, Dumitriu S
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838219
The relationship between different species of oral Treponemas and inflammation in periodontal disease progression is complex. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the subgingival plaque samples collected...
The relationship between different species of oral Treponemas and inflammation in periodontal disease progression is complex. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the subgingival plaque samples collected from periodontally healthy subjects and from chronic gingivitis and periodontitis patients in order to detect the presence of T. denticola, T. pectinovorum, T. socranskii and T. vincentii using nested-PCR technology. After DNA extraction from the samples using QIAmp DNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN, the four Treponema species were determined with nested-polymerase chain reaction which requires two sets of primers to amplify a specific DNA fragment in two separate runs of PCR. Pearson chi-square was implemented to compare the three groups as to the presence of four Treponema species. Results of this investigation showed significant differences between groups regarding subject proportion of T. denticola, T. socranskii, T. pectinovorum, T. vincentii, with a higher percentage of patients from associated-disease groups of patients harboring these four species than healthy subjects. These differences were more pronounced in presence of Treponema denticola and Treponema socranskii. Our findings suggest that Treponema denticola and Treponema socranskii concurrent presence indicate more accurately the association with chronic gingivitis and periodontitis.
Evaluation of UVB light efficacy for inducing apoptosis in Candida albicans cultures.
Behzadi P, Behzadi E
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838218
BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is known as part of human's skin normal flora; but simultaneously, is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen of human which can cause a variety of infections including cutaneous candid...
BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is known as part of human's skin normal flora; but simultaneously, is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen of human which can cause a variety of infections including cutaneous candidiasis. Because of the importance of superficial infections like cutaneous candidiasis, we tried to use Ultraviolet B light as a method of phototherapy for inducing apoptosis in irradiated colonies of Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Ultraviolet B with the wavelength of 302 nanometer was used for irradiating the colonies of Candida albicans. For detecting the eventual apoptotic reactions, the DNA of irradiated colonies as well as control colonies were extracted and then were run in 1% agarose gel electrophoresis containing ethidium bromide to observe luminescent DNA bands. RESULTS: Despite irradiating of Ultraviolet B to yeast cells, no abnormalities including DNA laddering bands or smears were detected in bands formed by total genomic DNA. DISCUSSION: The applied irradiation protocol in this investigation was not successful to induce apoptotic reactions in Ultraviolet-exposed colonies. Maybe, Heat shock proteins as the important part of fungal protein pool, inhibit the inducing pathway of apoptosis in irradiated colonies of Candida albicans.
Human MECP2 gene at Q28 arm of X chromosome as a suitable target for monitoring PCR inhibition in a nested, multiplexed HIV-1 DNA detection protocol.
Acharya A, Chavan YG, Mukhopadhyaya PN … +3 more , Nagee A, Kunjadia P, Misra RN
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838217
Human MECP2 gene located at q28 arm of X chromosome was identified as target for thermal co-amplification with HIV-1 proviral DNA of infected individuals. The selected MECP2 gene-specific primers functioned at a wide ran...
Human MECP2 gene located at q28 arm of X chromosome was identified as target for thermal co-amplification with HIV-1 proviral DNA of infected individuals. The selected MECP2 gene-specific primers functioned at a wide range of annealing temperature, extension time and exhibited no significant interaction with pathogen specific primers. A 466 bp PCR amplicon originating from human MECP2 gene was found to be diagnostic for inhibition-free PCR reaction when co-amplified with the HIV-1 target gene in a multiplexed, nested PCR reaction. The 5' end of the MECP2 primers were engineered to position an EcoRI restriction endonuclease site to facilitate rapid cloning in various DNA vector molecules at the corresponding EcoRI sites. Cell mass of Escherichia coli (XL1Blue) harboring the recombinant plasmid when added to pleural fluid of HIV-1 infected individuals co-infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, generated the diagnostic 466 bp MECP2 PCR amplicon as well as the 194 bp PCR amplicon of target gene from M. tuberculosis. The experiment underlined potential of the region spanning nucleotide position 4118099 to 4118552 of human MECP2 gene (NCBI accession number NT_011726.13) as a reliable target for multiplex PCR to accommodate a wide range of thermal cycling and multiplex reaction conditions. In both cases of this study, electrophoresis-based separation of the 466 bp MECP2 fragment and the 232 bp and 194 bp HIV-1 and M. tuberculosis fragments respectively was distinct and unambiguous. The potential of this human MECP2 gene available from human genome or recombinant plasmid as a potent target to monitor PCR inhibition for a range of different PCR reactions is discussed.
The adenoviral infections in children admitted to hospital with pneumonia, acute bronchiolitis or respiratory viral infections.
Tecu C, Mihai ME, Alexandrescu VI … +5 more , Orăşanu D, Zapucioiu C, Matei D, Craiu M, Cochino A
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838216
UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to investigate the percent of infections with adenovirus (ADV) in children who had pneumonia, acute bronchiolitis or viral respiratory infections and were admitted to two pedia...
UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to investigate the percent of infections with adenovirus (ADV) in children who had pneumonia, acute bronchiolitis or viral respiratory infections and were admitted to two pediatrics hospitals in Bucharest (Grigore Alexandrescu Hospital and Alfred Rusescu Hospital). SUBJECTS: 70 children aged one month - five years, admitted to the above mentioned pediatrics hospitals in Bucharest, who were negative for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) by Reverse Transcription -Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). 48 of them presented pneumonia upon admission to hospital, 6--acute bronchiolitis and 16 respiratory viral infections. Samples (nasal swabs) were taken from patients and introduced in viral transport medium. DIAGNOSTIC METHODS: RT-PCR for RSV and hMPV, Multiplex PCR by seeplex multi-detection system with Seeplex RV/PB 18 ASE Detection for detection of 5 pneumonial bacteria and Real-Time PCR, Duplica Real Time Adenovirus Detection for ADV. RESULTS: Of the total 70 patients negative for RSV, hMPV and 5 pneumonial bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila), 10 were ADV positive; none of the children < 6 months (N = 16) presented ADV infection. In the 6 months - 2 years group (N = 35), 6 were ADV positive. In the 2 - 5 years group (N = 19), 4 were ADV positive. CONCLUSIONS: The percent of ADV infections in children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections (ARI) caused by neither RSV or hMPV is 14.2%. ADV is most frequently encountered in the 6 months - 2 years and then 2 - 5 years groups, but the most severe pneumonia forms can be seen in the 6 months - 2 years group. In children < 6 months with acute bronchiolitis ADV was not found to be an etiologic agent.
The tip of the iceberg: quinolone-resistance conferred by mutations in gyrA gene in non-typhoidal Salmonella strains.
Năşcuţiu AM
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838215
Food-borne infections due to Salmonella spp. seldom require antimicrobial therapy, but this is compulsory in systemic salmonellosis. Salmonella resistance to a large panel of antibiotics has been described worldwide. Sin...
Food-borne infections due to Salmonella spp. seldom require antimicrobial therapy, but this is compulsory in systemic salmonellosis. Salmonella resistance to a large panel of antibiotics has been described worldwide. Since the introduction of nalidixic acid in therapy, Salmonella spp. have steadily developed resistance, especially over the last three decades. The source of quinolone resistance is thought to be the selective pressure determined by the use of quinolones in both human and veterinary practices. Resistance acquisition of Salmonella strains is a stepwise process. Several mechanisms are described, which can lead to the development of quinolone resistance. The main mechanism is considered to be linked with mutations in the quinolone-resistance determining region (QRDR) of the target genes (gyrA and gyrB encoding DNA gyrase, and parC and parE encoding topoisomerase IV). This first step in mutational resistance usually determines a rise in the nalidixic acid minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The most common amino acid substitutions in the GyrA subunit, resulting in varied degrees of quinolone resistance, occur at codons Ser83 and Asp87. Higher levels of resistance may occur by further mutational steps, with amino acid changes in the same or a different target enzyme. Other mechanisms are as well involved, like increased efflux or plasmid-mediated resistance. Acknowledgement of the epidemiology and the onset mechanisms of quinolone resistance in Salmonella spp. is compulsory, and surveillance for resistant bacteria among human, animal and food sources remains critical.
Generation of some new mutant xylitol producing yeast strains.
Ghindea R, Paic A, Vassu T
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838214
Xylitol, a sugar alcohol with various utilisations in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry can be produced by yeasts via biotechnologies far more economically efficient and environmentally friendly than chemical s...
Xylitol, a sugar alcohol with various utilisations in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry can be produced by yeasts via biotechnologies far more economically efficient and environmentally friendly than chemical separation from natural sources. The present paper reports on a successful attempt to identify high performance xylitol producers among the representatives of the Candida and Rhodotorula genera, followed by the enhancement of their capacities by mutagenesis. The strain designated as C. boidinii ICCF-UV10 was finally selected as the best xylitol producer from the parental and mutant strains.
Influence of salinity upon the phenotypic expression of antibiotic resistance in nonhalophilic and halophilic vibrios.
Israil AM, Balotescu-Chifiriuc MC, Delcaru C … +1 more , Aramă M
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2012 · PMID 22838213
The purpose of the present work is to demonstrate the influence of different NaCI concentrations included in the Mueller Hinton medium, upon the antibiotic susceptibility of 10 non-halophilic and 28 halophilic Vibrio str...
The purpose of the present work is to demonstrate the influence of different NaCI concentrations included in the Mueller Hinton medium, upon the antibiotic susceptibility of 10 non-halophilic and 28 halophilic Vibrio strains. The highest number of resistance aspects were recorded at 1% NaCl concentration for V. cholerae O1/non O1 strains and at 3% for V. parahaemolyticus, V. algynolyticus, V. vulnificus, V. fisheri, V. anguillarum and V. metschnikovii.
The gut microbiota in the metagenomics era: sometimes a friend, sometimes a foe.
Serban DE
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2011 · PMID 22570928
The normal intestinal microflora (microbiota) represents a complex, dynamic, and diverse collection of microorganisms, which usually inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. Normally, between this flora and the human host a m...
The normal intestinal microflora (microbiota) represents a complex, dynamic, and diverse collection of microorganisms, which usually inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. Normally, between this flora and the human host a mutually beneficial long-term symbiotic relationship is established, where the host contributes essential nutrients necessary for the survival of the microbiota and the latter fulfils multiple roles in host nutrition and development. Several achievements have recently converged to renew interest in studying the normal gut microbiota: the development of molecular methods of studying the microbial communities, the improved understanding of host-microbe interactions in health and disease, and the potential for therapeutic manipulation of the microbiota. We present recent data concerning the molecular technologies of studying the microbiota and new findings regarding the composition of the normal flora. We underline the beneficial activities of the gut flora on the human host. We emphasize the recent findings in the alterations of the microbiota in various medical conditions (celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, colorectal cancer, allergic disorders, and especially inflammatory bowel diseases). The results of these new studies suggest that changes of the microbiota could be linked to the etiopathogenesis of these diseases. These outstanding findings could be used for further diagnostic tools and/or therapy.
Hepatitis B, C and D coinfection in HIV-infected patients: prevalence and progress.
Ionescu B, Mihăescu G
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2011 · PMID 22570927
The HAART therapy has improved life expectancy enabling long latency conditions caused by the hepatitis viruses that became the leading cause of death in HIV infected patients. In this study a group of 300 patients aged...
The HAART therapy has improved life expectancy enabling long latency conditions caused by the hepatitis viruses that became the leading cause of death in HIV infected patients. In this study a group of 300 patients aged from 18 to 63 years were selected in order to assess the prevalence and consequences of HIV and the hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and D (HDV) viruses coinfections. Study groups were designed for each coinfection. These groups were in turn divided in case groups formed of coinfected participants and control groups consisting of mono-infected participants. This classification was obtained by testing the participants for the presence of specific infection markers using the ELISA technique. As a result, in regard to the HIV/HBV coinfection the study group consisted of 16 coinfected participants and 114 HBV-infected participants resulting in a prevalence of the coinfection of 14%. In the case of the HIV/HDV coinfection the study group consisted of 5 coinfected participants and 45 HDV-infected participants. The prevalence of the HIV/HCV coinfection was 25% out of the 170 HCV-infected participants. The effect of the coinfections on the expression and levels of the infection markers was analyzed in constrast to those encountered in the case of the mono-infection. The observed changes in the expression of the specific hepatitis markers indicate the impact of the coinfection with HIV on the progression of the hepatitis infections. In addition, the inadequate immune response towards the hepatitis viruses in the case of the coinfected participants leads to the development of cirrhosis and end stage liver disease.
Is interleukin-17 a proatherogenic biomarker?
Cătană CS, Cristea V, Miron N … +1 more , Neagoe IB
Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol · 2011 · PMID 22570926
The importance of chronic inflammation in atherogenesis and cytokine involvement in all stages of atherosclerotic plaque development is now obvious. Our approach of the significant cytokines involved in atherogenesis or...
The importance of chronic inflammation in atherogenesis and cytokine involvement in all stages of atherosclerotic plaque development is now obvious. Our approach of the significant cytokines involved in atherogenesis or cardiovascular diseases is based on a correlation between clinical research and experiments on animal models. The contribution of IL-17 in atherogenesis remains controversial. In this study we investigated the role of IL-17 in cardiovascular diseases and in atherosclerosis associated with pathological aging. We performed a case-control study, enrolling subjects aged over 65 years in both groups. We included 40 patients with cardiovascular disorders and 10 healthy volunteers. IL-17 levels were measured in the serum of patients and healthy controls, along with serum total cholesterol and triglycerides. Significantly higher levels of IL-17 were obtained in patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.001). The level of this biomarker correlated significantly with two biochemical parameters - serum total cholesterol and triglycerides (the Pearson coefficient showed statistical significance, p=0.033, respectively p=0.043). We did not find any correlation between IL-17 and these two parameters in the control group. Our study is useful in understanding the physiopathological implications of IL-17 in the atherogenesis process. This could represent a starting point for future studies, including research regarding the therapeutic potential of IL-17 in pathological aging.
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