Mucus Samples Research Articles

Allergen immunotherapy for house dust mite-induced rhinitis: prescriptive criteria.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a very common disease. In most cases, therapy is based on symptomatic drugs, while allergen immunotherapy (AIT), which is the only one to act on the cause of the disease, is reserved for patients with a greater burden of disease. In particular, the possible evolution towards asthma substantiates the use of AIT, but requires the availability of diagnostic indices related to the risk of developing asthma. We analyzed the available literature on risk factors for onset of asthma in patients with AR, including bronchial hyperresponsiveness, uncovering by respiratory function tests of airway impairment, measurement of fractioned exhaled nitric oxide, given IgE sensitization pattern, and respiratory infections detected by nasal mucus samples or by particular microbiomes. Most of these risk predictors have been investigated too little or do not have consistent results, while various studies have confirmed that early bronchial impairment in AR patients, particularly concerning small airways, should be considered as prescriptive criteria for AIT. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Immunity and inflammatory responses in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) exposed to sub-lethal mixture of carbamazepine, cadmium chloride and polybrominated diphenyl ether

Chemical contaminants such as industrial and urban by-products, pharmaceuticals, drugs metabolites and, plastics, are continuously found in the oceans, affecting its quality and organism's welfare. Although these compounds are found at concentrations ranged ng L−1, there is an increasing concern about the potential adverse effects of the interactions among those substances present, simultaneously, in a mixture. In the present study, specimens of sea bream (Sparus aurata) were exposed, by food, to rising concentrations of a mixture of carbamazepine, polybrominated diphenyl ether-47 and cadmium chloride, for 15 days and then, maintained, with the same control diet, without contaminants, for other 15 days. Samples of skin mucus, serum, head-kidney, liver and intestine were sampled at 0, 15 and 30 days. Cellular immune parameters were evaluated on head-kidney, as well as humoral parameters were determined on skin mucus and serum. In addition, the expression of some genes, related to immunity, was analysed on liver and intestine. Both cellular and humoral response were affected at 15 days, showing slightly signs of recovery at 30 days. Besides, the expression of immune-related genes was highly affected, suggesting the development of inflammatory processes, as well as a reduction of immune parameters. Overall, the mixture of compounds severally affected the immune system of sea bream, suggesting a lower degree of recovery. The prolonged exposure to a mixture of these compounds could entail serious change on population immunity and, eventually, promote changes on marine biota.

Description of the microbiota in epidermal mucus and skin of sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum and Negaprion brevirostris) and one stingray (Hypanus americanus).

Skin mucus in fish is the first barrier between the organism and the environment but the role of skin mucus in protecting fish against pathogens is not well understood. During copulation in sharks, the male bites the female generating wounds, which are then highly likely to become infected by opportunistic bacteria from the water or from the male shark’s mouth. Describing the microbial component of epithelial mucus may allow future understanding of this first line of defense in sharks. In this study, we analyzed mucus and skin samples obtained from 19 individuals of two shark species and a stingray: the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) and the southern stingray (Hypanus americanus). Total DNA was extracted from all samples, and the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (region V3-V4) was amplified and sequenced on the Ion Torrent Platform. Bacterial diversity (order) was higher in skin and mucus than in water. Order composition was more similar between the two shark species. Alpha-diversities (Shannon and Simpson) for OTUs (clusters of sequences defined by a 97% identity threshold for the16S rRNA gene) were high and there were non-significant differences between elasmobranch species or types of samples. We found orders of potentially pathogenic bacteria in water samples collected from the area where the animals were found, such as Pasteurellales (i.e., genus Pasteurella spp. and Haemophilus spp.) and Oceanospirillales (i.e., genus Halomonas spp.) but these were not found in the skin or mucus samples from any species. Some bacterial orders, such as Flavobacteriales, Vibrionales (i.e., genus Pseudoalteromonas), Lactobacillales and Bacillales were found only in mucus and skin samples. However, in a co-occurrence analyses, no significant relationship was found among these orders (strength less than 0.6, p-value > 0.01) but significant relationships were found among the order Trembayales, Fusobacteriales, and some previously described marine environmental Bacteria and Archaea, including Elusimicrobiales, Thermoproteales, Deinococcales and Desulfarculales. This is the first study focusing on elasmobranch microbial communities. The functional role and the benefits of these bacteria still needs understanding as well as the potential changes to microbial communities as a result of changing environmental conditions.

Isolation, identification and biological characteristics of Mycoplasma bovis in yaks

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is one of the important pathogens which may cause bovine respiratory disease syndrome (BRDS), and results in huge economic losses for yaks (Bos gaurus) breeding industry. However, there is limited information about M. bovis in yaks. In our study, 145 nasal mucus samples from yaks with pneumonia were collected to clarify. Bacteriological determination was carried out through biochemical identification and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection. And ten strains of Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) were found from collected samples. Then, the growth curve of isolated strains was determined by the change of optical density (OD630), pH value and Color Change Cnit (CCU). K–B disk method was also used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results of colony morphology and biochemical testing were consistent with the biological characters of M. bovis. The nucleotide sequences of uvrC specific gene and 16S rRNA gene among the 10 strains were highly homologous. The growth curve assay showed that the isolates cultured in PPLO medium were in lag phase for 24 h, entered stable period in 42 h, and entered decline phase after 78 h. The isolates were found resistant to macrolides, aminoglycosides and lincomycin at various degrees, but they were sensitive or moderately sensitive to doxycycline and kanamycin under antimicrobial susceptibility analysis. In conclusion, the results provided certain reference for the follow-up research and guiding for the treatment of M. bovis in yaks.

PSVIII-12 Estimations of treatment schemes efficiency of bacterial mastitis in dairy cow and antibiotic resistance of identified pathogens

Abstract The research was done on the herd (n = 3000) of cows of black-motley breed with an admixture of Holstein. At the first stage, the diagnosis was carried out by using the Keno test. There were selected 148 (4.9%) cow, which had of subclinical mastitis. For treatment, there were used the schemes tried and tested in the farm: (1) nisin, polymexin B, ketoprofen, methyl salicylate; (2) nisin, polymexin B, ketoprofen, ceftiofur; (3) amoxicillin, ketoprofen, methyl salicylate, prednisone. Before it, the allocation of pathogens was not carried out. After treatment the number of repeated cases of the disease reached 44.6%, which indicated the ineffectiveness of the treatment regimens used. At the second stage, samples of milk, nasal and vaginal mucus were taken from animals with a relapse of mastitis. Different pathogens were used to isolate pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Enterococcus spp., Ps. aeruginosa). The extracted isolates were identified based on the cultural and biochemical properties. The results were interpreted on the recommendation of EUCAST. Of all the animals examined, they simultaneously detected in milk 3 pathogens in 37.8%, 2 pathogens in 40.9%, and only one pathogen was isolated in 21.3%. Moreover, S. aureus (84.8%), Ps. aeruginosa (62.1%), Enterococcus spp. (34.8%) was found in smears from the vagina. The sensitivity of the selected pathogens to antimicrobials showed that 73% of S. aureus strains were resistant to ≥6 antibiotics, 47% E. coli to ≥7, 34% Shigella spp. to ≥4 and 21% Ps. aeruginosa to ≥4. The use of antibiotics of different groups without isolating the pathogen and determining its sensitivity leads to the appearance of multiresistant strains of bacteria and culling animals from the herd. This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia (AAAA-A18-118021590136-7) and the Russian Science Foundation (project 20-16-00106).

HE4 in Various Body Fluids: A Prospective Pilot Study

Introduction: Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a glycoprotein that is a sensitive and specific serum biomarker for patients with suspected ovarian cancer. HE4 is also secreted in different body fluids such as cervical mucus or urine, which could provide an easy alternative for screening purposes. HE4 protein secretion in different body fluids was analysed in 11 healthy controls and in 10 patients with a benign, 10 with a borderline and 22 with a malignant ovarian tumor. Materials and Methods: Preoperative samples of serum, urine, cervical mucus, saliva, and ascites were collected to measure HE4 with an ELISA assay. Urinary creatinine concentration and cervical total protein concentrations were used as reference analytes, and ratios with HE4 were calculated. Results: Median HE4 concentration in urine was higher in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) compared to healthy controls and patients with a benign or borderline mass (p=0.02). HE4/creatinine ratio could differentiate healthy controls from EOC and benign ovarian disease from EOC (AUC 0.76, 95% CI 0.58-0.94 and AUC 0.71, 95% 0.52-0.89, respectively). HE4 in ascites was significantly higher in patients with EOC or borderline ovarian mass compared to patients with a benign ovarian mass (p=0.04). HE4 concentrations in cervical mucus and saliva were not significantly higher in patients with EOC. Conclusion: This study shows that HE4 is abundant in body fluids other than blood and suggests that urinary HE4 levels can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic alternative to detect EOC.

Rifampicin resistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected individuals using GeneXpert MTB/RIF ultra: a hospital-based study.

To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with rifampicin (RIF)-resistant tuberculosis using GeneXpert technology. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2018 to November 2019 among tuberculosis (TB)-infected Cameroonian patients in the Littoral Region using records from patients presenting with clinically suspected or documented TB. The patients were screened for TB using GeneXpert MDR/RIF ultra. Data were documented with an ad hoc survey form and analysed with SPSS version 22. 153 patients were included in the study. 64.1% were males; mean age was 37.9±14.7years and median age 37years (range: 2-82). Most patients were new cases (76.4%). Relapses accounted for 8.5% and recurrences for 2.6%. Pulmonary TB was diagnosed among 98.7% patients using mostly sputum samples (85%). The prevalence of RIF resistance was 6.7% (95% CI: 3.4%-12.7%). This prevalence was significantly higher in samples of mucus and mucopurulent aspect (P-value=0.04). RIF-resistant M.tuberculosis strains were significantly more frequent among relapses than new cases (23.1% vs. 2.3% P-value<0.0001). A statistically significant association was found between GeneXpert-based quantification results and type and aspect of samples. This study confirms the circulation of RIF-resistant M.tuberculosis strains in the Littoral region. There is a need for extensive studies in other parts of the country.

Antimicrobial properties of bioactive compounds isolated from epidermal mucus in two Ray species (Dasyatis marmorata and Gymnura altavela)

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence and antimicrobial effects of certain biochemical compounds in the epidermal mucus secretions of fish and to demonstrate their potential for biomedical applications.Methods: Crude, aqueous, and acidic epidermal mucus samples were collected from live ray specimens. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses were performed to identify the biochemical compounds present in the mucus. The spectrophotometric broth microdilution method was used to determine the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the mucus extracts. The bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumonia, were used for the tests, as well as the fungal strains, Candida parapsilosis and Candida albicans.Results: GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of several hydrocarbon-derived compounds in the epidermal mucus of the two ray species. The acidic extract of G. altavela epidermal mucus produced a high MIC value, indicating the highest inhibitory effect of 8.64 μL against E. coli, while the crude extract of G. altavela epidermal mucus (41.13 μL against B. subtilis) was the least effective.&#x0D; Conclusion: Epidermal mucus extracts, especially when acid-based, displays strong antimicrobial properties against all the tested pathogens. These findings suggest the plants possess some potential for the development of novel antimicrobial components for applications in medicine.&#x0D; Keywords: Fish, Ray species, Epidermal mucus, Antimicrobial properties, Bioactive compounds

Observations of, and Insights into, Cystic Fibrosis Mucus Heterogeneity in the Pre-Modulator Era: Sputum Characteristics, DNA and Glycoprotein Content, and Solubilization Time

Airway obstruction with chronic inflammation and infection are major contributors to the lung damage and mortality of cystic fibrosis (CF). A better understanding of the congested milieu of CF airways will aid in improving therapeutic strategies. This article retrospectively reports our observations, and discusses insights gained in the handling and analysis of CF sputa. CF and non-CF mucus samples were surveyed for morphological features by electron microscopy and analyzed for the macromolecular dry weight (MDW), total protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and DNA. Mucus character was investigated with chemical solubilization time as a comparative tool. CF mucus appeared distinctly thick, viscous, and heterogeneous, with neutrophils as the dominant immune cell. CF sputum DNA content varied markedly for and between individuals (~1–10% MDW), as did solubilization times (~1–20 h). CF Sputum DNA up to 7.1% MDW correlated positively with solubilization time, whereas DNA &gt;7.1% MDW correlated negatively. 3D analysis of CF sputa DNA, GP, and solubilization times revealed a dynamic and predictive relationship. Reflecting on the heterogeneous content and character of CF mucus, and the possible interplay in space and time in the respiratory tract of polymeric DNA and mucous glycoproteins, we highlight it’s potential to affect infection-related airway pathologies and the success of therapeutic interventions.

The potential of volatile organic compound analysis in cervicovaginal mucus to predict estrus and ovulation in estrus-synchronized heifers

Cervicovaginal mucus is a mixture of mucins, ions, salts, and water, the proportions of which change during the reproductive cycle. It is suspected that this mucus emits an important volatile signal indicative of the reproductive state of the female. The objective of this study was to identify volatile organic compounds (VOC) in bovine cervicovaginal mucus that are modulated during the estrous cycle and could potentially be used as biomarkers of estrus and ovulation. Cervicovaginal mucus was collected from crossbred beef heifers (n = 8), which were synchronized using an 8-d controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol and in which onset of estrus and time of ovulation were determined by visual observation and ultrasonography, respectively. Mucus samples were collected between 0 and 96 h after CIDR removal (estrus onset occurred at 49.1 ± 3.3 h after CIDR removal). A validation study was performed on an independent group of 15 heifers from which cervicovaginal mucus samples were collected every 8 h from 40 to 80 h after CIDR removal. The VOC in mucus were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and selected compounds were quantified using selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry. The presence of 47 VOC was detected in mucus samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with those exhibiting highest abundance including 2-butanone, acetone, 2-pentanone, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, 1-(1-methylethoxy)-2-propanone, ethanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, and 2-butanol. All VOC peaked between 24 to 47 h after the onset of estrus (ovulation occurred 26.6 ± 5.6 h after estrus onset). Two VOC, 2-pentanone and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, exhibited a significant increase at the onset of estrus, whereas concentration of 2-butanone increased significantly just after estrus onset, indicating that these VOC may be used as putative biomarkers of estrus. The results of our study may contribute to the development of a sensor device based on VOC to aid the detection of estrus and ovulation in cattle, with particular relevance for the dairy industry where the majority of females are bred by artificial insemination.

The Level of Meningococcal Carriage and Genotyping of N. meningitidis Strains in the Group of Labor Migrants

Relevance. Population migration can play a crucial role in the spread of invasive strains of meningococcus, initiating outbreaks of meningococcal infection, and changing the incidence at the local level.Aim. To assess the prevalence of meningococcal carriage among migrants arriving in Moscow and to characterize the antigenic and genetic properties of carrier strains of meningococcus.Materials and methods. The study was conducted in March 2020 at the bases of the Multifunctional Migration Center of Moscow and the Federal Budget Institution of Science «Central Research Institute of Epidemiology». Samples of nasopharyngeal mucus were collected from 352 people. Nasopharyngeal strains of meningococcus were identified and identified using microbiological, serological, and molecular biological methods.Results. The overall level of the carriage was 5.7%. Of the twenty selected strains, 10 have a serogroup defined: Y – 5 strains, W - 3, A, and B – 1 each. The obtained genetic and antigenic characteristics do not allow talking about the import into the RF of representatives of known hypervirulent clonal complexes. In this study, strains were identified that are part of the clonal complex ST-175 complex, which has not been previously described in the Russian Federation.Conclusion. It seems promising to continue the dynamic monitoring of carriage of meningococcus in various groups, including among people entering the country to obtain a migration patent, as well as identifying risk factors for acquiring carriage. The data obtained will supplement current information on the incidence of the generalized form of meningococcal infection and will be crucial for determining the epidemiology at the country level, the population groups responsible for the transmission of the disease, and the need for targeted vaccination.

Association between Brachyspira and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea

ObjectiveThe incidence of IBS increases following enteric infections, suggesting a causative role for microbial imbalance. However, analyses of faecal microbiota have not demonstrated consistent alterations. Here, we used metaproteomics to...

Mining Public Mass Spectrometry Data to Characterize the Diversity and Ubiquity of P. aeruginosa Specialized Metabolites.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous environmental bacterium that causes chronic infections of burn wounds and in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Vital to its infection is a myriad of specialized metabolites that serve a variety of biological roles including quorum sensing, metal chelation and inhibition of other competing bacteria. This study employed newly available algorithms for searching individual tandem mass (MS/MS) spectra against the publicly available Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) database to identify the chemical diversity of these compounds and their presence in environmental, laboratory and clinical samples. For initial characterization, the metabolomes of eight clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and uploaded to GNPS for spectral searching. Quinolones, rhamnolipids, phenazines and siderophores were identified and characterized; including the discovery of modified forms of the iron chelator pyochelin. Quinolones were highly diverse with the three base forms Pseudomonas quinolone signal 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (PQS), 4-heptyl-4(1H)-quinolone (HHQ) and 2-heptyl-4-quinolone-N-oxide (HQNO) having extensive variation in the length of their acyl chain from as small as 3 carbons to as large as 17. Rhamnolipids were limited to either one or two sugars with a limited set of fatty acyl chains, but the base lipid form without the rhamnose was also detected. These specialized metabolites were identified from diverse sources including ant-fungal mutualist dens, soil, plants, human teeth, feces, various lung mucus samples and cultured laboratory isolates. Their prevalence in fecal samples was particularly notable as P. aeruginosa is not known as a common colonizer of the human gut. The chemical diversity of the compounds identified, particularly the quinolones, demonstrates a broad spectrum of chemical properties within these the metabolite groups with likely significant impacts on their biological functions. Mining public data with GNPS enables a new approach to characterize the chemical diversity of biological organisms, which includes enabling the discovery of new chemistry from pathogenic bacteria.

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor and progranulin as possible regulators of cervical remodeling in pregnancy

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) and progranulin (PGRN) are secretory proteins with an anti-inflammatory property. Their involvement in cervical remodeling in pregnant uterus is not yet elucidated. Thus, this study aimed to explore the significance of SLPI and PGRN in the maintenance of pregnancy by investigating the factors associated with their expression levels at the cervix. Concentrations of SLPI and PGRN proteins were measured in cervical mucus samples collected from asymptomatic pregnant women at 24–26 weeks of gestation (n = 166). The concentrations of those molecules were analyzed with clinical parameters related to risk for preterm delivery (PD). In pregnant mice, we evaluated the effect of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and progesterone effect modulation on cervical mRNA expression of SLPI and PGRN. The cervical PGRN level was significantly lower in women with short cervix (<35 mm) and with a history of threatened PD. In women with short cervix, cervical SLPI concentrations were positively correlated with inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (R2 = 0.75) and interleukin-8 (R2 = 0.71). In pregnant mice, cervical mRNA expressions of PGRN and SLPI were increased in response to progesterone supplementation and were suppressed by a progesterone antagonist, mifepristone. Lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation caused remarkable upregulation in cervical SLPI mRNA level but not in PGRN. Progesterone and local inflammation are the factors controlling expression levels of PGRN and SLPI at the cervix. The observed relationship of PGRN and SLPI levels in the cervical mucus with PD-related clinical parameters supports that those anti-inflammatory molecules possibly play a significant role in appropriate regulation of cervical remodeling.

Developmental patterns in the nasopharyngeal microbiome during infancy are associated with asthma risk

BackgroundStudies indicate that the nasal microbiome may correlate strongly with the presence or future risk of childhood asthma.ObjectivesIn this study, we tested whether developmental trajectories of the nasopharyngeal microbiome in early life and the composition of the microbiome during illnesses were related to risk of childhood asthma.MethodsChildren participating in the Childhood Origins of Asthma study (N = 285) provided nasopharyngeal mucus samples in the first 2 years of life, during routine healthy study visits (at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of age), and during episodes of respiratory illnesses, all of which were analyzed for respiratory viruses and bacteria. We identified developmental trajectories of early-life microbiome composition, as well as predominant bacteria during respiratory illnesses, and we correlated these with presence of asthma at 6, 8, 11, 13, and 18 years of age.ResultsOf the 4 microbiome trajectories identified, a Staphylococcus-dominant microbiome in the first 6 months of life was associated with increased risk of recurrent wheezing by age 3 years and asthma that persisted throughout childhood. In addition, this trajectory was associated with the early onset of allergic sensitization. During wheezing illnesses, detection of rhinoviruses and predominance of Moraxella were associated with asthma that persisted throughout later childhood.ConclusionIn infancy, the developmental composition of the microbiome during healthy periods and the predominant microbes during acute wheezing illnesses are both associated with the subsequent risk of developing persistent childhood asthma.

Stimulatory effect of dietary chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) extract on immunity, some immune-related gene expression, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Chasteberry is highly recommended as an herbal medicine across the globe for treating of many gynaecological disorders. In this study, chasteberry extract (CBE) was supplemented in goldfish diet to evaluate the immunity responses at the cellular and molecular levels. Moreover, after the feeding trial, the fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. The fish (300 individuals, 2.4 ± 0.12 g initial weight) were randomly distributed in 12 tanks and were fed with 0 (control), 5, 10, and 15 g CBE per kg of feed for 8 weeks. Based on the results, lysozyme activity, alkaline phosphatase, and total immunoglobulin (Ig) in the skin mucus samples were significantly enhanced in the fish fed with 15 g/kg CBE (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary CBE positively affected lysozyme activity, complement components, and IgM content of the serum samples compared to the control group. Also, the number of monocytes and lymphocytes were increased significantly with increasing CBE in the diet (P < 0.05). The highest mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factors (TNF-α, TNF-2α) and Lysozyme were observed in 15 g/kg CBE treatment. After the challenge test, the highest relative percentage survival value (60%) was observed in the fish fed with 15 g/kg CBE. We concluded that dietary CBE especially at 15 g/kg has an immunomodulatory effect in goldfish by stimulating the innate immunity and some inflammatory cytokines as well as disease resistance against A. hydrophila.

An 1H NMR- and MS-Based Study of Metabolites Profiling of Garden Snail Helix aspersa Mucus.

Metabolic profiling based on 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was applied with the aim to investigate the functional role of the metabolites in lyophilized mucus from the garden snail Helix aspersa. Twenty metabolites were unambiguously identified by 1H, 1D TOCSY, 2D J-resolved, 2D COSY, and 2D HSQC NMR spectra with water suppression. The metabolic profiles of two fractions with low molecular weight (Mw < 1 kDa and Mw < 3 kDa) are very similar. Metabolites with known antioxidant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial activity were detected by NMR metabolic analysis of mucus samples from Helix aspersa. Some of them were confirmed by mass spectrometric analysis. The primary structure of several peptides was identified in low molecular weight fractions (Mw < 1 kDa) by tandem mass spectrometry.

Evaluation of an Acute Osmotic Stress in European Sea Bass via Skin Mucus Biomarkers

Simple SummarySkin mucus biomarkers have become relevant indicators for studying fish physiological status and welfare. Here, we evaluated them in terms of the acute osmotic response of the sea bass. Change of mucus volume exuded and main stress-related metabolites explain the putative energy loss implied in a hyper/hypo-osmotic response. We demonstrated that skin mucus is a valuable tool, comparable to classical blood markers, for evaluating sea bass response to acute salinity challenges as well as some other potentially stressful situations. This technique will allow ecologists, physiologists, and aquafarmers to monitor fish welfare and to analyse endangered migrating species without affecting their vulnerable populations.European sea bass is a marine teleost which can inhabit a broad range of environmental salinities. So far, no research has studied the physiological response of this fish to salinity challenges using modifications in skin mucus as a potential biological matrix. Here, we used a skin mucus sampling technique to evaluate the response of sea bass to several acute osmotic challenges (for 3 h) from seawater (35‰) to two hypoosmotic environments, diluted brackish water (3‰) and estuarine waters (12‰), and to one hyperosmotic condition (50‰). For this, we recorded the volume of mucus exuded and compared the main stress-related biomarkers and osmosis-related parameters in skin mucus and plasma. Sea bass exuded the greatest volume of skin mucus with the highest total contents of cortisol, glucose, and protein under hypersalinity. This indicates an exacerbated acute stress response with possible energy losses if the condition is sustained over time. Under hyposalinity, the response depended on the magnitude of the osmotic change: shifting to 3‰ was an extreme salinity change, which affected fish aerobic metabolism by acutely modifying lactate exudation. All these data enhance the current scarce knowledge of skin mucus as a target through which to study environmental changes and fish status.

Cross-Protective IgG and IgA Antibodies against Oncogenic and Non-Oncogenic HPV Genotypes.

Objective:The aim of the study was to describe the course of IgG/IgA immune response in women immunized with bivalent vaccine and in women non-vaccinated with HPV infection, as well as evaluating the cross-protection against non-vaccine HPV types. Methods:Serum and cervical mucus samples were collected from infected and vaccinated women for HPV detection/genotyping and for detection of IgG/IgA anti-HPV/VLP (Virus-like Particles) by ELISA. Results:The median absorbance detected in serum samples for anti-HPV-IgG antibodies was higher in vaccinated women when compared to HPV infected women (p <0.01), however, the median absorbance in cervical mucus samples for anti-HPV-IgA was higher in infected women when compared to vaccinated women (p<0.01). Additionally, our analyses also provided additional evidence for cross-protective efficacy of the HPV-16/18 vaccine against HPV-82, -6, -11, -13, -61, -72 and -74. Conclusion:The IgG antibodies were significantly more detected in the serum of vaccinated women, while the IgA was found in greater quantities in cervical samples from those infected by the virus. In addition, there is evidence that the bivalent vaccine provides cross-protection against other non-oncogenic viral subtypes.

Contribution of Short Chain Fatty Acids to the Growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Rhinosinusitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by complex bacterial infections with persistent inflammation. Based on our rabbit model of sinusitis, blockage of sinus ostia generated a shift in microbiota to a predominance of mucin degrading microbes (MDM) with acute inflammation at 2 weeks. This was followed by conversion to chronic sinus inflammation at 3 months with a robust increase in pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas). MDMs are known to produce acid metabolites [short chain fatty acids (SCFA)] that have the potential to stimulate pathogen growth by offering a carbon source to non-fermenting sinus pathogens (e.g., Pseudomonas). The objective of this study is to evaluate the concentrations of SCFA within the mucus and its contribution to the growth of P. aeruginosa.Methods: Healthy and sinusitis mucus from the rabbit model were collected and co-cultured with the PAO1 strain of P. aeruginosa for 72 h and colony forming units (CFUs) were determined with the targeted quantification of three SCFAs (acetate, propionate, butyrate). Quantification of SCFAs in healthy and sinusitis mucus from patients with P. aeruginosa was also performed via high performance liquid chromatography.Results: To provide evidence of fermentative activity, SCFAs were quantified within the mucus samples from rabbits with and without sinusitis. Acetate concentrations were significantly greater in sinusitis mucus compared to controls (4.13 ± 0.53 vs. 1.94 ± 0.44 mM, p < 0.01). After 72 h of co-culturing mucus samples with PAO1 in the presence of mucin medium, the blue-green pigment characteristic of Pseudomonas was observed throughout tubes containing sinusitis mucus. CFUs were higher in cultures containing mucus samples from sinusitis (8.4 × 109 ± 4.8 × 107) compared to control (1.4 × 109 ± 2.0 × 107) or no mucus (1.5 × 109 ± 2.1 × 107) (p < 0.0001). To provide evidence of fermentative activity in human CRS with P. aeruginosa, the presence of SCFAs in human mucus was analyzed and all SCFAs were significantly higher in CRS with P. aeruginosa compared to controls (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Given that SCFAs are solely derived from bacterial fermentation, our evidence suggests a critical role for mucin-degrading bacteria in generating carbon-source nutrients for pathogens. MDM may contribute to the development of recalcitrant CRS by degrading mucins, thus providing nutrients for potential pathogens like P. aeruginosa.