Numbers Of Clostridia Research Articles

Susceptibility of Clostridium species isolated in Japan to fidaxomicin and its major metabolite OP-1118.

The narrow-spectrum macrocyclic antibiotic fidaxomicin is approved for treatment of Clostridium difficile infection in many countries and is currently under evaluation in Japan for this indication. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fidaxomicin and its major metabolite, OP-1118, on Clostridium spp. isolated in Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan. Isolates were cultured and antimicrobial susceptibility analyses performed according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute methods. Ninety-eight isolates were obtained between 2012 and 2015, 50 of C.difficile and 48 of eight other Clostridium spp. Fidaxomicin had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the antimicrobials tested against C.difficile, with MIC90 (MIC range) 0.12μg/mL (0.015-0.25), versus vancomycin MIC90 0.5μg/mL (0.5), metronidazole MIC90 0.5μg/mL (0.12-0.5), and OP-1118 MIC90 4.0μg/mL (0.5-4.0). Fidaxomicin and OP-1118 each had a similar spectrum of activity against the other Clostridium spp. C.butyricum and the 29 fidaxomicin- and OP-1118-susceptible C.perfringens isolates had the lowest MIC values, and C.bolteae and C.hathewayi higher. All the C.ramosum isolates (n=6) and one of 30 C.perfringens isolates had low susceptibility to fidaxomicin and OP-1118 (i.e., MIC >64μg/mL). In summary, this study showed that fidaxomicin was active against a number of Clostridium spp., including C.difficile. Fidaxomicin was generally more effective than its major metabolite OP-1118, but both showed a similar spectrum of activity, suggesting that OP-1118 contributes to the antimicrobial activity of fidaxomicin. These findings were broadly in accordance with those of similar studies conducted in other settings.

Effect of Probiotics on Pharmacokinetics of Orally Administered Acetaminophen in Mice.

Orally administered probiotics change gut microbiota composition and enzyme activities. Thus, coadministration of probiotics with drugs may lead to changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drugs. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in mice treated with probiotics. Oral administration of probiotics changed the gut microbiota composition in the mice. Of these probiotics, Lactobacillus reuteri K8 increased the numbers of clostridia, bifidobacteria, and enterococci, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus K9 decreased the number of bifidobacteria, determined by culturing in selective media. Next, we performed a pharmacokinetic study of acetaminophen in mice orally treated with K8 and K9 for 3 days. Treatment with K8 reduced the area under the curve (AUC) of orally administered acetaminophen to 68.4% compared with normal control mice, whereas K9 did not affect the AUC of acetaminophen. Oral administration to mice of K8, which degraded acetaminophen, increased the degradation of acetaminophen by gut microbiota, whereas K9 treatment did not affect it. Treatment with K8 increased the number of L. reuteri adhered in the upper small intestine, whereas the number of L. rhamnosus was not affected by treatment with K8 or K9. K8 increased the number of cyanobacteria, whereas K9 increased the number of deferribacteres. These results suggest that the intake of probiotics may make the absorption of orally administered drugs fluctuate through the disturbance of gut microbiota-mediated drug metabolism and that the subsequent impact on microbiota metabolism could result in altered systemic concentrations of the intact drug.

APPLICATION OF GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY‐MASS SPECTROMETRY FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE INTESTINAL MICROFLORA CONDITION IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC GASTRITIS

Objectives:This study is aimed at assessing condition of intestinal microflora in children with chronic gastritis in different phases of the disease and after a course of probiotic treatment using of gas chromatography ‐ mass spectrometry (GC‐MS).Methods:This longitudinal study was conducted among 90 children aged 11–15 years with Helicobacter pylori positive morphologically proven chronic gastritis (CG). 22 healthy children matched by age and gender with the children of the main group were taken as comparison group. Children with CG have been investigated repeatedly in the period of exacerbation, 6 months after the successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection and after a one‐month course of probiotic medicine. As the probiotic medicine, a complex probiotic Bifiform containing at least 107 Bifidobacteriun longum and at least 107 Enterococcus faecium was used. To assess the state of intestinal microbiota we use GC‐MS – detecting species‐specific fatty acids as genetically determined structural components of the cell wall.Results:In children with chronic gastritis both in acute and remission phases in 100% of cases were revealed changes in composition of the intestinal microflora affecting not only intraluminal but parietal microflora. In phase of exacerbation, microbiota disorders were expressed by decreased number of obligate bacteria (bifidobacteria, lactobacilli). In phase of remission the revealed changes saved and characterized by decreased number not only bifidobacteria, lactobacilli but propionobacterium and increased number of such opportunistic bacteria as clostridia (Clostridium histolyticum, Clostridium propionicum, and Clostridium ramosum), streptococci, Candida fungi. Excessive proliferation of Candida albicans were found in 16.5% (95% CI 12 – 21.2) children in exacerbation phase and in 30% (95% CI 22.2 – 38.8) in phase of remission (р = 0.0412). Intensity of violations of parietal microflora were significantly associated (р < 0.05) with morphological changes of gastric mucous. After a course of probiotic treatment were found positive changes in composition of the gut microbiota characterizing by increasing number of bifidobacteria and enrecocci, and decreased number of clostridia and Candida fungi.Conclusion:Chronic gastritis in children is commonly associated with negative changes in parietal microflora in acute phase and in 6 months. Using of gas chromatography ‐ mass spectrometry for studying and evaluating the intestinal microflora in children with chronic gastritis can significantly extend the range of the defined microbiota and its possible changes in different phases in diseases.

Organic loading rate: A promising microbial management tool in anaerobic digestion

This study investigated the effect of changes in organic loading rate (OLR) and feedstock on the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production and their potential use as a bioengineering management tool to improve stability of anaerobic digesters. Digesters were exposed to one or two changes in OLR using the same or different co-substrates (Fat Oil and Grease waste (FOG) and/or glycerol). Although all the OLR fluctuations produced a decrease in biogas and methane production, the digesters exposed twice to glycerol showed faster recovery towards stable conditions after the second OLR change. This was correlated with the composition of the VFAs produced and their mode of production, from parallel to sequential, resulting in a more efficient recovery from inhibition of methanogenesis. The change in acids processing after the first OLR increase induced a shift in the microbial community responsible of the process optimisation when the digesters were exposed to a subsequent OLR increase with the same feedstock. When the digesters were exposed to an OLR change with a different feedstock (FOG), the recovery took 7d longer than with the same one (glycerol). However, the microbial community showed functional resilience and was able to perform similarly to pre-exposure conditions. Thus, changes in operational conditions can be used to influence microbial community structure for anaerobic digestion (AD) optimisation. Finally, shorter recovery times and increased resilience of digesters were linked to higher numbers of Clostridia incertae sedis XV, suggesting that this group may be a good candidate for AD bioaugmentation to speed up recovery after process instability or OLR increase.

Effects of long-term heat stress in an experimental model of avian necrotic enteritis

Stressful conditions are predisposing factors for disease development. Heat stress is one of the most important stressors in poultry production. The reemergence of some previously controlled diseases [e.g., avian necrotic enteritis (NE)] has been extensively reported. The combination of bacterial infection and certain environmental factors have been reported to trigger the disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of long-term heat stress (35 ± 1°C) on the development of NE in broiler chickens. For this purpose, 60 male broiler chickens were divided into the following 6 groups: control group (C), heat stressed control group (C/HS35), thioglycolate group (T), thioglycolate heat-stressed group (T/HS35), infected group (I), and infected heat-stressed group (I/HS35). The poultry of groups I and I/HS35 were experimentally infected with Clostridium perfringens via their feed from 15 to 21 d of life. Heat stress (35 ± 1°C) was constantly applied to the birds of the stressed groups from 14 to 21 d of life. The infected and heat-stressed broiler chickens presented a trend toward a decrease in gross lesion scores and significantly lower microscopic scores of necrosis in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05), lower fusion of villi in the duodenum (P < 0.05), and lower congestion scores in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05) in relation to infected and non-heat-stressed chickens. Broilers of I/HS35 group also exhibited small number of heterophils in the duodenum and jejunum compared with those of the I group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the duodenum and jejunum of infected and heat-stressed broilers showed lower number of clostridia on the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05). Data were discussed in light of a heat stress induced reduction on intestinal inflammation via a decrease in heterophil migration to the intestinal mucosa, which in turn might have reduced tissue damage during inflammation, hence preventing the development of a more severe form of NE.

Species and genus level resolution analysis of gut microbiota in Clostridium difficile patients following fecal microbiota transplantation.

BackgroundClostridium difficile is an opportunistic human intestinal pathogen, and C. difficile infection (CDI) is one of the main causes of antibiotic-induced diarrhea and colitis. One successful approach to combat CDI, particularly recurrent form of CDI, is through transplantation of fecal microbiota from a healthy donor to the infected patient. In this study we investigated the distal gut microbial communities of three CDI patients before and after fecal microbiota transplantation, and we compared these communities to the composition of the donor’s fecal microbiota. We utilized phylogenetic Microbiota Array, high-throughput Illumina sequencing, and fluorescent in situ hybridization to profile microbiota composition down to the genus and species level resolution.ResultsThe original patients’ microbiota had low diversity, was dominated by members of Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli, and had low numbers of Clostridia and Bacteroidia. At the genus level, fecal samples of CDI patients were rich in members of the Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Enterobacter genera. In comparison, the donor community was dominated by Clostridia and had significantly higher diversity and evenness. The patients’ distal gut communities were completely transformed within 3 days following fecal transplantation, and these communities remained stable in each patient for at least 4 months. Despite compositional differences among recipients’ pre-treatment gut microbiota, the transplanted gut communities were highly similar among recipients post-transplantation, were indistinguishable from that of the donor, and were rich in members of Blautia, Coprococcus, and Faecalibacterium. In each case, the gut microbiota restoration led to a complete patient recovery and symptom alleviation.ConclusionWe conclude that C. difficile infection can be successfully treated by fecal microbiota transplantation and that this leads to stable transformation of the distal gut microbial community from the one abundant in aerotolerant species to that dominated by members of the Clostridia.

Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Premature Infants

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of increasing doses of 2 prebiotic oligosaccharides and of an "all-human diet" on the intestinal microbiota of premature infants. Twelve premature infants receiving formula feedings were randomly assigned to receive either galacto-oligosaccharide (F+GOS) or a pooled concentrated donor human milk product containing human milk oligosaccharides (F+HMO) in increasing doses during a 5-week period. A second group of 15 premature infants received their mother's own milk fortified with either a concentrated donor human milk product (H+H) or a bovine powdered fortifier (H+B). Serial stool specimens from each infant were analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and quantitative polymerase chain reaction for bacterial composition. All of the infants studied had relatively low levels of bifidobacteria and no measurable Lactobacilli. Infants from the F+GOS and F+HMO groups demonstrated an increase in relative numbers of Clostridia with increasing doses. Compared with the H+B group, the infants in the F+HMO and the H+H groups showed an unexpected trend toward an increase in γ-Proteobacteria over time/dose. Principal coordinate analyses and Shannon diversity scores were not significantly different among the 4 groups. Infants in the H+H group received more antibiotics during the study period than those in the other groups. Two of the infants receiving GOS developed feeding intolerance. None of the prebiotic interventions resulted in significant increases in bifidobacteria compared with baseline specimens or the H+B group; however, many of the infants did not receive the highest doses of GOS and HMO, and antibiotic use in the H+H group was high.

Scientific Opinion on the efficacy of Lactobacillus brevis (DSM 23231) as a silage additive for all animal species

In 2013 the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) issued an opinion on the safety and efficacy of a strain of Lactobacillus brevis and four strains of Lactobacillus buchneri when used as feed additives for the production of silage. In those instances the Panel concluded that the strains were safe for target animals, consumers of animal products, users of the additive and the environment. However, owing to limited evidence of a beneficial effect on the ensiling process, the FEEDAP Panel was unable to draw conclusions on the efficacy of the L. brevis strain. The Commission has given the applicant the option of submitting additional information to allow the Panel reaching conclusions on the efficacy of this strain. The applicant has provided complementary information which is the subject of the current opinion. The results from the original submission and those newly submitted showed that the L. brevis strain has some potential to improve the production of silage from moderately difficult and difficult to ensile materials and to reduce the numbers of clostridia at the proposed application rate of 5 × 107 CFU/kg forage. No effect on aerobic stability was demonstrated.

Current conception of the link of obesity and intestinal microbiota

More than 500 million people in the world are overweight, this “epidemic” covers all countries, including Russia, and there is both in adults and in children. This is usually attributed to a change in lifestyle and diet of modern people, that also may influence at intestinal microbiota. Microbiota takes part in the energy and fat metabolism, which has been proven in germ-free animals. Transplantation of microflora from overweight animals to germ-free ones contributed to the development of obesity, regardless of diet. Obesity is accompanied by mild chronic inflammation, it can be a result of changing of intestinal microbiota. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Gram (–) intestinal bacteria via activation of TLR-4 are the main cause of this inflammation. Intestinal microbiota of obese and slim is different. Obesity increases the number of Clostridia and Gram (–) Proteobacteria, reduced number of Bacteroides and Bifidobacteria. Recent works showed the positive influence of probiotics, particularly infant Bifidobacteria strains, on metabolic syndrome, in particular, the level of glucose, insulin, cholestero

Gut Microbiota Composition in Male Rat Models under Different Nutritional Status and Physical Activity and Its Association with Serum Leptin and Ghrelin Levels

BackgroundSeveral evidences indicate that gut microbiota is involved in the control of host energy metabolism.ObjectiveTo evaluate the differences in the composition of gut microbiota in rat models under different nutritional status and physical activity and to identify their associations with serum leptin and ghrelin levels.MethodsIn a case control study, forty male rats were randomly assigned to one of these four experimental groups: ABA group with food restriction and free access to exercise; control ABA group with food restriction and no access to exercise; exercise group with free access to exercise and feed ad libitum and ad libitum group without access to exercise and feed ad libitum. The fecal bacteria composition was investigated by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and real-time qPCR.ResultsIn restricted eaters, we have found a significant increase in the number of Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Enterococcus, Prevotella and M. smithii and a significant decrease in the quantities of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, B. coccoides-E. rectale group, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium with respect to unrestricted eaters. Moreover, a significant increase in the number of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and B. coccoides–E. rectale group was observed in exercise group with respect to the rest of groups. We also found a significant positive correlation between the quantity of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and serum leptin levels, and a significant and negative correlation among the number of Clostridium, Bacteroides and Prevotella and serum leptin levels in all experimental groups. Furthermore, serum ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with the quantity of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and B. coccoides–Eubacterium rectale group and positively correlated with the number of Bacteroides and Prevotella.ConclusionsNutritional status and physical activity alter gut microbiota composition affecting the diversity and similarity. This study highlights the associations between gut microbiota and appetite-regulating hormones that may be important in terms of satiety and host metabolism.

Gut microbiota in children with type 1 diabetes differs from that in healthy children: a case-control study

BackgroundA recent study using a rat model found significant differences at the time of diabetes onset in the bacterial communities responsible for type 1 diabetes modulation. We hypothesized that type 1 diabetes in humans could also be linked to a specific gut microbiota. Our aim was to quantify and evaluate the difference in the composition of gut microbiota between children with type 1 diabetes and healthy children and to determine the possible relationship of the gut microbiota of children with type 1 diabetes with the glycemic level.MethodsA case-control study was carried out with 16 children with type 1 diabetes and 16 healthy children. The fecal bacteria composition was investigated by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe mean similarity index was 47.39% for the healthy children and 37.56% for the children with diabetes, whereas the intergroup similarity index was 26.69%. In the children with diabetes, the bacterial number of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, and the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio were all significantly decreased, with the quantity of Bacteroidetes significantly increased with respect to healthy children. At the genus level, we found a significant increase in the number of Clostridium, Bacteroides and Veillonella and a significant decrease in the number of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Blautia coccoides/Eubacterium rectale group and Prevotella in the children with diabetes. We also found that the number of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio correlated negatively and significantly with the plasma glucose level while the quantity of Clostridium correlated positively and significantly with the plasma glucose level in the diabetes group.ConclusionsThis is the first study showing that type 1 diabetes is associated with compositional changes in gut microbiota. The significant differences in the number of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Clostridium and in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio observed between the two groups could be related to the glycemic level in the group with diabetes. Moreover, the quantity of bacteria essential to maintain gut integrity was significantly lower in the children with diabetes than the healthy children. These findings could be useful for developing strategies to control the development of type 1 diabetes by modifying the gut microbiota.

Alteration of gut microflora through citric acid treated drinking water in preslaughter male broilers

This experiment was conducted to evaluate feed withdrawal and addition of citric acid in drinking water on the pH and microflora of gizzard, ceca and feces in preslaughter broiler chickens. A total of 24 male Ross 308 broiler chickens at the age of 42 days with almost equal weight were randomly divided into six treatments with four replicates each. Control group had free access to feed and water, but without supplemental citric acid during preslaughter period. Another group was kept 8 h without feed, but with ad libitum access to unsupplemented drinking water. For other treatments, four concentrations of citric acids were added to the drinking water (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6%) of broilers with feed withdrawal for 8 h. Fecal samples were collected 1 h before slaughter. After slaughter, gizzard and cecal contents were obtained and used for microbiological studies. The number of clostridium, bacillus, coliform and other bacteria were enumerated on appropriate bacterial media. The pH of gizzard, ceca and feces was significantly (P<0.05) lessened in birds that drank acidified water particularly at 4.5 and 6% citric acid as compared with control and feed withdrawal groups without citric acid supplementation. Also, the addition of citric acid to drinking water resulted in significant (P<0.05) reduction of bacillus, clostridium, coliform, facultative aerobic, and other bacteria in gizzard, cecal and fecal contents of birds with acidified water in comparison to the control and feed withdrawal treatments. Under the condition of this study, addition of citric acid in the drinking water 8 h before slaughter could reduce intestinal microflora colonization and might be a fruitful strategy against bacterial contamination of broiler products during processing. Key words: Citric acid, feed withdrawal, intestinal bacteria, broiler

Chocolate, gut microbiota, and human health

Chocolate, gut microbiota, and human health

Effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis and inulin supplementation on performance, eggshell quality, intestinal morphology and microflora composition of laying hens in the late phase of production

Eighty Lohmann White laying hens were used to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of Bacillus subtilis and inulin, individually or in combination, on egg production, eggshell quality, tibia traits, Ca retention, and small intestine morphology and microflora composition from 64 to 75 weeks of age. Hens were randomly distributed into 4 treatment groups, with 5 replicates per treatment and 4 hens per replicate. Treatment groups were fed basal diet (control), basal diet plus 1g/kg B. subtilis (2.3×108cfu/g), basal diet plus 1g/kg inulin, or basal diet plus a synbiotic combination of 1g/kg B. subtilis (2.3×108cfu/g) and 1g/kg inulin. Dietary supplementation of B. subtilis, inulin or synbiotic improved (P<0.05) feed conversion, egg performance, eggshell quality and calcium retention compared with the control. B. subtilis and synbiotic groups exhibited the highest (P<0.05) increase in egg production and egg weight. Inulin and synbiotic groups exhibited the highest (P<0.05) increase in eggshell thickness and eggshell calcium content, and the lowest (P<0.05) eggshell deformations. Unmarketable eggs were 8.4% (P<0.05) of the total eggs produced by the control group compared to 3.5%, 1.7%, and 1.5% for the B. subtilis, inulin and synbiotic groups, respectively. Tibia density, ash, and Ca content increased (P<0.05) by inulin and synbiotic inclusions, compared with the control. B. subtilis, inulin, and their synbiotic combination increased (P<0.05) villus height and crypt depth in all intestinal segments, compared with the control. B. subtilis and inulin modulated the ileal and caecal microflora composition by decreasing (P<0.05) numbers of Clostridium and Coliforms and increasing (P<0.05) numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, compared with the control. Colonization of the beneficial microflora along with increasing the villi–crypts absorptive area were directly associated with the improvements in performance and eggshell quality. It can be concluded that egg production and eggshell quality of laying hens can be improved (P<0.05) in the late phase of production by dietary inclusion of B. subtilis and inulin.

Effects of montmorillonite–zinc oxide hybrid on performance, diarrhea, intestinal permeability and morphology of weanling pigs

Effects of montmorillonite–zinc oxide hybrid (MMT–ZnO) on performance, diarrhea, intestinal permeability and morphology were investigated. A total of 180 piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire, average initial weight of 7.2±0.3kg weaned at 27±1d age) were randomly allotted to five groups for two weeks, each of which has six pens with six pigs per pen. The dietary treatments were: (1) basal control diet, 100mg/kg of supplemental Zn as ZnSO4; (2) basal diet+2.0g/kg montmorillonite (MMT), equivalent to the MMT in the MMT–ZnO treatment; (3) basal diet+500mg/kg of Zn as ZnO; (4) basal diet+500mg/kg of Zn as MMT–ZnO; (5) basal diet+2000mg/kg of Zn as ZnO. The results showed that supplemental 500mg/kg of Zn from MMT–ZnO or 2000mg/kg of Zn from ZnO improved (P<0.05) average daily gain and daily feed intake, decreased (P<0.05) fecal scores at 7 and 14d postweaning, reduced (P<0.05) plasma d-lactate and diamine oxidase activity, improved (P<0.05) villus height and the villus height:crypt depth ratio at the jejunal mucosa as compared with the control, MMT or 500mg/kg of Zn from ZnO. Pigs fed with 500mg/kg of Zn as MMT–ZnO had lower (P<0.05) plasma levels of d-lactate than those fed with 2000mg/kg of Zn as ZnO. Pigs fed with 500mg/kg of Zn as MMT–ZnO had lower (P<0.05) number of intestinal Clostridium and Escherichia coli than those fed with the control, MMT or 500mg/kg of Zn as ZnO. Supplementation with 2000mg/kg of Zn as ZnO reduced (P<0.05) the number of Clostridium in proximal colon as compared with the control while had no (P>0.05) influence on intestinal E. coli. Supplemental MMT or 500mg/kg of Zn from ZnO had no (P>0.05) effect on growth performance, intestinal microflora, permeability and morphology as compared to the control group. The results indicated that dietary addition of 500mg/kg of Zn from MMT–ZnO was comparable to 2000mg/kg of Zn from ZnO while more effective than MMT or 500mg/kg of Zn from ZnO for enhancing growth performance, alleviating diarrhea, as well as improving intestinal microflora, mucosal barrier integrity and morphology of weaned pigs.

Influence of different carbohydrate composition in barley varieties on Salmonella Typhimurium var. Copenhagen colonisation in a “Trojan” challenge model in pigs

Based on previously performed in vitro studies, which showed that hulless barley varieties could reduce large intestinal Salmonella Typhimurium var. Copenhagen proliferation in pigs, two in vivo experiments were conducted to prove these observations. In Experiment (Exp.) 1, 126 weaning piglets were randomly allocated into pens of seven animals each and fed one of six experimental diets. Three diets contained (75% as-fed) one of three hulless barley varieties with β-glucan (BG) contents ranging from 5 to 11% and amylose from 5 to 40%, and two diets contained a low BG and amylose hulless barley supplemented with isolated barley BG or raw potato starch. A hulled barley diet served as a control. Two piglets per pen (“Trojan” pigs) were orally infected with Salmonella Typhimurium var. Copenhagen (ST). The remaining five pigs per pen were designated “Contact” pigs. The ST shedding was determined over one week after infection. On day 6, the two Trojans and two random Contacts from each pen were euthanised and intestinal contents and mesenteric lymph nodes cultured for ST. Intestinal volatile fatty acids and microbial composition were determined. In Exp. 2, 126 piglets were assigned to one of three diets based on hulled or hulless barleys. The timeline, infection, sampling and analyses were similar as in Exp. 1 except samples were taken from four Contact pigs. Hulless barley varieties with high BG and amylose tended to decrease ST persistence in Exp. 1. Clostridia from cluster I in the colon were reduced with high amylose hulless barley or diets supplemented with potato starch (p < 0.05), whereas other microbial groups were not. Propionate increased (p < 0.05) and acetate decreased (p < 0.05) with hulless barley inclusion. Exp. 2 revealed a reduced ST shedding and reduced number of clostridia for high BG hulless barley as compared to common hulled barley and a low BG variety (p < 0.05). In conclusion, high BG hulless barley do not prevent ST colonisation but might help to reduce transmission in pigs, likely by supporting an intestinal environment limiting growth of this zoopathogen.

Black Infant Mortality: Community Stories

Newborn Care Poster Presentation Results Infant skin sampling revealed variations in bacterial genera by region. On the forehead, the most predominant bacterial genera were Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Propionibacterium whereas the arm contained an abundance of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium. Large numbers of Clostridium, Streptococcus, and Ruminococcus were found on the buttocks. Bacterial diversity also varied by age. DNA analysis of infants and caregivers revealed 28 distinct gel electrophoresis banding pattern types of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) isolates. Many gel-banding patterns were identified in mothers and infants; two gel-banding patterns were shared among infants, mothers, and fathers. Though birth type may have influenced the microflora on arms and buttocks, birth type did not appear to affect microflora on the forehead.

Experimental addition of Eleutherococcus senticosus and probiotic to the canine diet

Abstract There is a current trend to support pet health through the addition of natural supplements to their diet, taking into account the high incidence of medical conditions related to their immune system and gastrointestinal tract. This study investigates effects of the plant Eleutherococcus senticosus as a dietary additive on faecal microbiota, faecal characteristics, blood serum biochemistry and selected parameters of cellular immunity in healthy dogs. A combination of the plant with the canine-derived probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum CCM 7421 was also evaluated. Thirty-two dogs were devided into 4 treatment groups; receiving no additive (control), dry root extract of E. senticosus (8 mg/kg of body weight), probiotic strain (108 CFU/mL, 0.1 mL/kg bw) and the combination of both additives. The trial lasted 49 days with 14 days supplementation period. Results confirm no antimicrobial effect of the plant on the probiotic abundance either in vitro (cultivation test) or in vivo. The numbers of clostridia, lactic acid bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria as well as the concentration of serum total protein, triglyceride, glucose and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly altered according to the treatment group. Leukocyte phagocytosis was significantly stimulated by the addition of probiotic while application of plant alone led to a significant decrease.

Effect of a Synbiotic Yogurt on Levels of Fecal Bifidobacteria, Clostridia, and Enterobacteria

While ingestion of synbiotic yogurts containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and inulin is increasing, their effect on certain microbial groups in the human intestine is unclear. To further investigate this, a large-scale, crossover-design, placebo-controlled study was utilized to evaluate the effect of a synbiotic yogurt containing B. animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12 and inulin on the human intestinal bifidobacteria, clostridia, and enterobacteria. Fecal samples were collected at 14 time points from 46 volunteers who completed the study, and changes in the intestinal bacterial levels were monitored using real-time PCR. Strain Bb-12 could not be detected in feces after 2 weeks of washout. A live/dead PCR procedure indicated that the Bb-12 strain detected in the fecal samples was alive. A significant increase (P < 0.001) in the total bifidobacterial numbers was seen in both groups of subjects during the final washout period compared to the prefeeding period. This increase in total bifidobacteria corresponded with a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in numbers of clostridia but not enterobacteria. No significant differences in numbers of bifidobacteria, clostridia, or enterobacteria were observed between the probiotic and placebo groups during any of the feeding periods. However, subgrouping subjects based on lower initial bifidobacterial numbers or higher initial clostridial numbers did show corresponding significant differences between the synbiotic yogurt and placebo groups. This was not observed for a subgroup with higher initial enterobacterial numbers. While this synbiotic yogurt can increase bifidobacterial numbers and decrease clostridial numbers (but not enterobacterial numbers) in some individuals, it cannot modulate these microbial groups in the majority of individuals.

Surface architecture of endospores of the Bacillus cereus/anthracis/thuringiensis family at the subnanometer scale

Bacteria of the Bacillus cereus family form highly resistant spores, which in the case of the pathogen B. anthracis act as the agents of infection. The outermost layer, the exosporium, enveloping spores of the B. cereus family as well as a number of Clostridia, plays roles in spore adhesion, dissemination, targeting, and germination control. We have analyzed two naturally crystalline layers associated with the exosporium, one representing the "basal" layer to which the outermost spore layer ("hairy nap") is attached, and the other likely representing a subsurface ("parasporal") layer. We have used electron cryomicroscopy at a resolution of 0.8-0.6 nm and circular dichroism spectroscopic measurements to reveal a highly α-helical structure for both layers. The helices are assembled into 2D arrays of "cups" or "crowns." High-resolution atomic force microscopy of the outermost layer showed that the open ends of these cups face the external environment and the highly immunogenic collagen-like fibrils of the hairy nap (BclA) are attached to this surface. Based on our findings, we present a molecular model for the spore surface and propose how this surface can act as a semipermeable barrier and a matrix for binding of molecules involved in defense, germination control, and other interactions of the spore with the environment.