Reduction Of Microbiota Research Articles

Alcohol in gel is as effective as chlorhexidine in the reduction of microbiota on hands in hospital nurses

Context: Alcohol gel (70% ethanol, AG) and 2% chlorhexidine foam (CF) are hand antiseptics recommended by the World Health Organization. Although both are effective, it is unclear if one is superior to the other in a hospital setting. Aims: To evaluate the disinfectant ability comparing AG and CF by analyzing microbial reduction on the hands of nursing staff from two hospitals in Northern Peru. Methods: The nursing staff was randomly assigned to the AG and CF treatment groups. Before and after antisepsis, samples were taken by inserting the hands into a sterile self-closing bag containing peptone water. A sample of the liquid medium was plated on agar and used to calculate the CFU/mL of the peptone water. Participant data was analyzed in aggregate or according to hospital, profession, or service. Results: Both AG and CF were significantly effective in reducing CFU/mL. In aggregate, CFU/mL reduction was 80.9% for AG and 91.3% for CF, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, a small statistically significant difference in favor of CF was observed in the surgical center of both hospitals. These results are confirmed with multivariate analysis. Conclusions: AG and CF are both effective in hand antisepsis, but other factors are important when deciding which agent is appropriate for a specific healthcare setting.

Microbiological cleaning and disinfection efficacy of a three-stage ultrasonic processing protocol for CAD-CAM implant abutments.

Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD-CAM) of implant abutments has been shown to result in surface contamination from site-specific milling and fabrication processes. If not removed, these contaminants can have a potentially adverse effect and may trigger inflammatory responses of the peri-implant tissues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bacterial disinfection and cleaning efficacy of ultrasonic reprocessing in approved disinfectants to reduce the microbial load of CAD-CAM abutments. Four different types of custom implant abutments (total N = 32) with eight specimens in each test group (type I to IV) were CAD-CAM manufactured. In two separate contamination experiments, specimens were contaminated with heparinized sheep blood alone and with heparinized sheep blood and the test bacterium Enterococcus faecium. Abutments in the test group were processed according to a three-stage ultrasonic protocol and assessed qualitatively and quantitatively by determination of residual protein. Ultrasonicated specimens contaminated with sheep blood and E. faecium were additionally eluted and the dilutions were incubated on agar plates for seven days. The determined bacterial counts were expressed as colony-forming units (CFU). Ultrasonic reprocessing resulted in a substantial decrease in residual bacterial protein to less than 80 µg and a reduction in microbiota of more than 7 log levels of CFU for all abutment types, exceeding the effect required for disinfection. A three-stage ultrasonic cleaning and disinfection protocol results in effective bacterial decontamination. The procedure is reproducible and complies with the standardized reprocessing and disinfection specifications for one- or two-piece CAD-CAM implant abutments.

Ovarian progesterone suppresses depression and anxiety-like behaviors by increasing the Lactobacillus population of gut microbiota in ovariectomized mice

Depression and anxiety, which are severe symptoms during menopause, are caused by ceased ovarian activity and declined serum progesterone levels. Studies have demonstrated that gut microbiota can regulate brain function and change the microbiota composition during the perimenopause period. This study investigated whether progesterone affects depressant and anxious behaviors via gut microbiota. In ovariectomized (OVX) mice, treatment with progesterone improved depressive and anxious behaviors, and gut microbiota composition was significantly changed. In particular, increased Lactobacillus spp. were observed in these mice. Reduction of microbiota by antibiotic treatment abolished the effect of progesterone on depression and anxiety. In addition, administration of Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri that was increased by progesterone also reduced the depressant behavior in OVX mice, and BDNF gene expression was elevated by progesterone treatment and L. reuteri administration in the hippocampus. Moreover, we found that progesterone stimulated the growth of L. reuteri in vitro. In summary, our findings indicate that progesterone reduces depression and anxiety through changes in gut microbiota composition, particularly by increasing the Lactobacillus spp. population.

Reduction of Microbiota in Marinated Vacuum-Packaged Poultry Breast Fillets

A b s t r a c t: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different marinade solution on the microbiome of chicken breast fillets packaged under vacuum and stored at 4°C. Three types of marinade were tested. A total of 120 chicken breast fillets were marinated in control (6% NaCl) or three different marinades: 6% NaCl and 2% sodium tripolyphosphate; 6% NaCl and 2% sodium citrate, and; 6% NaCl, 1% sodium tripolyphosphate and 1% sodium citrate. Microorganisms were enumerated on the first day of testing (day 0) and on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 of chilled storage. Marination resulted in significant differences (p<0.05) in the numbers of total viable counts, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria and anaerobic bacteria counts. The combination of 6% NaCl and 2% sodium citrate is the most appropriate marinade option for reducing the growth of the examined bacterial groups in vacuum-packaged marinated chicken breast fillets during chilled storage.

Linking diets and specific dietary components to health and well‐being through modulation of gut microbiota and low grade inflammation (LGI).

Aging is one of the highest cancer (CA) health risk factors [HRF] for both sexes. While CA is a multifactorial disease, two underlying mechanisms were commonly identified in elderly: 1) low chronic inflammation (LCI) and 2) immunosenescence. Microbiota (MB), mainly probiotics, can potentially influence these two mechanisms directly and also via microbially produced metabolites. Dietary interventions have the potential to modify MB, HRF and inflammatory status [IS] and thus could influence the risk and MB composition and IS on HRF and disease of elderly; 2) To investigate how changes in the MB influence the inflammatory and immune status with age; and 3)To evaluate the relationship between inflammation and CA. Assumptions[1] Aging leads to reductions in MB diversity, associated with increases in health risk; [2]. Age‐related MB changes IS. [3] Antibiotic‐related (AB) MB reduction promotes inflammation. 4] Inflammation precedes CA and 5]; Diet / Dietary Components influence IS.Results1) Studies on aging gut MB show that the composition of MB in elders is differs from that of younger adults resulting in a very low abundance of phylum Firmicutes and an overall low MB diversity detected in elderly. Low diversity has been found to associate with increased HRF 2). Fecal samples from volunteers with low and high frailty scores showed a significant reduction in the number of lactobacilli (26‐fold). At much higher population levels, both the Bacteroides/Prevotella (threefold) and the Faecalibacteriumprausnitzii (fourfold) groups showed a significant reduction in percentage of total number of hybridizable bacteria in the elderly with high frailty scores vs. low fraility score. 3) Higher than average levels of age‐associated inflammation are a strong predictor of overall ill health, development of chronic inflammatory conditions, and all‐cause mortality in the elderly. Levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as IL6 and TNF increase with age in both humans and mice. The presence of a compromised MB in centenarians is associated with an even more increased inflammatory status, as determined by a range of peripheral blood inflammatory markers: .4) An association between altered MB and mucosal inflammation was suggested when patients who had recently taken ABs suffered irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] symptomatology. Predictably, AB treatment in the elderly affects both richness and diversity of the MB and was associated with decreases in bifidobacteria and the Bacteroides‐Prevotella group. 5).: Inflammation precedes CA development via several pathophysiological mechanisms. Infections with H. pylori, found in about 66% of humans are a cause of global CA mortality by triggering host inflammatory responses. Hepatic inflammation, influenced by gastrointestinal MB predisposes to hepatocellular CA, the 3rd most common cause of global CA mortality. 6) Finally, the mechanism of IBS Disease involves bacterial‐driven inflammation that promotes colon CA. and 7). Diet:components contribute to determining gut MB composition and diversity, likely through MB‐mediated effects that involve a reduction in LGI via altered gut MB or other aspects of MB‐host crosstalk, or may affect inflammation directly.ConclusionA systematic review of 52 clinical trials examining correlation between dairy consumption and Inflammatory markers suggests that dairy products and fermented products may promote anti‐inflammatory cascades and could be beneficial in predicting certain types of CAs.Support or Funding InformationSupported by Institutional Resources of USAT Montserrat and the Einstein Medical Institute, N. Palm Beach, FL, USAThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

PGRP-LD mediates A. stephensi vector competency by regulating homeostasis of microbiota-induced peritrophic matrix synthesis.

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) and commensal microbes mediate pathogen infection outcomes in insect disease vectors. Although PGRP-LD is retained in multiple vectors, its role in host defense remains elusive. Here we report that Anopheles stephensi PGRP-LD protects the vector from malaria parasite infection by regulating gut homeostasis. Specifically, knock down of PGRP-LD (dsLD) increased susceptibility to Plasmodium berghei infection, decreased the abundance of gut microbiota and changed their spatial distribution. This outcome resulted from a change in the structural integrity of the peritrophic matrix (PM), which is a chitinous and proteinaceous barrier that lines the midgut lumen. Reduction of microbiota in dsLD mosquitoes due to the upregulation of immune effectors led to dysregulation of PM genes and PM fragmentation. Elimination of gut microbiota in antibiotic treated mosquitoes (Abx) led to PM loss and increased vectorial competence. Recolonization of Abx mosquitoes with indigenous Enterobacter sp. restored PM integrity and decreased mosquito vectorial capacity. Silencing PGRP-LD in mosquitoes without PM didn’t influence their vector competence. Our results indicate that PGPR-LD protects the gut microbiota by preventing hyper-immunity, which in turn promotes PM structurally integrity. The intact PM plays a key role in limiting P. berghei infection.

Low-FODMAP Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Is It Ready for Prime Time?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease, which adversely affects the quality of life. Its prevalence has been reported to be around 10-15 % in North America and constitutes the most common cause for gastroenterology referral. Unfortunately, the pathophysiology of IBS is not completely understood. Not surprisingly, the management strategies can leave the patients with inadequate symptom control, making IBS a debilitating gastrointestinal syndrome. Dietary interventions as a treatment strategy for IBS have been recently evaluated. One such intervention includes dietary restriction of fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs). FODMAPs define a group of short-chain carbohydrates that are incompletely absorbed in small intestine and later fermented in the colon. Evidence in the form of randomized controlled trials and observational studies have evaluated the mechanism of action and efficacy of low-FODMAP diet. This dietary intervention has showed promising results in symptom reduction in IBS patients. However, latest trials have also shown that the low-FODMAP diet is associated with marked changes in gut microbiota specifically reduction in microbiota with prebiotic properties. Implications of such changes on gastrointestinal health need to be further evaluated in future trials.

Adenomatous Polyps Are Driven by Microbe-Instigated Focal Inflammation and Are Controlled by IL-10–Producing T Cells

Interleukin (IL)-10 is elevated in cancer and is thought to contribute to immune tolerance and tumor growth. Defying these expectations, the adoptive transfer of IL-10-expressing T cells to mice with polyposis attenuates microbial-induced inflammation and suppresses polyposis. To gain better insights into how IL-10 impacts polyposis, we genetically ablated IL-10 in T cells in APC(Δ468) mice and compared the effects of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. We found that T cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) were a major cellular source of IL-10 in both the healthy and polyp-bearing colon. Notably, T cell-specific ablation of IL-10 produced pathologies that were identical to mice with a systemic deficiency in IL-10, in both cases increasing the numbers and growth of colon polyps. Eosinophils were found to densely infiltrate colon polyps, which were enriched similarly for microbiota associated previously with colon cancer. In mice receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics, we observed reductions in microbiota, inflammation, and polyposis. Together, our findings establish that colon polyposis is driven by high densities of microbes that accumulate within polyps and trigger local inflammatory responses. Inflammation, local microbe densities, and polyp growth are suppressed by IL-10 derived specifically from T cells and Tregs.

Prostaglandin E2 and SOCS1 have a role in intestinal immune tolerance

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain tolerance to intestinal microorganisms. However, Il10−/−Rag2−/− mice, which lack IL-10 and Tregs, remain healthy, suggesting the existence of other mechanisms of tolerance. Here, we identify suppressor of cytokine signalling 1 (SOCS1) as an essential mediator of immune tolerance in the intestine. Socs1−/−Rag2−/− mice develop severe colitis, which can be prevented by the reduction of microbiota and the transfer of IL-10-sufficient Tregs. Additionally, we find an essential role for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the maintenance of tolerance within the intestine in the absence of Tregs. Socs1−/− dendritic cells are resistant to PGE2-mediated immunosuppression because of dysregulated cytokine signalling. Thus, we propose that SOCS1 and PGE2, potentially interacting together, act as an alternative intestinal tolerance mechanism distinct from IL-10 and Tregs.

Effect of combined administration of enterocin 4231 and sage in rabbits

Enterocin (Ent) 4231, produced by non-rabbit origin strain Enterococcus faecium CCM 4231 was used in combination with sage plant extract in rabbits with the aim to check their antimicrobial activity against microbiota, their effect on immunological, biochemical blood parameters, values of volatile fatty acids in caecum, Eimeria sp. oocysts occurrence and selected parameters of rabbits meat. The animals were divided into three experimental groups (EG1-Ent 4231; EG2- sage; EG3- Ent 4231 with sage) and control group (CG); 24 rabbits in each. Natural substances (NS) were administered for 21 days. The experiment lasted for 42 days. The reduction of microbiota in faeces was observed in EG3 at day 21 by a decrease in the numer of coagulase-positive staphylococci (P<0.01) in comparison with that determined in CG. The bacterial counts in the caecum were lower than those found in faeces. A decrease in the numer of Pseudomonas-like sp. in caeca of the experimental groups was observed at days 21 and 42 (difference in range 0.40-1.87 log cycles) comparing with that determined in CG. At day 21, a significant increase in phagocytic activity (PA, P<0.001) was found in blood of rabbits from EG2 comparing with that observed in CG. At day 42, a significant increase in PA (P<0.001) was determined in all experimental groups in comparison with CG. At day 21, in caecal content of EG3 significantly higher values of lactic acid were observed (P<0.05) in comparison with those found in CG. The reduction of Eimeria sp. oocysts was demonstrated after application of each of NS. Addition of NS did not influence biochemical parameters, meat quality of the animals and does not influence negatively the health status of rabbits.