Isolation of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria species from human breast milk

Bacterial colonization of the infant gut is a gradual process that exerts a strong influence on the health status of the host. The source of bacterial diversity in breast fed babies remains unclear. For many decades, breast milk has been regarded as a sterile body fluid which exerts its influence on the infant's microbiota environment via presenting only some growth factors and optimal conditions for helping the growth of bacteria. However, in recent years, breast milk has been hypothesized to be a source of commensal bacteria for the infant gut. This study aimed at searching for bacteria in breast milk to assess the role of breast milk as their probable source. Samples of breast milk were obtained from 50 lactating women and were tested for the presence of different bacteria, using specific media and specific biochemical reactions. Culture of the 50 breast milk specimens showed growth of different species of lactobacilli in 100% of the specimens and bifidobacteria in the milk of 14 mothers [28%]. Breast milk can be a source of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria for the infants

Isolation of enterococci and streptococci species from human breast milk

Bacterial colonization of the infant gut is a gradual process that exerts a strong influence on the health status of the host. The source of bacterial diversity in breast fed babies remains unclear. For many decades, breast milk has been regarded as a sterile body fluid which exerts its influence on the infant's microbiota environment via presenting only some growth factors and optimal conditions for helping the growth of bacteria. However, in recent years, breast milk has been hypothesized to be a source of commensal bacteria for the infant gut. This study aimed at searching for bacteria in breast milk to assess the role of breast milk as their probable source. Samples of breast milk were obtained from 50 lactating women and were tested for the presence of different bacteria, using specific media and specific biochemical reactions. Culture of the 50 breast milk specimens showed growth of different species of enterococci and streptococci in 60% and 84% of the specimens; respectively. Breast milk can be a source of enterococci and streptococci for the infants

Chlamydia pneumoniae [TWAR strain] in respiratory tract infections: a comparative study between different methods for its isolation

Chlamydia pneumoniae [C. peumoniae], is a common pathogen found in the respiratory tract, it has a seroprevalence rate of > 70% in the adult population, and it is considered responsible for about 10% of the cases of community-acquired pneumonia. Owing to the difficulties in the laboratory diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection, a routine diagnostic service for this pathogen is not currently available. Moreover, diagnostic differences between the various techniques are not fully resolved. The present study was conducted to evaluate the utility of Direct Fluorescent Antibody [DFA], Tissue Culture [TC], PCR and microimmunofluorescence [MIF] assays for the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection in patients having respiratory symptoms. A total of 45 throat and retropharyngeal swabs as well as broncho-alveolar lavage specimens -collected from patients suffering from respiratory tract infections [RTIs]- were tested for the presence of C. pneumoniae by Direct Fluorescent Antibody staining [DFA, Bio Merieux], tissue culture on Hep-2 cell monolayer [Vacsera], PCR using species specific primer pair HR-1/MH-1 [Dia-sorin], and their sera were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies against C. pneumoniae by microimmunofluorescence assays [Vircell, S.L]. PCR gave the highest positive detection rate [44.4%], followed by DFA [28.8%], then TC [22.2%], while MIF gave the least [15.5%]. According to the clinical conditions; acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, acute bronchitis, pneumonia and asthmatic bronchitis gave positive results with DFA, TC and PCR. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] gave positive results with DFA and PCR. PCR is the only assay that gave positive results with chronic bronchitis. In conclusion the difference between the various techniques applied for the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection is not fully resolved and it is difficult to define a perfect gold standard