Proteus vulgaris and Proteus mirabilis Decrease Candida albicans Biofilm Formation by Suppressing Morphological Transition to Its Hyphal Form

PURPOSE: Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Proteus species are causative agents in a variety of opportunistic nosocomial infections, and their ability to form biofilms is known to be a virulence factor. In this study, the influence of co-cultivation with Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris) and Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) on C. albicans biofilm formation and its underlying mechanisms were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: XTT reduction assays were adopted to measure biofilm formation, and viable colony counts were performed to quantify yeast growth. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the expression of yeast-specific genes (rhd1 and rbe1), filament formation inhibiting genes (tup1 and nrg1), and hyphae-related genes (als3, ece1, hwp1, and sap5). RESULTS: Candida biofilm formation was markedly inhibited by treatment with either living or heat-killed P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis. Proteus-cultured supernatant also inhibited Candida biofilm formation. Likewise, treatment with live P. vulgaris or P. mirabilis or with Proteus-cultured supernatant decreased expression of hyphae-related C. albicans genes, while the expression of yeast-specific genes and the filament formation inhibiting genes of C. albicans were increased. Heat-killed P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis treatment, however, did not affect the expression of C. albicans morphology-related genes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that secretory products from P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis regulate the expression of genes related to morphologic changes in C. albicans such that transition from the yeast form to the hyphal form can be inhibited.

Clinical distribution and antimicrobial resistance of 172 Proteus mirabilis isolates and 68 Proteus vulgaris isolates / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To analyze strains of Proteus mirabilis (P .mirabilis )and Proteus vulgaris (P .vulgaris ) isolated in a hospital,detect resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents,and provide reference for rational ap-plication of antimicrobial agents in clinic.Methods 172 P .mirabilis isolates and 68 P .vulgaris isolates isolated between January 1 ,2011 and June 30,2013 were analyzed,antimicrobial resistance susceptibility testing were per-formed by disk diffusion method,data were analyzed with WHONET 5.4 software.Results P .mirabilis strains were mainly isolated from wound secretion(26.74%),sputum(22.68%)and urine(18.61 %),P .vulgaris were mainly from wound secretion(48.53%),urine(17.65%)and sputum(11 .77%).The resistance rates of P .mirabilis to ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were both>45.00%;the resistance rates of P .vulgaris to cefazo-lin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was 86.76% and 41 .18% respectively;the resistance rates of P .mirabilis and P .vulgaris to piperacillin/tazobactam,cefotaxime,ceftazidime,cefepime,carbapenems (ertapenem and mero-penem)and amikacin were all <20.00%.Conclusion The resistance rates of P .mirabilis and P .vulgaris to pip-eracillin/tazobactam,cefotaxime,ceftazidime,cefepime,ertapenem,meropenem and amikacin are all high,and can be used as the empirical medication for the treatment of related infection.

Serological evidence of rickettsial infections in Delhi.

Background & objectives: Rickettsial infections remain under-diagnosed due to lack of diagnostic facilities in developing world. Here we present our experience at National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi, about a serosurvey done in Delhi for rickettsial disease with easy to perform low cost, low expertise Weil Felix test. Methods: On the basis of cut-off titre obtained in healthy population, Weil Felix test results were interpreted along with clinical data. Entomological investigation was also carried out in select areas of Delhi. Rodents were trapped from houses and gardens and vector mites were collected. Results: When serum samples were collected during initial 5 yr period from patients with fever of unknown origin, seropositivity was 8.2 per cent whereas when rickettsial infection was kept as one of the differential diagnosis by clinicians seropositivity increased to 33.3 per cent. Rickettsial infections detected were scrub typhus (48.2%) followed by spotted fever group (27.5%) and typhus group (6.8%) during 2005-2009. In preliminary entomological survey vector mite Leptotombidium deliense was found on rodents. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed that results of Weil Felix test should not be disregarded, rather clinically compatible cases should be treated to save lives.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess by Proteus vulgaris Complicated with Acute Purulent Pericarditis: A Case Report and Review of Korean Literature

Pyogenic liver abscess causes various clinical manifestations and resulted in complications in 30-50 % of cases. Pericarditis due to pyogenic liver abscess is a very rare complication, the result of which is usually fatal without treatment. We report a case of 60-year-old female who had pyogenic liver abscess by Proteus vulgaris complicated with acute purulent pericarditis. Another 3 cases in previous Korean literature were also reviewed.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess by Proteus vulgaris Complicated with Acute Purulent Pericarditis: A Case Report and Review of Korean Literature

Pyogenic liver abscess causes various clinical manifestations and resulted in complications in 30-50 % of cases. Pericarditis due to pyogenic liver abscess is a very rare complication, the result of which is usually fatal without treatment. We report a case of 60-year-old female who had pyogenic liver abscess by Proteus vulgaris complicated with acute purulent pericarditis. Another 3 cases in previous Korean literature were also reviewed.

Bacterial septicemia in water snakes (Helicops modestus) in Brazil

Relata-se infecção septicêmica em cobras d’água (Helicops modestus) causada por Proteus vulgaris. Os animais iniciavam o processo apresentando abscessos puntiformes de coloração esbranquiçada na pele e após rápida evolução, morriam (100% de mortalidade). Descreve-se, ainda, a sensibilidade do P. vulgaris isolado dos animais a drogas antibacterianas.