Microorganisms in Vacuum Stored Flower Bee Pollen

Contamination with sanitary microorganisms from Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families in flower bee pollen from Bulgaria after one-year vacuum-packed cold storage has been found. Dried flower bee pollens intended for human consumption were with high incidence rate of contamination with Pantoea sp. (P. agglomerans and P. agglomerans bgp6) (100%), Citrobacter freundii (47%), Proteus mirabilis (31.6%), Serratia odorifera (15.8%) and Proteus vulgaris (5.3%). Bee pollens were also positive for the culture of microorganisms from Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families: Staphylococcus hominis subsp hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Arthrobacter globiformis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. It was concluded that, if consumed directly, the vacuum-packed cold stored dried bee pollen, harvested according hygienic requirements from bee hives in industrial pollution-free areas without intensive crop production, is not problem for healthy human.

Exposure of periodontal ligament progenitor cells to lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli changes osteoblast differentiation pattern

Periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLMSCs) are an important alternative source of adult stem cells and may be applied for periodontal tissue regeneration, neuroregenerative medicine, and heart valve tissue engineering. However, little is known about the impact of bacterial toxins on the biological properties of PDLSMSCs, including self-renewal, differentiation, and synthesis of extracellular matrix. Objective : This study investigated whether proliferation, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and osteogenic differentiation of CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cell populations (PDL-CD105+ cells) would be affected by exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli (EcLPS). Material and Methods : Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression was assessed in PDL-CD105+ cells by the immunostaining technique and confirmed using Western blotting assay. Afterwards, these cells were exposed to EcLPS, and the following assays were carried out: (i) cell viability using MTS; (ii) expression of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genes; (iii) osteoblast differentiation assessed by mineralization in vitro, and by mRNA levels of run-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) determined by quantitative PCR. Results : PDL-CD105+ cells were identified as positive for TLR4. EcLPS did not affect cell viability, but induced a significant increase of transcripts for IL-6 and IL-8. Under osteogenic condition, PDL-CD105+ cells exposed to EcLPS presented an increase of mineralized matrix deposition and higher RUNX2 and ALP mRNA levels when compared to the control group. Conclusions : These results provide evidence that CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cells are able to adapt to continuous Escherichia coli endotoxin challenge, leading to an upregulation of osteogenic activities. .

Survey of canine tick-borne diseases in Lábrea, Brazilian Amazon: ‘accidental’ findings of Dirofilaria immitis infection / Pesquisa de agentes transmitidos por carrapatos em cães de Lábrea, Amazonas: achados “acidentais” de Dirofilaria immitis

Blood samples were collected from 99 domestic dogs from the urban and rural areas of the Lábrea municipality, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Canine serum samples were tested by immunofluorescence assay against Rickettsia spp., which revealed that only 3.0% (1/33) and 7.6% (5/66) of the dogs from urban and rural areas, respectively, reacted positively to at least one Rickettsia species. DNA was extracted from canine blood and tested by a battery of PCR assays targeting protozoa of the genera Babesia and Hepatozoon, and bacteria of the genera Rickettsia and Ehrlichia and family Anaplasmataceae. All samples were negative in the PCR assays targeting the genera Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia. For Anaplasmataceae, 3% (1/33) and 39.4% (26/66) of the urban and rural dogs, respectively, yielded amplicons that generated DNA sequences 100% identical to the corresponding sequence of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Dirofilaria immitis. Because of these results, all canine DNA samples were further tested in a PCR assay targeting filarial nematodes, which was positive for 18.2% (6/33) and 57.6% (38/66) urban and rural dogs, respectively. Filarial-PCR products generated DNA sequences 100% identical to D. immitis. While tick-borne infections were rare in Lábrea, D. immitis infection rates were among the highest reported in South America.

Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 99 cães domésticos de áreas urbana e rural do município de Lábrea, estado do Amazonas. Soros caninos foram testados pela técnica de imunofluorescência indireta contra Rickettsia spp., resultando em apenas 3,0% (1/33) e 7,6% (5/66) de cães soropositivos nas áreas urbana e rural, respectivamente. DNA foi extraído do sangue canino e testado por diferentes protocolos da PCR para detecção de protozoários dos gêneros Babesia e Hepatozoon, e bactérias dos gêneros Rickettsia e Ehrlichia e da família Anaplasmataceae. Todas as amostras foram negativas nos protocolos de PCR para os gêneros Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia e Rickettsia. Para Anaplasmataceae, 3% (1/33) e 39,4% (26/66) dos cães de áreas urbana e rural, respectivamente, geraram sequências de DNA 100% idênticas ao endosimbionte Wolbachia de Dirofilaria immitis. Posteriormente, as amostras foram testadas pela PCR para nematódeos filarídeos, resultando em 18,2% (6/33) e 57,6% (38/66) de amostras positivas nas áreas urbana e rural, respectivamente. Os produtos geraram sequências de DNA 100% idênticas a D. immitis. Em contraste com várias outras regiões do Brasil, infecções transmitidas por carrapatos foram raras em Lábrea. Por outro lado, as frequências de infecção por D. immitis estiveram entre as mais altas relatadas na América do Sul.

Acute postoperative endophthalmitis by Gemella haemolysans.

Endophthalmitis is a rare and serious post-surgical complication. We report a case of acute postoperative endophthalmitis after an uneventful cataract surgery caused by a commensal organism, Gemella haemolysans. The patient was successfully treated with vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics like vancomycin, along with topical cefazolin.

Absceso cutáneo por Gemella morbillorum / Cutaneous abscess due to Gemella morbillorum

We report a cutaneous abscess due to Gemella morbillorum, a Gram positive coccus found in oropharyngeal flora, that rarely causes disease in humans. Infections associated to this agent are similar to those related to viridans streptococci. There have been reports of endovascular infections (predominantly endocarditis) and also of acute invasive infections. Few previous reports are available of cutaneous infection.

Presentamos un caso de absceso cutáneo por Gemella morbillorum, un coco gram positivo, comensal orofarín-geo habitual, que en contadas ocasiones causa patología en el hombre. Los procesos infecciosos asociados a este patógeno son similares a aquellos causados por la familia de Streptococci viridans en cuanto a espectro, describiéndose casos de infección endovascular (fundamentalmente endocarditis) así como infecciones agudas invasivas. Hay pocos casos descritos de infección cutánea.

Facial cellulitis as a complication of a periradicular abscess due to Gemella morbillorum

Gemella morbillorum is a facultatively anaerobic Gram-positive coccus which forms part of the normal flora of the oro-pharynx, the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. It rarely causes human infection, more often in immunocompromised hosts. We report a case of periradicular abscess due to Gemella morbillorum occurring in a young immunocompetent adult and review previous reports of infections due to Gemella morbillorum in the literature

Bacterial biofilms with emphasis on coagulase-negative staphylococci

In addition to their capacity to attach to surfaces, various groups of microorganisms also produce an extracellular polymeric substance known as "slime". This slime forms a thin layer around cells known as biofilm. Thus, biofilm structure comprises bacterial cells and an extracellular polymeric substance. It also presents a defined architecture, providing the microorganisms with an excellent protective environment and favoring the exchange of genetic material between cells as well as intercellular communication. The ability to produce biofilm is observed in a large group of bacteria, including coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) which are the predominant microorganisms of normal skin flora and have been implicated as the causative agents of hospital infections. Bacteremia caused by these agents is common in immunodepressed persons, in patients with cancer, in adult and neonatal intensive care units (ICU) and in patients using catheters or other prosthetic devices. The pathogenicity of CNS infections is probably related to the production of slime, which adheres preferentially to plastic and smooth surfaces, forming a biofilm that protects against attacks from the immune system and against antibiotic treatment, a fact hindering the eradication of these infections. The main objective of the present review was to describe basic and genetic aspects of biofilm formation and methods for its detection, with emphasis on biofilm creation by CNS and its relationship with diseases caused by these microorganisms which are becoming increasingly more frequent in the hospital environment.

Airborne microbial contamination of dental units

Occupational risk of dental personnel to microbial airborne contamination has been demonstrated through the increased prevalence of respiratory infections. The American Dental Association has suggested stringent protection for infectious agents present in dental aerosols. Materials and Occupational exposure of dentists to airborne microbial and mycological contamination in various locations of a dental school was monitored by sampling of air in close vicinity of their breathing zone. This sampler drew air at a flow rate of 10 liters/minute and for a 2-hour period and blew it at a high speed through a narrow slit over a solid nutrient agar plate. Immediately after sampling, the plates were placed in an incubator and incubated aerobically for 2 days at 37C. The total bacterial counts in the air of dental surgery rooms and in non-surgery rooms without direct involvements with dental operations were in the range of 120-280 cfu/m3 and 49-128 cfu/m3 respectively. Pathogenic Streptococcus haemolyticus and opportunistic Staphylococcus species were found in some locations of dental surgery rooms. There are no standards for acceptable levels of indoor air contamination with pathogenic microorganisms and since pathogenic Streptococcus haemolyticus and opportunistic Staphylococcus species were found in some areas of the dental school, the need for management of possible risk of infective hazards is recognized

Cerebellar abscess by Gemella morbillorum in a patient with inter-atrial communication

Gemella morbillorum, a commensal of the oropharynx, upper respiratory, urogenital and gastrointestinal tract is rarely associated with infections in humans. However, an increasing number of infectious processes in different locations have been reported. Cerebral abscesses caused by these bacteria are extremely uncommon with only four cases previously described in the literature. We present the case of a cerebellar abscess by Gemella morbillorum in a 50 years-old man with inter-atrial communication dealt by surgical excision and antimicrobial therapy.

Gemella morbillorum, uma bactéria comensal da orofaringe, vias aéreas superiores e aparelhos urogenital e gastrointestinal, raramente causa infecções em humanos. No entanto, um crescente número de processos infeciosos em diferentes localizações tem sido referido. Abcessos cerebrais provocados por esta bactéria são extremamente raros, encontrando-se apenas quatro casos previamente descritos na literatura. Apresentamos o caso de um abscesso cerebelar por Gemella morbillorum em um homem de 50 anos com comunicação inter-atrial, tratado por excisão cirúrgica e terapêutica antimicrobiana.

Liver Abscess Caused by Gemella morbillorum / 대한소화기학회지

Gemella morbillorum, an anaerobic-to-aerotolerant Gram-positive coccus, is a normal flora of the oral cavity, respiratory tract, urogenital organ and gastrointestinal tract, and infections caused by this organism are unusual. It has been associated mainly with endocarditis and bacteremia, and rarely with arthritis, spondylodiscitis, meningitis, brain abscess and septic shock. Liver abscess caused by G. morbillorum is very rare, and only a few cases were reported. We experienced a case of liver abscess by G. morbillorum in a 56-year-old woman presented with fever. We report this case with a review of literatures.

Gemella morbillorum endocarditis

A case of Gemella morbillorum [G.morbillorum] endocarditis of the mitral valve in a patient with previously normal heart valves is reported. The presentation was subacute, and the infection was complicated by perforation of the posterior mitral leaflet that necessitated valve repair. Gemella morbillorum infections are uncommon, and endocarditis is the most common presentation. G.morbillorum endocarditis is probably under recognized, and has not been reported from our region. The case is described, and problems in the identification of the organism are discussed