Minocycline and Its Impact on Microbial Dysbiosis in the Skin and Gastrointestinal Tract of Acne Patients

Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus helveticus Synergistically Suppress Stress-related Visceral Hypersensitivity Through Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Modulation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Visceral pain and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) dysregulation is a common characteristic in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Previously, we reported that a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) prevents chronic stress-mediated brain function abnormalities by attenuating the HPA axis response. Here, we compared the effect between different probiotic treatments on the perception of visceral pain during colorectal distension (CRD) following a chronic stress and the consequences to the activity of the HPA axis. METHODS: After a 2-week treatment with a combined probiotic formulation, or L. helveticus or B. longum alone in stressed mice, the visceral pain in response to CRD was recorded. The expression of glucocorticoid receptors was determined in the different brain areas involved in the stress response (hypothalamus, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex). The plasma levels of stress hormones were also measured. RESULTS: A pretreatment using the combination of probiotic formulation significantly reduces the chronic stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity respectively at 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10 mL CRD volume. However, a single probiotic (B. longum or L. helveticus) administration is less effective in reducing visceral pain in stressed mice. Moreover, the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor mRNA was consistently up-regulated in several brain areas after pretreatment with a combined probiotic, which correlated with the normalization of stress response compared to the inconsistent effects of a single probiotic. CONCLUSION: The combination of L. helveticus and B. longum is more effective in regulating glucocorticoid negative feedback on the HPA axis than probiotic alone and subsequently in treating stress-induced visceral pain.

Influence of Routine Probiotic Supplementation on the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Late Onset Sepsis

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the influence of routine probiotic supplementation on causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late onset sepsis. METHODS: All neonates born at <32 weeks of gestation and weighing <1,500 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit during the study period were included. The study period was divided into the pre-probiotic period, between January 2009 and February 2011, and the probiotic period, between November 2012 and December 2014. The probiotic given was a mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis and B. longum, administered at the time of the first feeding over 2 mL once daily. RESULTS: A total of 358 infants were screened for enrollment, with 149 infants included in the pre-probiotic group (mean birth weight 937 g, mean gestational age 27.9 wk), and 158 in the probiotic group (1,040 g, 28.6 wk). Probiotics had no statistically significant impact on NEC and late onset sepsis. However, three cases of probiotic related sepsis occurred after the infants were routinely administered probiotics in our unit. CONCLUSION: Routine probiotic supplementation did not reduce the incidence of NEC in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. However, severe sepsis was caused by strains in the probiotic administered to patients. Therefore, routine prophylactic use of probiotic in VLBW infants should be performed cautiously.

Effect of Probiotics on Central Nervous System Functions in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review

To systematically review the effects of probiotics on central nervous system function in animals and humans, to summarize effective interventions (species of probiotic, dose, duration), and to analyze the possibility of translating preclinical studies. Literature searches were conducted in Pubmed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Only randomized controlled trials were included. In total, 38 studies were included: 25 in animals and 15 in humans (2 studies were conducted in both). Most studies used Bifidobacterium (eg, B. longum, B. breve, and B. infantis) and Lactobacillus (eg, L. helveticus, and L. rhamnosus), with doses between 10⁹ and 10¹⁰ colony-forming units for 2 weeks in animals and 4 weeks in humans. These probiotics showed efficacy in improving psychiatric disorder-related behaviors including anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and memory abilities, including spatial and non-spatial memory. Because many of the basic science studies showed some efficacy of probiotics on central nervous system function, this background may guide and promote further preclinical and clinical studies. Translating animal studies to human studies has obvious limitations but also suggests possibilities. Here, we provide several suggestions for the translation of animal studies. More experimental designs with both behavioral and neuroimaging measures in healthy volunteers and patients are needed in the future.

Selection and immunomodulatory evaluation of lactic acid bacteria suitable for use as canine probiotics / 대한수의학회지

This study was conducted to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from dog intestine and identify potential probiotic strains for canine use. One hundred and one LAB were isolated from feces of 20 healthy dogs. Acid, bile, and heat resistance along with adherence to Caco-2 cells and antimicrobial activity against pathogens were examined. To analyze immunomodulative effects, the production of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta was measured using RAW 264.7 macrophages. Additionally, RAW BLUE cells were used to evaluate nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) generation. Ultimately, three strains were selected as canine probiotics and identified as Lactobacillus reuteri L10, Enterococcus faecium S33, and Bifidobacterium longum B3 by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The L10 and S33 strains showed tolerance to pH 2.5 for 2 h, 1.0% Oxgall for 2 h, and 60degrees C for 5 min. These strains also had strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli KCTC 1682, Salmonella Enteritidis KCCM 12021, Staphylococcus aureus KCTC 1621, and Listeria monocytogenes KCTC 3569. All three strains exerted better immunomodulatory effects than Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a well-known commercial immunomodulatory strain, based on NO, NF-kappaB, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha production. These results suggested that the three selected strains could serve as canine probiotics.

Comparison of the gut microbiota profile in breast-fed and formula-fed Korean infants using pyrosequencing

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Feeding in infancy is the most significant determinant of the intestinal microbiota in early life. The aim of this study was to determine the gut microbiota of Korean infants and compare the microbiota obtained between breast-fed and formula-fed Korean infants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We analyzed the microbial communities in fecal samples collected from twenty 4-week old Korean (ten samples in each breast-fed or formula-fed) infants using pyrosequencing. RESULTS: The fecal microbiota of the 4-week-old Korean infants consisted of the three phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. In addition, five species, including Bifidocbacterium longum, Streptococcus salivarius, Strepotococcus lactarius, Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae, and Lactobacillus gasseri were common commensal intestinal microbiota in all infants. The predominant intestinal microbiota in the breast-fed infants (BFI) included the phylum Actinobacteria (average 70.55%), family Bifidobacteriacea (70.12%), genus Bifidobacterium (70.03%) and species Bifidobacterium longum (69.96%). In the microbiota from the formula-fed infants (FFI), the proportion of the phylum Actinobacteria (40.68%) was less, whereas the proportions of Firmicutes (45.38%) and Proteobacteria (13.85%) as well as the diversity of each taxonomic level were greater, compared to those of the BFI. The probiotic species found in the 4-week-old Korean infants were Bifidobacterium longum, Streptococcus salivarius, and Lactobacillus gasseri. These probiotic species accounted for 93.81% of the microbiota from the BFI, while only 63.80% of the microbiota from the FFI. In particular, B. longum was more abundant in BFI (69.96%) than in FFI (34.17%). CONCLUSIONS: Breast milk supports the growth of B. longum and inhibits others. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first attempt to analyze the gut microbiota of healthy Korean infants according to the feeding type using pyrosequencing. Our data can be used as a basis for further studies to investigate the development of intestinal microbiota with aging and disease status.

The drug sensitivities of Plasmodium falciparum in the Sonitpur district, Assam, India.

Falciparum malaria is an ongoing problem in the foothills of Northeast India. Evaluation of the drug sensitivities of P. falciparum was carried out in four endemic villages of the Sonitpur District of Assam, involving 218 cases who were tested in vivo over 35 days. Chloroquine resistance was detected at the RI level in 29 cases (13%) and RII level in 8 cases (4%). No RIII chloroquine resistant cases were detected in the study. RI resistance was observed in the age groups 6-10 years, 11-14 years, and 15 years and above in 16%, 17%, and 13%, respectively. RII level resistance was observed in 4% of all those groups combined. All the RI and RII resistant cases responded well to a single dosage of Metakelfin (sulfamethoxypyrazine I.P 1,500 mg and pyrimethamine I.P 75 mg).

A Case of Sepsis by Bifidobacterium longum / 대한임상병리학회지

Bifidobacterium longum, indigenous bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract, is a species of anaerobic non-spore-forming gram-positive bacilli, and appears to play an important role in preventing overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. This organism is very rarely isolated from clinical specimens. It is known to be very difficult to identify Bifidobacterium longum due to not only the variability in aerotolerance, colony morphology and stainability on gram staining, resulting the failure of distinguishing from other anaerobic non-spore-forming gram-positive bacilli by the conventional biochemical tests. Definitive identification of genus Bifidobacterium requires the analysis of the end-products of metabolism, volatile and non-volatile fatty acids, by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). We report a case of sepsis caused by Bifidobacterium longum in a 19-year-old male who developed high fever, jaundice and hepatomegaly after he had been introduced with many small gold needles. Anaerobic non-spore-forming gram-positive bacilli were isolated from his blood and identified as Bifidobacterium longum by performing biochemical tests and the analysis of the metabolic end-products by GLC. He has been completely recovered after ticarcillin and metronidazole therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of incidental sepsis by Bifidobacterium longum in the world.

Efficacy of sulfalene and pyrimethamine combination drugs alone and with quinine in treatment of P. falciparum cases in chloroquine resistant areas of north east India.

Studies were carried out in some areas of Assam, Nagaland, West Bengal and Mizoram where chloroquine resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum were present during 1983 and 1984, to see the efficacy of treatment of P. falciparum cases with SLP alone or with quinine sulphate. The findings have indicated that SLP in the dosage of sulfalene (1000 mg) + Pyrimethamine (50 mg) is suitable for treatment of P. falciparum cases not responding to chloroquine therapy in N.E. India. Treatment with sulfalene (1500 mg) + Pyrimethamine (75 mg) has no advantage over the SLP (1000 + 50) mg. Combination of quinine (1000 mg x 3 days) + SLP (1000 + 50) mg is better with 100 per cent cure rate. In Karhi Anglong district (Manja PHC) of Assam response to these drug combination is however less.

Metakelfin toxicity--with pale centered superficial retinal haemorrhages.

An interesting case of acute onset bilateral superficial white-centered retinal haemorrhages probably due to idiosyncrasy to a new antimalarial drug is reported.

Tratamiento de la prostatitis crónica con Kelfiprin / Chronic prostatitis treatment with Kelfiprin.

Se presenta una serie de 18 prostatitis bacterianas y 21 prostatitis no bacterianas tratadas durante 30 dias con Kelfiprin (R). Se reportan resultados exelentes o buenos en el 94% de las prostatitis bacterianas y en el 29% de las no bacterianas

Tratamiento continuo con trimetropim-sulfametopirazina en pacientes inmunodeficientes / Continuous treatment with trimethroprim-sulphametroxipirazine in patients with immunodeficiencies

Mediante un estudio retrospectivo, se evaluó el efecto a largo plazo de una combinación de trimetroprim-sulfametopirazina, administrada en forma profiláctica a 10 pacientes portadores de inmunodeficiencias primarias graves. Estos enfermos correspondieron a 3 casos de enfermedad granulomatosa crónica, 2 defectos de quimiotáxis y 5 niños con hipogamaglobulinemia común variable. En el curso de este tratamiento, hubo una redución importante en el número de episodios infecciosos, hospitalizaciones y drenajes quirúrgicos, en comparación al período previo al empleo de este medicamento. El período de observación anterior al estudio fue de 13,5 meses y de 14,6 meses para el período de tratamiento profiláctico con trimetroprim-sulfametapirazina. Se concluye que el uso prolongado con este medicamento, en este tipo de afecciones, representa una alternativa útil en tanto no se dispongan de otros procedimientos definitivos para curar a estos enfermos. El fármaco fue muy bien tolerado y no se evidenciaron efectos colaterales de importancia

Tratamiento de las infecciones urinarias recurrentes con la asociación de trimetoprim-sulfametopiracina en adultos / Treatment of recurrent urinary infections with the asociation of trimetoprim and sulfanetopyrazine in adults

Se estudiaron 40 pacientes adultos que presentaban infección de las vías urinarias (IVU), a los cuales les fue administrada la asociación de Trymetoprim-Sulfametopirazina durante 15 días, por vía oral. Se llevaron a cabo evaluaciones basadas en criterios bacteriológico y clínico, y evaluación de tolerancia. De los 40 pacientes estudiados 38 fueron evaluables para determinar la eficacia terapéutica y la totalidad para determinar tolerancia al tratamiento. La respuesta fue buena en la mayor parte de los pacientes, disminuyendo la sintomatología progresivamente, conforme se resolvía el cuadro infeccioso. La tasa de éxito alcanzada fue del 79%, demostrando que la combinación Trimetoprim-Sulfametopirazina es un medicamento bien tolerado y con ventajas por su fácil administración

Tratamiento de la bronquitis crónica con la asociación trimetoprim-sultametopirazina en pacientes adultos / Treatment of chronic bronquitis with a combination of trimetoprin and sultametopyzine in adult patients

Se estudiaron 31 pacientes de ambos sexos, de los cuales fueron evaluables 28, con edad promedio de 59 años que cursaban con bronquitis crónica. Les fue aplicada la combinación Trimetoprim-Sulfametopirazina. El diagnóstico arrojó como factores predisponentes tabaquismo, inhalación de polvos tóxicos y factores de tipo alérgico. La eficacia del tratamiento se consideró buena en un 85.7% ya que se logró erradicación del cultivo inicial en 24 pacientes, además de que se observó tolerancia puesto que, en 24 pacientes no se observaron efectos secundarios

Kelfiprim suspensäo na síndrome diarréica bacteriana: um estudo multicêntrico / Kelfiprim syrup in bacterial diarrheal syndrome: a multicenter study

Foi realizado um estudo multicêntrico em 52 pacientes ambulatoriais de clínica pediátrica, portadores de síndrome diarréica bacteriana, utilizando como terapêutica a combinaçäo sulfalena-trimetoprima (Kelfiprim suspensäo). A dosagem instituída foi de 0,4 ml/kg de peso corpóreo ao dia, dividida em duas administraçöes (12/12 horas), por um período de sete dias. Avaliaçäo clínica e laboratorial comprovaram a eficácia e a excelente tolerabilidade da combinaçäo. Näo ocorreram complicaçöes e/ou efeitos colaterais significativos. Neste estudo, a terapêutica com sulfalena-trimetoprima atingiu, com êxito, o seu propósito

Tratamiento de sinositis crónica en adultos con la asociación trimetoprim-sulfametoripirazina / Treatment of chronic sinusitis in adults with the trimetoprim-sulfamethoxyoyrazine combination

Se estudiaron 36 pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de sinusitis crônica a los que se administró la combinación trimetoprim (250 mg) y sulfametoxipirazina (200 mg), dos cápsulas en una toma el primer dia, y una cápsula diaria dos semanas. Los signos y síntomas clínicos que se evaluaron fue obstrucción y secreción nasal, tos, dolor espontáneo y a la presión de los senos paranasales y fiebre. La eficacia clínica de la combinación antimicrobiana fue mayor de 80%, y al bacteriológica de 100%

La combinación trimetoprim-sulfametoxipirazina en el tratamiento de la sinusitis crónica en pacientes pediátricos / The combination trimethoprim-sulfanethoxypyrazine in the treatment of chronic sinusitis in pediatric patients

Se estudiaron 30 niños con diagnóstico de sinusitis crônica bacteriana. Los signos y síntomas clínicos que se evaluaron fueron: secreción y obstrucción nasales, cefalea, tos, dolor o hipersensibilidad sobre los senos paranasales, expectoración, insuficiencia respiratoria, disnea, fiebre y malestar general. Se administró la combinación trimetoprim, 4 mg/kg, y sulfametoxipirazina, 3.2 mg/kg, cada 12 horas durante 15 días. Los resultados fueron excelentes con remisión de la sintomatologia y negativización de los cultivos en todos los pacientes