Role of non-H2O2 producing lactobacilli and anaerobes in normal and complicated pregnancy.

Lactobacilli (Doederlein's bacilli) are the most important predominant protective agents of the vaginal microbial ecosystem and alteration in vaginal pH directly speculates the concentration of lactobacilli. Currently, recognition of anaerobic lactobacilli (non-H2O2 producing lactobacilli) had further raised its significance. Therefore, the present study was aimed to explore the role of non-H2O2 lactobacilli and its association with other anaerobes in 100 cases of complicated pregnancy, 75 cases of normal pregnancy and 35 cases in non-pregnant women. Vaginal and cervical swabs were obtained and were inoculated in special and suitable media. Anaerobic lactobacilli (non-H2O2 producing) were more common genital microbes in women of complicated pregnancy (56.0%) than in normal pregnancy (34.7%) and in control group (14.2%). Rate of recovery of non-H2O2 producing lactobacilli increased when pathogenic bacteria especially anaerobes dominate the genital microflora. Anaerobic lactobacilli were seen in higher numbers when they were associated with bacteroides sp and other anaerobes. They were significantly reduced when aerobes predominated in flora; the correlation have been discussed.

Comparative study of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M among neonates in caesarean section and vaginal delivery.

The present study comprised 50 cases of normal vaginal delivery and 50 cases of caesarean section. The cord blood level of immunoglobulin G was significantly higher in normal vaginal delivery cases than in caesarean section cases (mean level is 1653.2 +/- 443.1 mg/dl and 898.3 +/- 415.6 mg/dl respectively). The immunoglobulin G was low in cord blood but had higher concentration in all the 7 cases in study group who had fever with rigor in antenatal period. Thus the babies delivered with caesarean section had lower immunoglobulin level than normal vaginal delivery.

Correlation between inhibitory effect of quinolones and mycolic acid metabolism in mycobacteria.

Mycolic acids are important components having a significant role in maintaining the rigidity of mycobacterial cell wall. They could also be the barrier for penetration of certain drugs into the bacterial cell. A novel in vitro model system was established for assessing the effect of Ciproflaxacin on mycolic acid metabolism in pathogenic mycobacteria M. Kansasii (which has similar mycolic acid pattern to that from M. leprae) and the effect of norfloxacin in M. intracellulare. These test mycobacteria were exposed in their midlogarithmic phase of growth to 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 micrograms ml of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin respectively for 1, 2 and 24 hours. Ciprofloxacin completely inhibited the synthesis of mycolates in M. kansasii at 3, 4 and 5 micrograms/ml; whereas norfloxacin exhibited its maximum inhibitory action on mycolic acids in M. intracellulare at 6 micrograms/ml for all the durations of exposure. Inhibition of mycolates directly correlated with bacterial viability which was estimated by colony forming units. The effect of quinolones on mycolic acid metabolism appears to be direct and not secondary to DNA gyrase. The results obtained from this study and our previous findings show that mycolic acid metabolism is affected by various groups of drugs, whose primary sites of activity may be different. The findings of the present study may have significant therapeutic implications in leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases.