RESUMO
Interleukin-27 (IL-27) has a pleiotropic role either as a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokine in inflammatory related diseases. The role and involvement of IL-27 during malaria was investigated and the effects of modulating its release on the production of major inflammatory cytokines and the histopathological consequences in major affected organs during the infection were evaluated. Results showed that IL-27 concentration was significantly elevated throughout the infection but no positive correlation with the parasitaemia development observed. Augmentation of IL-27 significantly elevated the release of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 whereas antagonising and neutralising IL-27 produced the opposite. A significant elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-6) was also observed, both during augmentation and inhibition of IL-27. Thus, it is suggested that IL-27 exerts an anti-inflammatory activity in the Th1 type response by signalling the production of IL-10 during malaria. Histopathological examination showed sequestration of PRBC in the microvasculature of major organs in malarial mice. Other significant histopathological changes include hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the Kupffer cells in the liver, hyaline membrane formation in lung tissue, enlargement of the white and red pulp followed by the disappearance of germinal centre of the spleen, and tubular vacuolation of the kidney tissues. In conclusion, it is suggested that IL-27 may possibly acts as an anti-inflammatory cytokine during the infection. Modulation of its release produced a positive impact on inflammatory cytokine production during the infection, suggesting its potential in malaria immunotherapy, in which the host may benefit from its inhibition.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Increase in resistance pattern of urinary tract pathogens to conventional antimicrobial agents used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) is gaining the attention of many microbiologists worldwide in respect to treatment of UTIs. The aim of the present study was to obtain data on resistance patterns of pathogens responsible for UTIs to currently used antimicrobial agents in Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (tertiary healthcare hospital). METHOD: A total of 2842 samples were collected from both outpatient and inpatient departments. The majority of samples in this study were midstream urine specimens, others included catheterized urine samples. Standard parameters were followed for isolation and identification of clinical isolates and further antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. RESULTS: Out of 2842 samples, 1980 (67%) were culture positive. Escherichia coli (E coli) was the most prevalent isolate (OP 63%, IP 45.5%) followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (K pneumonia) as the second commonest UTI-causing agent (OP 15.9%, IP 21.7%). High percentage of isolates showed resistance to sulfa drugs such as cotrimoxazole. First generation cephalosporins were ineffective, while aminoglycosides and third generation cephalosporins were effective against E coli, K pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P aeruginosa), Enterococcus faecalis and Staphyococcus aureus (Staph aureus). Furthermore, this study noticed that glycopeptide drugs such as vancomycin are highly effective against E faecalis and Staph aureus UTIs. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the increased trend in resistance pattern of uropathogens in the valley region. These data may aid health professionals in choosing the appropriate treatment for patients with UTI in the region and hopefully will prevent the misuse of antibiotics.
OBJETIVO: El aumento del patrón de resistencia de los patógenos de las vías urinarias frente a los agentes antimicrobianos convencionales usados para las infecciones de las vías urinarias (IVU) está ganando la atención de muchos microbiólogos a nivel mundial, en relación con el tratamiento de las IVU. El objetivo del presente estudio fue obtener datos sobre los patrones de resistencia de los patógenos responsables de las IVU en el Instituto de Ciencias Médicas Sher-I-Cachemira (hospital de atención terciaria a la salud) frente a los agentes antimicrobianos de uso común. MÉTODO: Se recogieron un total de 2842 muestras provenientes de los departamentos de pacientes externos e internos. La mayoría de las muestras en este estudio fueron especimenes de orina de mitad de micción; otros incluyeron muestras de orina cateterizada. Se siguieron los parámetros estándar para el aislamiento y la identificación de los aislados clínicos, y posteriormente se realizó la prueba de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana mediante el método Kirby-Bauer de difusión por disco. RESULTADOS: De 2842 muestras, 1980 (67%) fueron cultivos positivos. Escherichia coli (E coli) fue el aislado más frecuente (OP 63%, IP 45.5%) seguido por Klebsiella pneumonia (K pneumonia) como el segundo agente más común causante de IVU (OP 15.9%, IP 21.7%). Un alto porcentaje de aislados mostró resistencia a los medicamentos de sulfa, por ejemplo el cotrimoxazole. Las cefalosporinas de primera fueron ineficaces, mientras que los aminoglucósidos y las cefalosporinas de tercera generación fueron efectivas frente a E coli, K pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P aeruginosa), Enterococcus faecalis y Staphyococcus aureus (Staph aureus). Además, en este estudio se observó que los medicamentos glicopéptidos, tales como la vancomicina, son altamente efectivos frente a las IVU por E faecalis y Staph aureus. CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio revela un aumento en la tendencia del patrón de resistencia de los uropatógenos en la región del Valle. Estos datos pueden ayudar a los profesionales de la salud a escoger el tratamiento apropiado para los pacientes con IVU en la región, y es de esperar que asimismo ayuden a prevenir el uso inadecuado de antibióticos.