[Domination of Staphylococcus aureus in microbiocenosis of nasal cavity in children and adults with infectious and allergic rhinitis].

UNLABELLED: Aim. Determine the occurrence of S. aureus in microbiocenosis of nasal cavity of children and adults with allergic and infectious rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Content of nasal cavity microflora in patients with infectious and allergic rhinitis was studied. 295 patients were observed, among those--179 children aged 3 months to 14 years and 116 adults aged 15 - 71 years. RESULTS: In 60.3% of cases in children and 52.5% of adults S. aureus was revealed to be the dominating microorganism. Additionally, in 26.8% of children and 35.3% of adults epidermal staphylococcus was isolated. CONCLUSION: Antagonistic properties of these 2 species of microorganisms assume their competition on the nasal mucous membrane.

[STUDY OF PROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF PROTEIN-CONTAINING ANTIGENS OF STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE IN A HETEROLOGOUS SYSTEM].

AIM: Study protective activity of protein-containing antigens of pneumococcus, obtained from serotypes 6B, 10A, 14, 19F, 23F and 36R, against infection with heterologous strains of S. pneumoniae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. pneumoniae strains of serotypes 3, 6B, 10A, 14, 19F, 23F and 36R, obtained from the collection of pneumococcus strains of Mechnikov RIVS, were used in the study. Protein-containing antigens of S. pneumoniae were isolated by acetone precipitations of supernatant fraction of culture medium. Protective activity of preparations of protein-containing antigens of pneumococcus as studied in experiments of active protection of BALb/c line mice. RESULTS: The data obtained give evidence, that protein-containing antigens of pneumococcus, isolated from serotypes 6B, 10A, 14, 19F and 23F, effectively protect animals from subsequent infection with a heterologous S. pneumoniae strain of serotype 3 No. 11/56. Protection was noted at a level from 80 to 100% (p ≤ 0.05). Similar protective effect was detected in another experiment in a group of mice, immunized with preparations of protein-containing antigens of pneumococcus, obtained from serotypes 6B and 36R, against infection with a heterologous S. pneumoniae strain of serotype 3 No. 11/56. Protection was noted at a level of 90% (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the experiments carried out allow to assume, that the main role in formation of cross-protection in experiments in animals is played by pneumococcus, proteins, that are a part of the studied preparations, and not polysaccharide antigens.

[Effect of aluminium hydroxide on innate immunity and immunogenicity of bacterial and synthetic antigens of Streptococcus pneumoniae].

AIM: Study the effect of aluminium hydroxide on molecular-cell mechanisms of innate immunity activation and its adjuvant effect on immunogenicity of natural bacterial and synthetic pneumococci antigens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surface markers of dendritic cells (DC), mononuclear leukocytes (ML) and cytokine levels were determined by flow cytometry; IgG titers--by EIA. Protective activity was evaluated in experiments with active protection of mice from infection with virulent pneumococci strains. RESULTS: Aluminium hydroxide increased the ML content of mice spleen expressing TLR2 and TLR4. Its addition into the culture of immature DC induced the appearance of a population of cells with mature DC markers--CD83, CD80, CD86, however, the level of undifferentiated cells (CD34) and cells with adhesion molecules (CD11c, CD38) did not change. DC produced IL-1ß, IL-5, IL-10, IFNγ into the cultivation medium. An increase of cytokine production took place 2 hours after the administration into mice and was retained for the observation period (24 hours). Th1 (IFNγ, TNFα) and Th2 (IL-5, IL-10, GM-CSF) cytokine production gave evidence on immune response polarization by Th1/Th2, type. After 2 administrations of aluminium hydroxide into mice the number of ML with CD19+, CD5+, NK1.1+, CD25+, MHCII+ markers increased during decrease of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. Adaptive immunity activation was characterized by high IgG titers to pneumococci capsule polysaccharide and protection of 90 - 100% of the mice against infection with lethal doses of S. pneumoniae strains, was detected during 2-fold immunization of mice with conjugates of synthetic pneumococci oligosaccharides with BSA,sorbed onto aluminium hydroxide, whereas natural bacterial antigens provided 90 - 100% survival of animals during immunization without the adjuvant. CONCLUSION: Data are provided on the effect of aluminium hydroxide on key effectors of innate immunity: DC, ML, TLRs and cytokine production. A reasonable administration of this adjuvant was shown to be in association with conjugates of pneumococci synthetic oligosaccharides with a carrier protein.

[Study of protective activity of Streptococcus pneumoniae protein-containing antigen complex in homologous system].

AIM: Study protective activity of S. pneumoniae protein-containing antigen complex obtained from T3No.3 strain against infection by homologous pneumococcus strain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. pneumoniae T3No.3 (serotype 3) strain obtained from collection of pneumococcus strains of Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera was used in the study. S. pneumoniae protein-containing antigen complex was isolated by precipitation by 2 volumes of acetone of supernatant fraction of cultural medium used for pneumococcus cultivation. Molecular mass of proteins contained in S. pneumoniae antigen complex was determined by SDS electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. Protective activity of S. pneumoniae protein-containing antigen complex was studied in BALB/c line mice active protection experiments. Activity of mice immune sera obtained against whole-cell pneumococcus culture (T3No.3 strain) was determined in vitro by solid phase indirect EIA. RESULTS: The data obtained give evidence that the isolated protein-containing antigen complex from S. pneumoniae T3No.3 strain effectively protects mice from consequent infection by a homologous S. pneumoniae strain. S. pneumoniae protein-containing antigen complex sorbed on solid phase at 5 microg dose was established by using EIA to interact with homologous mice immune sera. CONCLUSION: The results of the carried out studies allow to move to studies of cross-activity of S. pneumoniae protein-containing antigen complex isolated from T3No.3 strain.

[Effect of strain-producer and cultivation medium on cross antigenic activity of Streptococcus pneumoniae water soluble antigens].

AIM: Production of water soluble protein-containing antigens from various strains of S. pneumoniae during cultivation in complete and semi-synthetic culture media as well as selection of strains with cross antigenic activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. pneumoniae 3, 6A, 6B, 14, 10A, 18A, 19A, 19F, 23F serotype strains were cultivated in brain-heart broth and semi-synthetic medium with addition of aminopeptide for 24 hours at 37 degrees C for the production of water soluble antigens. The antigens were obtained by a method of triple water extraction from acetone dried microbial cells. Chemical composition of preparations, electrophoresis mobility of protein-containing components of preparations and cross antigenic activity in gel immune diffusion reaction by using rabbit hyperimmune sera were studied. RESULTS: In studies of 10 pneumococcus strains from various serotypes a method of microbial cell inactivation by acetone was selected that allows to produce preparations with high protein content (25.5 - 53.1%). Electrophoretic separation of the preparations revealed difference in the preparations obtained from various pneumococcus strains in the layout of major protein lines in the 8 - 95 kDa range. The most virulent and immunogenic S. pneumoniae strain that during cultivation in semi-synthetic medium was characterized by intraspecies cross antigenic activity and in gel immune diffusion reacted with all the studied sera against 3, 14, 18C, 23F serotype strains was selected. CONCLUSION: The study resulted in the selection of a technologically simple method of production of pneumococcus antigens with high protein content and showed that only 1 of the studied preparations produced from a virulent strain with poorly expressed S. pneumoniae capsule during cultivation in semi-synthetic medium has the highest cross antigenic activity.

[Strain differences of intra-species immunogenic activity of Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen components].

AIM: Study intra-species immunogenic activity of antigenic protein-polysaccharide components of S. pneumoniae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antigenic components of serotype 3, 6A, 6B, 14, 10A, 18A, 19A, 19F, 23F and unencapsulated S. pneumoniae strains were obtained by water extraction method. Synthetic hexasaccharide--corresponding to the structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 14 capsule polysaccharide repeated unit chain fragment was used as a reference preparation. Molecular mass of antigenic components was determined in SDS-electrophoresis. Antibody titers in blood sera of immunized mice were evaluated by solid-phase EIA method. Protective activity of preparations was studied in mice after 2 immunizations with consequent infection by virulent S. pneumoniae serotype 3 and 6B strains. RESULTS: Preparations from serotype 6A, 6B, 14, 19A, 19F, 23F strains in reaction with anti-microbial sera were characterized by cross serologic activity (IgG titers of 1200 - 12 800). The lowest serologic activity was detected in S. pneumoniae serotype 3 and unencapsulated strain preparations. Conjugate of synthetic hexasaccharide and bovine serum albumin interacted only with homologous antimicrobial sera up to titers of 600 +/- 89.4 and did not react with sera against serotypes 19A and 19E Cross serologic activity of preparations is probably determined by the presence of protein fractions that were detected in SDS-electrophoresis. This is confirmed by high intra-species cross protective activity of preparations from serotype 6B and 10 A strains that protect 90 - 100% of mice from infection by heterologous S. pneumoniae strains. CONCLUSION: Use of strains with cross antigenic and protective activity for production of immunogenic protein-containing fractions with the aim of enchanting and broadening specter of protective activity of vaccine preparations that are constructed based on capsule polysaccharides of S. pneumoniae is appropriate.

[Prebiotic properties of mannose and its effect on specific resistance].

AIM: Study prebiotic properties of mannose and its effect on colonization resistance in experiments in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental dysbiosis was induced by introduction into non-linear mice of doxycycline hydrochloride. Prebiotic properties of mannose were studied by a single per oral administration to mice of increasing doses of preparation for a week compared with probiotics lactobacterin and bifidumbacterin. Lumen microflora was analyzed in feces. TNF-alpha level was determined by using a commercial kit OpTEIA ELISA Kit. Phagocytic activity of neutrophils and macrophages was studied in a cytochemical test of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction (NTT test) and by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Phagocytic activity and digestive ability of alveolar macrophages was studied. RESULTS: The ability of mannose along with probiotic preparations bifidumbacterin and lactobacterin to restore the composition and numbers of indigenous microflora of mice under the conditions of experimental dysbiosis was revealed. Per oral administration of mannose and probiotic strains together with mannose was established to cause stimulating effect on functional activity of macrophages increasing ingesting and digesting ability of the cells and facilitates reduction of TNF-alpha levels. CONCLUSION: Mannose has prebiotic effect; the ability of mannose to induce expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines gives evidence of immunostimulating properties of the monosaccharide.

[The detection of bacteriogenic causes of opportunistic infections].

In order to select bacteriocin producing strains the screening of microorganisms from clinical material was perfomed. The delayed antagonism method was used. 154 strains were screened, 93 (60%) cultures produced antagonistic substances. Micrococcus luteus NCTC, 2665, Candida albicans ATCC 885-653, Escherichihia coli 168/59, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27/99, Klebsiella peumoniae 1954 were used as test-cultures, Pseudomonas aenruginosa and Staphylococcys aureus were the most frequent species producing antibacterial substances and their products were of high potency, with a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity.

[Microflora of pharyngeal mucosa in children with solid tumors].

Microbiological study of pharyngeal mucosa in 43 children with solid tumors revealed that 77.2% of isolated microorganisms belonged to Gram-positive flora. It was shown that streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus were the main species. Species composition of streptococci included both pyogenic (S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, S. equi) andviridans species (S. acidominimus, S. oralis and "S. milleri" group). Nocardioform actinomycetes, corynebacteria and other staphylococci were referred to additional microflora. Accidental microflora was represented by Neisseria spp., non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, enterobacteria and yeast-like fungi. Microbiologic study of pharyngeal mucosa biocenosis showed that monoculture was present only in 2.3% of cases; in other cases microorganisms formed both intra-genus and inter-species associations. 2-6-component associations were revealed with predominance of 3-4-component associations (37.2% and 32.6% respectively). Relationship of distribution of microorganisms belonging to main and additional microflora was revealed.

[Microbiota of the large bowel in patients with allergic diseases].

Spectrum of microorganisms vegetated in the large bowel of patients with allergic diseases was investigated. The index of constancy C was used for characterization of the microbial population. 80 patients (31 adults and 49 children < 14 years) were examined. Most prominent changes in obligatory and facultative parts of microflora were revealed in children. Serological typing of 108 cultures of enterobacteria isolated in children under examination with disbiosis showed variety of serogroups that can testify to the presence of pathogenic variants.

[Microflora of nasopharynx in patients with urticaria].

Microflora of nasopharynx in 117 patients with urticaria was studied. 589 cultures of gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were isolated. Gram-positive bacteria represented the overwhelming majority of isolates from which streptococci dominated with high level of constancy (C=91.4%) and prevalence on mucosa. Several patients had signs of chronic streptococcal infection that support the possible role of streptococci in development of urticaria.

[Comparative characterization of the microflora of the upper respiratory tract mucous membranes in bronchial asthma and allergic persistent rhinitis].

A total of 250 patients with diagnosed bronchial asthma (BA) were examined by microbiological methods. Among them--188 children and 62 adults. In 87 patients the microflora of nasal mucosa was studied, in 40--of pharynx only and in 123 patients--both the nasal and the pharynx. For comparative analysis earlier data obtained in 69 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) were used. The cultures isolated from the nasal mucosa of BA patients were shown to number 18 genera and 42 species, while among those isolated from pharynx mucosa 20 genera and 40 species. Monocultures were isolated from the nasal mucosa only in 23% of the examined patients and from the pharynx mucosa--only in 1.42%. Associations with different numbers of components were isolated from nasal and pharynx mucosa (2 to 6, 2 to 8 respectively). Staphylococcus aureus was regarded as the main species of nasal biocenosis in BA and PAR, as well as pharynx biocenosis in BA. Besides, in BA other Staphylococcus species (schleiferi, caprae, capitis, hominis, etc.), reversely related to the main species, could be isolated from both mucous membranes. Similarities and differences in microflora of biocenoses in both nosological forms, confirming links between PAR and BA, are considered.

[Microflora of the nasal mucosa in allergic perennial and infectious rhinitis]. / Mikroflora slizistoi nosa pri allergicheskom kruglogodichnom i infektsionnom rinitakh.

The microbiological study of 69 patients with allergic annual rhinitis (AAR) and infectious rhinitis (IR) was carried out. In AAR the isolated representatives of 15 genera and 40 species were distributed in 2 to 7 component; in IR the isolated representatives of 16 genera and 25 species were grouped in 2 to 4-component associations. In AAR Staphylococcus aureus was found to belong to the main species and in IR, S. aureus and S. epidermidis, while the number of species regarded as occasional in AAR was 7 (S. auricularis, S. cohnii, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. warneri, S. apitis, S. schleiferi). Differences in the distribution of Neisseria, nonfermenting Gram negative bacteria, Streptococcus in associations in cases of AAR and IR were established. In AAR Corynebacterium pseudodiphthericum and in IR C. pseudotuberculosis were the dominant species.

[Action of Spirulina platensis on bacterial viruses]. / Deistvie Spirulina platensis na virusy bakterii.

The impact of the biomass of the blue-green microalga (cyanobacterium) S. platensis on bacteriophage T4 (bacterial virus) has been evaluated. The study revealed that the addition of S. platensis biomass into the agar nutrient medium, followed by sterilization with 2% chloroform and thermal treatment, produced an inhibiting or stimulating effect on the reproduction of the bacteriophage in Escherichia coli B cells, depending on the concentration of S. platensis and the multiplicity of phage infection, as well as on the fact whether the microalgae were added during the first cycle of the development of the virus. The reproduction of the bacteriophage in E. coli B was influenced by the method and duration of the sterilization of the nutrient medium with S. platensis.

[Detection of biologically active substances with antagonistic and stimulating activity in Spirulina platensis]. / Vyiavlenie biologicheski aktivnykh veshchestv s antagonisticheskim stimuliruiushchim deistviem u Spirulina platensis.

The results of studies on the detection of biologically active substances (BAS) in biomass dilutions and culture fluid of Spirulina platensi and algae (Chlorella, Fucus, Laminaria) by the agar diffusion method are presented. After the sterilization of the solutions with chloroform (CF) a substance with lysozyme-like activity and 2 substances with antagonistic activity deep in agar and on its surface were detected with the use of the micrococcal indicator strain. After CF treatment, depending on the concentration of S. platensis strains, a compound stimulating the growth of bacteria and sensitive to heat treatment was detected. BAS were also detected with the use of other indicator cultures.

[Biological activity of Spirulina]. / Biologicheskaia aktivnost' spiruliny.

In this review information of Spirulina platensis (SP), a blue-green alga (photosynthesizing cyanobacterium) having diverse biological activity is presented. Due to high content of highly valuable proteins, indispensable amino acids, vitamins, beta-carotene and other pigments, mineral substances, indispensable fatty acids and polysaccharides, PS has been found suitable for use as bioactive additive. SP produces an immunostimulating effect by enhancing the resistance of humans, mammals, chickens and fish to infections, the capacity of influencing hemopoiesis, stimulating the production of antibodies and cytokines. Under the influence of SP macrophages, T and B cells are activated. SP sulfolipids have proved to be effective against HIV. Preparations obtained from SP biomass have also been found active against herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, influenza virus, etc. SP extracts are capable in inhibiting cancerogenesis. SP preparations are regarded as functional products contributing to the preservation of the resident intestinal microflora, especially lactic acid bacilli and bifidobacteria, and to a decrease in the level of Candida albicans. The biological activity of SP with respect to microorganisms holds good promise for using these microalgae as components of culture media.

[Effect of microalgae on viability of microorganisms in the natural and artificial environment]. / Vliianie mikrovodoroslei na zhiznesposobnost' mikroorganizmov v estestvennoi i iskusstvennoi srede obitaniia.

The data of literature on complicated relationships between microorganisms and microalgae in algobacterial associations with microalgae often playing the leading role are analyzed. Under these conditions inhibiting and stimulating substances synthesized by microalgae, as well as their nutritional value, may have an essential impact on the state of the bacterial population. Apparently that microalgae may become the main substrate in the development of new culture media (ecologically pure culture media, media for the reversion of the noncultured forms of bacteria into the vegetative state, media for the prolonged preservation of microbes in the noncultured form).

[Stimulating and inhibiting effect of Spirulina platensis on microorganisms]. / Stimuliruiushchee i ingibiruiushchee vozdeistvie Spirulina platensis na mikroorganizmy.

The blue-green microalga (cyanobacterium) S. platensis and the complex of its metabolites in the culture fluid being added into nutrient agar in doses of 0.01, 0.1 and 10 mg/ml, may produce a stimulating and inhibiting effect on microorganisms. In Spirulina biomass and in culture fluid substances which may be associated with the stimulation or inhibition of the growth of some microorganisms are supposedly contained. The manifestation of stimulating or inhibiting properties depended on the concentration of S. platensis and the complex of its metabolites, as well as on sterilization methods of nutrient media supplemented with these substances.

[Search for biological remedies for fungi of the Candida genus]. / Poisk biologicheskikh sredstv protiv gribov roda Candida.

51 bacterial strains were studied with a view to find out anticandidial activity; of these, 15 strains were found to have activity, more on less expressed with respect to fungi of the genus Candida. In most cases the anticandidial activity of an antagonist strain was manifested to a similar degree against several Candida strains. The preliminary analysis of antifungal substances produced by microbial strains makes it possible to suggest their antibiotic nature.

[Common epitopes of protein antigens in Neisseria and Moraxella]. / Obshchie épitopy u belkovykh antigenov meningokokkov i moraksell.

Cross reactions between N. meningitidis and M. catarrhalis proteins were studied with the use of a panel of monoclonal antibodies to M. catarrhalis protein antigens. All antigenic preparations under study were shown to give cross reactions between N. meningitidis serotype porin of 39 kD (strain B125) and M. catarrhalis proteins of 40-41 kD. These M. catarrhalis proteins belonged to main proteins of class F and had the function of porins in the cell. In addition, the epitope of 41-kD antigen, detected by monoclonal antibodies 3E10, is common for both N. meningitidis porin and N. meningitidis iron-regulated proteins of 70 and 50 kD. The epitope of M. catarrhalis protein of 67 kD, detected by monoclonal antibodies 1G6, is common for N. meningitidis porin and N. meningitidis iron-regulated proteins of 50 and 55 kD.