A cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted in Argentina to evaluate the impact of the exposome on skin aging.

BACKGROUND: Skin aging is a gradual cumulative process that may be accelerated by various exposome factors. AIMS: To investigate associations between exposome factors and facial skin aging in 11 locations in Argentina. PATIENTS/METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study with assessments by exposome questionnaire, Glogau photoaging classification from I to IV, AI-based algorithm analysis of 7 skin aging signs, and SCINEXA score. RESULTS: Of 1346 participants, most were women (82%), aged 31-50 years (62%), of skin phototype III (52%), and living in urban areas (94%). The Glogau skin age was higher than the chronological age for 28% of overall participants, 36% of men, and 45% of participants from Ciudad de Buenos Aires versus 12% from Jujuy (p < 0.001). Being male (OR = 1.59; 95% CI 1.18-2.13), exposed to agrochemicals (OR = 1.59: 95% CI 1.01-2.51), of lower socioeconomic levels (OR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.32-3.21) and doing outdoor physical activity (OR = 1.33; 95% CI 1.00-1.76) increased the risk for premature aging. Odds decreased with high daily intake of water (OR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.59-0.97), daily dermocosmetic use (moisturizers [OR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.55-0.94], cleansers [OR = 0.53; CI 95% 0.42-0.67], retinoids [OR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.39-0.95]), and antiaging treatments (OR = 0.74; 95% CI 0.57-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Some exposome factors increased the risk for premature skin aging (physical outdoor activity, exposure to agrochemicals), while others were protective factors (high water intake, antiaging treatments, use of dermocosmetics). Locations with higher pollution levels had more premature skin aging.

Comparative susceptibility of Gemella morbillorum to 13 antimicrobial agents.

The in vitro activity of 13 antimicrobials against clinical isolates of Gemella morbillorum showed good susceptibility to clindamycin, all beta-lactams agents studied except cefoxitin (MIC90, 4 µg/ml) and fluoroquinolones. There was 36% metronidazole resistance.

Bacterial counts from five over-the-counter probiotics: are you getting what you paid for?

There is concern that the bacterial colony counts present at the time of manufacture and listed on the probiotic package may not be reflective of the numbers viable colonies at the time of purchase and patient consumption thereby diminishing efficacy. We performed a colony count study of three separate samples of five different probiotics purchased from three different stores: Bifidobacterium infantis (Align(®)); Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285(®) and Lactobacillus casei LBC80R(®) (Bio-K+(®)); Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (Culturelle(®)); Saccharomyces boulardii (Florastor(®)) and "L. acidophilus" and "Lactobacillus helveticus" (Lactinex(®)). Approximately 1 g of powder of each (Lactinex(®) tablets were crushed before testing) was reconstituted in sterile distilled water, serial 10-fold dilutions were prepared and plated in duplicate onto blood agar plates, with incubation for 48 h in an anaerobic chamber (except the Saccharomyces which was incubated aerobically) after which colony counts were performed. The Florastor(®) packaging did not state an expected concentration and was found to have 9.2 × 10(9)-1.3 × 10(10) CFU/g. Lactinex(®), Align(®), Bio-K+(®), and Culturelle(®) had viable colony counts that were similar to those stated on the package.

Therapy of Clostridium difficile infection: perspectives on a changing paradigm.

INTRODUCTION: Clostridium difficile disease (CDI) have increased in frequency and severity over the past decade and are a leading cause of hospital acquired infections, contributing to increased hospital length of stay and costs, as well as associated increased mortality, especially amongst the elderly. Standard therapy has been associated with 20 - 30% relapse rates. Consequently, new CDI therapeutic approaches have emerged. AREAS COVERED: The role of metronidazole, vancomycin, fidaxomicin, rifaximin, nitizoxanide, tigecycline, fusidic acid, LFF-571, cardazolid, SMT 19969, CamSA and surotomycin were reviewed. EXPERT OPINION: New IDSA/SHEA guidelines are expected within the next year and may impact selection of primary therapy for CDI. Until then, metronidazole will likely remain as first line therapy because of low cost and despite its inferiority compared to vancomycin. Vancomycin will likely see increasing use, especially as generics become available. Fidaxomicin will emerge as an important therapy for relapse patients and perhaps as initial therapy for patients at greatest risk for relapse, with concomitant antibiotics, multiple comorbidities and renal insufficiency, advanced age and hypoalbuminemia. Biotherapeutics such as fecal microbiota transplantation and non-toxogenic C. difficile prevention will emerge as the preferred therapy in multiple relapse patients and the development of an oral formulation will occur within five years.

Differences in distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobes isolated from complicated intra-abdominal infections versus diabetic foot infections.

Few labs isolate and perform susceptibility tests on anaerobes; therefore, we studied the differences between 1185 anaerobes isolated from complicated intra-abdominal infections and 470 isolated from moderate to severe diabetic foot infections. They differed markedly in the distribution of species, including Bacteroides fragilis and anaerobic Gram-positive cocci, as well as in resistance patterns, especially to fluoroquinolones.

Identification of Bilophila wadsworthia by specific PCR which targets the taurine:pyruvate aminotransferase gene.

The bile-resistant, strictly anaerobic bacterium Bilophila wadsworthia is found in human faecal flora, in human infections and in environmental samples. A specific PCR primer set for the gene encoding the first metabolic enzyme in the degradative pathway for taurine in B. wadsworthia, taurine:pyruvate aminotransferase (tpa), was developed and tested. In addition, enrichment cultures were started from faecal samples of primates and felines and shown to contain B. wadsworthia. These were subcultured on agar media and then identified by PCR fingerprinting. PCR for tpa was successful in all positive enrichment cultures and showed no amplification signal in a variety of other bacterial species. Therefore, this PCR method could be a promising tool for rapid detection of B. wadsworthia in biological samples.

Surveillance of susceptibility patterns in 1297 European and US anaerobic and capnophilic isolates to co-amoxiclav and five other antimicrobial agents.

In vitro susceptibility data were collected for co-amoxiclav and other antimicrobial agents against 1297 recent anaerobe isolates collected in Europe and the USA. The co-amoxiclav (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) MIC(50/90)s (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid concentration in a ratio of 2:1, expressed in terms of amoxicillin concentration in mg/L) were 0.5/4 for Bacteroides fragilis, 96% susceptible) except E. corrodens (MIC(50/90) of >32/>64 mg/L), which is a capnophilic organism. Imipenem was also highly active against all species (>98% susceptible). Levofloxacin and clindamycin were the least potent agents tested, particularly against Bacteroides, Prevotella and Peptostreptococcus (levofloxacin susceptibility rates: Bacteroides 72.7%, Prevotella 71.5%, F. magna 72.4%; clindamycin susceptibility rates: Bacteroides 79.5%, Prevotella 92.1%, F. magna 84.7%).

16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequences for analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus Fusobacterium.

The 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of all currently defined Fusobacterium species and related taxa such as Leptotrichia buccalis, Sebaldella termitidis and Streptobacillus moniliformans, were analysed to examine inter- and intraspecies as well as subspecies relationships. For the ITS-amplification, a new eubacterial universal primer pair was designed and used. The majority of the Fusobacterium strains, along with L. buccalis showed one major, and two to three weaker, distinct bands (short and long versions) with lengths of 800-830 bp and 1000-1100 bp. Nevertheless, six other patterns were also found within the genus Fusobacterium, demonstrating its heterogeneity. The ITS region was sequenced and found to consist both of conserved motifs, which functioned as a framework for alignment, and of variable sites, which provided high phylogenetic resolution. Analyses of the ITS-DNA sequences and ITS relative length (short version) allowed species and subspecies differentiation in most cases. The results confirmed the strikingly distant relationship between Fusobacterium prausnitzii and the genus Fusobacterium. Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies, along with Fusobacterium naviforme, Fusobacterium simiae and Fusobacterium periodonticum, formed a cluster with an inherently high potential for diversification. Other clusters were formed by Fusobacterium necrophorum subspecies with Fusobacterium gonidaformans and by Fusobacterium varium with Fusobacterium mortiferum and Fusobacterium ulcerans. Fusobacterium russii as well as Fusobacterium perfoetens formed separate branches. Fusobacterium necrophorum subspp. necrophorum and funduliforme on the one hand, and Fusobacterium varium and Fusobacterium mortiferum on the other, were found to be very similar, even at the high-resolution ITS level.

Studies on Diagnostic Applications of Egg Yolk Antibodies against Bordetella bronchiseptica.

The present paper describes the methods for producing egg yolk antibodies against Bordetella bronchiseptica. In comparative experiments, avian and mammalian antibodies were applicated in diagnostic test systems. The results of these investigations show the possibility of substituting mammalian antibodies for IgY in enzyme immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence.