Influence of a single gamma-irradiation on rat microflora.

Changes in leukocyte counts and in the gut microflora of laboratory rats irradiated with single whole-body dose of gamma rays (5.0 Gy) were determined. The number of leukocytes was lower especially 1 and 2 weeks after irradiation. A significant decrease in lymphocytes was observed 1 week and in monocytes 1 and 2 weeks after irradiation. In parallel with these changes, an increase in common microflora was observed; some microorganisms, which normally are not present in duodenum, liver and mouth cavity, were detected in these organs.

Detection of Shiga toxins, intimin and enterohemolysin in Escherichia coli strains isolated from children in eastern Slovakia.

Fifty Escherichia coli strains isolated from stool samples of 51 healthy children, 143 strains isolated from stool samples of 327 children with diarrhea and 24 strains isolated from stool samples of 21 children with suspected hemolytic uremic syndrome were examined for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli virulence factors (shiga toxin 1 and 2, intimin and enterohemolysin) and their genes. Vero-cell assay and latex agglutination were used for detection of Shiga toxin 1 and 2, TSB agar with washed erythrocytes was used for detection of enterohemolysin; genes encoding shiga toxin 1 and 2, intimin and enterohemolysin were detected using multiplex PCR. The presence of E. coli strains harboring genes encoding shiga toxin 1 and 2 (12 strains), intimin (34 strains) and enterohemolysin (12 strains) was demonstrated.

[Sorbitol-negative E. coli 016 in a 10-year-old child diagnosed with hemolytic-uremic syndrome and in his asymptomatic father]. / Sorbitol-negatívne E. coli 016 u desat'rocného diet'at'a s diagnózou hemolyticko-uremický syndróm a u jeho asymptomatického otca.

In Escherichia coli strains isolated from faeces and smears from the rectum in haemolytic-uraemic syndrome of a child and healthy relatives the authors assessed the biochemical activity, antigenic characteristic, sensitivity to twelve antimicrobial substances and factors of virulence. Sorbitol negative strains were isolated from the ill child and his father. The strains belonged into serogroup 016. The remaining strains were sorbitol positive. They belonged into serogroups 02, 012 and 019. Nineteen sorbitol negative strains of E. coli from the sick child caused mannose sensitive agglutination of chicken and guinea pig erythrocytes, they produced colicin V and aerobactin. Except for one strain they were serum resistant. Fourteen strains induced the oedema on the foot of mice and eleven produced a lethal effect in mice. Except for three ampicillin resistant strains the remaining were sensitive to the examined antibacterial substances. Two sorbitol negative strains of E. coli isolated from the asymptomatic father produced aerobactin and one strain was serum resistant.

Enterohaemolysin production in Escherichia coli strains.

Enterohaemolysin production was found in 11 (20.3%) out of 54 Escherichia coli strains isolated from stools of infants with dyspepsia and in 3 (2.3%) out of 130 E. coli strains isolated from urinary tract infections. Enterohaemolysin producing E. coli strains isolated from stools belonged to O groups 25 and 111 and the strains from urine to O groups 1 and 15. None of the enterohaemolysin-producing strains isolated from dyspepsia was shown to cause any damage on Vero cells.