[Fecal microbiota transplantation for graft-versus-host disease in children and adults: methods, clinical effects, safety].

AIM: Was to evaluate clinical efficacy, adverse events and changes in the gut microbiome after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) form of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective single-center study in R.M. Gorbacheva institute included 27 patients with GI GVHD after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. 19 patients received FMT, 8 patients received placebo. Clinical scales for GI autoimmune diseases were used to evaluate response. Microbiome alterations were assessed with multiplex PCR. RESULTS: After FMT higher overall bacterial mass (р=0.00088), higher bacterial numbers ofBifidobacteriumspp. (р=0.021),Escherichia coli(р=0.049) andBacteroides fragilisgr. (р=0.000043) compared to placebo group. Also higher bacterial mass was observed in patients with clinical response (р=0.0057). The bacterial mass after procedure in non-responders was compared to the placebo group (р=0.31). Partial response of GVHD was achieved faster in the FMT group compared to placebo (median 4 days vs 48 days,p=0.014). Complete response was observed in 8 (42%), 14 (74%) and 16 (84%) at 30, 60 and 90 days respectively, while in the placebo group only 0%, 1 (13%) and 4 (50%) achieved complete response at the same time points. The incidence and severity of adverse events was comparable between FMT and the placebo group. CONCLUSION: FMT in patients with refractory GI GVHD was associated with favorable clinical outcomes and recovery in certain marker bacterial populations. Multiplex PCR can be used to assess an engraftment of a donor microbiota. FMT in GI GVHD was not associated with life-threatening adverse events, but further studies are required to validate clinical efficacy.

Inactivation of M111 Protein Gene Modifies Streptococcus Pyogenes Interactions with Mouse Macrophages In Vitro.

Immunomodulatory properties of S. pyogenes protein M111 were studied on the model of Gurov strain and its isogenic mutant not expressing M protein. Mouse resident peritoneal macrophages were incubated with bacteria and generation of nitroxide and superoxide anions and production of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 were evaluated. Protein M111 modified macrophage response: it exhibited antiphagocytic activity, prevented ROS formation, and stimulated the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The results suggested that this protein could serve in the bacteria as a factor suppressing the host defense forces and promoting the realization of the strategy beneficial for pathogens - escape from the host immune defense.

[Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in humans to the A/California/07/ 2009 (H1N1) virus, A(H1N1)pdm2009].

During the twentieth century the world faced four influenza A pandemics: A (H1N1) in 1918, A (H2N2) in 1957, A (H3N2) in 1957 and A (H1N1) recirculation in 1977. In the beginning of 2009 the global spread of A(H1N1)pdm2009 virus was detected. In consideration of clinical evidences and genetic data analysis WHO declared as the novel pandemic of 21th century. However, the fact of exceedingly prolonged previous worldwide circulation of A (H1N1) influenza viruses was not taken into account. Further development showed epidemiological prognosis not to be accurate enough. The present work is an attempt to analyze this question from the immunological standpoint based on our studies of antibody and cellular immunity to A(H1N1)pdm2009 virus in vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons of different ages. The study results allow concluding that A(H1N1)pdm2009 is the drift variant of A (H1N1) viruses antigenically close to A/Swine/1976/1931 (H1N1). It was shown that the significant of persons have cross-reactive B and T cell immunological memory to A(H1N1)pdm2009 strain. This could be a reason of decreased A(H1N1)pdm2009 pandemic severity.

[Investigation of the genetic profile of Blastocystis species in Saint Petersburg residents with gastrointestinal tract diseases in different age groups].

A total of 1500 people, including 1273 children with various gastrointestinal tract diseases and 327 patients with chronic viral hepatitis C, were examined. Microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to determine Blastocystis in the feces. Blastocysts were detected in 33% of the patients with chronic viral hepatitis C and in 4.9% of the children. Genotyping established that Blastocystis species subtype 3 (antroponous) was encountered relatively rarely (25%) in these patients; there were most common Blastocystis species subtypes 5 (36.1%) and 6 (36.1%). Significant intestinal dyspepsia was noted in all the patients with chronic hepatitis C and Blastocystis invasion. Blastocystis species subtype 3 was prevalent (62.3%) among the examined children. The other subtypes were less frequently detected. These were subtype 1 (29.5%), subtype 2 (24.3%), subtype 4 (1.3%), and subtype 7 (3.8%) whereas subtype 5 and subtype 6 were not found in any case. The comparison of clinical symptoms in children could reveal the following tendency: there were digestive disorders and skin allergic reactions with Blastocystis species subtype 1 and subtype 2, respectively.