Cockroaches as Potential Vectors of Nosocomial Infections

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 979-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Hua Pai ◽  
Wei-Chen Chen ◽  
Chien-Fang Peng
Keyword(s):  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Periplaneta Americana ◽  
Alimentary Tract ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
External Surface ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Isolation Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

AbstractObjective:To determine the possible role of cockroaches in the epidemiology of nosocomial infections.Design:Epidemiologic investigation of bacteria and fungi in cockroaches and evaluation of the antibiotic resistance of the bacteria isolated from the insects.Setting:Ninety hospitals in Kaohsiung City and Kaohsiung County in Taiwan.Methods:Cockroaches were collected in clinical and nonclinical areas and microorganisms were isolated from their external surface and alimentary tract. The susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus species to 17 antibiotics were tested.Results:Cockroach infestation was found in 46.7% of the hospitals studied. Two hundred three cockroaches were collected (139 Periplaneta americana and 64 Blattella germanica). Periplaneta americana was found more often in nonclinical areas (64.5%) and B. germanica in clinical areas (78.1%). There was no statistically significant difference between Periplaneta americana (98.6%) and B. germanica (96.9%) regarding overall isolation rate (P > .05). However, 33 species of bacteria and 16 species of fungi were isolated from Periplaneta americana and only 23 and 12, respectively, from B. germanica. Resistance to ampicillin (13.7% to 100%), chloramphenicol (14.3% to 71.4%), tetracycline (14.3% to 73.3%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (14.3% to 57.1%) was found in two gram-positive and five gram-negative bacteria.Conclusion:Because cockroach infestation occurred in more than 40% of the hospitals and nearly all of the cockroaches harbored bacteria with multidrug resistance and fungi, cockroaches may play a potential role in the epidemiology of nosocomial infections in those hospitals.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Gram-negative bacteria in cockroaches obtained from different areas of Dhaka city

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-236
Author(s):  
Tangin Akter ◽  
Sangita Ahmed ◽  
Hasanuzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Periplaneta Americana ◽  
Alimentary Tract ◽  
External Surface ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Pseudomonas Spp ◽  
Klebsiella Spp

The presence of Gram-negative bacteria in cuticle and alimentary tract of cockroaches collected from four selected areas of Dhaka city was investigated. Using detection key, a total of 12 cockroaches were identified as Periplaneta americana (58.33%), Blattella germanica (33.33%) and Blatta orientalis (8.33%). From these three species 54 different bacterial isolates were obtained. Out of them, 33 were obtained from P. americana (14 from external and 19 from gut), 9 from B. orientalis (5 from external and 4 from gut) and 12 from B. germanica (5 from external and 7 from gut). Bacterial isolates obtained from external surface of the cockroaches belonged to four different Gram negative bacterial species (Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp. and E. coli), six bacteria have been obtained from alimentary tract (Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp.). Pseudomonas spp. were the most predominant bacteria isolated from external surface (33.34%) while Klebsiella spp. were found to dominate in alimentary tract (23.33%). P. americana carried the highest number (33) of bacterial isolates and B. orientalis carried the minimum (9). This study shows that cockroaches carry several bacteria on their external body surface and alimentary tract and can play a role in bacterial transmission to humans. Therefore, the existence of cockroaches in human dwellings is a serious public health problem.Bangladesh J. Zool. 44(2): 229-236, 2016

scholarly journals Silver Nanoparticles as Potential Antiviral Agents

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2034
Author(s):  
Zubair Ahmed Ratan ◽  
Fazla Rabbi Mashrur ◽  
Anisha Parsub Chhoan ◽  
Sadi Md. Shahriar ◽  
Mohammad Faisal Haidere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Characterization Methods ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
The Impact

Since the early 1990s, nanotechnology has led to new horizons in nanomedicine, which encompasses all spheres of science including chemistry, material science, biology, and biotechnology. Emerging viral infections are creating severe hazards to public health worldwide, recently, COVID-19 has caused mass human casualties with significant economic impacts. Interestingly, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibited the potential to destroy viruses, bacteria, and fungi using various methods. However, developing safe and effective antiviral drugs is challenging, as viruses use host cells for replication. Designing drugs that do not harm host cells while targeting viruses is complicated. In recent years, the impact of AgNPs on viruses has been evaluated. Here, we discuss the potential role of silver nanoparticles as antiviral agents. In this review, we focus on the properties of AgNPs such as their characterization methods, antiviral activity, mechanisms, applications, and toxicity.

scholarly journals Sheep gut passage and survival of Mediterranean shrub seeds

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Manzano ◽  
Juan E. Malo ◽  
Begoña Peco
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Central Spain ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Retama Sphaerocarpa ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Lavandula Stoechas ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
Viable Seeds

Although viable seeds of Mediterranean dry-fruited shrubs are found in herbivore dung, the ecological importance of this observation is still not well understood. We analysed seed retrieval percentages, defecation time and germinability after sheep gut passage for the five most common shrub species of an area in central Spain (Retama sphaerocarpa, Cytisus scoparius, Halimium umbellatum subsp. viscosum, Cistus ladanifer and Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata). Five ewes were fed seeds, and their dung was collected regularly during the following week. Seeds were hand-sorted from dung subsamples and tested for germinability. The defecated seeds were clustered in time, with a majority retrieved in the 24–40 h period, although over 1% of the seeds were retained in the gut for more than 72 h. Data suggested a possible link between seed size and retrieval, with medium-sized seeds less damaged (16–23%) than larger and smaller seeds (10–12%), although only a small number of species were studied. Germination results showed an increased percentage of germination after gut passage for H. umbellatum (x2 test, P<0.05) and a marginally significant difference for C. scoparius (P<0.1). Soft-seeded L. stoechas did not germinate after gut passage. The results indicate a potential role of herbivore endozoochory for the long-distance dispersal of dry-fruited shrubs and their potential colonization of distant sites.

Circulating levels of GH-releasing hormone and GH during human pregnancy

1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mazlan ◽  
C. Spence-Jones ◽  
T. Chard ◽  
J. Landon ◽  
C. McLean
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Placental Lactogen ◽  
Immunoradiometric Assay ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Circulating Levels

ABSTRACT To study the potential role of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) in maintaining circulating levels of GH during pregnancy, 302 maternal plasma samples were collected from non-fasted subjects at various stages of pregnancy and assayed for GHRH using a 'two-site' immunoradiometric assay. The GH and placental lactogen levels were also determined. In addition, maternal plasma samples taken during labour, amniotic fluid and cord blood were also assayed for these hormones. Maternal plasma GHRH levels were similar to non-pregnant levels throughout gestation despite fluctuations in GH values which were always higher than non-pregnant levels. There was no significant difference between GHRH levels in maternal plasma and cord blood although high GH levels were observed in the latter. These findings suggest that peripheral GHRH levels do not play an important role in maintaining circulating GH levels during pregnancy. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 125, 161–167

scholarly journals The Potential Role of Wedololactone in Treating Particle-induced Osteolysis _A Mouse Calvarial Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Chang Lu ◽  
Ting-Kuo Chang ◽  
Tzu-Chiao Lin ◽  
Shu-Ting Yeh ◽  
Hsu-Wei Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Histological Analysis ◽  
Total Joint Replacement ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Potential Treatment ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Clinical Complications ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Osteolysis is one of the most prevalent clinical complications of total joint replacement (TJR). Wedelolactone (WDL) is a coumestan compound derived from the Wedelia chinensis plant and has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the use of WDL as a potential treatment for reducing the risk of particle-induced osteolysis using a well-established particle-induced mice calvarial disease model. Methods: Thirty-two C57BL/6J mice were randomized into four groups: sham, polystyrene particles (PS), PS particles with WDL treatment for 4 weeks (WDL 4w) and PS particles with WDL treatment for 8 weeks (WDL 8w). Micro-CT was used to quantitatively analyze the bone mass. Osteoclast numbers were also measured from histological analysis. Results: The results showed that bone mineral density was significantly higher in the WDL 8w group than in the PS group (p < 0.05), and both the WDL 4 and WDL 8w groups had lower osteoclast numbers (p < 0.05). No significant difference in osteoclast number was found between the WDL 4w and WDL 8w groups. Conclusions: These results support the use of WDL as a herbal medicine for reducing the severity of particle-induced osteolysis after TJR.

scholarly journals Role of Preoperative Calcium and Vitamin D Therapy to prevent Post-thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunghwan suh ◽  
Ju Won Seok ◽  
Keunyoung Kim ◽  
Mi Kyoung Park ◽  
Kyoungjune Pak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
English Language ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Symptomatic Hypocalcemia

Abstract Purpose: Postsurgical hypocalcemia is the most common and troublesome consequence of thyroidectomy. We investigated the potential role of routine calcium or vitamin D supplementation in preventing postsurgical hypocalcemia. Materials and Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for English-language publications using the keywords “calcium”, “vitamin D”, and “thyroid cancer”. The primary outcome was any postoperative hypocalcemia, and the secondary outcome was symptomatic hypocalcemia. Results: Four studies that included 381 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. The random-effects model showed no significant difference in the occurrence of hypocalcemia between calcium/vitamin D treatment and placebo/no treatment. The occurrence of symptomatic hypocalcemia was lower in patients with calcium/vitamin D treatment. In combined results, preoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation was associated with a reduced incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia.Conclusion: We support the use of preoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation in conjunction with routine postsurgical supplementation for patients after total thyroidectomy.

scholarly journals HDL-C and non-HDL-C levels are associated with anthropometric and biochemical parameters

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Maria Barbalho ◽  
Ricardo José Tofano ◽  
Marcela Bueno de Oliveira ◽  
Karina Rodrigues Quesada ◽  
Mariana Ricci Barion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Atherogenic Indices ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Atheroma Plaque ◽  
Intervention Trials

Abstract Background Dyslipidemias are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) has emerged as a new target for assessment and prediction of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is closely associated with atheroma plaque progression. Objectives To evaluate associations between HDL-c and non-HDL-c levels and anthropometric and biochemical parameters and with the Castelli risk indexes I and II. Methods 300 randomly selected people were subdivided into two groups: patients with normal values for non-HDL-c and patients with altered values for non-HDL-c. These parameters were analyzed for associations with glycemia, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), Castelli Index I (CI-I), Castelli Index II (CI-II), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and presence of metabolic syndrome (MS). Results Glycemia, TC, TG, LDL-c, CI-I, CI-II, WC and BMI were all significantly different between subjects with normal and altered values of HDL-c and non-HDL-c. TC and WC both exhibited significantly higher values among patients with abnormal non-HDL-c when compared to patients with abnormal HDL-c. A significant difference was observed in occurrence of MS among patients with altered values of HDL-c and non-HDL-c. Conclusions Our results show that both HDL-c and non-HDL-c are associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, atherogenic indices, and obesity. There is therefore a need for randomized clinical intervention trials examining the potential role of non-HDL-c as a possible primary therapeutic target.

Potential role of CFTR in bisphenol A-induced malignant transformation of prostate cells via mitochondrial apoptosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 531-539
Author(s):  
Jia Liu ◽  
Chaoyan Ou ◽  
Xiaonian Zhu ◽  
Chao Tan ◽  
Xuebao Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Malignant Transformation ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Mitochondrial Apoptosis ◽  
Normal Prostate ◽  
Prostate Cells ◽  
Significant Difference

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental endocrine disruptor and a risk factor for prostate cancer. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is proposed to be a prostate cancer suppressor in some recent researches. However, the potential role and mechanism of CFTR in BPA-induced prostate cancer cells has not been well identified. In this study, BPA decreased the viability of human normal prostate RWPE-1 cells detected with a CCK-8 kit. The capacity of the cell line on soft agar colony formation, wound healing, and transwell invasion indicated malignant transformation induced by BPA. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the levels of CFTR and Bcl-2 decreased, whereas Bax level increased, and ELISA detection showed a decreased ATP level in BPA-exposed cells. Cell apoptosis was analyzed with Annexin V-FITC Detection Kit by flow cytometry. However, no significant difference was observed in cell viability and apoptosis rates compared to normal RWPE-1 cells. Our research revealed a potential role of CFTR in BPA-induced malignant transformation via mitochondrial apoptosis of normal prostate cells.

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