Response of Germfree Mice to Colonization by Oxalobacter formigenes and Altered Schaedler Flora

ABSTRACTColonization withOxalobacter formigenesmay reduce the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stone disease. To improve our limited understanding of host-O. formigenesand microbe-O. formigenesinteractions, germfree mice and mice with altered Schaedler flora (ASF) were colonized withO. formigenes. Germfree mice were stably colonized withO. formigenes, which suggests thatO. formigenesdoes not require other organisms to sustain its survival. Examination of intestinal material indicated no viableO. formigenesin the small intestine and ∼4 × 106CFUO. formigenesper 100 mg contents in the cecum and proximal colon, with ∼0.02% of total cecalO. formigenescells being tightly associated with the mucosa.O. formigenesdid not alter the overall microbial composition of ASF, and ASF did not affect the capacity ofO. formigenesto degrade dietary oxalate in the cecum. Twenty-four-hour collections of urine and feces in metabolic cages in semirigid isolators demonstrated that the introduction of ASF into germfree mice significantly reduced urinary oxalate excretion. These experiments also showed thatO. formigenes-monocolonized mice excreted significantly more urinary calcium than did germfree mice, which may be due to degradation of calcium oxalate crystals byO. formigenesand subsequent intestinal absorption of free calcium. In conclusion, the successful establishment of mouse models with defined flora andO. formigenesshould improve our understanding ofO. formigenes-host andO. formigenes-microbe interactions. These data support the use ofO. formigenesas a probiotic that has limited impact on the composition of the resident microbiota but provides an efficient oxalate-degrading function.IMPORTANCEDespite evidence suggesting that a lack ofOxalobacter formigenescolonization is a risk factor for calcium oxalate stone formation, little is known aboutO. formigenesbiology. This study is the first to utilize germfree mice to examine the response to monocolonization withO. formigenes, as well as the impact of a defined bacterial cocktail (i.e., ASF) onO. formigenescolonization. This study demonstrated that germfree mice receiving their regular diet remained monocolonized withO. formigenes, and it suggests that further studies withO. formigenesgnotobiotic mouse models could improve our understanding ofO. formigenesbiology and host-O. formigenesand microbe-O. formigenesinteractions.

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PSIII-36 Increased viscosity enhances water intake and reduces risk of calcium oxalate stone formation in cats

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.562 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 276-277

Author(s):

Melissa Vanchina ◽

Blair Ogleby ◽

Dennis E Jewell

Keyword(s):

Calcium Oxalate ◽

Water Consumption ◽

Stone Formation ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Fractional Excretion ◽

Urinary Calcium ◽

Urine Specific Gravity ◽

Average Weight ◽

Calcium Oxalate Stone ◽

Urinary Tract Stone

Abstract The control of liquid intake in cats is especially of interest as there is a significant risk of urinary tract stone formation due to their high urinary solute density. Calcium oxalate stone formation is not easily mitigated by dietary manipulation. This study investigated if increasing water viscosity (282 vs 2.9 centipoise; means throughout are viscous water followed by control cats) improved voluntary intake of water and calcium oxalate stone risk. Twelve cats (7 neutered males, 5 spayed females) from 3 to 8 years of age with an average weight 4.7 kg were monitored for 4 months. Each cat spent 2 months consuming viscous water and two months consuming normal water in a crossover design. Water consumption was measured through loss of weight from each pet’s water bowl with an additional bowl of the consumed viscosity placed in the room for evaporative loss measurements. A urine calcium oxalate titrimetric test (COT) was performed to evaluate the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation. In brief, the [Ca+2]/(added Oxalate-2) ratio is calculated (per liter). An increasing index value denotes samples at greater risk of calcium oxalate crystallization. The ratio represents the concentration of ionized calcium and the amount of oxalate that is added to initiate crystallization. The results showed that cats drinking viscous water had a significant increase in water consumption (79.9 vs 65.6 grams P = 0.014). There was a reduction in urine specific gravity (1.042 vs 1.052 P = 0.016), fractional excretion of calcium (0.197 vs 0.280 P = 0.036), urinary calcium concentration (49.8 vs 61.8 ppm P < 0.01) and in stone risk as measured by COT (35.5 vs 82.4 P = 0.029). In conclusion, these data show that there is an increased intake of water when cats are offered water with increased viscosity and increased viscosity was associated with an improvement in measurements of oxalate stone risk.

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Bonn Risk Index Based Micromethod for Assessing Risk of Urinary Calcium Oxalate Stone Formation

The Journal of Urology ◽

10.1016/j.juro.2009.11.054 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 183 (3) ◽

pp. 1157-1162 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

T. Porowski ◽

P. Mrozek ◽

J. Sidun ◽

W. Zoch-Zwierz ◽

J. Konstantynowicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Calcium Oxalate ◽

Stone Formation ◽

Risk Index ◽

Urinary Calcium ◽

Calcium Oxalate Stone ◽

Bonn Risk Index

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Genome Sequence of Oxalobacter formigenes Strain HC-1

Genome Announcements ◽

10.1128/genomea.00533-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (27) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marguerite Hatch ◽

Milton J. Allison ◽

Fahong Yu ◽

William Farmerie

Keyword(s):

Calcium Oxalate ◽

Genome Sequence ◽

Kidney Stones ◽

Kidney Stone ◽

Human Strain ◽

Oxalobacter Formigenes ◽

Human Gut ◽

Content Type

ABSTRACT The lack of Oxalobacter formigenes colonization of the human gut has been correlated with the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones and also with the number of recurrent kidney stone episodes. Here, we present the genome sequence of HC-1, a human strain isolated from an individual residing in Iowa, USA.

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Multi-Body-Site Microbiome and Culture Profiling of Military Trainees Suffering from Skin and Soft Tissue Infections at Fort Benning, Georgia

mSphere ◽

10.1128/msphere.00232-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jatinder Singh ◽

Ryan C. Johnson ◽

Carey D. Schlett ◽

Emad M. Elassal ◽

Katrina B. Crawford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Throughput ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Bacterial Community Composition ◽

Soft Tissue Infections ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Content Type ◽

Microbial Dysbiosis ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

The Impact ◽

Nasal Microbiota

ABSTRACT While it is evident that nasal colonization with S. aureus increases the likelihood of SSTI, there is a significant lack of information regarding the contribution of extranasal colonization to the overall risk of a subsequent SSTI. Furthermore, the impact of S. aureus colonization on bacterial community composition outside the nasal microbiota is unclear. Thus, this report represents the first investigation that utilized both culture and high-throughput sequencing techniques to analyze microbial dysbiosis at multiple body sites of healthy and diseased/colonized individuals. The results described here may be useful in the design of future methodologies to treat and prevent SSTIs. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common in the general population, with increased prevalence among military trainees. Previous research has revealed numerous nasal microbial signatures that correlate with SSTI development and Staphylococcus aureus colonization. Thus, we hypothesized that the ecology of the inguinal, oropharynx, and perianal regions may also be altered in response to SSTI and/or S. aureus colonization. We collected body site samples from 46 military trainees with purulent abscess (SSTI group) as well as from 66 asymptomatic controls (non-SSTI group). We also collected abscess cavity samples to assess the microbial composition of these infections. Samples were analyzed by culture, and the microbial communities were characterized by high-throughput sequencing. We found that the nasal, inguinal, and perianal regions were similar in microbial composition and significantly differed from the oropharynx. We also observed differences in Anaerococcus and Streptococcus abundance between the SSTI and non-SSTI groups for the nasal and oropharyngeal regions, respectively. Furthermore, we detected community membership differences between the SSTI and non-SSTI groups for the nasal and inguinal sites. Compared to that of the other regions, the microbial compositions of the nares of S. aureus carriers and noncarriers were dramatically different; we noted an inverse correlation between the presence of Corynebacterium and the presence of Staphylococcus in the nares. This correlation was also observed for the inguinal region. Culture analysis revealed elevated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) colonization levels for the SSTI group in the nasal and inguinal body sites. Together, these data suggest significant microbial variability in patients with SSTI as well as between S. aureus carriers and noncarriers. IMPORTANCE While it is evident that nasal colonization with S. aureus increases the likelihood of SSTI, there is a significant lack of information regarding the contribution of extranasal colonization to the overall risk of a subsequent SSTI. Furthermore, the impact of S. aureus colonization on bacterial community composition outside the nasal microbiota is unclear. Thus, this report represents the first investigation that utilized both culture and high-throughput sequencing techniques to analyze microbial dysbiosis at multiple body sites of healthy and diseased/colonized individuals. The results described here may be useful in the design of future methodologies to treat and prevent SSTIs.

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Dietary oxalate and kidney stone formation

AJP Renal Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajprenal.00373.2018 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 316 (3) ◽

pp. F409-F413 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Tanecia Mitchell ◽

Parveen Kumar ◽

Thanmaya Reddy ◽

Kyle D. Wood ◽

John Knight ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Calcium Oxalate ◽

Stone Formation ◽

Continuous Variable ◽

Urinary Oxalate ◽

Calcium Oxalate Stone ◽

Oxalate Excretion ◽

Urinary Oxalate Excretion ◽

Stone Growth ◽

The Impact ◽

Dietary Oxalate

Dietary oxalate is plant-derived and may be a component of vegetables, nuts, fruits, and grains. In normal individuals, approximately half of urinary oxalate is derived from the diet and half from endogenous synthesis. The amount of oxalate excreted in urine plays an important role in calcium oxalate stone formation. Large epidemiological cohort studies have demonstrated that urinary oxalate excretion is a continuous variable when indexed to stone risk. Thus, individuals with oxalate excretions >25 mg/day may benefit from a reduction of urinary oxalate output. The 24-h urine assessment may miss periods of transient surges in urinary oxalate excretion, which may promote stone growth and is a limitation of this analysis. In this review we describe the impact of dietary oxalate and its contribution to stone growth. To limit calcium oxalate stone growth, we advocate that patients maintain appropriate hydration, avoid oxalate-rich foods, and consume an adequate amount of calcium.

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Characterization of Mouse Models of Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection and Evaluation of Drug Combinations

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.04841-14 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. 2129-2135 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Claire Andréjak ◽

Deepak V. Almeida ◽

Sandeep Tyagi ◽

Paul J. Converse ◽

Nicole C. Ammerman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Disease ◽

Mouse Models ◽

Mycobacterium Avium ◽

Treatment Efficacy ◽

Model Systems ◽

Mouse Strains ◽

Combination Drug ◽

Content Type ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTTheMycobacterium aviumcomplex is the most common cause of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease worldwide; yet, an optimal treatment regimen forM. aviumcomplex infection has not been established. Clarithromycin is accepted as the cornerstone drug for treatment ofM. aviumlung disease; however, good model systems, especially animal models, are needed to evaluate the most effective companion drugs. We performed a series of experiments to evaluate and use different mouse models (comparing BALB/c, C57BL/6, nude, and beige mice) ofM. aviuminfection and to assess the anti-M. aviumactivity of single and combination drug regimens,in vitro,ex vivo, and in mice.In vitro, clarithromycin and moxifloxacin were most active againstM. avium, and no antagonism was observed between these two drugs. Nude mice were more susceptible toM. aviuminfection than the other mouse strains tested, but the impact of treatment was most clearly seen inM. avium-infected BALB/c mice. The combination of clarithromycin-ethambutol-rifampin was more effective in all infected mice than moxifloxacin-ethambutol-rifampin; the addition of moxifloxacin to the clarithromycin-containing regimen did not increase treatment efficacy. Clarithromycin-containing regimens are the most effective forM. aviuminfection; substitution of moxifloxacin for clarithromycin had a negative impact on treatment efficacy.

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Risk Factors in Urinary Calcium Oxalate Stone Formation and their Relation to Urinary Calcium Oxalate Supersaturation

International Journal of Urology ◽

10.1111/j.1442-2042.1996.tb00553.x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 3 (5) ◽

pp. 356-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Yoshihide Ogawa ◽

Tadashi Hatano

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Calcium Oxalate ◽

Stone Formation ◽

Urinary Calcium ◽

Calcium Oxalate Stone

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Urinary calcium oxalate crystal growth inhibitors.

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology ◽

10.1681/asn.v55s46 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. S46

Author(s):

E M Worcester

Keyword(s):

Crystal Growth ◽

Calcium Oxalate ◽

Stone Formation ◽

Bone Matrix ◽

Urinary Calcium ◽

Crystal Nucleation ◽

Calcium Oxalate Crystal ◽

Stone Formers ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Renal Tubular

Calcium stones occur because renal tubular fluid and urine are supersaturated with respect to calcium oxalate and phosphate. The process of stone formation includes crystal nucleation, growth, aggregation, and attachment to renal epithelia. Urine contains macromolecules that modify these processes and may protect against stone formation. Attention has focused especially on inhibitors of crystal growth, and several have been isolated from urine, including nephrocalcin, an acidic phosphorylated glycoprotein that contains several residues of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid per molecule; osteopontin (uropontin), a phosphorylated glycoprotein also found in bone matrix; uronic acid-rich protein, which contains a covalently bound glycosaminoglycan residue; and several others. Abnormalities in structure and/or function have been detected in some of these proteins in stone formers' urine. However, the overall ability of urinary macromolecules to inhibit calcium oxalate crystal growth is often normal in stone formers. Recently, attention has been focused on the ability of these molecules to inhibit other stages in stone formation. Nephrocalcin can inhibit crystal nucleation, for example, and both nephrocalcin and Tamm-Horsfall protein inhibit crystal aggregation. Nephrocalcin and Tamm-Horsfall protein from stone formers are less active in preventing aggregation, and under some conditions, Tamm-Horsfall protein may promote the formation of crystal aggregates, especially in the presence of high concentrations of calcium. The structural abnormalities responsible for impaired inhibitory activity are not completely understood.

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Genome Sequence of Oxalobacter formigenes Strain OXCC13

Genome Announcements ◽

10.1128/genomea.00534-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (28) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marguerite Hatch ◽

Milton J. Allison ◽

Fahong Yu ◽

William Farmerie

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Genome Sequence ◽

Kidney Stone ◽

Stone Formation ◽

Human Strain ◽

Oxalobacter Formigenes ◽

Human Gut ◽

Content Type ◽

Kidney Stone Formation

ABSTRACT The lack of Oxalobacter formigenes colonization in the human gut is generally acknowledged as a risk factor for kidney stone formation since this microorganism can play an important role in oxalate homeostasis. Here, we present the genome sequence of OXCC13, a human strain isolated from an individual residing in Germany.

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