scholarly journals Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Desiccation Tolerant and Infectious upon Rehydration

mBio ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Walsh ◽  
Andrew Camilli
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Desiccation Tolerance ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Pneumococcal Infection ◽  
The United States ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniae(pneumococcus) is a frequent colonizer of the nasopharynx and one of the leading causative agents of otitis media, pneumonia, and meningitis. The current literature asserts thatS. pneumoniaeis transmitted person to person via respiratory droplets; however, environmental surfaces (fomites) have been linked to the spread of other respiratory pathogens. Desiccation tolerance has been to shown to be essential for long-term survival on dry surfaces. This study investigated the survival and infectivity ofS. pneumoniaefollowing desiccation under ambient conditions. We recovered viable bacteria after all desiccation periods tested, ranging from 1 h to 4 weeks. Experiments conducted under nutrient limitation indicate that desiccation is a condition separate from starvation. Desiccation of an acapsular mutant and 15 different clinical isolates shows thatS. pneumoniaedesiccation tolerance is independent of the polysaccharide capsule and is a species-wide phenomenon, respectively. Experiments demonstrating that nondesiccated and desiccatedS. pneumoniaestrains colonize the nasopharynx at comparable levels, combined with their ability to survive long-term desiccation, suggest that fomites may serve as alternate sources of pneumococcal infection.IMPORTANCEEven with the advent of multivalent capsular polysaccharide conjugate vaccines,S. pneumoniaecontinues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Every year, there are approximately 7 million cases of pneumococcus-based otitis media in the United States alone, while pneumococcal invasive diseases are responsible for more than 1 million deaths globally. It is believed that the human upper respiratory tract is the sole niche ofS. pneumoniaeand, thus, that spread occurs via close contact with an infected individual. In this study, we characterized the desiccation tolerance ofS. pneumoniaeand found that it can survive for many weeks postdehydration and retain infectivity. Our results suggest that desiccation tolerance is an inherent trait of this genetically variable species and that fomites may be a source of transmission.

scholarly journals Cigarette Smoke Attenuates the Nasal Host Response to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Predisposes to Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 1536-1547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Shen ◽  
Mathieu C. Morissette ◽  
Gilles Vanderstocken ◽  
Yang Gao ◽  
Muhammad Hassan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Invasive Pneumococcal Disease ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Pneumococcal Disease ◽  
Pneumococcal Infection ◽  
Cigarette Smoke Exposure ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pneumococcal Colonization

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections, with nasal colonization an important first step in disease. While cigarette smoking is a strong risk factor for invasive pneumococcal disease, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This is partly due to a lack of clinically relevant animal models investigating nasal pneumococcal colonization in the context of cigarette smoke exposure. We present a model of nasal pneumococcal colonization in cigarette smoke-exposed mice and document, for the first time, that cigarette smoke predisposes to invasive pneumococcal infection and mortality in an animal model. Cigarette smoke increased the risk of bacteremia and meningitis without prior lung infection. Mechanistically, deficiency in interleukin 1α (IL-1α) or platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR), an important host receptor thought to bind and facilitate pneumococcal invasiveness, did not rescue cigarette smoke-exposed mice from invasive pneumococcal disease. Importantly, we observed cigarette smoke to attenuate nasal inflammatory mediator expression, particularly that of neutrophil-recruiting chemokines, normally elicited by pneumococcal colonization. Smoking cessation during nasal pneumococcal colonization rescued nasal neutrophil recruitment and prevented invasive disease in mice. We propose that cigarette smoke predisposes to invasive pneumococcal disease by suppressing inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract. Given that smoking prevalence remains high worldwide, these findings are relevant to the continued efforts to reduce the invasive pneumococcal disease burden.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Aminomethyl Spectinomycins against Complex Upper Respiratory Tract Bacterial Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Iverson ◽  
Christopher J. Meyer ◽  
Peter Vogel ◽  
Samanthi Waidyarachchi ◽  
Nisha Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Acute Otitis Media ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Upper Respiratory

ABSTRACT The most frequent ailment for which antibiotics are prescribed is otitis media (ear infections), which is most commonly caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Treatment of otitis media is complicated by the fact that the bacteria in the middle ear typically form biofilms, which can be recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, bacterial respiratory infections can be greatly exacerbated by viral coinfection, which is particularly evidenced by the synergy between influenza and S. pneumoniae. In this study, we sought to ascertain the in vivo efficacy of aminomethyl spectinomycin lead 1950, an effective antibacterial agent both in vitro and in vivo against Streptococcus pneumoniae in the context of complex respiratory infections and acute otitis media. A single dose of 1950 significantly reduced bacterial burden in the respiratory tract for all three pathogens, even when species were present in a coinfection model. Additionally, a single dose of 1950 effectively reduced pneumococcal acute otitis media from the middle ear. The agent 1950 also proved efficacious in the context of influenza-pneumococcal super infection. These data further support the development of this family of compounds as potential therapeutic agents against the common causes of complex upper respiratory tract infections and acute otitis media.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-155 Is Required for Clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the Nasopharynx

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 4824-4833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris P. Verschoor ◽  
Michael G. Dorrington ◽  
Kyle E. Novakowski ◽  
Julie Kaiser ◽  
Katherine Radford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
High Titer ◽  
Pneumococcal Infection ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Bacterial Clearance ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTPneumonia caused byStreptococcus pneumoniaeis a major cause of death and an economic burden worldwide.S. pneumoniaeis an intermittent colonizer of the human upper respiratory tract, and the ability to control asymptomatic colonization determines the likelihood of developing invasive disease. Recognition ofS. pneumoniaeby resident macrophages via Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) and the macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) and the presence of interleukin-17 (IL-17)-secreting CD4+T cells are required for macrophage recruitment and bacterial clearance. Despite the fact that the primary cellular effectors needed for bacterial clearance have been identified, much of the underlying regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that the small, noncoding RNA microRNA-155 (mir-155) is critical for the effective clearance ofS. pneumoniae. Our studies show that mir-155-deficient mice maintain the ability to prevent acute invasive pneumococcal infection but have significantly higher bacterial burdens following colonization, independently of macrophage recognition by TLR-2, MARCO expression, or bactericidal capacity. The observed defects in bacterial clearance parallel reduced IL-17A and gamma interferon CD4+T-cell responsesin vivo, lower IL-17A mRNA levels in the nasopharynx, and a reduced capacity to induce Th17 cell polarization. Given that knockout mice are also limited in the capacity to generate high-titerS. pneumoniae-specific antibodies, we conclude that mir-155 is a critical mediator of the cellular effectors needed to clear primary and secondaryS. pneumoniaecolonizations.

scholarly journals Microbial Communities of the Upper Respiratory Tract and Otitis Media in Children

mBio ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison S. Laufer ◽  
Joshua P. Metlay ◽  
Janneane F. Gent ◽  
Kristopher P. Fennie ◽  
Yong Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Causal Pathway ◽  
Upper Respiratory

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaeasymptomatically colonizes the upper respiratory tract of children and is a frequent cause of otitis media. Patterns of microbial colonization likely influenceS. pneumoniaecolonization and otitis media susceptibility. This study compared microbial communities in children with and without otitis media. Nasal swabs and clinical and demographic data were collected in a cross-sectional study of Philadelphia, PA, children (6 to 78 months) (n= 108) during the 2008-2009 winter respiratory virus season. Swabs were cultured forS. pneumoniae. DNA was extracted from the swabs; 16S rRNA gene hypervariable regions (V1 and V2) were PCR amplified and sequenced by Roche/454 Life Sciences pyrosequencing. Microbial communities were described using the Shannon diversity and evenness indices. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to group microbial community taxa into four factors representing correlated taxa. Of 108 children, 47 (44%) were colonized byS. pneumoniae, and 25 (23%) were diagnosed with otitis media. Microbial communities withS. pneumoniaewere significantly less diverse and less even. Two PCA factors were associated with a decreased risk of pneumococcal colonization and otitis media, as follows: one factor included potentially protective flora (CorynebacteriumandDolosigranulum), and the other factor includedPropionibacterium,Lactococcus, andStaphylococcus. The remaining two PCA factors were associated with an increased risk of otitis media. One factor includedHaemophilus, and the final factor includedActinomyces,Rothia,Neisseria, andVeillonella. Generally, these taxa are not considered otitis media pathogens but may be important in the causal pathway. Increased understanding of upper respiratory tract microbial communities will contribute to the development of otitis media treatment and prevention strategies.IMPORTANCEOtitis media (middle ear infection) is the most common reason for pediatric sick visits in the United States.Streptococcus pneumoniaeis a leading otitis media pathogen.S. pneumoniaemust colonize the upper respiratory tract and compete with a complex community of nonpathogenic bacteria before infecting the middle ear. We compared microbial communities in the upper respiratory tract of children who had otitis media and those who did not. Members of the normal flora, i.e.,CorynebacteriumandDolosigranulum, were protective forS. pneumoniaecolonization and otitis media. As expected, the generaHaemophiluswas associated with otitis media. Surprisingly,Actinomyces,Rothia,Neisseria, andVeillonellawere associated with an increased risk of otitis media. These bacteria are not otitis media pathogens but may be associated with antibiotic use or involved in the causal pathway to disease. Increased understanding of upper respiratory tract microbial communities will lead to new ways to prevent middle ear infections, including probiotics.

Dual-isotope single-photon emission computerized tomography scanning in patients with glioblastoma multiforme: association with patient survival and histopathological characteristics of tumor after high-dose radiotherapy

1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Schwartz ◽  
B. Leonard Holman ◽  
Joseph F. Polak ◽  
Basem M. Garada ◽  
Marc S. Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Glioblastoma Multiforme ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dual Isotope ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The study was conducted to determine the association between dual-isotope single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scanning and histopathological findings of tumor recurrence and survival in patients treated with high-dose radiotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme. Methods. Studies in which SPECT with 201Tl and 99mTc-hexamethypropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) were used were performed 1 day before reoperation in 47 patients with glioblastoma multiforme who had previously been treated by surgery and high-dose radiotherapy. Maximum uptake of 201Tl in the lesion was expressed as a ratio to that in the contralateral scalp, and uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO was expressed as a ratio to that in the cerebellar cortex. Patients were stratified into groups based on the maximum radioisotope uptake values in their tumor beds. The significance of differences in patient gender, histological characteristics of tissue at reoperation, and SPECT uptake group with respect to 1-year survival was elucidated by using the chi-square statistic. Comparisons of patient ages and time to tumor recurrence as functions of 1-year survival were made using the t-test. Survival data at 1 year were presented according to the Kaplan—Meier method, and the significance of potential differences was evaluated using the log-rank method. The effects of different variables (tumor type, time to recurrence, and SPECT grouping) on long-term survival were evaluated using Cox proportional models that controlled for age and gender. All patients in Group I (201Tl ratio < 2 and 99mTc-HMPAO ratio < 0.5) showed radiation changes in their biopsy specimens: they had an 83.3% 1-year survival rate. Group II patients (201T1 ratio < 2 and 99mTc-HMPAO ratio of ≥ 0.5 or 201Tl ratio between 2 and 3.5 regardless of 99mTc-HMPAO ratio) had predominantly infiltrating tumor (66.6%); they had a 29.2% 1-year survival rate. Almost all of the patients in Group III (201Tl ratio > 3.5 and 99mTc-HMPAO ratio ≥ 0.5) had solid tumor (88.2%) and they had a 6.7% 1-year survival rate. Histological data were associated with 1-year survival (p < 0.01); however, SPECT grouping was more closely associated with 1-year survival (p < 0.001) and was the only variable significantly associated with long-term survival (p < 0.005). Conclusions. Dual-isotope SPECT data correlate with histopathological findings made at reoperation and with survival in patients with malignant gliomas after surgical and high-dose radiation therapy.

scholarly journals Long-term Survival of Dialysis Patients With Bacterial Endocarditis Undergoing Valvular Replacement Surgery in the United States

Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 344-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxwell D. Leither ◽  
Gautam R. Shroff ◽  
Shu Ding ◽  
David T. Gilbertson ◽  
Charles A. Herzog
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Bacterial Endocarditis ◽  
Dialysis Patients ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Long Term Survival ◽  
Replacement Surgery ◽  
Valvular Replacement

Su1285 Long-Term Survival of Patients With Transplant-Eligible Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Post-MELD Exception Era in the United States Between 2004 and 2007

2013 ◽  
Vol 144 (5) ◽  
pp. S-447-S-448
Author(s):  
Pardha Devaki ◽  
Vidyasagargoud Marupakula ◽  
Sharad Nangia ◽  
Basile Njei ◽  
Ivo C. Ditah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
The United States ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Long Term Survival

India’s vaccine diplomacy brings money and influence

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pharmaceutical Ingredients ◽  
The World

Significance Last week, its partners in the ‘Quad’ grouping -- the United States, Japan and Australia -- agreed to help increase its vaccine manufacturing and exporting capacity. Each of the Quad members is wary of China, which like India is gifting and selling coronavirus jabs around the world. Impacts India’s manufacturing sector will attract more foreign direct investment. Greater cooperation over supply chains will help strengthen India-Australia ties. Indian pharma will in the long term aim to ease dependence on imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients from China.

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