In vitro antimicrobial activity of douro wines against clinical Helicobacter Pylori Strains

Aim. In vitro antimicrobial activities of seven wines (5 reds and 2 whites) from the Douro region (Iberian Peninsule) against eleven clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori were evaluated. Methods. The disk diffusion method, using Columbia Agar supplemented with horse blood (CAB), were used to determine the antimicrobial properties of some wine components against H. pylori strains. Potential interactions of antioxidants contained in the wines and two antimicrobials (amoxicillin and metronidazole) were studied by the disk diffusion method. Results. All the tested strains showed growth in CAB supplemented with 9% of the tested wines but none of them grew in media supplemented with 45% and 67.5% of wine. Similarly, all the tested strains grew in media with the concentration of proanthocyanidins present in the different types of the studied wines. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of the wine antioxidant components tested (benzoic acid, catechin, quercetin, and resveratrol) indicate that resveratrol was the most powerful inhibitory substance against H. pylori. An effect of potentiation between amoxicillin and metronidazole and the antioxidants tested was also established. The interaction of amoxicillin and resveratrol or metronidazole and catechin increased the antimicrobial activity against H. pylori. Conclusions. The results obtained suggested a potential role of resveratrol as a chemopreventive agent for H. pylori infection.

Devosia equisanguinis sp. nov., isolated from horse blood

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-endospore-forming organism isolated from horse blood was studied for its taxonomic allocation. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain M6-77T grouped within the genus Devosia and was most closely related to Devosia elaeis (97.6 %) and Devosia indica (97.55 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to type strains of other Devosia species was below 97.5 %. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between the M6-77T genome assembly and those of the closest relative Devosia type strains were <85 and <25 %, respectively. Strain M6-77T grew optimally at 25–37 °C (range: 10–36 °C), at a pH range of pH 6.5–10.5 and in the presence of up to 3 % (w/v) NaCl. The fatty acid profile from whole-cell hydrolysates supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Devosia . Major fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c, 11-methyl C18 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0. The quinone system consisted exclusively of ubiquinone Q-10. The polar lipid profile was composed of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and three unidentified glycolipids. In the polyamine pattern, putrescine was predominant and spermidine was detected in moderate amounts. The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. In addition, the results of physiological and biochemical tests also allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain M6-77T from the closely related species. Hence, M6-77T represents a new species of the genus Devosia , for which we propose the name Devosia equisanguinis sp. nov., with M6-77T (=CIP 111628T=LMG 30659T=CCM 8868T) as the type strain.

Recommendations for Ensuring Good Welfare of Horses Used for Industrial Blood, Serum, or Urine Production

Various pharmaceutical products have been derived from horse blood and urine for over a century. Production of biologics and therapeutics from these samples is a niche industry and often occurs in regions with little regulation or veterinary oversight. To ensure good welfare of horses maintained for these purposes, guidance has been developed to support the industry.

Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila in a case of wound infection in cattle in Nigeria

A three and a half year old N'dama cow weighing about 150kg was rescued from a steel jaw trap during grazing the previous day and presented at the Teaching and Research Farm Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria with a fresh, deep wound. The animal was treated but there were no satisfactory response to Penicillin/streptomycin intramuscular injection at 10,0001U/kg for seven days and also i/m 20% Oxytetracycline injection at 20mg/kg repeated after 48 hours. A loopful of pus samples aseptically taken from the wound were streaked on blood agar base enriched with 7% horse blood (Oxoid, UK) using the quadrant streaking method and incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24-48 hours. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated which was resistant to the commonly used antibiotics on the farm. Following the results obtained from the sensitivity test, the animal was placed on Enrofloxacin for seven days, the swelling regressed, no pus was expressed from the wound site and no pain was elicited from the joint on application of pressure by the 8th day Aeromonas hydrophila is pathogenic to man; hence care should be taken in handling of animal traps.

Intracellular Presence of Helicobacter pylori and Its Virulence-Associated Genotypes within the Vaginal Yeast of Term Pregnant Women

Background: Helicobacter pylori transmission routes are not entirely elucidated. Since yeasts are postulated to transmit this pathogen, this study aimed to detect and genotype intracellular H. pylori harbored within vaginal yeast cells. Methods: A questionnaire was used to determine risk factors of H. pylori infection. Samples were seeded on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and horse blood-supplemented Columbia agar. Isolated yeasts were identified using and observed by optical microscopy searching for intra-yeast H. pylori. Total yeast DNA, from one random sample, was extracted to search for H. pylori virulence genes by PCR and bacterial identification by sequencing. Results: 43% of samples contained yeasts, mainly Candida albicans (91%). Microscopy detected bacteria such as bodies and anti-H. pylori antibodies binding particles in 50% of the isolated yeasts. Total DNA extracted showed that 50% of the isolated yeasts were positive for H. pylori 16S rDNA and the sequence showed 99.8% similarity with H. pylori. In total, 32% of H. pylori DNA positive samples were cagA+ vacAs1a vacAm1 dupA−. No relationship was observed between possible H. pylori infection risk factors and vaginal yeasts harboring this bacterium. Conclusion: H. pylori having virulent genotypes were detected within vaginal yeasts constituting a risk for vertical transmission of this pathogen.

ESTIMATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE DISINFECTANT «BIOLOK» IN PRODUCTION CONDITIONS

The article presents the results of laboratory and production tests of a new domestic composite preparation «Biolok» (manufactured by «Biosfera»). Laboratory studies were carried out on smooth and rough surfaces. Museum cultures of E. coli (stream 1257), Staphylococcus aurous (stream 209 Р), Mycobacteria (stream B 5), B. cereus (stream 96) were used as test microorganisms. Inactivated horse blood serum was taken to simulate the natural contamination of the surfaces. Production tests were carried out at the objects of veterinary supervision in the Republic Dagestan. As a result of the test, it was found that Biolok has antimicrobial activity and can be recommended for preventive and forced disinfection in case of infectious diseases of farm animals and poiltry.

Nonwoven characteristics effective for blood-resistant particulate filtration for healthcare application

The epidemic virus such as COVID-19 can spread via bioaerosol or droplets, and the use of filtering facepiece is crucial in reducing the opportunity of infection. For healthcare application of filters, the fluid penetration resistance is an additional benefit. In this study, nonwoven characteristics that affect the blood penetration resistance were analyzed, using different coverweb materials including electrospun and spunbond webs. The web properties were varied in the basis weight, porosity, and wettability. The blood penetration resistance was tested using the horse blood and human blood simulant at the stream velocity of 2.83 m/s. The blood resistance was affected by both the surface wettability and the physical parameters. When the coverweb and the filter web were hydrophobized, filtration efficiency against oily aerosol was enhanced, without interfering comfort properties. This study is novel in that the comprehensive effects of physical and wetting properties were investigated in terms of fluid penetration resistance, comfort properties and filtration performance.

The development of mouthwashes without anti-gonococcal activity for controlled clinical trials: an in vitro study

Background: The oropharynx plays a major role in the development and spread of antimicrobial resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae among men who have sex with men. Trials are currently assessing the efficacy of bactericidal mouthwashes as possible therapeutic or preventive options against these pharyngeal gonococcal infections. Controlled clinical trials require the use of a placebo mouthwash without anti-gonococcal activity. So far, no such placebo mouthwash has been described. We describe the development of a mouthwash for this purpose. Methods: The in vitro anti-gonococcal activity of Corsodyl®, Listerine Cool Mint®, Biotene®, phosphate buffered saline and six in-house placebo mouthwashes was evaluated. Three gonococcal isolates from patients with pharyngeal infection were exposed to the mouthwashes for a duration ranging from 30 seconds to 60 minutes. Isolates were then plated in duplicate onto blood agar (5% horse blood) and incubated for 24 hours (5-7% CO 2, 35 ± 2°C). Growth of N. gonorrhoeae was scored on a five-point scale (0 = no growth, to 4 = confluent growth of colonies). Results: Corsodyl® and Listerine Cool Mint® were bactericidal to all isolates. For the other mouthwashes, the median growth score after 60 minutes of exposure was 4 (interquartile range 4-4) for phosphate buffered saline; 1 (interquartile range 1-3) for Biotene®; and ranged between 0 and 2 for the in-house composed mouthwashes. An in-house composed mouthwash (Placebo 6) performed best, with a growth score of 2.5 (interquartile range 1-3). Conclusions: All the evaluated potential placebo mouthwashes were bacteriostatic after gonococcal exposure of 30 to 60 minutes. In-house composed Placebo 6 showed less inhibition on gonococcal growth than Biotene® and the other in-house placebos and demonstrates, in our opinion, a good trade-off between anti-gonococcal properties and taste.

Applications of polymerase chain reaction for the detection of equine Leishmania sp. infection

Leishmaniasis is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by a variety of pathogenic Leishmania species. In the New World, especially in Brazil, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by Leishmania infantum. The pathogen can infect several animal species including dogs, foxes, rodents, primates, felines, equines and humans. Dogs act as the primary domestic reservoirs. This study aimed to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Leishmania infection in horses living in a canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) endemic region. DNA samples from horse peripheral blood were used to perform PCR. Templates were amplified using primers for the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles, which were able to detect different species of Leishmania. In addition, primers for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA were used for detection of Trypanosomatidae sp. Amongst the 75 (39%) positive PCR samples from total 192 samples, 21 samples were positive for kDNA and 63 samples were positive for either ITS, ITS1, or ITS2 gene markers. The kDNA PCR and sequencing allowed the detection of L. infantum in horse blood samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of equine infection with L. infantum in Southern Brazil. These results proved that L. infantum could also infect horses in addition to humans and dogs, as well as in European countries. This conclusion emphasizes the urgent need to follow up investigation of the infection in these animals.