Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Potential pathogens”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

P3 beta-amyloid peptide has a unique and potentially pathogenic immunohistochemical profile in Alzheimer's disease brain.

The presence of beta-amyloid in brain tissue is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A naturally occurring derivative of the beta-amyloid peptide, p3, possesses all of the structural determinants required for fibril assembly and neurotoxicity. p3-specific antibodies were used to examine the distribution of this peptide in brain. p3 reactivity was absent or sparse in aged non-AD brains but was prevalent in selected areas of AD brain in diffuse deposits and in a subset of dystrophic neurites. p3-reactive dystrophic neurites were found both independent in the neuropil and associated with plaques. Little or no reactivity was observed to amyloid cores in classical plaques or to amyloid in the cerebral vasculature. The exclusive appearance of p3 reactivity in AD brain plus the selective localization of p3 reactivity to abnormal structures in the temporal lobe limbic system suggests that p3 may be a contributing factor to AD pathology.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1996

Pathogenic potential of Gardnerella vaginalis on the female urogenital system.

The prevalence of certain characteristics of genital discharge like (a) watery variety in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic 34% and in gynaecology clinic 26.6%, (b) fishy odour in STD clinic 29.2% and in gynaecology clinic 12.2% and (c) pH > 4.5 in STD clinic 53.6% and in gynaecology clinic 43% was notable. On the other hand, occurrence of "clue cells" (in STD clinic 41.4% and in gynaecology clinic 39.5%) did not show difference in the aforesaid clinics. The preponderance of watery discharge in the STD clinic appears to be related to G vaginalis (in STD clinic 26.8% and in gynaecology clinic 9.3%). It is intriguing to note that G vaginalis was isolated from leucorrhoea (in STD clinic 19.5% and in gynaecology clinic 9.3%) and inapparent (in 10%) cases and normal (in 4.2%) cases. Single infection with G vaginalis in one particular case had profuse watery discharge, pH > 4.5 and there was occurrence of "clue cells". Likewise, in multiple infections revealing G vaginalis (29 cases) as one of the potential agents, 78.5% had profuse, 53.8% watery discharge of which 53.5% had "clue cells" and 81% had pH > 4.5. In mixed type of infections, the U urealyticum (53.8%) and M hominis (30.6%) were conspicuous in bacterial vaginosis. Cervicitis, erosion cervix or urethral syndrome were unrelated to G vaginalis. All cases of G vaginalis infection responded to metronidazole with remission of leucorrhoea in 25.9% cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Autoantibodies to neutrophil granule proteins: pathogenic potential in vasculitis?

The discovery of circulating autoantibodies to neutrophil granule proteins (ANCA), which are present in a high proportion of patients with vasculitis, has revitalised both clinical and experimental research in this area. Although their antigen specificities and strong association with vasculitic diseases have now been established, the role of ANCA in the disease process is uncertain. This review is a brief outline of some of the clinical associations of ANCA, and describes interesting new avenues being taken in recent research which may provide an insight into how ANCA may contribute to vascular damage in patients with vasculitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Candida krusei (Castellani) Berkhout--a potential pathogen with growing importance].

The authors collect information on the biological properties, ecology and pathogenicity of Candida krusei. They give a list of forms of diseases caused by this yeast and a profile of its sensitivity to antimycotics. They point out the difference between C. krusei and species of C. albicans and analyze the factors enabling its propagation. In their opinion, the resistance of this yeast to fluconazole is the main cause of the increased number of colonizations and infections produced by C. krusei. The population of C. krusei resistant to fluconazole is selected from other, sensitive species of the genus Candida primarily in hospitalized patients. Though there is no consensus of opinion at present on the influence of fluconazole on the yeast spectrum, the authors suppose this systemic antimycotic plays a distinct role in the growing importance of C. krusei.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1982

[Opportunistic microorganisms: the causative agents of food toxicoinfections and acute intestinal diseases].

The analysis of sporadic morbidity due to acute intestinal infections and toxicoinfections caused by potentially pathogenic microorganisms is presented. The hypothesis stating that different pathogenic agents have different levels of pathogenic potential at a given stage of their evolution is proposed. Microorganisms with a low level of pathogenicity potential are characterized by the prevalence of the syndrome of toxicoinfection and by the rarity or absence of the syndrome of an acute intestinal disease. The prevalence of the latter is characteristic of potentially pathogenic microbes with a high level of pathogenicity potential making them similar to complete parasites.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Recognition of Dermabacter hominis, formerly CDC fermentative coryneform group 3 and group 5, as a potential human pathogen.

Thirty strains of fermentative coryneform-like bacteria designated CDC fermentative coryneform group 3 and coryneform group 5 were compared biochemically by cellular fatty acid analysis and by DNA relatedness with the type strain of Dermabacter hominis, ATCC 49369. DNA from 22 strains of both CDC groups showed 69 to 96% relatedness (hydroxyapatite method) to labeled DNA from ATCC 49369 and to DNA from CDC group 3 strain G4964, and the strains are considered to belong to D. hominis. The remaining eight strains were genetically but not phenotypically differentiable from D. hominis. They were genetically heterogeneous, but hybridization results indicated that they probably belong to the genus Dermabacter. Thirteen of the 22 D. hominis strains and all 8 of the other Dermabacter strains had been isolated from blood, which indicates the pathogenic potential of this species and genus.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of Acanthamoeba isolates from environmental sources in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.

Tests for potentially pathogenic amoebae were carried out in order to determine the presence of free-living amoebae of genus Acanthamoeba in soil and beach sand sources related to human environments in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Acanthamoeba identification was based on the morphology of cyst and trophozoite forms and PCR amplification with a genus specific primer pair. The pathogenical potential of Acanthamoeba isolates was characterized by temperature and osmotolerance assays and PCR reactions with two primer pairs related to Acanthamoeba pathogenesis. The results demonstrate the presence of potential pathogenic strain in both sources. Thus, some of the amoebae found in these habitats could act as opportunistic pathogens and may present a risk to human health.

Acanthamoeba↗
PubMed2000

Target genes for virulence assessment of Escherichia coli isolates from water, food and the environment.

The widespread species Escherichia coli includes a broad variety of different types, ranging from highly pathogenic strains causing worldwide outbreaks of severe disease to avirulent isolates which are part of the normal intestinal flora or which are well characterized and safe laboratory strains. The pathogenicity of a given E. coli strain is mainly determined by specific virulence factors which include adhesins, invasins, toxins and capsule. They are often organized in large genetic blocks either on the chromosome ('pathogenicity islands'), on large plasmids or on phages and can be transmitted horizontally between strains. In this review we summarize the current knowledge of the virulence attributes which determine the pathogenic potential of E. coli strains and the methodology available to assess the virulence of E. coli isolates. We also focus on a recently developed procedure based on a broad-range detection system for E. coli-specific virulence genes that makes it possible to determine the potential pathogenicity and its nature in E. coli strains from various sources. This makes it possible to determine the pathotype of E. coli strains in medical diagnostics, to assess the virulence and health risks of E. coli contaminating water, food and the environment and to study potential reservoirs of virulence genes which might contribute to the emergence of new forms of pathogenic E. coli.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2005

Isolation and identification of pathogenic Acanthamoeba strains in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain from water sources.

A comprehensive survey to document the presence of free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba was conducted in tap water and sea water sources related to human environments in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Acanthamoeba identification was based on the morphology of cyst and trophozoite forms and PCR amplification with a genus-specific primer pair. The pathogenic potential of Acanthamoeba isolates was characterized by temperature and osmotolerance assays and PCR reactions with two primer pairs related to Acanthamoeba pathogenesis. The results demonstrate the presence of potentially pathogenic strains in both sources. Thus, some of the amoebae in these aquatic habitats can act as opportunistic pathogens, could play a role in the diseases of aquatic organisms, and may present a risk to human health.

Acanthamoeba↗
PubMed1984

Cutaneous infections: microbiologic and epidemiologic considerations.

The normal bacterial flora of the skin represents an important host defense mechanism against invasion by potentially pathogenic organisms. This flora is primarily composed of aerobic diphtheroids (Corynebacterium species), anaerobic diphtheroids (Propriono-bacterium acnes), and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Gram-negative bacilli may be present in limited numbers in intertriginous areas. Localized cutaneous infections occur in ostensibly normal hosts, often after trivial trauma, examples being streptococcal or staphylococcal impetigo, staphylococcal furunculosis, or more unusual infections due to agents such as Mycobacterium marinum. When the skin is injured more extensively by trauma, burns, ischemia with ulceration, or iatrogenic manipulations, or when host immunologic defenses are suppressed, more severe infections are likely to supervene, and the threat of systemic dissemination of infecting microorganisms increases. Cutaneous infection in immunosuppressed hosts may involve the same pyogenic bacteria that affect normal subjects or it may involve a variety of opportunistic invaders, including herpes viruses, gram-negative bacilli, mycobacteria, and deep or superficial mycoses. The skin may also be affected by infections whose primary site lies elsewhere in the body. Cutaneous manifestations may be secondary to hematogenous seeding of the causative agent or to the effects of toxins or immune complexes. Certain microbial agents may initiate a wide variety of cutaneous lesions, depending on route of infection and the status of the host. Thus, cutaneous lesions attributable to Pseudomonas aeruginosa range from "green nail syndrome" and self-limited folliculitis to ecthyma gangrenosum. Similarly, group A streptococci may produce pyoderma, cellulitis, lymphangitis, erysipelas, or scarlet fever. We recently described a syndrome of recurrent cellulitis in the saphenous vein donor extremities of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafts. Most patients have associated tinea pedis. The pathophysiologic aspects of this syndrome are probably multifactorial, involving compromise of lymphatic or venous drainage, bacterial infection, elaboration of bacterial toxins, and hypersensitivity to bacterial or fungal products, or both. Coagulase-negative staphylococci are exhibiting a more prominent pathogenic potential than heretofore. When they infect immunosuppressed hosts or patients with indwelling intravascular catheters or cardiac prostheses, coagulase-negative staphylococci may cause life-threatening disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2006

Isolation of Spiroplasma sp. from an Ixodes tick.

Spiroplasmas are helical mycoplasmas which are found in plants and arthropods, also in ticks. Some Spiroplasma species are incriminated as potential pathogens for vertebrates. During a study on Q fever in North Rhine-Westphalia, an intracellularly growing microorganism could be isolated from a pool of Ixodes ticks. The agent replicated within cytoplasmic vacuoles similar to those of Coxiella burnetii. PCR using coxiellae-, ehrlichiae- or chlamydiae-specific primers showed that agent Z/16 was distinct from these bacteria. In contrast to coxiellae or chlamydiae, the agent could not be stained according to the method of Giménez. Also electron microscopy provided evidence that the isolate Z/16 is different from coxiellae and chlamydiae. Determination of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences provided evidence that the isolate Z/16 can be classified as Spiroplasma sp. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an isolation of a Spiroplasma strain using a mammalian cell line. The pathogenic potential of the organism needs further investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Chimeric antibodies to proteinase 3 of IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses induce different magnitudes of functional responses in neutrophils.

BACKGROUND: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are associated with small-vessel vasculitis and have been implicated in its pathogenesis. The subclass distribution of ANCA IgG deviates from normal patterns, and it has been suggested that the IgG3 subclass may have pathogenic potential over the IgG1 subclass and may be more likely to be associated with active disease and renal involvement. OBJECTIVE: To deal with potential pathogenicity, chimeric antibodies were constructed of IgG1 and three subclasses with human IgG1 or three constant regions and a murine-derived variable region that binds an epitope within the ANCA antigen proteinase 3 (PR3) that is recognised by human autoantibodies. METHODS: The antibodies were characterised for binding to PR3, including affinity and avidity, before being used as tools to explore their ability to activate human neutrophils for superoxide release, cytokine release, degranulation and ability to induce neutrophil adhesion under flow. RESULTS: Both subclass antibodies elicited similar neutrophil responses for superoxide release, degranulation and interleukin (IL) 8 production, although quantitative responses showed that the IgG1 subclass favoured degranulation and the IgG3 subclass favoured IL8 production. Both antibodies were able to convert neutrophils from selectin-dependent rolling adhesion to integrin-dependent stationary adhesion in a flow assay. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that humanised antibodies directed against a single epitope of PR3 can recapitulate the effects of polyclonal human ANCA, which recognises multiple PR3 epitopes. Further, PR3-ANCA of both IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses can activate neutrophils, although the more potent IL8 response by IgG3 PR3-ANCA may encourage further neutrophil recruitment and amplify injury.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Pathogenicity of Mycoplasma meleagridis for chicken cells.

Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) is a known pathogen for turkeys only. In this study, MM was used to inoculate chicken embryos and tumor cells to assess its pathogenic potential for chickens. In chicken embryos, it caused abnormal-shaped toes and severely denuded tracheae. In chicken tumor cells, MM reduced the cellular capacity to release a chemoattractant that causes the migration of heterophils. MM also caused death and/or a reduced growth rate in chicken HD-11 cells, a macrophage-monocyte-derived cell line. Thus, the data show that MM is a potential pathogen for chicken embryos and chickens cells. Further exploration to determine the pathogenicity in chickens may be warranted.

Animals↗