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 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Determination of the sanitary quality and detection of Salmonella spp and Yersinia enterocolitica in ice cream].

In order to determine the sanitary quality of ice-creams and the presence of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic species of Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica, 50 samples from 5 different industrial and semi-industrial producers in San Luis (Argentine) were examined. The enumeration of coliforms was positive for all the samples with values less than or equal to 20/g. Fourteen per cent of the samples were positive for the investigation of Staphylococcus aureus in 1 g. For the plates enumeration 12.0% of the samples gave less than 10 u.f.c./g, 4.0% between 101 and 1000 and 4.0% between 1001 and 10,000. Fifteen strains were isolated, 26.6% biotype A (human ecovar) and the others biotype C (bovine ecovar). All of them were susceptible to chloramphenicol, cephalosporin and erythromycin; 46.6% to penicillin G and ampicillin; 93.3% to kanamycin (6.6% intermediate ones = I); 73.3% to methicillin (26.6% I); 86.6% to tetracycline (13.3% I). Six per cent of the samples over came the acceptability limit for S. aureus. Salmonella spp was not isolated. In 4.0% of the samples Y. enterocolitica were isolated, one of them typified as B1; 0:3, 50, 51, Lis Xz. The latter, isolated in samples with values of coliforms inferior to the limit fixed by some legislations, suggests a post elaboration contamination.

Enterobacteriaceae↗
PubMed1978

Bacterial contamination of telephones in an intensive care unit.

Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria were found on telephones of an intensive care unit. Direct contamination by microorganisms from throats, hands, and noses of the staff members is real although airborne contamination would also play a role. The awareness of environmental risk in intensive care units is underlined.

Asepsis↗
PubMed1987

[Diagnostic bronchoscopy--mycologic and bacteriologic findings].

The authors studied the findings of mycotic and bacterial agents in the lower air passages of 122 patients with lung disease examined by bronchoscopy. The series represents a current profile of patients investigated at the Department of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases, Pardubice hospital within 17 months of the years 1982-1983. Bronchial swabs were compared with the findings in the swabs of the throat taken immediately before the endoscopic examination. Yeast organisms were isolated from the bronchi of 12 patients, and from the throats of 50 subjects examined. Amongst the agents isolated, Candida albicans showed the highest frequency of occurrence (68.0%). Isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus from the bronchi revealed pulmonary mycetoma in one case. Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacterial flora was isolated from the bronchial swabs in 40 subjects examined. A total of 47.5% findings belonged to patients suffering from inflammatory disease of the lower air passages. Isolations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the bronchial swabs of three subjects examined, where other cultivation examinations gave negative results, are considered by the authors as a contribution to the differential diagnosis in infiltrative disease of the lung. The value of examination of directed swabs at bronchoscopy by culture, the problems of contamination and the reliability of the results obtained are discussed.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1985

[Occurrence of enteritis-causing agents in private households--a pilot study].

The increasing occurrence of infectious enteritis caused us to perform a prospective, epidemiological pilotstudy in households, in order to receive informations about the practicability of such a project and the bacteriology of food prepared at home as well. 10 families were asked to gather samples of all foodstuffs consumed during the day in separate containers and to keep them frozen at - 20 degrees C until collected by us once a week. Thus we received 4.683 samples within a 6-months-period. In the laboratory those samples were mixed following Table 2 and examined concerning the occurrence of enteropathogenic bacteria. Additionally we carried out an investigation of kitchensurfaces and -utensils by means of "Rodac"-plates. The evaluation of the food-samples showed no growth of salmonella, shigella, yersinia or campylobacter; however, in 267 samples were found staphylococci, in 191 enterococci, in 388 enterobacteria, in 28 aerobic sporeformers and in 144 fungi. Mainly sausage- and meatproducts appeared to be contaminated by staphylococci, also enterococci and enterobacteria (Fig. 1); other groceries were colonized by these microorganisms only to a minor degree. Fungi and aerobic sporeformers were isolated primarily in salads, bakery- and milkproducts (Fig. 2). Though some of the foodstuffs contained up to 10(5) pathogenes/g (Fig. 5), no cases of gastroenteritis were observed within our families. In case of mishandling (e.g. storage of food in refrigerators with temperatures above 4 degrees C) the development of foodborne enteritis has to be taken into account. The kitchens' examination showed a relatively high degree of contamination with pathogenic resp. potentially pathogenic organisms, represented in Fig. 7 by data obtained from different objects of investigation (surfaces, sinks and cloths).

Bacillus cereus↗
PubMed1979

[Possibilities and limitations in the localisation of sources of infections (author's transl)].

In latent microbial hospitalism environmental checks of the patients, the staff and objects permit detection of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic bacteria which are silent epidemiologically. "One's own body" as a source of infection has not yet been sufficiently investigated in connection with auto-infections. Taking two staphylococcal epidemics as examples, reference is made to the monogenic and heterogenic forms of hospitalism as well as to the necessity of accurately identifying the strains for the purpose of localising the source of infection. In the monogenic form only one type of bacterial species is present (Table 2). In heterogenic hospitalism, infections are caused by various different species of bacteria or also by a single species. If this is the case, various biotypes, serotypes and phagotypes exist (Table 1). In addition, simple possibilities of biotyping the staphylococci are demonstrated. Defensive measures can be adopted selectively only when the epidemiology and the source of infection are known.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1982

The safety and pharmacokinetics of cefotaxime in the treatment of neonates.

Seventeen neonates with clinical signs of infection who would otherwise have received gentamicin with penicillin were treated with cefotaxime (50 mg/kg bd) for a period of 5 days. One hundred eleven bacteriological cultures were collected and those from 6/17 neonates yielded pathogenic or potentially pathogenic bacteria. Biochemical investigations undertaken before, during, and after the treatment revealed no adverse effects on renal or hepatic function associated with cefotaxime therapy. In addition to manual methods, a computer program was used to determine six pharmacokinetic variables. The mean peak serum level was 87.4 +/- 36.2 mg/liter, the mean trough level 8.0 +/- 6.9 mg/liter and the serum half life 3.1 +/- 0.8 hours. All the neonates showed clinical improvement following cefotaxime treatment with no adverse clinical signs and were discharged well from hospital. It is concluded that cefotaxime may be safely used in neonates and is a suitable alternative to gentamicin and penicillin for primary treatment in units that do not have a persistent and serious problem with infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1982

Effects of washing on the bacterial flora of the stallion's penis.

Six stallions were subjected to extensive cleansing of the penis and prepuce with water, Ivory Soap and water, or Betadine surgical scrub and water. The stallions were all washed for 14 days, and then allowed 14 days respite. This pattern of washing and resting was repeated consecutively. Swabs were taken from all 7 stallions twice weekly and semen was collected once a week for bacteriological examination. All forms of cleansing altered the bacterial flora of the stallion's penis; the Ivory Soap tended to encourage the replacement of the normal flora with coliform organisms, while Betadine favoured the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp. This experiment showed that the systematic washing of a stallion's penis will cause the normal flora to be replaced with pathogens and potential pathogens.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The isolation of salmonellae, Newcastle disease virus and other infectious agents from quarantined imported birds in Canada.

Necropsy and culture results are presented for 269 consignments of imported birds (mainly psittacine and passerine species) examined between January 1977 and August 1980. Consignments were submitted for diagnosis of clinical illness or deaths occurring among these birds while they were in quarantine before entry into Canada. Enteritis and injury were the most frequent diagnoses. Pathogens or potential pathogens were isolated from 77% of consignments. Newcastle disease virus was isolated nine times, and Chlamydia psittaci was isolated once. Escherichia coli (from 113 consignments) and salmonellae (from 49) were the most common bacteria isolated, and reoviruses (from 22) and paramyxoviruses other than Newcastle disease virus (from 22) were the most common viruses. Salmonella typhimurium was the most common Salmonella serovar. Salmonella hadar was isolated from turkey poults imported from Great Britain. The possible public health significance of the role of imported birds in the introduction of exotic Salmonella serovars, or of serovars resistant to several antimicrobials is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Cefuroxime in the treatment of neonates.

The new broad spectrum cephalosporin, cefuroxime, was used to treat 28 neonates with suspected or proved infection. All of them had had complications at birth or in early neonatal life which were known to predispose to infection. The treatment regimen consisted of intramuscular or intravenous cefuroxime (50 mg/kg twice a day) for 5 days. Previously, such infants would have received gentamicin with penicillin or ampicillin. Pathogenic or potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 7 (25%) of them. All of these organisms were sensitive to cefuroxime. None of the babies had meningitis, but blood cultures from 2 gave positive results. There was significant clinical improvement in 27 of them after 5 days of treatment and each was well on discharge from hospital. Serum urea, total protein, albumin, and alanine transaminase levels were estimated before, during, and after cefuroxime treatment. There were no changes attributable to cefuroxime nor were any changes in haemoglobin, packed cell volume, or total differential white cell counts observed. There were no adverse clinical side effects. One hundred and ninety-four samples of serum were assayed for cefuroxime. The mean peak level after intramuscular injection (42.7 mg/l) was reached in 0.8 hours, and the mean trough level was 10.5 mg/l. The mean half-life of cefuroxime in infants aged less than 4 days was 5.8 hours. In 4 infants older than 8 days, it ranged from 1.6-3.8 hours. Half-life was not associated with birthweight. Cefuroxime is a safe, well-tolerated, and rapidly absorbed drug for the treatment of neonates with suspected or proved infections; it is a useful alternative to gentamicin, if the use of an aminoglycoside is not clearly indicated.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed2026

Unveiling microbial risks in Chinese household dust: a comprehensive analysis from absolute abundance to virulence unit.

BACKGROUND: People spend the majority of their lives indoors, yet the risk and virulence potential of household microbiota remain largely unexplored, particularly in developing countries. RESULTS: Here, we conducted a nationwide survey on both dust samples and health information across 118 Chinese households. The microbiota composition and its functional units were analyzed using absolute 16S rRNA/ITS sequencing, metagenomics, and metaproteomics. Cross-domain network analysis of the core microbial communities revealed robust co-occurrence patterns in household dust. The mean absolute abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria and fungi in households was 2.39 × 105 and 2.83 × 106 DNA copies/g dust. The potentially pathogenic community was primarily influenced by latitude, relative humidity, and average temperature. Although total absolute abundance was substantially lower in urban areas, the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria was markedly higher compared to rural environments. While urban-rural differences existed, the underlying statistical drivers were the environmental variables. The absolute abundance of potential pathogens was significantly associated with the prevalence of rhinitis, wheeze, and dermatitis in 266 participants. Children were identified as the highest-risk group from inhalation exposure of average daily dose. A total of 170 bacterial, 223 fungal virulence factors (VFs), and 370 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were detected in dust and dust extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated DNA. EV-associated cargoes contributed 47.13% to the bacterial VF profiles, 11.90% to fungal VF profiles, and 44.45% to ARG profiles. Metaproteomic analysis confirmed the presence of VF profiles in dust EVs, which was further verified by curated proteomics data from 35 household pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive, quantitative framework linking indoor microbial exposure to health risks, highlighting EVs as a non-negligible, novel, extracellular mechanistic pathway for health impact in household environments. Video Abstract.

Child↗
PubMed1997

Correlation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors from clinical and environmental isolates with pathogenicity in the neutropenic mouse.

The potential pathogenicity of a microorganism is a major concern for Health Canada evaluators, who will be processing new biotechnology products under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Potential pathogenicity is generally predicted by the results of animal pathogenicity studies. In an attempt to define surrogate data for an animal model, this study was initiated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from clinical and environmental sources were screened for their pilus type, serotype, lipopolysaccharide type, ability to evade host responses, and production of toxin A, exoenzyme S, elastase, phospholipase C, and total protease. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) of the same isolates was determined in the neutropenic mouse model of infection. An attempted correlation was drawn between each (or combinations) of the virulence determinants and the LD50. Stepwise linear regression showed that the presence of high levels of exoenzyme S in association with elastase or phospholipase C, or to a minor extent toxin A, was correlated with low numbers of bacteria required to elicit an LD50. No correlation between any of the other factors examined and virulence was detected. The data suggest that an in vitro high level of exoenzyme S production could be used as surrogate information for neutropenic mouse modelling; however, the levels of all of the extracellular enzymes should be considered when making such an assessment.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗
PubMed1987

Patterns of wound colonisation in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

The bacterial colonisation of ulcers related to vascular disease, amputation sites and sites of surgical vascular repair was studied in 122 patients with vascular disorders. Wounds were graded clinically on the basis of inflammation, oedema and exudate. They were sampled at weekly intervals in order to determine the duration of colonisation. The significance of potential pathogens was assessed. Vascular ulcers were of low mean wound grade (1.87), short duration (1.58 weeks) and potential pathogens were isolated from 82% of 38 wounds. Amputation sites were of a higher mean wound grade (2.48) and longer duration (2.52 weeks) when compared to vascular ulcers. Potential pathogens were isolated from 69% of 42 amputation sites. Sites of surgical vascular repair were similar to amputation sites with respect to mean wound grade (2.33) but of a mean duration (1.69 weeks) similar to that of vascular ulcers. Potential pathogens were isolated from 50% of 42 surgical vascular repair sites but they were not evenly distributed among limb (33%), groin (55%) and abdominal wounds (71%). Coliforms were isolated from similar numbers of all wounds. Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis were evenly distributed with respect to the site of isolation. Pseudomonas spp. and S. aureus were associated more commonly with vascular ulcers and S. faecalis with sites of surgical vascular repair. The use of topical antiseptics and/or systemic antimicrobial agents had a minimal effect in reducing colonisation/infection in the wounds studied.

Amputation Stumps↗
PubMed2006

Nasopharyngeal versus oropharyngeal sampling for isolation of potential respiratory pathogens in adults.

The optimal methodology for the identification of colonization by potential respiratory pathogens (PRP) in adults is not well established. The objectives of the present study were to compare the sensitivities of sampling the nasopharynx and the oropharynx for identification of PRP colonization and to compare the sensitivities of samples from the nasopharynx by swab and by washing for the same purpose. The study included 500 participants with a mean age of 65.1 +/- 17.8 years. Of these, 300 patients were hospitalized for acute febrile lower respiratory tract infection and 200 were controls. Each participant was sampled by oropharyngeal swab (OPS), nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), and nasopharyngeal washing (NPW). The samples were tested by conventional bacteriological methods to identify Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. OPS detected colonization by S. pneumoniae in 30% of the subjects compared with 89% by NPS and NPW (P < 0.000001). The corresponding rates for H. influenzae were 49% and 64%, respectively (no significant difference [NS]), and for M. catarrhalis were 72% and 46%, respectively (P < 0.0004). NPS identified 61% of the cases of colonization with S. pneumoniae, compared with 76% by NPW (NS). The corresponding rates for H. influenzae were 31% and 56%, respectively (P < 0.04), and for M. catarrhalis were 39% and 33%, respectively (NS). We conclude that the sensitivities of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal sampling for identification of PRP colonization in adults are different for each of the three bacteria in this category. The combined results of sampling from both sites are necessary to obtain a true picture of the rate of colonization. NPW is superior to NPS.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Long-term effects on the nasopharyngeal flora of children following antimicrobial therapy of acute otitis media with cefdinir or amoxycillin-clavulanate.

The effect on the nasopharyngeal bacterial flora of 10 days of amoxycillin-clavulanate or cefdinir antimicrobial therapy was studied in 50 children with acute otitis media. Before therapy, 17 potential pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis) were isolated from the nasopharynx of 14 (56%) of those treated with amoxycillin-clavulanate, and 20 potential pathogens were recovered from 15 (60%) of those treated with cefdinir. Following therapy, at days 12-15, the number of potential pathogens was reduced to a similar extent with both therapies, to three in those treated with amoxycillin-clavulanate and two in those treated with cefdinir. However, the number of potential pathogens rebounded faster in those treated with amoxycillin-clavulanate as compared with cefdinir in the two subsequent specimens taken at days 30-35 and 60-65 (12 and 18 in the amoxycillin-clavulanate group, and six and nine in the cefdinir group, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Differences between the groups were also noted in the recovery of organisms with interfering capability. Immediately following amoxycillin-clavulanate therapy, the number of interfering organisms declined from 54 to 13, while following cefdinir treatment their number was reduced from 59 to 39 (P < 0.001). The differences between the two therapy groups persisted in the two later specimens taken at days 30-35 and 60-65 (25 and 38 in the amoxycillin-clavulanate group, and 52 and 51 in the cefdinir group, P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). This study illustrates the potential beneficial effect of using a narrow-spectrum antimicrobial that selectively spares the interfering organisms while eliminating pathogens. The benefit of such therapy is the prevention of reacquisition of pathogenic bacteria in the nasopharynx. In contrast, utilization of a broad-spectrum antimicrobial is associated with prolonged absence of inhibitory organisms and rapid recolonization with pathogens.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Reduction of potential respiratory pathogens by oral hygienic treatment in patients undergoing endotracheal anesthesia.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of mechanical and chemical prophylactic oral cleansing treatments for reducing potential respiratory pathogens existing in the oral cavity. METHODS: Thirty-two patients scheduled to undergo oral and maxillofacial surgery that required endotracheal anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the two groups, the oral cleansing group (n = 16) or the noncleansing group (n = 16). Culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were used to detect and enumerate pathogens. Oral cleansing was carried out with an electric toothbrush capable of automatically supplying and aspirating povidone-iodine solution before surgery, followed by rinsing twice a day after surgery. Cephazolin (3 g x day(-1)) was given to all patients for 5 days after surgery. RESULTS: The PCR detection rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Porphyromonas gingivalis in gargle samples before treatment were 87.5%, 68.8%, 53.1%, and 40.6%, respectively. Oral cleansing reduced the detection rates and numbers of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus species, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae. In contrast, there was no significant reduction of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, or P. aeruginosa in subjects who underwent systemic cephazolin administration without oral cleansing. CONCLUSION: The combination of mechanical and chemical oral cleansing resulted in a significant reduction of potential respiratory pathogens in the oral cavity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Importance of hand germ contamination in health-care workers as possible carriers of nosocomial infections.

The importance of hands in the transmission of nosocomial infection has been world wide admitted. However, it is difficult to induce this behavior in health-care workers. The aim of the present work was to point out the importance of hand bacteria colonization, the influence of hand washing and of patient physical examination. One hundred health-care workers were randomly divided in two groups: Group A without hand washing previous to patient physical examination or handling (PPE); group B with hand washing previous to PPE. Direct fingerprint samples in Columbia agar before and after PPE were obtained. The colonies were counted and identified by conventional techniques, and antibiograms according to NCCLS were performed. Before PPE group A participants showed a high number of bacteria regarding group B participants (73.9 Vs 20.7; p < 0.001); 44 out of 50 participants were carriers of potentially pathogen bacteria. No group B participants were carriers of potential pathogen bacteria before PPE. The latter group showed an increase in number of bacteria after PPE (20.7 CFU (before) Vs 115.9 CFU (after); p < 0.001). Sixteen group B participants were contaminated after PPE with potential pathogens such as S. aureus (50% of them methicillin resistant); Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis, half of them multiresistant. We can conclude on the importance of these results to implement educational programs and to provide the health-care workers with the proper commodities to fulfill this practice.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1987

Colonization resistance of the digestive tract--mechanism and clinical consequences.

Potentially pathogenic bacteria and yeasts meet a number of resistance factors. These colonization resistance (CR) determining factors control the growth density of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the various parts of the alimentary canal. The CR of the digestive tract is to be seen partially of host origin but to a greater extent due to direct and indirect activity of the (anaerobic) indigenous microflora. This implies that the CR mechanism is vulnerable to antibiotics which affect the indigenous flora during treatment. A decreased CR enhances colonization by microorganisms that are resistant to the antibiotic(s) used for therapy. Increased population densities of potentially pathogenic bacteria ("overgrowth") may correlate with invasion of the mucosal tissues often followed by translocation to remote lymphatic organs. Overgrowth also may correlate with development or acquisition of resistance to the antibiotic applied. By screening in experimental animals antibiotics have been selected which do not affect the CR. Such antimicrobial drugs have successfully been used to selectively eliminate potentially pathogenic bacteria and yeast in neutropenic patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of potential respiratory pathogens in the mouths of elderly patients and effects of professional oral care.

To evaluate the effectiveness of professional oral health care in reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia, we examined the prevalence of potential respiratory pathogens in gargled samples from elderly persons. Samples were obtained from 54 elderly subjects over 65 years of age who required daily nursing care, from 21 healthy elderly subjects over 65 years old, and from 22 healthy young subjects under 30 as controls. The prevalence of possible pathogens was determined by culture and the polymerase chain reaction. The percentages detected in samples of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans from elderly patients requiring daily nursing care were 63.0, 37.0, 14.8, 5.6 and 66.7, respectively. The numbers of C. albicans cells recovered in samples from elderly subjects were significantly higher than those recovered from the healthy young group (P<0.001). Elderly patients needing daily care and receiving professional oral health care had lower prevalences and cell numbers of C. albicans than did the elderly patients without such oral care. This study showed that professional oral health care in elderly requiring daily nursing care reduced the cell numbers of potential respiratory pathogens.

Journal Article↗