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The epidemiology and the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still unknown. However, a satisfactory solution cannot be far away. IBD actually encompasses two diseases, i.e. Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerous colitis (UC). These diseases resemble each other so closely that they cannot be distinguished even pathologically, but differ from each other sufficiently to regard them as independent entities. Epidemiological observations may be helpful in identifying the true causative factors of this evasive disease. Geographically, the prevalence of the disease has a slope from North to South and, to a lesser degree, from West to East. The Western-Eastern discrepancy can be attributed to a difference in Western life styles. The incidence of the disease has been increasing world-wide of late, but its spread has been slowing down in highly affected countries. Racial and ethnic relations in different populations and immigration studies offer interesting data which can reflect genetic, inherited, environmental and behavioural factors. The disease seems to have a characteristic racial-ethnic distribution: the Jewish population is highly susceptible everywhere, but its prevalence in that population nears that of the domestic society in which they live. In Hungary, the Roma (Gypsies) have a considerably lower prevalence than the average population. This can be attributed to a genetic or environmental influence. According to age, the onset of the disease occurs more often in the second or the third decade of life, but there also is another peak in the 60s. Regarding sexual distribution, there is a slight preponderance of colitis ulcerosa in men and of Crohn's disease in women. It may correspond to the stronger auto-immune affection in the process of Crohn's disease. Environmental factors and behavioural influences also are investigated. Diet, the role of the early ages, smoking habits and the influence of hormonal status and drugs are viewed as useful contributing factors in the manifestation of the disease. Genetic studies show that one-fourth of IBD patients have an affected family member. HLAB27 histocombatibility also plays an important, but not determining role in the development of the disease. Genetic factors seem to have a stronger influence in Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis. The existence of multiple sclerosis-IBD families may reflect the common genetic background or the similar microbial effect as well. A great number of bacterial and viral factors has been suspected of being infectious factors in IBD, mostly in CD. Mycobacteria, Yersinia, Campylobacter, Clostridium, Clamidias, etc. as well as bacteria and some viruses such as herpes and rotavirus and the primary measles virus. None of them has been proven as a real and exclusively pathogenic factor. Immunological background has an important function in the manifestation of the disease. If an individual has a genetic susceptibility to infections, the down regulation of an inflammation in the bowel wall does not occur in a proper way. This initiates the auto-immune process which is a self-increasing cycle. Extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD are of high importance because they can not only follow intestinal symptoms, but precede them by years. Hepatic and biliary disturbances (primary sclerosing cholangitis), are the most serious complications. Mucocutaneous manifestations can be the first appearance of the main disease (in the mouth). Auto-immune consequences (erythema nodosum) or complications caused even by the therapy can occur. Ocular and musculoskeletal manifestations supposedly have the same genetic background and often precede the intestinal symptoms. Considering the epidemiological, genetic and immunological data, we can conclude that ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are heterogeneous disorders of mutifactorial etiology in which hereditary (genetic) and environmental (microbial, behaviour) factors interact to produce the disease.

Adolescent↗

Structure-function relationships of bacterial endotoxins. Contribution to microbial sepsis.

A substantial body of knowledge has emerged over the past several decades concerning the primary and tertiary, and quaternary structure of endotoxic LPS and their contribution to the pathogenesis of gram-negative sepsis; however, important questions remain. Among them are the precise three-dimensional configuration of the LPS macromolecule and the contribution of the quaternary structure to the ability of these potent microbial factors to interact with host humoral and cellular inflammatory mediator systems. Also remaining to be sufficiently addressed is the relative contribution of endotoxin interactions with the host to the overall manifestation of disease and conditions under which such contributions serve as the pivotal event in determining outcome. The answers to these questions can be expected to provide valuable insights into potential novel therapeutic intervention strategies and approaches that will ultimately reduce both morbidity and mortality in infection from gram-negative microbes.

Animals↗

Communication in bacteria: an ecological and evolutionary perspective.

Individual bacteria can alter their behaviour through chemical interactions between organisms in microbial communities - this is generally referred to as quorum sensing. Frequently, these interactions are interpreted in terms of communication to mediate coordinated, multicellular behaviour. We show that the nature of interactions through quorum-sensing chemicals does not simply involve cooperative signals, but entails other interactions such as cues and chemical manipulations. These signals might have a role in conflicts within and between species. The nature of the chemical interaction is important to take into account when studying why and how bacteria react to the chemical substances that are produced by other bacteria.

Bacteria↗

Atopic dermatitis: review of immunopathogenesis and advances in immunosuppressive therapy.

This paper reviews the theories of the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), with a particular emphasis on its immunopathogenesis. The contribution of predisposing factors, immunopathogenic factors and provoking factors in the pathogenesis of AD are considered. Predisposing factors explored in this article include genetics and the disturbance of skin function. Immunopathogenic factors reviewed include T cell dysfunction, biphasic cytokine expression and the role of immunoglobulin E. Provoking factors considered include microbial factors, psychosomatic interactions, contact allergens and irritants, inhalant allergens, food and climate. Immunosuppressive treatments reviewed include cyclosporin, azathioprine, methotrexate, tacrolimus, interferon-gamma, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and pimecrolimus (SDZ ASM 981).

Dermatitis, Atopic↗

Activation of the alternative complement pathway due to resistance of zymosan-bound amplification convertase to endogenous regulatory mechanisms.

The surface of zymosan (Zy), by affording a protected microenvironment for C3b and the amplification convertase stabilized by properdin, P,C3b,Bb, shifts the alternative complement pathway from slow fluid phase turnover to the amplification phase of its expression. This mode of activation is in contradistinction to that of the classical pathway, which follows conversion of a proenzyme, Cl, to its active form, C1. Under conditions in which the control proteins, C3b inactivator (C3bINA) and beta1H, completely, inactivated C3b on the sheep erythrocyte intermediate, EAC4b,3b, the activity of C3b bound to Zy,ZyC3b, was diminished by only one-third. Further, when ZyC3b was converted to ZyC3b,Bb,P there was an additional point of deregulation in that the convertase was resistant to beta1H-mediated decay-dissociation while P,C3b,Bb on the sheep erythrocyte exhibited the usual susceptibility to beta1H. That Zy alone could indeed promote rapid C3 cleavage by the alternative pathway through assembly and protection of the amplification convertase on its surface was demonstrated with a mixture of alternative pathway proteins, C3,B,D,P, C3bINA, and beta1H, that had each been purified to homogeneity. Interaction of these proteins at one-tenth their relative serum concentrations with Zy permitted low-grade inactivation of C3 and B to advance to the level of amplification after a 15 min lag period. Because the reaction of the purified proteins proceeded spontaneously when either regulatory protein was deleted, the effect of Zy was attributed to deregulation rather than to conversion of one of the proteins to a specific initiating state. The alternative pathway, through the normal presence of D, interacts with a microbial surface, such as Zy, to amplify deposition of C3b by circumvention of endogenous regulatory mechanisms, thereby augmenting host defense.

Animals↗

An unusual structural motif of antimicrobial peptides containing end-to-end macrocycle and cystine-knot disulfides.

Four macrocyclic cystine-knot peptides of 29-31 residues, kalata, circulin A and B (CirA and CirB), and cyclopsychotride, have been isolated from coffee plants but have undetermined physiological functions. These macrocycles and 10 of their analogs prepared by chemical synthesis were tested against nine strains of microbes. Kalata and CirA were specific for the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibition concentration of approximately 0.2 microM. They were relatively ineffective against Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, CirB and cyclopsychotride were active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In particular, CirB showed potent activity against E. coli with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.41 microM. All four cyclic peptides were moderately active against two strains of fungi, Candida kefyr and Candida tropicalis, but were inactive against Candida albicans. These macrocycles are cytotoxic and lysed human red blood cell with a lethal dose 50% of 400 microM. Modifying the Arg residue in kalata with a keto aldehyde significantly reduced its activity against S. aureus whereas blocking the arg in CirA produced no significant effect. The two-disulfide variants and their scrambled disulfide isomers exhibited antimicrobial profiles and potency similar to their native peptides. However, in high-salt assays (100 mM NaCl), few of these macrocyclic peptides, natives or analogs, retained antimicrobial activity. These results show that the macrocyclic peptides possess specific and potent antimicrobial activity that is salt-dependent and that their initial interactions with the microbial surfaces may be electrostatic, an effect commonly found in defensin antimicrobial peptides. Furthermore, their end-to-end cyclic structure with a cystine-knot motif represents a molecular structure of antimicrobials and may provide a useful template for the design of novel peptide antibiotics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

LL-37, the neutrophil granule- and epithelial cell-derived cathelicidin, utilizes formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) as a receptor to chemoattract human peripheral blood neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells.

We have previously shown that antimicrobial peptides like defensins have the capacity to mobilize leukocytes in host defense. LL-37 is the cleaved antimicrobial 37-residue, COOH-terminal peptide of hCAP18 (human cationic antimicrobial protein with a molecular size of 18 kD), the only identified member in humans of a family of proteins called cathelicidins. LL-37/hCAP18 is produced by neutrophils and various epithelial cells. Here we report that LL-37 is chemotactic for, and can induce Ca(2+) mobilization in, human monocytes and formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1)-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. LL-37-induced Ca(2+) mobilization in monocytes can also be cross-desensitized by an FPRL1-specific agonist. Furthermore, LL-37 is also chemotactic for human neutrophils and T lymphocytes that are known to express FPRL1. Our results suggest that, in addition to its microbicidal activity, LL-37 may contribute to innate and adaptive immunity by recruiting neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells to sites of microbial invasion by interacting with FPRL1.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Microbiology of toxic shock syndrome: overview.

The discovery of TSST-1 production by TSS-associated strains of S. aureus provided the first major breakthrough in the understanding of the pathogenesis of TSS. Soon, associations between TSST-1 production and other phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of S. aureus became apparent. In the end, appreciation of the microbiology and molecular genetics of TSST-1 and TSS-associated S. aureus has not only enhanced our knowledge of the pathogenesis of TSS, it will undoubtedly bring new concepts and insights into the possible mechanisms and host-parasite interactions in other microbial infections or intoxications as well.

Bacterial Toxins↗

Prediction of shock in febrile medical patients with a clinical infection.

OBJECTIVE: Shock in the course of fever is likely caused by septic shock. Because septic shock carries a high mortality rate, early recognition could benefit the patient. We tried to predict the development of shock in medical patients with fever and a clinical infection, on the basis of clinical and microbiological information, and to evaluate the role therein of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria: abnormal body temperature, tachycardia, tachypnea, and abnormal white blood cell counts. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Department of Internal Medicine at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Patients were 212 consecutive medical patients with newly onset fever (temperature, >38.0 degrees C axillary or >38.3 degrees C rectally) and a clinical source of infection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 212 patients enrolled, 14 developed shock (i.e., a decrease in systolic arterial blood pressure of >40 mm Hg) during a maximum follow-up period of 7 days after inclusion. In univariate analyses, advanced age, prior urogenital disease, an abdominal source, nosocomial infections, and bacteremia predisposed patients to shock (p < .05). For clinical variables, obtained daily for 2 days after inclusion, a low performance (p < .001), the peak respiratory rate (p < .05), the peak heart rate (p < .05), the nadir score on the Glasgow Coma Scale (p < .005), the peak and nadir white blood cell counts (p < .005), and the nadir albumin (p < .01) and peak creatinine concentrations in blood (p < .001) predicted shock development. In multivariate analysis, the presence of bacteremia, the peak respiratory rate, the nadir Glasgow Coma Scale score, and the peak white blood cell count positively and the peak erythrocyte sedimentation rate negatively contributed to prediction of shock development. In contrast, SIRS had less predictive value, mainly because of lack of predictive value of peak heart rate and temperature in multivariate models. CONCLUSION: In febrile medical patients with a clinical infection, the development of shock involves an interaction between circulating microbial products and the host response, which can be recognized clinically by variables easily obtained at the bedside and partly different from the set used to define SIRS.

Adolescent↗

Challenges in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

It is estimated that of the >1 million individuals in the United States with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), approximately 100,000 are children. IBD that begins in childhood affects the individual at a critical period of growth and development. Children with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis may experience complications such as growth failure, school absence, and depression. In addition, because children with IBD have fewer environmental confounders such as smoking, children may be an excellent population to study microbial and immune interactions. Despite these opportunities, the discipline of pediatric IBD investigation is still in its infancy. In September of 2005, a group of investigators with expertise in pediatric IBD met in Boston (Massachusetts) to review the current status of childhood IBD research and to develop research priorities that warranted funding from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. The group included pediatricians, internists, basic scientists, clinical investigators, and members of the administrative staff and board of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. The research needs in respective areas were outlined by the heads of 10 focus groups, each with expertise in their respective fields (genetics, psychosocial issues, epidemiology, microbiology, immunology, quality improvement, pharmacogenomics, nutrition, growth and skeletal health, and clinical trials). Before the conference, heads of the research focus groups developed their proposals with experts in the field. At the end of the conference, members of the focus groups and members of the steering committee rated the proposed areas of study in terms of feasibility and importance. It was recommended that the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America focus its initial efforts in pediatric IBD in 5 areas: the effects of inflammation on growth and skeletal development, the genetics of early-onset IBD, the development of quality improvement interventions to standardize and improve clinical care of children with IBD, the immunology of childhood IBD, and the diagnosis and treatment of psychosocial sequelae of childhood IBD. At the conclusion of the meeting, investigators discussed the formation of a multicenter collaborative network to advance clinical and basic research in the field.

Child↗

Antimicrobial activity of potato aspartic proteases (StAPs) involves membrane permeabilization.

Solanum tuberosum aspartic proteases (StAPs) with antimicrobial activity are induced after abiotic and biotic stress. In this study the ability of StAPs to produce a direct antimicrobial effect was investigated. Viability assays demonstrated that StAPs are able to kill spores of Fusarium solani and Phytophthora infestans in a dose-dependent manner. Localization experiments with FITC-labelled StAPs proved that the proteins interact directly with the surface of spores and hyphae of F. solani and P. infestans. Moreover, incubation of spores and hyphae with StAPs resulted in membrane permeabilization, as shown by the uptake of the fluorescent dye SYTOX Green. It is concluded that the antimicrobial effect of StAPs against F. solani and P. infestans is caused by a direct interaction with the microbial surfaces followed by membrane permeabilization.

Antifungal Agents↗

Lanthanide-dependent isolation of phyllosphere methylotrophs selects for a phylogenetically conserved but metabolically diverse community.

Lanthanides have emerged as important metal cofactors for biological processes. Lanthanide-associated metabolisms are well-studied in leaf symbiont methylotrophic bacteria, which utilize reduced one-carbon compounds such as methanol for growth. Yet, the importance of lanthanides in plant-microbe interactions and on microbial physiology and colonization in plants remains poorly understood. To investigate this, 344 pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs were isolated from soybean leaves by selecting for bacteria capable of methanol oxidation with lanthanide cofactors, but none were obligately lanthanide-dependent. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that all strains were nearly identical to each other and are part of the extorquens clade of Methylobacterium, despite variability in genome and plasmid sizes. Strain-specific identification was enabled by the higher resolution provided with rpoB compared to 16S rRNA as marker genes. Despite the low strain-level diversity, the metabolic capabilities of the collection diverged greatly. Strains encoding identical lanthanide-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases displayed significantly different growth rates and/or final ODs from each other on alcohols in the presence and absence of lanthanides. Several strains also lacked well-characterized lanthanide-associated genes thought to be important for phyllosphere colonization. Additionally, 3% of our isolates were capable of growth on sugars and 23% were capable of growth on aromatic acids, substantially expanding the range of substrates utilized by Methylobacterium extorquens in the phyllosphere. Our findings suggest that the expansion of metabolic capabilities, as well as differential usage of lanthanides and their influence on metabolism, among closely related strains point to evolution of niche partitioning strategies to promote colonization of the phyllosphere.

Journal Article↗

Growth conditions influence expression of cell surface hydrophobicity of staphylococci and other wound infection pathogens.

The initial adhesion of microbes to tissue and solid surfaces can be mediated by hydrophobic interaction. Expression of microbial cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) is influenced by growth conditions, and often best expressed after growth under nutrient-poor conditions, or "starvation". In the present study, the CSH of 133 strains of Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterococcus faecalis, group A streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides fragilis, Peptococcus magnus, and of 8 Candida albicans strains was measured by the salt aggregation test after growth on hematin agar in a 5% CO2 atmosphere, or under anaerobiosis. Cells of all but 8 strains expressed pronounced or moderate CSH, i.e., they aggregated in 0.01-2 M ammonium sulfate. When the agar surface was covered by human serum (diluted 1:5) to mimic growth conditions in a wound, 94 strains expressed higher CSH, and 44 strains the same CSH as after growth without serum. The CSH of 12 strains of different species was measured after growth on blood, hematin and PDM agar, with or without serum, and in an aerobic or a 5% CO2 atmosphere. The highest CSH was expressed after growth in 5% CO2 with serum, and the lowest growth after on blood agar in aerobic atmosphere. Identical results were obtained with native and heat-inactivated (56 C, 20 min) serum. The reduced surface tension obtained in 5% CO2, as well as yet unidentified serum factors, promotes expression of CSH.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Lectin receptors on IgA isotypes.

It has been shown previously that secretory IgA interacts with the mannose-specific lectin of Escherichia coli. The purpose of the study described here was to evaluate whether the N-linked oligosaccharide chains of the human IgA isotypes IgA1 and IgA2 differ in lectin receptor activity. A range of plant lectins specific for N-linked oligosaccharide chains were tested for their ability to precipitate IgA1 and IgA2 myeloma proteins, secretory IgA and free secretory component. IgA2 myeloma proteins reacted more strongly than IgA1 with the mannose-specific lectin ConA, whereas IgA1 myeloma proteins reacted more strongly than IgA2 with two galactose-specific lectins, Ricinus communis agglutinin I and Abrus precatorius agglutinin. This suggests that IgA2 possesses a larger proportion of short truncated complex type oligosaccharide chains and/or oligomannose type chains than IgA1. Further, IgA2 reacted more strongly than IgA1 myeloma proteins with Lens culinaris (lentil) lectin, and Pisum sativum (pea) lectin, suggesting that IgA2 exposes more of short, complex type chains fucosylated on the core than IgA1. The differences demonstrated in receptor activity between IgA1 and IgA2 may be important in their interaction with the microbial flora, as well with endogenous lectins, such as phagocyte receptors.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

Changes in gastric environment with test meals affect the performance of 14C-urea breath test.

BACKGROUND: (14)C-urea breath test (UBT) is considered to be an accurate diagnostic test for the detection of active Helicobacter pylori infection. Various test meals are used in (14)C-UBT to slow down gastric emptying, and to enhance the gastric distribution, in order to increase the time and area of contact between microorganisms and the tracer substrate. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the effect of gastric environment on the performance of (14)C-UBT using an alkaline and an acidic liquid test meal having gastric emptying retardant effect. METHODS: The comparison of (14)C-UBT was done with liquid test meals (200 mL water) comprising (i) plain drinking water (PDW); (ii) 1.3 g or 3.0 g citric acid (CA); and (iii) 3.0 g trisodium citrate (TSC). Eighteen patients (37 +/- 12 years, range 18-57 years) with complaints of dyspepsia participated in the study. The status of H. pylori was confirmed by histology and rapid urease test. A total of 93 kBq of (14)C-urea (0.5 mL) in a gelatin capsule was orally administered along with liquid test meals to the overnight fasting subjects. Breath samples were collected and radioactivity measured. Results were expressed as (14)CO(2)/mmol exhaled CO(2) as percentage of administered radioactive urea. RESULTS: Higher acidic gastric environment (pH approx. 2.0) with CA was found to increase the exhaled (14)CO(2) level in a dose-dependent manner as compared to PDW and TSC meal (P < 0.05) at all time points. With TSC test meal, the expired (14)CO(2) level decreased in the lower acidic gastric environment (pH approx. 5.3). The peaks of exhaled (14)CO(2) with TSC test meal were observed at the same time points as that with PDW and CA test meals. The (14)C-UBT with TSC was found to be positive in 77% of patients (10/13). CONCLUSION: Better interaction between the microbial urease and (14)C-urea, caused by a test meal that retards gastric emptying and that changes gastric pH, plays an important role in hydrolysis of the administered (14)C-urea by H. pylori urease.

Adolescent↗

Dental plaque: biological significance of a biofilm and community life-style.

BACKGROUND: Most microorganisms in nature attach to surfaces and form matrix-embedded biofilms. Biofilms are highly structured and spatially organized, and are often composed of consortia of interacting microorganisms, termed microbial communities, the properties of which are more than the sum of the component species. Microbial gene expression alters markedly in biofilms; organisms communicate by gene transfer and by secretion of diffusible signalling molecules. Cells in biofilms are less susceptible to antimicrobial agents. AIM AND MATERIALS & METHODS: To comprehensively review the literature to determine whether dental plaque displays properties consistent with those of a typical biofilm and microbial community. RESULTS: Novel microscopic and molecular techniques have demonstrated that plaque has a structured architecture with an extracellular matrix, and a diverse composition (around 50% of cells are unculturable). The constituent species communicate by gene transfer, by secreted peptides (gram-positive bacteria) and autoinducer-2 (gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria). These organisms are functionally organized for increased metabolic efficiency, greater resistance to stress and for enhanced virulence. Plaque formation has direct and indirect effects on gene expression. CONCLUSION: Dental plaque displays properties that are typical of biofilms and microbial communities in general, a clinical consequence of which is a reduced susceptibility to antimicrobial agents as well as pathogenic synergism.

Biofilms↗

Cellular events concurrent with Porphyromonas gingivalis invasion of oral epithelium in vitro.

The aim of the present study was to elucidate events related to receptor function, signal transmission and cytoskeletal rearrangements concurrent with Porphyromonas gingivalis invasion of oral epithelial cells in vitro. Porphyromonas gingivalis strain FDC 381 and the KB cell line (ATCC CCL 17) were used in a previously described antibiotic protection assay. The involvement of a receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway in the internalization process was demonstrated after treatment of the epithelial cells with monodansylcadaverine and ouabain, substances that inhibit formation of coated pits, resulting in reduction in the number of invading P. gingivalis: Treatment of the epithelial cells with the protein kinase (PK) inhibitor staurosporine and the tyrosine-specific PK inhibitor genistein was also found to significantly decrease the number of invading bacteria, suggesting involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in signal transduction during invasion. This was further supported by the identification of a 43 kD protein acting as a substrate for tyrosine phosphorylation subsequent to the microbial-host cell interaction. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the 43 kD protein was strongly reduced by treatment with PK inhibitors. The decrease in invasion observed after treatment of epithelial cells with colchicine and nocodazole, inhibitors of microtubuli polymerization, suggested that the bacterial-receptor interaction and the phosphotyrosine-dependent intracellular signalling trigger an internalization process involving rearrangements of cytoskeletal microtubuli.

Cadaverine↗