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Preventive and therapeutic administration of an indigenous Lactobacillus sp. strain against Proteus mirabilis ascending urinary tract infection in a mouse model.

Probiotics are increasingly being considered as non-pharmaceutical and safe potential alternatives for the treatment and prevention of a variety of pathologies including urinary tract infections. These are the most common infections in medical practice and are frequently treated with antibiotics, which have generated an intense selective pressure over bacterial populations. Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infections in catheterised patients and people with abnormalities of the urinary tract. In this work we isolated, identified and characterised an indigenous Lactobacillus murinus strain (LbO2) from the vaginal tract of a female mouse. In vitro characterisation of LbO2 included acid and bile salts tolerance, growth in urine, adherence to uroepithelial cells and in vitro antimicrobial activity. The selected strain showed interesting properties, suitable for its use as a probiotic. The ability of LbO2 to prevent and even treat ascending P. mirabilis urinary tract infection was assessed using an experimental model in the mouse. Kidney and bladder P. mirabilis counts were significantly lower in mice preventively treated with the probiotic than in non-treated mice. When LbO2 was used for therapeutic treatment, bladder counts of treated mice were significantly lower although no significant differences were detected in P. mirabilis kidney colonisation of treated and non-treated animals. These results are encouraging and prompt further research related to probiotic strains and the basis of their effects for their use in human and animal health.

Animals↗

Sequence and genetic analysis of multiple flagellin-encoding genes from Proteus mirabilis.

Surface-induced overproduction of flagellin is one of the hallmarks of Proteus mirabilis swarmer cell differentiation. In this study, we analyzed the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequences, and expression of the P. mirabilis flagellin-encoding gene (fliC) region. The nt sequence analysis of a 3567-bp region reveals three ORFs, each with homology to known Escherichia coli flagellar genes. The first ORF corresponds to fliD, the gene encoding the flagellar filament capping protein, FliD (HAP2). The second and third ORFs are highly homologous to each other and to fliC genes from many other Gram- bacteria. To distinguish between the two alleles, we have designated these genes fliC1 and fliC2. Sequences highly homologous to promoter sites for the alternate sigma factor of RNA polymerase, sigma 28, are found 5' to the start of each gene. Additionally, both fliC1 and fliC2 have a conserved direct tandem repeat (DTR) sequence upstream from the sigma 28 promoter that may have functional significance in the transcriptional control of fliC expression during swarmer cell differentiation. Both FliC1 and FliC2 were produced in E. coli, but only FliC1 could complement FliC- mutants of E. coli. Southern hybridization data indicate the presence of fliC1 and fliC2 in six distinct P. mirabilis strains, indicating that multiple flagellin-encoding genes are common in P. mirabilis. Hybridization data also suggest the presence of a third flagellin-encoding gene, fliC3, in all isolates. The possible significance of multiple fliC in swarmer cell differentiation is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Study of a melanic pigment of Proteus mirabilis.

The present study sought to determine whether the pigment produced by Proteus mirabilis from the L-forms of various aromatic amino acids under aerobic conditions is melanic in nature. It is a black-brown pigment which behaves like a melanin in many respects, namely solubility features, bleaching by oxidizing agents and positive response to the Fontana-Masson assay. In the present study, for the first time, it was shown by electron spin resonance analysis that a bacterial melanin is able to act as a free radical trap, as was previously demonstrated for other melanins. Scanning electron microscopy studies showed a specific organized structure of the pigment as rounded aggregates of spherical bodies. DNA hybridization data did not reveal, in the P. mirabilis genome, any nucleotide sequence related to Shewanella colwelliana mel A, one of the two melanogenesis systems already defined at the molecular level in bacteria. Results obtained from experiments on pigment production inhibition suggest a possible role of tyrosinase in P. mirabilis melanogenesis. In conclusion, from the bulk of our results, it appears that the pigment produced by P. mirabilis is melanic in nature.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Structure of the O-polysaccharide of Proteus mirabilis OC (CCUG 10702) from a new proposed Proteus serogroup O75.

A neutral O-polysaccharide was obtained by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of Proteus mirabilis OC (CCUG 10702) and studied by sugar and methylation analyses and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The following structure of the tetrasaccharide repeating unit of the polysaccharide was established: [structure: see text]. Based on the unique structure of the O-polysaccharide and serological data, we propose classifying P. mirabilis OC (CCUG 10702) into a new separate Proteus serogroup O75. A weak cross-reaction of O-antiserum against P. mirabilis OC with the lipopolysaccharide of P. mirabilis O49 was accounted for by a similarity in the O-polysaccharide structures.

Animals↗

Structure of the O-polysaccharide and serological studies of the lipopolysaccharide of Proteus mirabilis 2002.

The structure of the O-polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide of Proteus mirabilis 2002 was elucidated by chemical methods and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the polysaccharide consists of branched pentasaccharide repeating units having the following structure: [structure in text]. The O-polysaccharide of P. mirabilis 2002 has a common tetrasaccharide fragment with that of P. mirabilis 52/57 from serogroup O29, and the lipopolysaccharides of the two strains are serologically related. Therefore, based on the structural and serological data, we propose to classify P. mirabilis 2002 into the Proteus O29 serogroup as a subgroup O29a,29b.

Animals↗

Structure of the O-polysaccharide of a serologically separate strain of Proteus mirabilis, TG 332, from a new proposed Proteus serogroup O50.

The O-polysaccharide was obtained by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of Proteus mirabilis TG 332 strain. The following structure of the O-polysaccharide was determined by chemical methods along with NMR spectroscopy, including 2D COSY, TOCSY, ROESY and 1H, 13C HMQC experiments: [see equation in text]. The O-polysaccharide studied has a unique structure among Proteus O-antigens. Accordingly, P. mirabilis TG 332 is serologically separate, and we propose to classify this strain into a new Proteus serogroup, O50. The nature of minor epitopes that provide a cross-reactivity of P. mirabilis TG 332 O-antiserum with the LPS of P. mirabilis O30 and Proteus penneri 34 (O60) is discussed.

Animals↗

Studies of introital colonization in women with recurrent urinary infections. V. The inhibitory activity of normal vaginal fluid on Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Normal vaginal fluid from premenopausal volunteers was inoculated with 10 strains of Proteus mirabilis and 14 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at pH's of 4.3, 4.6 and 4.9. All bacteria were killed at pH 4.3. Nine of 10 strains of Proteus mirabilis and 12 of 14 Pseudomonas aeruginosa were killed at pH 4.6. Only 4 of 14 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were killed at pH 4.9, while 8 of 10 strains of Proteus mirabilis were killed at the same pH. We conclude that in comparison to the common 0 group strains of Escherichia coli, vaginal fluid is more bactericidal to Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and that these observations may help explain the relative infrequency of bacteriuria owing to the organisms.

Escherichia coli↗

Molecular cloning and overexpression of a glutathione transferase gene from Proteus mirabilis.

The structural gene of the Proteus mirabilis glutathione transferase GSTB1-1 (gstB) has been isolated from genomic DNA. A nucleotide sequence determination of gstB predicted a translational product of 203 amino acid residues, perfectly matching the sequence of the previously purified protein [Mignogna, Allocati, Aceto, Piccolomini, Di Ilio, Barra and Martini (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 211, 421-425]. The P. mirabilis GST sequence revealed 56% identity with the Escherichia coli GST at DNA level and 54% amino acid identity. Similarity has been revealed also with the translation products of the recently cloned gene bphH from Haemophilus influenzae (28% identity) and ORF3 of Burkholderia cepacia (27% identity). Putative promoter sequences with high similarity to the E. coli sigma 70 consensus promoter and to promoters of P. mirabilis cat and glnA genes preceded the ATG of the gstB open reading frame (ORF). gstB was brought under control of the tac promoter and overexpressed in E. coli by induction with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside and growth at 37 degrees C. The physicochemical and catalytic properties of overexpressed protein were indistinguishable from those of the enzyme purified from P. mirabilis extract. Unlike the GST belonging to Mu and Theta classes, GSTB1-1 was unable to metabolize dichloromethane. The study of the interaction of cloned GSTB1-1 with a number of antibiotics indicates that this enzyme actively participates in the binding of tetracyclines and rifamycin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The migration of Proteus mirabilis and other urinary tract pathogens over Foley catheters.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the ability of organisms that infect the catheterized urinary tract to migrate over the surfaces of Foley catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a simple laboratory model, organisms were challenged to migrate across sections of hydrogel-coated latex, hydrogel/silver-coated latex, silicone-coated latex and all-silicone catheters. The sections (1 cm long) were placed as bridges in channels between blocks of agar and the test organisms inoculated onto the agar adjacent to one side of each bridge. The plates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h and examined for growth of the test organisms on the agar on the other side of the bridges. A collection of swarming, swimming and nonmotile species were tested in the model. The relative mobilities of the test organisms were expressed as migration indices, calculated as the percentage of tests in which bacterial migration was observed over each type of catheter bridge. RESULTS: The swarmer cells of Proteus mirabilis and P. vulgaris migrated successfully (migration indices of 73-100) over all four types of catheter. The migration index of Serratia marcescens swarmers was reduced to 33 over the silver-coated catheters, but these cells crossed over the other catheter surfaces with ease (indices of 100). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most mobile of the swimming, non-swarming organisms with indices of 70-22, but this group was less capable of migration than the swarmers. Indices were 0-33 for nonmotile organisms. The mean migration indices for the nine species for each type of catheter were 57 (hydrogel-coated latex), 49 (silver/hydrogel-coated latex), 41 (silicone-coated latex) and 35 (all-silicone). The swarmer cells of P. mirabilis moved through populations of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, and then migrated over sections of hydrogel-coated latex catheters with little or no reduction in migration index. They were also capable of transporting the nonmotile cells of K. pneumoniae and S. aureus over the catheters. The migration index of P. mirabilis swarmers was substantially reduced in the presence of Ps. aeruginosa and S. marcescens. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogel coatings facilitate the migration of urinary tract pathogens over catheter surfaces. With the exception of S. marcescens, the incorporation of silver into the hydrogel did not inhibit migration. Swarmer cells were particularly effective at moving over catheters and P. mirabilis swarmers were also capable of transporting other species. This suggests that inhibitors of swarming could be useful in controlling catheter-associated infection and the complications resulting from the spread of bacterial biofilm over catheters.

Catheterization↗

Retrograde transmission of Proteus mirabilis during platelet transfusion and the use of arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction for bacteria typing in suspected cases of transfusion transmission of infection.

BACKGROUND: When bacteria are found, after a platelet transfusion, in the recipient's blood as well as in the platelet concentrate (PC), a causal relationship is normally suspected, with the PC as the causative agent. The other alternative, that the patient has bacteremia and contaminated the PC, is less well documented in the literature. CASE REPORT: Arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) was used for testing strains of Proteus mirabilis isolated from a patient's blood before and after a platelet transfusion and from the PC. Because of a febrile reaction after a platelet transfusion, bacterial culture was performed on the PC used, showing growth of P. mirabilis. The same species was found in the patient's blood after the transfusion. Posttransfusion sepsis caused by a contaminated PC was suspected, and anti-sepsis treatment was given to the recipient. Later, it became apparent that the patient had had bacteremia before the transfusion and that P. mirabilis was one of the species in the isolate. With AP-PCR, the identity of the three P. mirabilis isolates could be distinguished. CONCLUSION: AP-PCR is a useful technique for distinguishing the identity of bacterial isolates from patients and blood components. A patient with bacteremia can contaminate a PC in conjunction with a platelet transfusion. With AP-PCR, the PC could be ruled out as the cause of the posttransfusion sepsis.

Base Sequence↗

Genetic diversity in Proteus mirabilis isolates found in the urinary tract of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated levels of anti-Proteus antibodies but not antibodies to E. coli have been reported in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The suggestion has been made that P. mirabilis may have a role in the aetiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences at the genetic level inisolates of P. mirabilis obtained from controls and RA patients. METHODS: A blind study was performed whereby P. mirabilis isolates obtained from urinary cultures of RA patients and controls were analysed using RAPD PCR. Isolates were then grouped on the basis of their DNA band profile after agarose gel electrophoresis, thereby allowing the composition of the Proteus population in the urinary tract to be analysed at the genetic level. RESULTS: Fourteen different DNA band profiles were obtained from the 93 isolates tested: 70% of these isolates fell into only five of the 14 groups and approximately 25% of all isolates fell into one group. No differences were observed in the frequency of isolates from either control or RA subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There is genetic diversity in P. mirabilis populations found in the urinary tract, but there are no differences in the frequency of these bacteria between RA patients and controls.

Adult↗

CTX-M-1 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Proteus mirabilis in Greece.

To examine the dissemination of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in clinical isolates of Proteus mirabilis, 91 nonrepetitive ESBL-producing P. mirabilis were collected from infected patients in a tertiary Greek hospital during September, 2001, to May, 2004. A bla (CTX-M) gene was amplified in one isolate (strain A328), but bla (CTX-M) was not detected in any of the remaining ESBL producers. Sequencing results showed that P. mirabilis A328 produced a CTX-M-1 enzyme while PCR mapping of the genetic element carrying bla (CTX-M-1) revealed that the gene was located downstream of an ISEcp1B element. The cefotaxime resistance determinant was easily transferable and carried on a 70-kb plasmid. The emergence of CTX-M-1- producing P. mirabilis indicates the need for early recognition of such strains to be able to control their spread in our hospital and community environment.

Greece↗

Differential susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis to mouse urine and to urea.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the antimicrobial properties of mouse urine and of urea against Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Nornal urine was found to inhibit the growth of E. coli and P. mirabilis, whereas urine from diuresing animals permitted multiplication of these bacteria. Addition of urea to urine from diuresing animals restored its bactericidal effect on P. mirabilis but not on E. coli. This bactericidal effect on P. mirabilis was dependent on the additive action of high content of urea and high pH and was prevented by the addition of urease inhibitor.

Animals↗

Influence of pili on the virulence of Proteus mirabilis in experimental hematogenous pyelonephritis.

The ability of heavily and lightly piliated Proteus mirabilis to infect the renal parenchyma was compared in a model of hematogenous pyelonephritis. Cortical abscesses occurred in 13 of 24 rats injected with lightly piliated P. mirabilis but in none of 24 rats challenged with heavily piliated organisms (P less than 0.001). Lightly and heavily piliated organisms were cleared from the vasculature equally rapidly and were also delivered to the kidney in equal numbers. During the first 24 hr, however, titers of the lightly piliated organisms in the kidney increased by 4 logs, whereas the heavily piliated P. mirabilis were virtually all eliminated. Pili are believed to mediate attachment to cell surfaces, and heavy piliation has been correlated with enhanced virulence when P. mirabilis invades the kidney across the pelvic mucosa. The results in this study suggest, however, that pili may adversely affect bacterial survival within the renal parenchyma.

Animals↗

Imipenem resistance in clinical isolates of Proteus mirabilis associated with alterations in penicillin-binding proteins.

Two strains of Proteus mirabilis, IpR1 and IpR2, resistant to both imipenem and mecillinam, but susceptible to other beta-lactams were isolated from blood cultures of patients who had been treated with imipenem. Strain IpR1 was isolated in the same sample as a P. mirabilis IpS1 which was susceptible to imipenem and mecillinam. Strains IpR1 and IpR2 did not produce a beta-lactamase and their outer membrane protein profiles were similar to those of IpS1 and P. mirabilis ATCC 29906. Electrophoretic profiles of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) showed a decrease in PBP 1A of strains IpR1 and IpR2 compared with IpS1 and ATCC 29906. Competition experiments revealed a decrease in affinity of PBP 2 for imipenem from strain IpR1. These findings suggest that imipenem resistance in P. mirabilis might result from altered PBPs, as reported for Acinetobacter baumanii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Amdinocillin↗

Interleukin-8 response in cells from the human urinary tract induced by lipopolysaccharides of Proteus mirabilis O3 and O18.

PURPOSE: Proteus mirabilis is a common pathogen associated mainly with complicated urinary tract infections and sometimes with septicemia. There is great serological diversity of the microorganism. While P. mirabilis O3 is commonly found in patients with infections, the serotype O18 rarely occurs. The O18 lipopolysaccharide contains a phosphocholine substitute, which makes it unique among Proteus strains. To explain different clinical significance of the strains we evaluated the biological activity of the lipopolysaccharides of P. mirabilis O3 and O18, as measured by interleukin-8 (IL-8) production. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three cell lines were used, namely uroepithelial cells, renal epithelial cells and monocytes. IL-8 production was determined on the protein and mRNA levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively, and CD14 expression on the cell surface was studied using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Uroepithelial cells and monocytes reacted to lipopolysaccharides by higher IL-8 production compared with renal epithelial cells. Cell specific IL-8 response corresponded to the cell expression of CD14. Renal epithelial cells produced more IL-8 after stimulation with the phosphocholine rich lipopolysaccharide O18, although adding phosphocholine alone did not induce or increase IL-8 production. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that different cells within the human urinary tract have different roles during urinary tract infection. The biological activity and pathogenicity of P. mirabilis lipopolysaccharides might be determined by their specific chemical structure.

Cell Line↗

The production and activity in vivo of Proteus mirabilis IgA protease in infections of the urinary tract.

Immunoblotting of urine from 21 patients of both sexes and of wide age range who had a Proteus mirabilis urinary tract infection (UTI) showed that 14 (64%) specimens contained immunoglobulin A (IgA). In nine (64%) of these the IgA heavy chain had been degraded to fragments of a size identical to those formed when purified IgA was degraded by pure P. mirabilis protease. Urine from patients with clinical evidence of upper UTI contained fragmented IgA and in some of these urine samples P. mirabilis protease activity was detectable. Urine infected with a non-proteolytic strain contained only intact IgA. It is concluded that P. mirabilis IgA protease is produced and is active during infections of the urinary tract.

Adolescent↗

Inhibition of swarming and virulence factor expression in Proteus mirabilis by resveratrol.

Resveratrol (3,5,4-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a phytoalexin compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The effect of resveratrol on swarming and virulence factor expression of Proteus mirabilis, an important pathogen infecting the urinary tract, was determined on swarming agar plates with and without the compound. Bacteria harvested at different times were assayed for cell length and the production of flagella, haemolysin and urease. Resveratrol inhibited P. mirabilis swarming and virulence factor expression in a dose-dependent manner. Resveratrol significantly inhibited swarming at 15 microg ml(-1), and completely inhibited swarming at 60 microg ml(-1). Inhibition of swarming and virulence factor expression was mediated through RsbA, a His-containing phosphotransmitter of the bacterial two-component signalling system possibly involved in quorum sensing. Complementation of an rsbA-defective mutant with the rsbA gene restored its responsiveness to resveratrol. The compound also inhibited the ability of P. mirabilis to invade human urothelial cells. These findings suggest that resveratrol has potential to be developed as an antimicrobial agent against P. mirabilis infection.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗