Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “INTESTINAL MICROORGANISMS”

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 1,693 records · Page 94Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Use of ethanol for selective isolation of sporeforming microorganisms.

When mixed cultures containing sporeforming bacteria were treated with heat or with ethanol, the latter consistently resulted in better recovery of Clostridium and Bacillus species. Both techniques were effective in eliminating vegetative cells. An ethanol concentration greater than 25% and exposure for 45 min or longer were necessary to kill all vegetative cells in mixed-culture samples. Ethanol treatment (50% ethanol for 1 h) was effective for isolating sporeforming bacteria from intestinal specimens. Seven different species of Clostridium were the only bacteria isolated from the ethanol-treated specimen of intestinal contents from the large bowel of a patient. It was concluded that treatment with ethanol for 1 h is an effective technique for selective isolation of sporeforming bacteria from mixed cultures and certain types of clinical specimens.

Bacillus↗
PubMed2003

Evidence of regio-specific glycosylation in human intestinal mucins: presence of an acidic gradient along the intestinal tract.

Mucin glycans were isolated from different regions of the normal human intestine (ileum, cecum, transverse and sigmoid colon, and rectum) of two individuals with ALeb blood group. A systematic study of the monosaccharides and oligosaccharide alditols released by reductive beta-elimination from mucins was performed using gas chromatography, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques. Important variations were observed in the mucin-associated oligosaccharide content with an increasing gradient of sialic acid from the ileum to the colon associated with a reverse gradient of fucose. Moreover, a comparative study of the Sda/Cad and ABH blood group determinants along the gastrointestinal tract showed the same reverse distribution in the two kinds of antigens. In addition, besides their heterogeneity, sialic acids presented considerable variations in the degree of O-acetylation in relation to glycan sialylation level. These data are discussed in view of recent concepts suggesting that the oligosaccharide composition of the gut constitutes a varied ecosystem for microorganisms that are susceptible to adapt there and possess the specific adhesion system and specific enzymes able to provide a carbohydrate nutrient.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed1989

Effect of accelerated natural lactic fermentation of infant food ingredients on some pathogenic microorganisms.

Accelerated natural lactic fermentation in mixtures of water and ground sorghum, millet and pigeon pea was obtained by gradual selection of lactic acid bacteria, through inoculum recycling. Weaning food prepared from ingredients fermented this way, contained approx. 0.7% lactic and 0.05% acetic acids and had a pH of about 3.8. In porridges, a pH of less than or equal to 4.0 was required to cause death of Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus. Several intestinal pathogenic bacteria were inoculated into sour porridge. The most resistant Salmonella sp. died at a rate of 1.2 log cycle/h; the most resistant Shigella sp. at 0.9 log cycle/h; and the most resistant Escherichia coli strain at 0.6 log cycle/h. A yeast, Candida albicans, could grow well in the sour product, whereas a bacteriophage (MS-2) was inactivated at a rate of 0.1 log cycle/h. In the acid-sensitive bacterial cultures, no gradual adaptation to acid environments could be observed. The survival studies were carried out at 30 degrees C.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1989

[Outbreaks of pseudotuberculosis and intestinal yersiniosis among Soviet specialists and members of their families in the Mongolian People's Republic].

In summer and winter of 1986 two outbreaks of alimentary enteric diseases occurred among Soviet specialists and members of their families in Ulan Bator. These diseases were identified as Yersinia infections registered in Mongolia for the first time. In July 114 children in a kindergarten fell ill after being fed with salad prepared from vegetables and spring onions supplied from a nearby state farm. 20 Y. pseudotuberculosis cultures, serovar 1, were isolated, and in 25 persons antibodies to the isolated microorganisms were detected; altogether 32% of cases were confirmed by laboratory methods. During the December outbreak 187 persons were affected, among them 90% of children, through the consumption of imported oranges and tangerines, simultaneous infection with Y. enterocolitica, serovars 05.27 and 09, and hepatitis A virus being observed. The fact of associated infection was registered after the simultaneous detection of the markers of viral hepatitis A and Yersinia infection in 61 patients. In the kindergarten the disease produced a typical clinical picture of Far Eastern scarlatiniform fever, and in winter the abdominal forms of the disease prevailed. In cases of combined Yersinia and viral infection a specific variant of acute hepatitis developed; as regards this variant, the authors present heretofore unknown information on its epidemiology, clinical features and outcome.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Protection against Helicobacter pylori and other bacterial infections by garlic.

Louis Pasteur was the first to describe the antibacterial effect of onion and garlic juices. Historically, garlic has been used worldwide to fight bacterial infections. Allium vegetables, particularly garlic (Allium sativum L.) exhibit a broad antibiotic spectrum against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Noteworthy results published include the following: 1) raw juice of garlic was found to be effective against many common pathogenic bacteria-intestinal bacteria, which are responsible for diarrhea in humans and animals; 2) garlic is effective even against those strains that have become resistant to antibiotics; 3) the combination of garlic with antibiotics leads to partial or total synergism; 4) complete lack of resistance has been observed repeatedly; 5) even toxin production by microorganisms is prevented by garlic. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium implicated in the etiology of stomach cancer and ulcers. The incidence of stomach cancer is lower in populations with a high intake of allium vegetables. We have demonstrated in vitro that H. pylori is susceptible to garlic extract at a fairly moderate concentration. Even some antibiotic-resistant H. pylori strains are susceptible to garlic. Clinical trials are necessary to explore the possibility of using garlic as a low-cost remedy for eradicating H. pylori.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1976

Metabolic activities of the intestinal microflora of a deep-sea invertebrate.

The intestinal microflora of deep-sea amphipods, in enrichment culture employing starch, urea, and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and when examined under simulated in situ conditions, exhibited growth rates and substrate conversion approximately equal to, or greater than, atmospheric controls during short-term incubation. These observations are significant since these microorganisms may play an important role in biodegradation in the deep sea.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in food.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli are emerging as a significant source of food-borne infectious disease all over the world. Illness caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can range from self limited, watery diarrhea to life-threatening manifestations such as hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and death. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can potentially enter the human food chain from a number of animal sources, most commonly by contamination of meat with feces or intestinal contents after slaughter or cross-contamination of unpasteurized milk products. Because of the low infectious dose of the O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain, laboratory diagnosis of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in food samples has developed a great importance. This review will focus on the microorganism, giving priority to illness prevention and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli detection in food.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effect of polymyxin B on intestinal bacterial translocation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound-colonized burned mice.

Bacterial translocation (BT) from the gastrointestinal tract has been proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of septic complications in severely burned patients. In a burn model the effect of a subtherapeutic dose of polymyxin B-sulfate (PB) at BT was examined in Escherichia coli-monoassociated mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-inoculated burn wounds. The BT incidence and number of translocating microorganisms to the spleen (p less than 0.01), liver (p less than 0.01), lung (p less than 0.05) and heart (p less than 0.05) were diminished significantly in the PB-treated versus the untreated group. Endotoxin in plasma was detectable in one of the 16 PB-treated versus 6 of the 17 control mice (p less than 0.05). The relation of Pseudomonas burn wound inoculation, BT, endotoxin and the endotoxin-neutralizing properties of PB will be discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[CLinico-morphologic correlations in Flexner's and Sonne dysentery].

The clinical and morphological data were studied and compared in 84 patients with Flexner's dysentery and 40 with Sonne dysentery. It is established that more pronounced and lingering colitic syndrome typical of Flexner's dysentery is related to more lasting persistence of causative agents in the superficial epithelium and in the m. mucosae of the rectum. Unlike Sonne dysentery, insufficiency of the local defence mechanisms was discovered in patients with Flexner's dysentery, namely inhibition of mucus secretion, low level of elimination of microorganisms with desquamated colonocytes at the disease onset, pathological changes of interepithelial lymphocytes, ineffective phagocytosis of bacteria by macrophages of the m. mucosae during convalescence.

Dysentery, Bacillary↗
PubMed2005

Functional and biochemical characterization of epithelial bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein.

Epithelial cells of many mucosal organs have adapted to coexist with microbes and microbial products. In general, most studies suggest that epithelial cells benefit from interactions with commensal microorganisms present at the lumenal surface. However, potentially injurious molecules found in this microenvironment also have the capacity to elicit local inflammatory responses and even systemic disease. We have recently demonstrated that epithelia cells express the anti-infective molecule bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI). Here, we extend these findings to examine molecular mechanisms of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) BPI expression and function. Initial experiments revealed a variance of BPI mRNA and protein expression among various IEC lines. Studies of BPI promoter expression in IECs identified regulatory regions of the BPI promoter and revealed a prominent role for CCAAT/enhancer binding protein and especially Sp1/Sp3 in the basal regulation of BPI. To assess the functional significance of this protein, we generated an IEC line stably transfected with full-length BPI. We demonstrated that, whereas epithelia express markedly less BPI protein than neutrophils, epithelial BPI contributes significantly to bacterial killing and attenuating bacterial-elicted proinflammatory signals. Additional studies in murine tissue ex vivo revealed that BPI is diffusely expressed along the crypt-villous axis and that epithelial BPI levels decrease along the length of the intestine. Taken together, these data confirm the transcriptional regulation of BPI in intestinal epithelia and provide insight into the relevance of BPI as an anti-infective molecule at intestinal surfaces.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Microbial colonization and infectious complications in bone marrow transplant recipients treated in strict protective isolation.

Bone marrow transplantation was carried out in 10 patients (5 with acute leukemia and 5 with aplastic anaemia). Protection against endogenous and exogenous infection was attempted by a rigorous sterile protective isolation regimen, comprising laminar-air-flow cabinets, daily decontamination of skin, mucous membranes and intestines. All supplies of food, fluids, medicine and equipment were sterilized. In all patients a heavy suppression of the normal bacterial flora was obtained after approximately 1 week and 85% of a total of 1026 days of decontamination revealed only scanty growth in one or a few regions of the patients. The surviving microorganisms were Candida albicans and non-pathogenic commensals (mainly Staphylococcus albus). In 1 patient only an exogenic microorganism was introduced possibly by transfusion or staff. 16 febrile episodes were recorded in the patients during decontamination covering 21% of the period. Four episodes were caused by bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mixed). In most of the remaining episodes the etiology was not established. The results thus show that endogenous pathogenic bacteria can be eradicated by the regimen, and that systemic antimicrobial chemotherapy can be restricted and guided by the results of the previous and contemporary cultures. However, viral infections remain a major problem in these patients. Efforts should be maintained to avoid entrance of exogenic bacteria by staff and supplies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Schistosoma japonicum infection presenting with colon perforation: case report.

Colon perforation can be caused by a variety of entities, including iatrogenic trauma, tumors, ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease, and steroid use. Parasitic infection rarely leads to colon perforation. Secondary peritonitis results from mixed microorganism infection, including enterococci, enteric bacilli, and anaerobes. A combination of an optimal antibiotic regimen and surgical intervention is of paramount importance. Nevertheless, intra-abdominal infections usually have a high mortality rate. Schistosomiasis occurs worldwide. S. japonicum infection is endemic in Asia. The most common complications of gastrointestinal schistosomiasis are periportal fibrosis, intestinal polyposis, and bowel stricture. Rarely, schistosomiasis results in colon perforation. The diagnosis of schistosome infections is based on ova in stool or tissue specimens, and/or immunologic diagnostic tests. The most effective anti-schistosomiasis agent is praziquantel. Herein, we describe an unusual case of colon perforation associated with Schistosoma japonicum infection, which resulted in severe peritonitis and led to the patient's death.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

[Physiology of microflora in the digestive tract].

The microflora of the digestive tract is a complex microbial ecosystem, well balanced, which in an aboral direction undergoes specific changes as to the ratio of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms the functions of which supplement each other--the aerobes ensure for the whole ecosystem the scavenger effect. The microbial profile of the digestive tract is typical by the absence of anaerobic microorganisms in the stomach and conversely their absolute predominance in the distal colon. The basic physiological functions of the microflora of the digestive tract can be characterized as follows: 1. microbial barrier against pathogens and potential pathogens, 2. formation of products of the microflora and their influence on the blood supply of the intestinal mucosa and peristaltics, 3. stimulation of the immune system in the gut, 4. reduction of bacterial translocation, 5. production of vitamins. To this problem in the world literature, contrary to ours, deserved attention has been paid for many years. Knowledge of the problem opens the door to expedient manipulation with the microbial flora of the digestive tract by the use of diet or prebiotics, probiotics as well as antibiotic treatment. The author presents a summary of basic findings which developed on the subject of physiological microflora of the digestive tract successively up to their present shape.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of four diagnostic methods for detection of Helicobacter species in laboratory mice.

Four species of Helicobacter--H. muridarum, "H. rappini," H. hepaticus, and H. bilis--have been identified in the gastrointestinal tract of rodents. The association of Helicobacter species with chronic gastrointestinal diseases in mice has raised concern about their impact on research results. In this study, different methods for detection of Helicobacter species in the mouse intestinal tract were compared: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 16S rRNA gene sequences, bacterial culture, electron microscopy, and histologic examination (Steiner stain). The PCR method was more sensitive in detecting murine Helicobacter species than was culture, electron microscopy, or histologic examination. Of the cecal specimens identified as Helicobacter species-positive by PCR, approximately 60% were identified as positive by each of the other methods. An 87.5% concordance was obtained by PCR screening of DNA from fecal and cecal specimens. Differentiation among murine Helicobacter species by colony morphologic or histologic features was not possible. Scanning electron microscopy and histologic examination indicated greater numbers of helical microorganisms, specifically H. hepaticus, in the cecum than in the colon. These results indicate that the PCR assays used can be performed on feces as a noninvasive means for rapidly screening large numbers of colony mice for murine Helicobacter species.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Role of intestinal bacteria in ileal ulcer formation in rats treated with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug.

The role of intestinal bacteria in induction and repression of ulcer formation in the ileum of rats treated with one of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 5-bromo-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl) thiophene (BFMeT), was examined in this study. BFMeT was administered by intragastric gavage once at doses of 500-1,500 mg/kg of body weight to Wistar rats treated with and without antibiotics (bacitracin, neomycin, streptomycin), germ-free rats and gnotobiotic rats, and 72 hr later their gastrointestinal tracts were examined for ulcer formation. A single oral administration of BFMeT induced ileal ulcers in specific pathogen-free rats. However, the rats given antibiotics to reduce the intestinal bacteria had no ulcers. BFMeT-treated germ-free rats and gnotobiotic rats mono-associated with Bifidobacterium adolescentis or Lactobacillus acidophilus also had no intestinal ulcers. However, the drug induced ileal ulcers in gnotobiotic rats mono-associated with Eubacterium limosum or Escherichia coli. An overnight culture of B. adolescentis or L. acidophilus or yogurt containing Bifidobacterium breve and Streptococcus thermophilus, when given as drinking water, inhibited ulcer formation in the ileum of rats treated with BFMeT. Gram staining of the ileal contents of normal rats revealed that 97.4% of the stained microorganisms were Gram-positive rods and only 1.2% were Gram-negative rods. In the group of rats with ulcers induced by BFMeT, the Gram-positive rods decreased by 56.4% and the Gram-negative rods including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus and Bacteroides increased by 37.3%. However, in the group of rats administered the Bifidobacterium culture, the Lactobacillus culture or yogurt, the percentages of the Gram-negative rods were decreased. Although Lactobacillus was a major bacterium in the ileum of normal rats, the Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic rods E.coli, Klebsiella and Proteus were increased in the ulcerated ileum of rats treated with BFMeT, suggesting that these bacteria are associated with ulcer formation in rats treated with NSAIDs, and that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium inhibit it by repressing the growth of ulcer-inducing bacteria.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Toll-like receptors. II. Distribution and pathways involved in TLR signalling.

The innate immune system senses invading microorganisms by a phylogenetically conserved family of proteins--TLRs. They are expressed in several types of cells that represent a route of entry of pathogens into the host organism and that can contribute to protection against infection. Except for cells of the immune system, TLRs are present in epithelial cells of the skin, respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts that form the first protective barrier to invading pathogens. Polarized regulation of TLR expression in epithelial cells explains why pathogenic but not commensal bacteria elicit inflammatory responses. TLR-induced intracellular signalling pathways show remarkable complexity: apart from a common signalling pathway, additional signalling pathways specific for each of the TLRs are responsible for a fine tuning of the immune response, thus securing effective pathogen-directed biological responses.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2001

Allergy development and the intestinal microflora during the first year of life.

BACKGROUND: The intestinal microflora is a likely source for the induction of immune deviation in infancy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to prospectively relate the intestinal microflora to allergy development in 2 countries differing with respect to the prevalence of atopic diseases. METHODS: Newborn infants were followed prospectively through the first 2 years of life in Estonia (n = 24) and Sweden (n = 20). By that age, 9 Estonian and 9 Swedish infants had developed atopic dermatitis and/or positive skin prick test results. Stool samples were obtained at 5 to 6 days and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and 13 groups of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were cultivated through use of standard methods. RESULTS: In comparison with healthy infants, babies who developed allergy were less often colonized with enterococci during the first month of life (72% vs 96%; P <.05) and with bifidobacteria during the first year of life (17% to 39% vs 42% to 69%; P <.05). Furthermore, allergic infants had higher counts of clostridia at 3 months (median value, 10.3 vs 7.2 log(10); P <.05). The prevalence of colonization with Staphylococcus aureus was also higher at 6 months (61% vs 23%; P <.05), whereas the counts of Bacteroides were lower at 12 months (9.9 vs 10.6 log(10); P <.05). CONCLUSION: Differences in the composition of the gut flora between infants who will and infants who will not develop allergy are demonstrable before the development of any clinical manifestations of atopy. Because the observations were made in 2 countries with different standards of living, we believe that our findings could indicate a role for the intestinal microflora in the development of and protection from allergy.

Bacteroides↗