Potential of lactoferrin to prevent antibiotic-induced Clostridium difficile infection

Objectives: C. difficile infection (CDI) is a global healthcare problem. Recent evidence suggests that the availability of iron may be important for C. difficile growth. This study evaluated the comparative effects of iron-depleted (1% Fe3+ saturated) bovine apo-lactoferrin (apo-bLf) and iron-saturated (85% Fe3+ saturated) bovine holo-lactoferrin (holo-bLf) in a human in vitro gut model that simulates CDI. Methods: Two parallel triple-stage chemostat gut models were inoculated with pooled human faeces and spiked with C. difficile spores (strain 027 210, PCR ribotype 027). Holo- or apo-bLf was instilled (5mg/mL, once daily) for 35 days. After 7 days, clindamycin was instilled (33.9mg/L, four times daily) to induce simulated CDI. Indigenous microflora populations, C. difficile total counts and spores , cytotoxin titres, short-chain fatty acids, biometals, lactoferrin, and iron content of lactoferrin were monitored daily. Results: In the apo-bLf model, germination of C. difficile spores occurred 6 days post-clindamycin, followed by rapid vegetative cell proliferation and detectable toxin. By contrast, in the holo-bLf model, only a modest vegetative cell population was observed until 16 days post-antibiotic. Notably, no toxin was detected in this model. In separate batch culture experiments, holo-bLf prevented C. difficile vegetative cell growth and toxin production, whereas apo-bLf and iron alone did not. Conclusions: Holo-bLf but not apo-bLf delayed C. difficile growth and prevented toxin production in a human gut model of CDI. This inhibitory effect may be iron-independent. These observations suggest that bLf in its iron-saturated state could be used as a novel preventative or treatment strategy for CDI

Porter, Andrew C., Douglas A. Archbald, and Alexander K. Tyree, Jr., Reforming the Curriculum: Will Empowerment Policies Replace Control? pp. 11-36 in Susan H. Fuhrman and Betty Malen, eds., The Politics of Curriculum and Testing: The 1990 Yearbook of the Politics of Education Association . Philadelphia: Falmer, 1991.*

Reports recent developments in math and social studies and analyzes the processes of policy control and teacher empowerment in these contexts

A histological study of the effect of saline and povidone-iodine infusions on the equine endometrium

A study was conducted to assess the reaction of the endometrium of the mare to both saline and povidone-iodine infusions. In the control group (Group 1), uterine biopsies were taken at 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days from the beginning of the experimental period. The treatment groups had intrauterine infusions of saline (Group 2) or 1% povidone iodine in saline (Group 3) on Days 0 and 2, and had endometrial biopsies taken on the same days as the control group. The concentration of inflammatory cells in the endometria of the Group-2 mares paralleled that of the Group-1 mares but was at a slightly higher level. Group-3 mares demonstrated significant increases in the numbers of inflammatory cells. An acute reaction was observed in Group-3 mares until Days 7 to 10. Thereafter, the inflammatory reaction changed in nature from an acute to a more chronic reaction. By Days 15 to 30, Group 3 still demonstrated increased signs of inflammation, including infiltration with eosinophils. The results of this study indicate that intrauterine infusion of 1% povidone-iodine solution in mares can cause chronic inflammatory changes in the endometrium. © 1992