Application of Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT5713 to Achieve Term Pregnancies in Women with Repetitive Abortion or Infertility of Unknown Origin by Microbiological and Immunological Modulation of the Vaginal Ecosystem

In this study, the cervicovaginal environment of women with reproductive failure (repetitive abortion, infertility of unknown origin) was assessed and compared to that of healthy fertile women. Subsequently, the ability of Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT5713 to increase pregnancy rates in women with reproductive failure was evaluated. Vaginal pH and Nugent score were higher in women with reproductive failure than in fertile women. The opposite was observed regarding the immune factors TGF-β 1, TFG-β 2, and VEFG. Lactobacilli were detected at a higher frequency and concentration in fertile women than in women with repetitive abortion or infertility. The metataxonomic study revealed that vaginal samples from fertile women were characterized by the high abundance of Lactobacillus sequences, while DNA from this genus was practically absent in one third of samples from women with reproductive failure. Daily oral administration of L. salivarius CECT5713 (~9 log10 CFU/day) to women with reproductive failure for a maximum of 6 months resulted in an overall successful pregnancy rate of 56%. The probiotic intervention modified key microbiological, biochemical, and immunological parameters in women who got pregnant. In conclusion, L. salivarius CECT5713 has proved to be a good candidate to improve reproductive success in women with reproductive failure.Sección Deptal. de Farmacia Galénica y Tecnología Alimentaria (Veterinaria)Fac. de VeterinariaTRUEContract 291-2018 established between Complutense University of Madrid and Biosearch Life S. A. (Granada, Spain)Irma Castro is the recipient of a predoctoral contract (BES-2017-080713) from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Spain)pu

Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from breast milk of women suffering infectious mastitis: potential virulence traits and resistance to antibiotics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>is considered the main etiological agent of infectious mastitis, recent studies have suggested that coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) may also play an important role in such infections. The aims of this work were to isolate staphylococci from milk of women with lactational mastitis, to select and characterize the CNS isolates, and to compare such properties with those displayed by CNS strains isolated from milk of healthy women.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The milk of 30 women was collected and bacterial growth was noted in 27 of them, of which <it>Staphylococcus epidermidis </it>was isolated from 26 patients and <it>S. aureus </it>from 8. Among the 270 staphylococcal isolates recovered from milk of women with mastitis, 200 were identified as <it>Staphylococcus epidermidis </it>by phenotypic assays, species-specific PCR and PCR sequencing. They were typified by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) genotyping. The PFGE profiles of the <it>S. epidermidis </it>strains were compared with those of 105 isolates from milk of healthy women. A representative of the 76 different PFGE profiles was selected to study the incidence of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. The number of strains that contained the biofilm-related <it>ica</it>D gene and that showed resistance to oxacillin, erythromycin, clindamycin and mupirocin was significantly higher among the strains isolated from mastitic milk.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>S. epidermidis </it>may be a frequent but largely underrated cause of infectious mastitis in lactating women. The resistance to diverse antibiotics and a higher ability to form biofilms found among the strains isolated from milk of women suffering mastitis may explain the chronic and/or recurrent nature of this infectious condition.</p

Characterization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus MP01 and Lactobacillus plantarum MP02 and Assessment of Their Potential for the Prevention of Gastrointestinal Infections in an Experimental Canine Model

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus rhamnosus MP01 and Lactobacillus plantarum MP02, two strains isolated from canine milk. These two isolates were characterized in vitro for their survival to conditions similar to those found in the canine gastrointestinal tract, production of antimicrobial compounds, adherence to intestinal mucin, degradation of mucin, and antibiotic sensitivity. Globally, both strains exhibited a high in vitro probiotic potential. Finally, their potential for the prevention of gastrointestinal infections was evaluated in an experimental canine model using 1-month-old puppies. A group of 12 German shepherd puppies, 6 males and 6 females, received L. rhamnosus MP01 daily for 2 months and a second group of 12 puppies, 6 males and 6 females, of the same breed received L. plantarum MP02 during the same period of time. The same experimental approach was carried with Yorkshire puppies. Additionally, the trial included 12 dogs of each breed in the placebo groups. The results demonstrated that administration of the strains resulted in a significant preventive effect of gastrointestinal infections in such populations

Staphylococcus epidermidis: A differential trait of the fecal microbiota of breast-fed infants

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breast milk is an important source of staphylococci and other bacterial groups to the infant gut. The objective of this work was to analyse the bacterial diversity in feces of breast-fed infants and to compare it with that of formula-fed ones. A total of 23 women and their respective infants (16 breast-fed and 7 formula-fed) participated in the study. The 16 women and their infants provided a sample of breast milk and feces, respectively, at days 7, 14, and 35. The samples were plated onto different culture media. Staphylococcal and enterococcal isolates were submitted to genetic profiling and to a characterization scheme, including detection of potential virulence traits and sensitivity to antibiotics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The feeding practice had a significant effect on bacterial counts. A total of 1,210 isolates (489 from milk, 531 from breast-fed and 190 from formula-fed infants) were identified. <it>Staphylococcus epidermidis </it>was the predominant species in milk and feces of breast-fed infants while it was less prevalent in those of formula fed-infants. <it>Enterococcus faecalis </it>was the second predominant bacterial species among the fecal samples provided by the breast-fed infants but it was also present in all the samples from the formula-fed ones. The biofilm-related <it>icaD </it>gene and the <it>mecA </it>gene were only detected in a low number of the <it>S. epidermidis </it>strains. Several enterococcal isolates were also characterized and none of them contained the <it>cylA </it>or the <it>vanABDEG </it>antibiotic-resistance genes. All were sensitive to vancomycin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The presence of <it>S. epidermidis </it>is a differential trait of the fecal microbiota of breast-fed infants. Globally, the staphyloccal isolates obtained from milk and feces of breast-fed infants contain a low number of virulence determinants and are sensitive to most of the antibiotics tested.</p

PROCESO DE MEJORA DE UN PROTOCOLO DE SUPERVISIÓN PARA RESIDENTES DE MATRONAS

This study describes the process of updating the supervision protocol for midwife residents at our teaching unit. The aim of the update was to establish the degree of legal responsibility of these residents and to highlight the importance of the tutors and other teachers involved in their supervision, which was included as part of their overall training assessment. This process is part of a project undertaken by a multiprofessional team which began with a review of the literature on the training of Health Sciences Specialists and the relevant legislation, and ended with a joint reflection on regulations and court decisions. Afterwards, a working group of professionals involved in midwife training updated the supervision protocol. We believe that teaching units should draft specific supervision protocols for the entire residency period. These documents can complement the training assessment and can help both residents and teachers to become aware of their legal responsibilities.A través de este trabajo, nuestro Centro Docente (Hospital Universitario Río Hortega) se ha planteado actualizar el protocolo de supervisión para residentes de matrona. Este proceso de mejora pretende establecer de forma clara, el grado de responsabilidad legal de estos residentes y destacar la importancia de los tutores y otras figuras docentes implicados en su supervisión, incluyendo ésta como parte de la evaluación.Este proceso, parte del trabajo realizado por un equipo multiprofesional, que tras llevar a cabo una revisión bibliográfica referente a la formación de especialistas en Ciencias de la Salud y jurisprudencia relacionada, hizo una reflexión conjunta de la normativa y sentencias. En base a esta reflexión, un Grupo de Trabajo constituido por profesionales relacionados con la formación de  matronas, realizó la actualización del protocolo de supervisión.Consideramos necesario que las Unidades Docentes elaboren protocolos de supervisión específicos que se orienten a la totalidad del periodo de residencia. Estos documentos, pueden complementar la evaluación formativa y son una herramienta para que, tanto las figuras docentes como los propios residentes, asuman su responsabilidad lega

Replacement of Metaphylactic Antimicrobial Therapy by Oral Administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP100 in a Pig Farm

Antibiotic use in swine production contributes to the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria, which poses a threat on human health. Therefore, alternative approaches must be developed. The objective of this work was the characterization of the probiotic properties of a Ligilactobacillus salivarius strain isolated from sow's milk and its application as an inoculated fermented feed to pregnant sows and piglets. The study was carried in a farm in which metaphylactic use of antimicrobials (including zinc oxide) was eliminated at the time of starting the probiotic intervention, which lasted for 2 years. Feces from 8-week-old piglets were collected before and after the treatment and microbiological and biochemical analyses were performed. The procedure led to an increase in the concentrations of clostridia and lactobacilli-related bacteria. Parallel, an increase in the concentration of butyrate, propionate and acetate was observed and a notable reduction in the presence of antibiotic resistant lactobacilli became apparent. In conclusion, replacement of antimicrobials by a microbiota-friendly approach was feasible and led to positive microbiological and biochemical changes in the enteric environment

Administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP101 in an Elderly Nursing Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immunological and Nutritional Impact

The elderly population living in nursing homes is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 although individual susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection may be related to the host microbiota. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP101 on the functional (Barthel index), cognitive (GDS/FAST), and nutritional (MNA) status as well as on the nasal and fecal inflammatory profiles of elderly residents living in a nursing home that is highly affected by COVID-19. A total of 25 residents participated in the trial, which involved the daily ingestion of a dairy product (L. salivarius MP101: 9.3 log10 CFU per unit) for 4 months. Nasal and fecal samples were analyzed for 37 immune factors at recruitment and at the end of the study. After the trial, no change in the GDS/FAST scores were found but, in contrast, the values for the Barthel index and the MNA score improved significantly. The concentrations of some immune factors changed significantly after the trial, including a decrease in the concentrations of BAFF/TNFSF13B, APRIL/TNFSF13, IL8, IL31, osteopontin, sTNF-R1, and sTNF-R2, and an increase in chitinase 3-like 1, IL19, IL35, and pentraxin 3 was also observed. In conclusion, L. salivarius MP101 seems to be a promising strain for improving or maintaining health in this highly vulnerable population

Administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 30632 to elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic: Nasal and fecal metataxonomic analysis and fatty acid profiling

Elderly was the most affected population during the first COVID-19 and those living in nursing homes represented the most vulnerable group, with high mortality rates, until vaccines became available. In a previous article, we presented an open-label trial showing the beneficial effect of the strain Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 30632 (previously known as L. salivarius MP101) on the functional and nutritional status, and on the nasal and fecal inflammatory profiles of elderly residing in a nursing home highly affected by the pandemic. The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to elucidate if there were changes in the nasal and fecal bacteriomes of a subset of these patients as a result of the administration of the strain for 4 months and, also, its impact on their fecal fatty acids profiles. Culture-based methods showed that, while L. salivarius (species level) could not be detected in any of the fecal samples at day 0, L. salivarius CECT 30632 (strain level) was present in all the recruited people at day 120. Paradoxically, the increase in the L. salivarius counts was not reflected in changes in the metataxonomic analysis of the nasal and fecal samples or in changes in the fatty acid profiles in the fecal samples of the recruited people. Overall, our results indicate that L. salivarius CECT 30632 colonized, at least temporarily, the intestinal tract of the recruited elderly and may have contributed to improvements in their functional, nutritional, and immunological status, without changing the general structure of their nasal and fecal bacteriomes when assessed at the genus level. They also suggest the ability of low abundance bacteria to train immunity

Analysis of a urinary biomarker panel for clinical outcomes assessment in cirrhosis

Background Biomarkers are potentially useful in assessment of outcomes in patients with cirrhosis, but information is very limited. Given the large number of biomarkers, adequate choice of which biomarker(s) to investigate first is important. Aim Analysis of potential usefulness of a panel of urinary biomarkers in outcome assessment in cirrhosis. Patients and Methods Fifty-five patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis were studied: 39 had Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) (Prerenal 12, type-1 HRS (hepatorenal syndrome) 15 and Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN) 12) and 16 acute decompensation without AKI. Thirty-four patients had Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). A panel of 12 urinary biomarkers was assessed, using a multiplex assay, for their relationship with ATN, ACLF and mortality. Results Biomarker with best accuracy for ATN diagnosis was NGAL (neutrophil-gelatinase associated lipocalin): 36 [26-125], 104 [58-208] and 1807 [494-3,716] μg/g creatinine in Prerenal-AKI, type-1 HRS and ATN, respectively; p<0.0001 (AUROC 0.957). Other attractive biomarkers for ATN diagnosis were IL-18, albumin, trefoil-factor-3 (TFF-3) and glutathione-S-transferase-π (GST-π) Biomarkers with less accuracy for ATN AUCROC<0.8 were β2-microglobulin, calbindin, cystatin-C, clusterin and KIM-1 (kidney injury molecule-1). For ACLF, the biomarker with the best accuracy was NGAL (ACLF vs. No-ACLF: 165 [67-676] and 32 [19-40] μg/g creatinine; respectively; p<0.0001; AUROC 0.878). Interestingly, other biomarkers with high accuracy for ACLF were osteopontin, albumin, and TFF-3. Biomarkers with best accuracy for prognosis were those associated with ACLF. Conclusions A number of biomarkers appear promising for differential diagnosis between ATN and other types of AKI. The most interesting biomarkers for ACLF and prognosis are NGAL, osteopontin, albumin, and TFF-3. These results support the role of major inflammatory reaction in the pathogenesis of ACLF