Development of immunity in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) to Aeromonas hydrophila after the dietary application of garlic

The development and duration of immune protection against Aeromonas hydrophila infections with garlic as immunostimulant in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was studied. Rainbow trout fingerlings of 14 g average weight were fed with 0 g (= Control), 0.5 g and 1.0 g of garlic 100 g-1 of feed for 14 days. Physiological factors, biochemical, immunological, hematological parameters and electrolyte indices were evaluated after a further 14, 21 and 28 days before challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila. Fourteen days after the cessation of feeding with garlic, mortality rates of 12 % (relative percent survival [RPS] = 86 %) and 16 % (RPS = 80 %) were recorded in groups which received 0.5 g and 1.0 g of garlic 100 g-1 of feed, respectively, compared to 84 % mortalities in the controls. The corresponding RPS 21 days after ending the feeding regime was 75 % and 68, respectively. One week later, the RPS had dropped to 55% and 46% in the groups fed with 0.5 g and 1.0 g garlic 100 g-1 of feed, respectively

Neonatal invasive disease caused by Streptococcus agalactiae in Europe: the DEVANI multi-center study

Purpose: Group B streptococcus (GBS) remains a leading cause of invasive disease, mainly sepsis and meningitis, in infants < 3 months of age and of mortality among neonates. This study, a major component of the European DEVANI project (Design of a Vaccine Against Neonatal Infections) describes clinical and important microbiological characteristics of neonatal GBS diseases. It quantifies the rate of antenatal screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis among cases and identifies risk factors associated with an adverse outcome. Methods: Clinical and microbiological data from 153 invasive neonatal cases (82 early-onset [EOD], 71 late-onset disease [LOD] cases) were collected in eight European countries from mid-2008 to end-2010. Results: Respiratory distress was the most frequent clinical sign at onset of EOD, while meningitis is found in > 30% of LOD. The study revealed that 59% of mothers of EOD cases had not received antenatal screening, whilst GBS was detected in 48.5% of screened cases. Meningitis was associated with an adverse outcome in LOD cases, while prematurity and the presence of cardiocirculatory symptoms were associated with an adverse outcome in EOD cases. Capsular-polysaccharide type III was the most frequent in both EOD and LOD cases with regional differences in the clonal complex distribution. Conclusions: Standardizing recommendations related to neonatal GBS disease and increasing compliance might improve clinical care and the prevention of GBS EOD. But even full adherence to antenatal screening would miss a relevant number of EOD cases, thus, the most promising prophylactic approach against GBS EOD and LOD would be a vaccine for maternal immunization

Genomic analysis reveals the molecular basis for capsule loss in the group B Streptococcus population

The human and bovine bacterial pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) expresses a thick polysaccharide capsule that constitutes a major virulence factor and vaccine target. GBS can be classified into ten distinct serotypes differing in the chemical composition of their capsular polysaccharide. However, non-typeable strains that do not react with anti-capsular sera are frequently isolated from colonized and infected humans and cattle. To gain a comprehensive insight into the molecular basis for the loss of capsule expression in GBS, a collection of well-characterized non-typeable strains was investigated by genome sequencing. Genome based phylogenetic analysis extended to a wide population of sequenced strains confirmed the recently observed high clonality among GBS lineages mainly containing human strains, and revealed a much higher degree of diversity in the bovine population. Remarkably, non-typeable strains were equally distributed in all lineages. A number of distinct mutations in the cps operon were identified that were apparently responsible for inactivation of capsule synthesis. The most frequent genetic alterations were point mutations leading to stop codons in the cps genes, and the main target was found to be cpsE encoding the portal glycosyl trasferase of capsule biosynthesis. Complementation of strains carrying missense mutations in cpsE with a wild-type gene restored capsule expression allowing the identification of amino acid residues essential for enzyme activity

Oral intake of Lactobacillus pentosus strain b240 accelerates salivary immunoglobulin A secretion in the elderly: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion in saliva decreases with age and may be the cause of increased vulnerability of the elderly to respiratory infections. The effect of oral intake of lactic acid bacteria on salivary secretory IgA (SIgA) in the elderly has not been reported. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the acceleration of salivary SIgA secretion by oral intake of <it>Lactobacillus pentosus </it>strain b240 (b240) in the elderly.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 80 healthy elderly individuals were randomly allocated to either an intervention (i.e., b240) or a control (i.e., placebo) group. The elderly individuals in the b240 group were given a sterile water beverage (125 mL) containing heat-killed b240 (4 × 10⁹cells), while those in the placebo group were given only a sterile water beverage (125 mL); both groups received their respective beverages once daily for 12 weeks. Saliva was collected before initiation of the study and every 2 weeks thereafter. Saliva flow rate and SIgA concentration were determined, and the SIgA secretion rate was calculated. The mean salivary SIgA secretion rate in the b240 group steadily increased until week 4 (exhibiting a 20% elevation relative to that at week 0), and then remained stable until week 12. Changes in SIgA secretion rate over the intervention period were significantly greater in the b240 group than in the placebo group. The treatment groups exhibited no significant differences in adverse events.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Oral intake of <it>L. pentosus </it>strain b240 for 12 weeks significantly accelerated salivary SIgA secretion, thereby indicating its potential utility in the improvement of mucosal immunity and resistance against infection in the elderly.</p

Epidemiological Pilot Study of the Sensitization to Caterpillars of the Genus <i>Thaumetopoea</i> in Forestry Workers in Bulgaria

Insect bites and Lepidopterism are a major sensitization hazard for forestry workers. In recent years, different species of the genus Thaumetopoea are expanding their habitat in Bulgaria and represent a serious health threat for people working in the forests. The present epidemiological pilot study aims to investigate the specific sensitization of the forestry workers to the caterpillars of the most spread Thaumetopoea species in Bulgaria, as well as to evaluate their hypersensitivity to a range of inhalant, insect and food allergens.Thirty four forestry workers (28 men and 6 women) were surveyed. The sensitization to pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa); oak processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea) and Thaumetopoea solitaria was assessed by skin prick tests. Blood samples were taken for determination of total and allergen-specific IgE against a range of inhalant, insect and food allergens. Fourteen (41%) of the forestry workers reported skin rash, itching, runny nose and sneezing during their daily professional activities in the forest. Sixteen (47%) were sensitized to one or more representatives of the Thaumetopoeidae family. The most common is poly-sensitization to all three Thaumetopoea species - in 6 (38%), as well as mono-sensitization to pine processionary - in other 5 (31%). In 13 (39%) increased levels of total IgE, were found. A prevalence of insect allergy was also found. In conclusion, this pilot study provided important information on the impact of the different Thaumetopoea species on the health of the forestry workers. It also outlined the key role of different environmental allergens for the development of symptoms of IgE-mediated allergy and the need for more detailed epidemiologic and allergologic study on the medico-social importance of the sensitization to Thaumetopoea species

Орален полибактериален имуномодулатор Фариностим - локален лигавичен имунитет при пациенти с УНГ-заболявания

Poly-bacterial immune stimulator for prophylaxis and treatment of inflammatory diseases of upper respiratory tract.The global problem related to the drug poly-resistance of a significant number of microbial species forced the search for a new approach to the prophylaxis and control of the infectious diseases, such as mucosal vaccines and immune modulators. The oral poly-bacterial immune modulator Pharinostim made of killed cells and lisats of 6 microbial species (Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans), finds broader implication in the clinical practice for immune prophylaxis and treatment of ENT infections.--------------------------------------Полибактериален имуностимулатор за профилактика и лечение на въз палителни заболявания на горните дихателни пътища Глобалният проблем, свързан с лекарствената полирезистентност на значителен брой микробни видове, наложи търсенето на нови подходи за профилактика и контрол на причинените от тях заболявания, каквито са лигавичните ваксини и имуномодулаторите. Оралният полибактериален имуномодулатор фариностим (Ф), съставен от убити клетки и лизати на 6 микробни вида (Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans), намира все по-широко приложение в клиничната практика за имунопрофилактика и терапия на УНГ инфекции