34 research outputs found
Toxigenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility of Bacillus cereus group bacteria isolated from Tunisian foodstuffs
International audienceBackground: Despite the importance of the B. cereus group as major foodborne pathogens that may cause diarrheal and/or emetic syndrome(s), no study in Tunisia has been conducted in order to characterize the pathogenic potential of the B. cereus group. The aim of this study was to assess the sanitary potential risks of 174 B. cereus group strains isolated from different foodstuffs by detecting and profiling virulence genes (hblA, hblB, hblC, hblD, nheA, nheB, nheC, cytK, bceT and ces), testing the isolates cytotoxic activity on Caco-2 cells and antimicrobial susceptibility towards 11 antibiotics. Results: The entertoxin genes detected among B. cereus isolates were, in decreasing order, nheA (98.9%), nheC (97.7%) and nheB (86.8%) versus hblC (54.6%), hblD (54.6%), hblA (29.9%) and hblB (14.9%), respectively encoding for Non-hemolytic enterotoxin (NHE) and Hemolysin BL (HBL). The isolates are multi-toxigenic, harbouring at least one gene of each NHE and HBL complexes associated or not to bceT, cytK-2 and ces genes. Based on the incidence of virulence genes, the strains were separated into 12 toxigenic groups. Isolates positive for cytK (37,9%) harbored the cytK-2 variant. The detection rates of bceT and ces genes were 50.6 and 4%, respectively. When bacteria were incubated in BHI-YE at 30°C for 18 h and for 5 d, 70.7 and 35% of the strains were shown to be cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells, respectively. The cytotoxicity of B. cereus strains depended on the food source of isolation. The presence of virulence factors is not always consistent with cytotoxicity. However, different combinations of enterotoxin genetic determinants are significantly associated to the cytotoxic potential of the bacteria. All strains were fully sensitive to rifampicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, and gentamycin. The majority of the isolates were susceptible to streptomycin, kanamycin, erythromycin, vancomycin and tetracycline but showed resistance to ampicillin and novobiocin. Conclusion: Our results contribute data that are primary to facilitate risk assessments in order to prevent food poisoning due to B. cereus group
Identification of the bacteria and their metabolic activities associated with the microbial spoilage of custard cream desserts
The famous French dessert âile flottanteâ consists of a sweet egg white foam floating on a vanilla custard cream,which contains highly nutritive raw materials, including milk, sugar and egg. Spoilage issues are therefore a keyconcern for the manufacturers. This study explored the bacterial diversity of 64 spoiled custard cream dessertsmanufactured by 2 French companies. B. cereus group bacteria, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Enterococcus and Leuconostoc spp. were isolated from spoiled products. Thirty-one bacterial isolates representative of the main spoilage species were tested for their spoilage abilities. Significant growth and pH decrease were observed regardless of species. While off-odours were detected with B. cereus group and staphylococci, yoghurt odours were detected with Enterococcus spp. and Leuconostoc spp. B. cereus group bacteria produced various esters and several compounds derived from amino acid and sugar metabolism. Most Staphylococci produced phenolic compounds. Enterococcus spp. and Leuconostoc spp. isolates produced high levels of compounds derived from sugar metabolism. Each type of spoilage bacteria was associated with a specific volatile profile and lactic acid was identified as a potential marker of spoilage of custard cream-based desserts. These findings provide valuable information for manufacturers to improve food spoilage detection and prevention of chilled desserts made with milk and egg
Osteoprotegerin in relation to insulin resistance and blood lipids in sub-Saharan African women with and without abdominal obesity
BackgroundOsteoprotegerin (OPG), a soluble member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily that inhibits bone resorption, has been suggested as a potential marker of cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to assess the relationship between insulin resistance, lipid profile and OPG levels in obese and non-obese sub-Saharan African women.MethodsSixty obese (44) and non-obese (16) volunteer women aged 18 to 40years were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Their clinical (age, height, weight, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures) and biochemical parameters (fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)) were measured using standard methods. Insulin levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, while OPG levels were measured using the ELISA technique. Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), body mass index (BMI) and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated using standard methods. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumferenceââ„â80cm.ResultsOPG levels were higher in obese than in normal subjects, though the difference was not significant (pâ=â0.9). BMI, waist circumference, percent body fat and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher in obese than in non-obese subjects (pâ<â0.05). In these subjects, only age significantly correlated with OPG levels (râ=â0.831, pâ=â0.003), while none of the anthropometric nor metabolic parameter did, even after adjustment for age. In obese subjects, OPG levels fairly correlated with HDL-C (râ=â0.298, pâ=â0.058), and significantly correlated with HOMA-IR (râ=ââ0.438, pâ=â0.018). After adjustment for age, OPG levels remained negatively correlated to HOMA-IR (râ=ââ0.516, pâ=â0.020) and LDL-C (râ=ââ0.535, pâ=â0.015) and positively correlated to HDL-C (râ=â0.615, pâ=â0.004). In multiple linear regression analysis, age was a main determinant of OPG levels in non-obese (ÎČâ=â0.647, pâ=â0.006) and obese (ÎČâ=â0.356, pâ=â0.044) women. HDL-C was also associated to OPG levels in obese women (ÎČâ=â0.535, pâ=â0.009).ConclusionThe positive correlation of OPG with HDL-C and HOMA-IR, and its negative correlation with LDL-C suggest that it may be a marker of insulin sensitivity/resistance and atherogenic risk in obese African women
Association of serum leptin and adiponectin with anthropomorphic indices of obesity, blood lipids and insulin resistance in a Sub-Saharan African population
Abstract Background There is little data on the metabolic effects of adipokines in sub-Saharan African populations. This study aimed to explore the potential relationship of leptin and adiponectin, with obesity, plasma lipids and insulin resistance in a Cameroonian population. Methods We enrolled 167 men and 309 women aged â„18 years from the general population in Cameroon. Data were collected on waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body fat (BF%), fasting blood glucose, plasma lipids, adiponectin, leptin, insulin and homeostasis model for assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Pearsonâs correlation and multiple stepwise linear regression analyses were used to determine correlates of leptin and adiponectin serum levels. Results The prevalence of obesity was higher in women compared to men (p < 0.0001), and Central obesity which is more prevalent particularly in women (WC = 42.4 %, WHR = 42.3 %), is almost for 90 % comparable to %BF (42.7 %). Adiponectin negatively with BMI (r = â0.294, p < 0.0001), WC (r = â0.294, p < 0.0001), %BF (r = â0.122, p = 0.028), WHR (r = â0.143, p = 0.009), triglycerides (r = â0.141, p = 0.011), HOMA-IR (r = â0.145, p = 0.027) and insulin (r = â0.130, p = 0.048). Leptin positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.628), WC (r = 0.530), BF% (r = 0.720), (all p < 0.0001); with DBP (r = 0.112, p = 0.043), total cholesterol (r = 0.324, p < 0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.298, p < 0.0001), insulin (r = 0.320, p < 0.001 and HOMA-IR (r = 0.272, p < 0.0001). In multiple stepwise regression analysis, adiponectin was negatively associated with WC (ÎČ = â0.38, p = 0.001) and BF% (ÎČ = 0.33, p < 0.0001), while leptin was positively associated with BF% (ÎČ = 0.60, p < 0.0001), total cholesterol (ÎČ = 0.11, p = 0.02) and HOMA-IR (ÎČ = 0.11, p = 0.02). When controlled for gender, HOMA-IR was found significantly associated to adiponectin (ÎČ = 0.13, p = 0.046), but not BF%, while the association previously found between leptin and HOMA-IR disappeared; BMI and WC were significantly associated with leptin (ÎČ = 0.18, p = 0.04 & ÎČ = 0.19, p = 0.02 respectively). Conclusion This study, which includes a population who was not receiving potentially confounding medications, confirms the associations previously observed of adiponectin with reduced adiposity especially central adiposity and improved insulin sensitivity. Confirmatory associations were also observed between leptin and obesity, blood lipids and insulin resistance for the first time in an African population. Gender was significant covariate interacting with insulin sensitivity/insulin resistance and obesity indexes associations in this population
Validation of the Body ScanÂź, a new device to detect small fiber neuropathy by assessment of the sudomotor function: agreement with the SudoscanÂź
BackgroundSudomotor dysfunction is one of the earliest manifestations of small fiber neuropathy (SFN), reflecting the alteration of sympathetic C fiber innervation of the sweat glands. Among other techniques, such innervation can be assessed by measuring electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) in microsiemens (ÎŒS). In this study, ESC was measured at the feet to detect distal SFN. For this objective, the performance of a new device, the Body ScanÂź (Withings, France), intended for home use, was compared with that of a reference device, the SudoscanÂź (Impeto Medical, France), which requires a hospital setting.MethodsIn patients with diabetes with or without neuropathy or non-diabetic patients with lower-limb neuropathy, the diagnostic performance of the Body ScanÂź measurement was assessed by calculating its sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) to detect at least moderate SFN (Se70 and Sp70), defined by a value of feet ESCââ€â70âÎŒS andâ>â50âÎŒS on the SudoscanÂź measure, or severe SFN (Se50 and Sp50), defined by a value of feet ESCââ€â50âÎŒS on the SudoscanÂź measure. The agreement between the two devices was assessed with the analysis of BlandâAltman plots, mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) calculations. The repeatability of the measurements was also compared between the two devices.ResultsA total of 147 patients (52% men, mean age 59âyears old, 76% diabetic) were included in the analysis. The sensitivity and specificity to detect at least moderate or severe SFN were: Se70â=â0.91 ([0.83, 0.96]), Sp70â=â0.97 ([0.88, 0.99]), Se50â=â0.91 ([0.80, 0.98]), and Sp50â=â0.99 ([0.94, 1]), respectively. The bias and 95% limits of agreement were 1.5 [â5.4, 8.4]. The MAE was 2.9 and the RMSE 3.8. The intra-sample variability was 2.0 for the Body ScanÂź and 2.3 for the SudoscanÂź.ConclusionThe ESC measurements provided by the Body ScanÂź were in almost perfect agreement with those provided by the reference device, the SudoscanÂź, which validates the accuracy of the Body ScanÂź for the detection of SFN. By enabling simple, rapid, and autonomous use by the patient at home, this new technique will facilitate screening and monitoring of SFN in daily practice.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05178459
Impact de la différence d'ùge entre donneur et receveur sur la fonctionnalité du greffon en transplantation pulmonaire : étude sur une cohorte nationale multicentrique COLT (Cohort of Lung Transplantation)
ThĂšse prĂ©sentĂ©e sous la forme d'une " thĂšse article "Background: Since increase in the age of donors over 65 years, lung transplantation (LTx) teams were faced with the acceptance of donor-derived grafts with a significant age difference from recipient. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of donor-recipient age difference (DA) on the allograft outcome.Methods: Recipients prospectively included between 2009 and 2013 in the French cohort of lung transplantation (COLT) and adjudicated into âstableâ or âCLADâ (chronic lung allograft dysfunction) at 3 years by a panel of experts. Patients were divided into three groups according to DA (DA +10 years). Logistic regression was performed to estimate factors associated with DA. Survival analysis assessed the influence of DA on CLAD specifically.Results: 331 patients were included, 248 stables and 83 CLAD (61 BOS, 16 RAS and 6 mixed). In multivariate analysis DA was not associated with primary graft dysfunction, acute cellular rejection or side effects of immunosuppressive drugs. Survival analysis did not demonstrated DA as a risk factor for CLAD (DA as continue variable: HR 1.01, 95%CI [0.99; 1.04], p=0.25).Conclusion: Our study did not demonstrate early or long-term negative impact of DA on allograft outcome. Age mismatching is not associated with graft failure and appears not be a limiting marginal criterion to lung selection.Contexte : la transplantation pulmonaire (TP) est une thĂ©rapeutique reconnue pour des patients sĂ©lectionnĂ©s ayant une insuffisance respiratoire au stade terminal. Compte tenu des difficultĂ©s dâaccessibilitĂ© Ă la TP pour des candidats toujours plus nombreux, et de plus en plus ĂągĂ©s, et eu Ă©gard Ă lâinadĂ©quation entre le nombre de donneurs et de receveurs sur liste dâattente, des mesures correctives ont Ă©tĂ© prises. Ainsi, les critĂšres dâacceptabilitĂ© des greffons ont Ă©tĂ© progressivement Ă©largis, parmi lesquels lâĂąge limite des donneurs a Ă©tĂ© repoussĂ© au-delĂ de 65 ans. Les Ă©quipes de TP ont Ă©tĂ© ainsi confrontĂ©es Ă lâacceptation des greffons issus de donneurs (D) ayant une diffĂ©rence dâĂąge importante avec le receveur (R), avec un impact mal connu sur la fonctionnalitĂ© du greffon Ă moyen et long terme. Le suivi de la cohorte nationale COLT (COhort in Lung Transplantation) offrait lâopportunitĂ© de rĂ©pondre Ă cette question fondamentale.Patients et mĂ©thodes : Il sâagit dâune Ă©tude prospective sur cohorte rĂ©trospective portant sur des receveurs ayant eu une TP dans 9 centres français de TP habilitĂ©s entre 2009 et 2013, inclus dans la cohorte longitudinale COLT. Ătaient exclus les TP faites en Super-Urgence (SU), les R dĂ©cĂ©dĂ©s dans les 3 ans post TP sans dysfonction chronique du greffon (CLAD) et les rĂ©-transplantations. Les patients Ă©taient rĂ©partis en trois groupes selon la diffĂ©rence dâĂąge D-R (DA) dĂ©finie par lâĂąge du D moins celui du R. 3 groupes ont Ă©tĂ© constituĂ©s : groupe (DA +10) dans lequel le D Ă©tait plus ĂągĂ© que le R de plus de 10 ans ; groupe (DA -10 ; +10) soit un D dont lâĂąge correspondait Ă celui de R Ă +/- 10 ans. Le critĂšre de jugement principal Ă©tait la survenue de CLAD dans les 3 ans post-TP en fonction de la DA. Les objectifs secondaires Ă©taient de prĂ©ciser si la DA impactait la survenue de complications post opĂ©ratoires prĂ©coces (dysfonction primaire du greffon, durĂ©e de ventilation mĂ©canique post-opĂ©ratoire, recours Ă une trachĂ©otomie de sevrage ventilatoire, recours Ă une Ă©puration extra-rĂ©nale,) et tardives Ă 1 an (infections bactĂ©riennes et mycotiques, rejet aigu cellulaire et humoral) et 3 ans (HTA, diabĂšte, insuffisance rĂ©nale, cancer).RĂ©sultats : 331 patients ont Ă©tĂ© inclus, 117 dans le groupe (DA +10). LâĂąge mĂ©dian des R Ă©tait de 47 ans iqr [30 ; 58] et celui des D Ă©tait de 45 ans iqr[31 ; 56]. Une CLAD Ă 3 ans a Ă©tĂ© observĂ©e chez 30% des patients du groupe (DA +10). Il nâa pas Ă©tĂ© trouvĂ© dâimpact significatif de la DA entre D et R sur la survenue de CLAD Ă 3 ans (p=0.28), ni sur le dĂ©lai de dâapparition des critĂšres de CLAD (p=0.33). La DA nâa pas Ă©tĂ© retrouvĂ©e comme un facteur de risque accru de complications prĂ©coces ou tardives.Conclusion : notre Ă©tude, sur une large cohorte de patients transplantĂ©s pulmonaires, rĂ©alisĂ©e en France sur 3 ans nâa pas montrĂ© dâimpact nĂ©gatif Ă court et long termes de la DA sur la fonctionnalitĂ© du greffon aprĂšs une TP. Ces rĂ©sultats confortent le fait que la seule DA nâest pas un facteur pĂ©joratif du rĂ©sultat ultĂ©rieur de la TP
Trends in the delivery of reimbursed nicotine replacement therapies between 2016 and 2019 in France
Microbial Quality of Industrial Liquid Egg White: Assumptions on Spoiling Issues in Egg-Based Chilled Desserts
As a 1st step, this study aimed at investigating the microbial quality of liquid egg white in a French eggprocessing company. Thirty raw and 33 pasteurized liquid egg white samples were analyzed. Pasteurization was globally found efficient on mesophilic contaminants (1.7 ± 1.6 and 0.8 ± 0.9 log CFU/mL in raw and pasteurized samples, respectively), including for the control of Salmonella. However,Gram-positive enterococci were still detected in the pasteurized samples. As a 2nd step, a representative bacterial collection was built for exploring the spoilage issue in egg-based chilled desserts. Custard cream was chosen as growth medium since this food is widely used for the production of French chilled desserts. All of the 166 isolates of the bacterial collection were shown to be able to grow and to induce spoilage of the custard cream at refrigeration temperature (10 °C). Several spoilage types were highlighted in the custard cream, on the basis of changes regarding pH, consistency, production of holes or gas. As a 3rd step, bacterial enzymatic activities were explored on custard cream-based agar media. The bacterial collection was reduced to 43 isolates, based on further selection regarding the genera and the spoilage types previously highlighted. Albeit to different degrees, all these isolates were able to produce proteases. A large part of these isolates also expressed lipolytic and amylolytic activities. This studyemphasizes the need to control egg white contamination and especially with Gram-positive heat-resistant Enterococi, in order to guarantee the shelf life of egg-based chilled desserts
cfxA expression in oral clinical Capnocytophaga isolates
International audienceCapnocytophaga spp. are commensal bacteria involved in oral and systemic diseases, with a variable susceptibility to beta-lactams. The cfxA gene expression level was assessed using quantitative RT-PCR, and reasons of the observed misexpression were discussed, as insertion of foreign genetic material, contributing to dissemination and evolution of antibiotic resistance gene