Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 Modulates Immune Responses in a Gliadin-Induced Enteropathy Animal Model

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten proteins (gliadin) that involves innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, we hypothesise that the administration of Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, previously selected for reducing gliadin immunotoxic effects in vitro, could exert protective effects in an animal model of gliadin-induced enteropathy. The effects of this bacterium were evaluated in newborn rats fed gliadin alone or sensitised with interferon (IFN)-γ and fed gliadin. Jejunal tissue sections were collected for histological, NFκB mRNA expression and cytokine production analyses. Leukocyte populations and T-cell subsets were analysed in peripheral blood samples. The possible translocation of the bacterium to different organs was determined by plate counting and the composition of the colonic microbiota was quantified by real-time PCR. Feeding gliadin alone reduced enterocyte height and peripheral CD4+ cells, but increased CD4+/Foxp3+ T and CD8+ cells, while the simultaneous administration of B. longum CECT 7347 exerted opposite effects. Animals sensitised with IFN-γ and fed gliadin showed high cellular infiltration, reduced villi width and enterocyte height. Sensitised animals also exhibited increased NFκB mRNA expression and TNF-α production in tissue sections. B. longum CECT 7347 administration increased NFκB expression and IL-10, but reduced TNF-α, production in the enteropathy model. In sensitised gliadin-fed animals, CD4+, CD4+/Foxp3+ and CD8+ T cells increased, whereas the administration of B. longum CECT 7347 reduced CD4+ and CD4+/Foxp3+ cell populations and increased CD8+ T cell populations. The bifidobacterial strain administered represented between 75–95% of the total bifidobacteria isolated from all treated groups, and translocation to organs was not detected. These findings indicate that B. longum attenuates the production of inflammatory cytokines and the CD4+ T-cell mediated immune response in an animal model of gliadin-induced enteropathy

Hyposmia after vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis - case story

Introduction: During last several years the number of vaccination against infectious diseases increased. Therefore, it is expected to meet new adverse effects of this kind of prevention. In a case story we report a patient with hyposmia after receiving tick-borne encephalitis vaccine. Methods: Woman, 59 years old, came to our department due to loss of smell after vaccination against tick-born encephalitis. The vaccine was applied two weeks ago. She reported olfactory decrease second day after the vaccination. Other side effect symptoms of the vaccination were present as well - headache and tiredness. Regular ENT examination was performed including rhinoendoscopy and smell testing (OMT and Sniffin' Sticks Test). Patient underwent regular examination at neurology and infectology. X-ray of paranasal sinuses and MRI of head were performed. Smell testing was performed one month later. Results: There was no pathology found at ENT and neurological examination. Smell testing proved hyposmia in both tests (OMT 8 points, Sniffin' Sticks TDI 23.25 points). Serological analysis of antibody against tick-born encephalitis was negative and X-ray and MRI did not show any possible cause of smell loss. No systemic treatment was prescribed. One month later patient reported slight improvement of sense of smell. This was not proved by olfactometry (OMT 9 points, Sniffin' Sticks TDI 24.25 points). Conclusion: We present a patient with hyposmia after vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. The question remains, whether this was caused by vaccine itself or this was coincidence of other etiology (postviral). Nevertheless, smell deterioration should be considered as a possible adverse effect of vaccination against tick-born encephalitis. Supported by: Grant project of the Ministry of Heath of the Czech Rebulic (No.1A/8667-4