Microbiological Biodiversity of Regional Cow, Goat and Ewe Milk Cheeses Produced in Poland and Antibiotic Resistance of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Them

(1) Unique sensory values of traditional and regional dairy products made them more and more popular among consumers. Lactic acid bacteria naturally occurring in these products can express antibiotic resistance and be a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in the environment. The aim of the study was to characterize the microbial diversity of twenty regional cheeses produced from non-pasteurized cow, goat and ewe milk, and investigate the phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance (AR) of lactic acid bacteria isolated from these products. (2) Conventional microbiological methods were applied for the enumeration of lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli and lactococci) and their isolation, and for the enumeration of Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae and spores. The disc diffusion method was applied for phenotypic AR. The PCR-based methods were used for strain identification, microbiological diversity of cheeses (PCR-DGGE), and for AR gene detection. (3) Among 79 LAB isolates the most frequent species were L. plantarum (n = 18), Leuc. lactis (n = 17), Lc. lactis (n = 11), Leuc. mesenteroides (n = 9) and L. pentosus (n = 8). Additionally, by using the PCR-DGGE method, DNA of L. casei was found in nine products. Lactobacilli (5.63–8.46 log cfu/g) and lactococci (6.15–8.41 log cfu/g) predominated over Enterococcus (max. 4.89 log cfu/g), Staphylococcus (max. 4.18 log cfu/g), and Enterobacteriaceae (mostly up to 4.88 log cfu/g). Analysis of phenotypic resistance to tetracycline (30 µg), erythromycin (15 µg), and chloramphenicol (30 µg) showed that 29% of LAB isolates were resistant to one antibiotic, 8%—to two, and 12%—to all tested antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance genes (AGR) for tetracycline (tet(M), tet(L), tet(W)), erythromycin (erm(B)) and chloramphenicol (cat-TC) were detected in 30 (38%), 29 (36.7%) and 33 (43.4%) LAB isolates, respectively. Among 31 LAB isolates phenotypically susceptible to all tested antibiotics, only 5 (16%) had no ARGs. (4) The results obtained in our work shed light on the potential threat posed by the widespread presence of ARGs in LAB present in regional cheeses

Phytate Hydrolysate Differently Modulates the Immune Response of Human Healthy and Cancer Colonocytes to Intestinal Bacteria

(1) Phytic acid (PA) is a component of cereal seeds and legumes, therefore its consumption is much higher in a vegan and vegetarian diet compared to a conventional diet. The diet is the main driver of metabolic activity of gut microbiota, therefore, the ability to degrade phytates by the microbiota of vegans significantly exceeds that of the gut microbiota of omnivores. The aim of the study was to investigate the early phase of the immune response of colonocytes treated with an enzymatic hydrolysate of phytic acid (hPA120) and gut bacteria. (2) Cell lines derived from healthy (NCM460D) and cancer (HCT116) colonic tissue and fecal bacteria from vegan (V) and omnivorous (O) donors were investigated. Fecal bacteria were grown in mucin and phytic acid supplemented medium. Cultured bacteria (BM) were loaded onto colonocytes alone (V BM and O BM) or in combination with the phytate hydrolysate (V BM + hPA120 and O BM + hPA120). After a treatment of 2 h, bacterial adhesion, secretion of cytokines, and the expression of genes and proteins important for immune response were determined. (3) All bacteria-treated colonocytes increased the expression of IL8 compared to controls. The significant increase of the secreted IL-8 (p p p > 0.05) were stated. A comparison of solely the effect of hPA120 on bacteria-treated colonocytes (BM vs. BM + hPA120) showed that hPA120 decreased expression of NFkB1 and TNFR (p TLR4 and IL1R increased after BM + hPA120 treatment, whereas the secretion of IL-8 and MYD88 and TNFR expression decreased (p < 0.01). (4) The investigated hPA120 showed a differentiated modulatory activity on the immune response of healthy and cancer human colonocytes. Especially when analyzed independently on the gut bacteria origin, it reduced the proinflammatory response of HCT116 cells to gut bacteria, while being neutral for the bacteria-treated healthy colonocytes

The Effect of Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin on Faecal Bacterial Counts and Microbiota-Associated Characteristics in Celiac Disease Children Following a Gluten-Free Diet: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Celiac disease (CD) is associated with intestinal microbiota alterations. The administration of prebiotics could be a promising method of restoring gut homeostasis in CD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of prolonged oligofructose-enriched inulin (Synergy 1) administration on the characteristics and metabolism of intestinal microbiota in CD children following a gluten-free diet (GFD). Thirty-four paediatric CD patients (mean age 10 years; 62% females) on a GFD were randomized into two experimental groups receiving Synergy 1 (10 g/day) or placebo (maltodextrin; 7 g/day) for 3 months. The quantitative gut microbiota characteristics and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration were analysed. In addition, side effects were monitored. Generally, the administration of Synergy 1 in a GFD did not cause any side effects. After the intervention period, Bifidobacterium count increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) in the Synergy 1 group. Moreover, an increase in faecal acetate and butyrate levels was observed in the prebiotic group. Consequently, total SCFA levels were 31% higher than at the baseline. The presented trial shows that Synergy 1 applied as a supplement of a GFD had a moderate effect on the qualitative characteristics of faecal microbiota, whereas it stimulated the bacterial metabolite production in CD children

Increased prevalence of eating disorders as a biopsychosocial implication of food allergy

<div><p>Introduction</p><p>The study evaluates the impact of biopsychosocial factors involved in food allergy (FA) on the prevalence of eating disorders (ED). For the 5-year follow-up studies, 75 participants (aged 1–14 years) with early-onset FA and 81 healthy peers were included.</p><p>Method</p><p>Participants were diagnosed with FA using antibody/cytokine content immunoassay tests. Medical history, including BMI <i>z</i>-scores, was completed using data obtained in response to a validated allergic questionnaire that incorporated the SCOFF and EAT-8 screening questionnaires for ED. FA was confirmed if total IgE was elevated, specific sIgE to food allergens exceeded 0.7 kUA/L and if manifestations were observed. Screening for ED was considered positive if two or more SCOFF and EAT-8 items were confirmed.</p><p>Results</p><p>In the FA⁺ group, 50% of female participants and 6.7% of their healthy female peers reported ED. An ED⁺ result was more frequent in FA⁺ individuals than in their healthy peers (<i>p</i> = 0.046) although the association is weak. In the FA⁺/ED⁺ group, 25.3% of the participants were underweight, and 14.7% were overweight compared to their peers where this reached respectively 4.2% and 2.8% (<i>p</i><0.005). 74% of the FA⁺/ED⁺ individuals reported elimination diet implementation and only 15% declared it was medically consulted. The prevalence of ED in the FA⁺ male group was consistently correlated with lack of confidence in FA issues (r = 0.5424) and in the FA⁺ female group with applied medical procedures (r = 0.7069; <i>p</i><0.005).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>These findings suggest that participants with FA especially struggling with lack of confidence in FA issues and those following an uncontrolled, restrictive elimination diet are more prone to food aversion and ED than their healthy peers. Applied procedures are necessary, and their neglect is associated with FA deterioration; however, the possibility of ED and biopsychosocial implications development should not be underestimated.</p></div

Prevalence of disordered eating ED⁺ (stated if both SCOFF and EAT-8 were positive) in groups categorized by age, gender, new-born feeding type, weight status, type of allergy syndromes, diagnostic method and implemented therapy.

<p>Prevalence of disordered eating ED⁺ (stated if both SCOFF and EAT-8 were positive) in groups categorized by age, gender, new-born feeding type, weight status, type of allergy syndromes, diagnostic method and implemented therapy.</p

Allergic problem awareness and eating attitude factors in the FA⁺/ED⁺ groups with body weight abnormalities.

<p>Parameters such as oral control, dieting behaviour and body image were evaluated based on affirmative answers to the questions in the ED tests and the additional questions in the form for assessing the psychosocial status of patients with allergies. Insufficient allergy problem awareness was reported based on incorrect answers on at least five questions devoted to allergy problems.</p

Nutritional status of subjects and clinical parameters (allergic and inflammatory markers) in men and women by health status categories.

<p>Nutritional status of subjects and clinical parameters (allergic and inflammatory markers) in men and women by health status categories.</p

Odds ratios (OR) for ED prevalence in particular food allergy groups of males and females, compared to the correct weight category children adjusted for Adj.1: new-born feeding type, parent-reported food allergy, residence and Adj.2: Used allergy diagnostic method, dominant allergy symptoms, and therapy implementation.

<p>Odds ratios (OR) for ED prevalence in particular food allergy groups of males and females, compared to the correct weight category children adjusted for Adj.1: new-born feeding type, parent-reported food allergy, residence and Adj.2: Used allergy diagnostic method, dominant allergy symptoms, and therapy implementation.</p

Demographic and descriptive parameters of subjects during the recruitment and the 5-year follow-up phases of the study, according to health status categories.

<p>Demographic and descriptive parameters of subjects during the recruitment and the 5-year follow-up phases of the study, according to health status categories.</p