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

Perception of the inltlation and evolutlon of symptomatology in hospitalized patients with cancer of the digestive tract

El estudio de las características del intervalo entre el primer síntoma y el diagnóstico del cáncer viene condicionado por la forma en que el paciente percibe y refiere la aparición de los signos y síntomas iniciales. El propósito de este estudio fue analizar los factores que influyen en dicha percepción. Para ello se entrevistaron 68 pacientes con neoplasia máligna del tubo digestivo, sintomáticos, ingresados en el Hospital del Mar de Barcelona, mediante un cuestionario estandarizado. El tiempo de aparición de toda la sintomatología fue de una semana en el 38 % de los pacientes, igual o inferior a un mes en el 53 %, e igual o inferior a 3 meses en el 75 %. Un 76 % de los enfermos acudieron al médico por el primer síntoma. Los síntomas que con mayor frecuencia motivaron la primera visita al médico por el proceso neoplásico fueron los hemorrágicos y los de aparición brusca o violenta; los síntomas menos asociados a la primera visita fueron el dolor abdominal y la anorexia. Sólo 5 enfermos manifestaron haber asociado el síntoma inicial a una enfermedad nueva y grave, el 61 % manifestaron no haber atribuido ninguna importancia al primer síntoma, un 15 % lo asociaron a otra enfermedad anterior, y un 17 % a una enfermedad nueva pero de carácter leve. Las mujeres refirieron 4 síntomas de mediana frente a 2 en los hombres (p<0,04). Mientras que el número de síntomas fue discretamente superior entre los pacientes no fumadores y en los afectos de un cáncer de estómago, no guardó relación con el nivel de estudios ni con el grado de diseminación de la neoplasia. Los primeros síntomas producidos por una enfermedad cancerosa no suelen relacionarse con una situación grave por el paciente, lo cual retrasa el diagnóstico. Es importante prestar atención a la percepción de los síntomas por los pacientes, así como a su forma de comunicarlos

Citizens' perceptions of the presence and health risks of synthetic chemicals in food: results of an online survey in Spain

Objective: To explore factors influencing perceptions and viewpoints on the responsibility for the presence of toxic substances in food, on enforcement of laws and regulations that control human exposure to toxic substances in food, and on the effectiveness of such regulations. Methods: An online survey was completed by 740 individuals from several parts of Spain (median age, 47 years; 67% were women; 70% had completed university studies). Results: Over 87% of respondents said that it was possible that throughout their lives they could have accumulated in their body toxic substances potentially dangerous to their health. The attribution of the responsibility for toxic substances in food to a larger number of social groups was more frequent among respondents who consulted information about the problem more often (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92), who correctly identified factors that increase the likelihood of toxic substances in food being harmful to human health (OR: 2.86), who better knew the health problems that may be caused by such substances (OR: 2.48), and who recognised more food groups that tend to have concentrations of toxic substances potentially harmful to health (OR: 2.92) (all p values <0.001). Women were 65% less likely than men to answer that regulations on toxic substances in food are effective (p < 0.001); and so were participants who identified more food groups with potentially toxic concentrations. Conclusions: Among study participants there was a widespread scepticism and distrust towards the enforcement and effectiveness of laws and regulations that in Spain aim to control human exposure to toxic substances in food

Incidencia y mortalidad por infarto agudo de miocardio en la población mayor de 60 años del área de Tarragona

Background: Population-based data available about the epidemiology of acute myocardial infarction is limited. This study investigated incidence and mortality from infarction among the general population over 60 years in Tarragona. Methods: Cohort study that included 27,204 individuals ≥60 years assigned to nine Primary Care Centers in the Tarragones county (Catalonia, Spain), who were prospectively followed between 01/12/2008 and 30/11/2011. During follow-up, all presumptive episodes of infarction were recruited among cohort members, but only confirmed cases (electrocardiogram and biomarkers confirmation) were included. Results: There were an amount of 359 confirmed episodes of infarction, which means a global incidence rate of 475 episodes per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 428-527). Incidence was 681 in men and 311in women (p<0.001). According to age, incidence was 277 in 60-69, 632 in 70-79 and 690 per 100,000 in ≥80 years (p<0.001). Incidence was 2,844 cases per 100,000 person-years among those persons whom had history of prior coronary artery disease. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 15.3%, in male 14.9% and in female 16.0% (p=0.776). Conclusion: Incidence was 2.2 times higher in men than in woman and increased considerable by age. It was greater among patients with prior history of coronary artery disease. Mortality was slightly lower in men than in women.Fundamentos: La información procedente de datos de base poblacional sobre la epidemiología del infarto agudo de miocardio es limitada. Este estudio analizó la incidencia y mortalidad por infarto en la población general mayor de 60 años del área sanitaria de Tarragona. Métodos: Estudio de cohortes que incluyó a 27.204 personas ≥60 años adscritas a 9 Áreas Básicas de Salud en la comarca del Tarragonés. Se realizó un seguimiento prospectivo durante 3 años, en los que se registraron todos los episodios de infarto diagnosticados entre los miembros de la cohorte desde 01/12/2008 a 30/11/2011. Se incluyeron exclusivamente los episodios con diagnóstico validado tras revisión de la historia clínica, se excluyeron los casos sin confirmación electrocardiográfica y por biomarcadores. Resultados: Hubo un total de 359 episodios confirmados de infarto, lo cual supuso una incidencia de 475 episodios por 100.000 personas-año (IC 95%: 428-527). La incidencia en hombres fue de 681 por 100.000 y en mujeres de 311 (p<0,001). Por edad fue 277 en el grupo de 60-69, 632 en el de 70-79 y 690 por 100.000 en los sujetos de ≥80 años (p<0,001). La incidencia en las personas con diagnóstico previo de cardiopatía isquémica fue de 2.844 casos por 100.000 personas-año. La mortalidad a los 30 días tras el diagnóstico alcanzó el 15,3%, en hombres 14,9% y en mujeres 16,0% (p=0,776). Conclusiones: La incidencia fue 2,2 veces mayor en hombres que en mujeres y aumentó considerablemente con la edad. También fue superior entre las personas con diagnóstico previo de cardiopatía isquémica. La mortalidad fue ligeramente más baja en hombres que en mujeres

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

Background: 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.Results: 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. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant species in milk and feces of breast-fed infants while it was less prevalent in those of formula fed-infants. Enterococcus faecalis 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 icaD gene and the mecA gene were only detected in a low number of the S. epidermidis strains. Several enterococcal isolates were also characterized and none of them contained the cylA or the vanABDEG antibiotic-resistance genes. All were sensitive to vancomycin.Conclusion: The presence of S. epidermidis 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

Citizens' perceptions of the presence and health risks of synthetic chemicals in food: results of an online survey in Spain

OBJECTIVE: To explore factors influencing perceptions and viewpoints on the responsibility for the presence of toxic substances in food, on enforcement of laws and regulations that control human exposure to toxic substances in food, and on the effectiveness of such regulations. METHODS: An online survey was completed by 740 individuals from several parts of Spain (median age, 47 years; 67% were women; 70% had completed university studies). RESULTS: Over 87% of respondents said that it was possible that throughout their lives they could have accumulated in their body toxic substances potentially dangerous to their health. The attribution of the responsibility for toxic substances in food to a larger number of social groups was more frequent among respondents who consulted information about the problem more often (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92), who correctly identified factors that increase the likelihood of toxic substances in food being harmful to human health (OR: 2.86), who better knew the health problems that may be caused by such substances (OR: 2.48), and who recognised more food groups that tend to have concentrations of toxic substances potentially harmful to health (OR: 2.92) (all p values <0.001). Women were 65% less likely than men to answer that regulations on toxic substances in food are effective (p<0.001); and so were participants who identified more food groups with potentially toxic concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Among study participants there was a widespread scepticism and distrust towards the enforcement and effectiveness of laws and regulations that in Spain aim to control human exposure to toxic substances in food.This study is part of the interdisciplinary project “Cuerpos Tóxicos y Etnoepidemiología Sociocultural de la Contaminación Interna por Compuestos Tóxicos Persistentes (CTP) en España” (“Toxic Bodies and Sociocultural Ethnoepidemiology of the Internal Contamination by Persistent Toxic Substances in Spain”), led by C. Larrea and M. Porta, partly funded by Programa Nacional de Proyectos de Investigación Fundamental (National Programme for Fundamental Research Projects), Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (CSO 2010/18661). Funding was also provided by research grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III–FEDER (FIS PI13/00020 and CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública−CIBERESP), Government of Spain; the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona; the Government of Catalonia (2009 SGR 1350 and 2014 SGR 1012); and Fundació La Marató de TV3 (20132910)