Establishment of some microflora-associated characteristics in ex-germfree rats and the developmental pattern

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Probiotic Biotherapy for Eradication of a Potential Pathogen in a Commercial Rat Breeding Facility

This study defined a model for biotherapeutic eradication of beta-haemolytic streptococci, group G, in a rat  breeding unit (3100 rats) by use of a strain of Lactobacillus reuteri. The microbe was added to the rats’  drinking water and the genitals of all rats were swabbed three times with a solution of the microbe. After this  procedure undesirable streptococci were not recognized in any animal of this breeding farm.

Intestinal fermentation in patients with self-reported food hypersensitivity: painful, but protective?

Purpose: Enterometabolic disturbances may cause meal-related symptoms. We performed a functional evaluation of the intestinal microflora in patients with unexplained, self-reported food hypersensitivity by measuring fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Patients and methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients with self-reported food hypersensitivity and 15 healthy volunteers of similar age, gender, and body mass index collected all feces for 72 hours. Fecal concentrations of acetic, propionic, n-butyric, i-butyric, n-valeric, i-valeric, n-caproic, and i-caproic acids were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Concentrations and excretions (output) of SCFAs in patients and controls were compared and related to gastrointestinal symptoms. Results: Despite nonsignificant differences between patients and controls for both total and individual SCFA concentrations and excretions, n-butyric acid comprised a higher (P = 0.035) and acetic acid a lower (P = 0.012) proportion of total SCFA in patients compared to controls. There were no significant correlations between symptom scores and concentrations or excretions of individual or total SCFAs, but the proportion of n-butyric acid was significantly higher in patients with severe symptoms compared to patients with moderate symptoms (P = 0.016). Conclusion: The results indicate an enterometabolic disturbance in patients with self-reported food hypersensitivity. Higher proportions of n-butyric acid may be related to abdominal symptom generation, but may also protect against organic bowel disease. Further studies are needed to clarify these aspects

Fekal mikrobiota transplantation - En nygammal behandling

Obalans i tarmens mikrobiota (dysbios) i form av diarréer efter antibiotikabehandling är ett välkänt och svårbehandlat tillstånd. Det mest effektiva sättet att bota är att återskapa balansen i tarmfloran genom att tillföra en ”frisk tarmflora” från en frisk donator i form av en avföringstransplantation. Olika tekniker har utvecklats och vi beskriver bruk av odlad tarmflora (Anaerobic Cultivated Human Intestinal Microbiota, ACHIM). ACHIM har framgångsrikt använts för att behandla antibiotikarelaterade diarréer men också i studiesyfte vid en lång rad tillstånd såsom IBS och nu planeras bl a försök att påverka GUT-BRAIN-axeln hos patienter med alkoholbegär. Kulturen är fri från ESBL-gener och carbapenaser som etablerats efter milleniumskiftet, samt fri från SARS-CoV-2. Vi har visat att ACHIM kan påverka en påvisad eller antagen tarmdysbios. Gemensamt för dessa studier är att majoriteten av patienterna tillfrisknat snabbt och inga allvarliga biverkningar har rapporterats bortsett från mindre körningar i buken och flatulens några dagar

Specific modulation of mucosal immune response, tolerance and proliferation in mice colonized with A. muciniphila

Epithelial cells of the mammalian intestine are covered with a mucus layer that prevents direct contact with intestinal microbes but also constitutes a substrate for mucus-degrading bacteria. To study the effect of mucus degradation on the host response, germ-free mice were colonized with Akkermansia muciniphila. This anaerobic bacterium belonging to the Verrucomicrobia is specialized in the degradation of mucin, the glycoprotein present in mucus, and found in high numbers in the intestinal tract of human and other mammalian species. Efficient colonization of A. muciniphila was observed with highest numbers in the cecum, where most mucin is produced. In contrast, following colonization by Lactobacillus plantarum, a facultative anaerobe belonging to the Firmicutes that ferments carbohydrates, similar cell-numbers were found at all intestinal sites. Whereas A. muciniphila was located closely associated with the intestinal cells, L. plantarum was exclusively found in the lumen. The global transcriptional host response was determined in intestinal biopsies and revealed a consistent, site-specific, and unique modulation of about 750 genes in mice colonized by A. muciniphila and over 1500 genes after colonization by L. plantarum. Pathway reconstructions showed that colonization by A. muciniphila altered mucosal gene expression profiles toward increased expression of genes involved in immune responses and cell fate determination, while colonization by L. plantarum led to up-regulation of lipid metabolism. These indicate that the colonizers induce host responses that are specific per intestinal location. In conclusion, we propose that A. muciniphila modulates pathways involved in establishing homeostasis for basal metabolism and immune tolerance toward commensal microbiota