Comparison of Methods for Detection of Blastocystis Infection in Routinely Submitted Stool Samples, and also in IBS/IBD Patients in Ankara, Turkey

BACKGROUND: This study compared diagnostic methods for identifying Blastocystis in stool samples, and evaluated the frequency of detection of Blastocystis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: From a set of 105 stool specimens submitted for routine parasitological analysis, 30 were identified as positive for Blastocystis by the culture method. From that group of 30 positives, Lugol's stain, trichrome staining, and an immunofluorescence assay identified 11, 15, and 26 samples as positive respectively. Using culture as a standard, the sensitivity of Lugol's stain was 36.7%, trichrome staining was 50%, and the IFA stain was 86.7%. The specificity of Lugol's stain was 91%, trichrome staining was 100%, and the IFA stain was 97.3%. In the group of 27 IBS and IBD patients, using all methods combined, we detected Blastocystis in 67% (18/27) of the patients. Blastocystis was detected in 33% (2/6) of IBD patients and 76% (16/21) of IBS patients. For comparison, trichrome staining alone, the method most frequently used in many countries, would have only identified Blastocystis infection in 29% (6/21) of the IBS patients. No parasitic co-infections were identified in the IBS/IBD patients. Most Blastocystis-positive IBS/IBD patients were over 36 with an average length of illness of 4.9 years. CONCLUSIONS: Most IBS patients in this study were infected with Blastocystis. IFA staining may be a useful alternative to stool culture, especially if stool specimens have been chemically preserved

Investigation Of Gelatinase Gene Expression And Growth Of Enterococcus Faecalis Clinical Isolates In Biofilm Models

Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is the major reason for biofilm-related infections and it also interacts with Staphylococcus aureus in biofilms. Gelatinase (gelE) enzyme is an important virulence factor of E. faecalis for biofilm formation. This study aimed to compare the biofilm producing E. faecalis isolates from urine and urinary catheters. The influence of S. aureus on the growth of E. faecalis biofilm cells was also investigated in a dual biofilm model in vitro. Another aim was to evaluate E. faecalis gelE gene expression during biofilm formation. Materials and Methods: Firstly, crystal violet staining was used to measure the total biofilm biomass of the isolates. Secondly, plate counting was performed to determine the biofilm formation ability of E. faecalis isolates and the effect of S. aureus on E. faecalis biofilm formation. Finally, the gelE expression profile of the isolates was assessed by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction. Results: According to crystal violet staining and plate counting, all E. faecalis isolates were biofilm producers and the number of E. faecalis sessile cells increased in the presence of S. aureus. Among the 21 E. faecalis isolates, ten expressed high levels of the gelE gene, while eight of them had low expression profiles (p<0.05). Conclusion: When they grow together, S. aureus may give some advantages to E. faecalis such as increasing sessile cell growth. The expression of the gelE gene was not affected by E. faecalis biofilm formation of the isolates collected from the patients with urinary tract infections.WoSScopu

Evaluation Of Antimicrobial Durability And Anti-Biofilm Effects In Urinary Catheters Against Enterococcus Faecalis Clinical Isolates And Reference Strains

Background: Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans biofilms are major causes of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Antimicrobial-coated or impregnated urinary catheters are seen as a possible way to prevent these infections. Aims: To determine the biofilm-forming ability of 89 E. faecalis isolates from urinary tract infections and to compare several urinary catheters for antimicrobial durability and the inhibitory effects on biofilm formation of different laboratory strains and clinical isolates of E. faecalis. Study Design: In vitro experimental study. Methods: The biofilm forming ability of E. faecalis isolates was determined by the crystal violet staining and plate counting methods. For comparison of urinary catheters, biofilms of 45 E. faecalis isolates from the catheter samples of hospitalized patients and five laboratory strains of E. coli ATCC25922, S. epidermidis ATCC35984, P. aeruginosa ATCC27853, E. faecalis ATCC29212 and C. albicans ATCC90028 were formed on the catheters in 24-well tissue culture plates. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to observe biofilms. Results: All 89 E. faecalis isolates were found to be biofilm positive. Nitrofurazone-impregnated catheters significantly reduced the cell counts of E. faecalis isolates and completely inhibited the formation of P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis biofilms compared with the others. Regarding reduction of biofilm cell counts, a hydrophilic-coated catheter was more effective against P. aeruginosa, whereas a silver-coated catheter was found to be more effective against S. epidermidis. The nitrofurazone-impregnated catheter had the best antimicrobial durability. Conclusion: Urine isolates of E. faecalis had considerable ability with respect to biofilm formation. The nitrofurazone-impregnated catheter was the most effective against all tested bacteria; however, the effect of a hydrophilic or silver-coated catheter depends on the species present in it.PubMedWoSScopu

Evaluation of the natural killer cytotoxicity and the levels of cytokines in rats with type I diabetes mellitus

Type I diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent DM = IDDM) is a chronic disease characterized by specific destruction of pancreatic β cells, resulting in an absolute lack of insulin. Immune mechanisms, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors are all implicated in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes. This study was aimed at determining the efficiency of cytokines, natural killer (NK) cells in the pathophysiology of IDDM. Therefore, we evaluated the plasma levels of cytokines by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the cytotoxicity activity of NK cells by anti-candididal index in rats with type I diabetes. We found that the cytotoxicity activity of NK cells in IDDM groups significantly decreased compared to the control groups. The levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in IDDM groups were slightly higher than in healthy controls. These results indicate that the changes of TH1 type cytokines such as IFN-γ and NK cell activity can play a role in the etiology of IDDM. The data may provide new strategies for the treatment of IDDM