Clinical application of a rapid microbiological test based on capillary zone electrophoresis to assess local skin infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The basic clinical problem associated with infection treatment is the fact that classic, commonly and routinely used isolation and identification methods are based on long-term processes of a phenotypic analysis of microorganisms. Consequently sometimes, especially in small centres, rapid implementation of antibacterial treatment becomes delayed.</p> <p>The work presents the initial results of rapid microbiological identification based on an original method of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The study involved the analysis of 78 biological samples from post-operative wounds and trophic ulcers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The attempt was made to identify individual bacterial species based on characteristic features of electropherograms achieved. Finally, G(+) cocci type bacteria and different G(-) rods were identified with sensitivity of 88.1% and specificity of 100%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the clinical trials using an electrophoretic technique in the field of microbiological diagnostics of infected exudate from a post-operative wound it can be concluded that it is a rapid and relatively sensitive method for initial identification of infectious pathogens.</p

Antibody responses in furunculosis patients vaccinated with autologous formalin-killed Staphylococcus aureus

Autologous vaccines (short: autovaccines) have been used since the beginning of the 20th century to treat chronic staphylococcal infections, but their mechanisms of action are still obscure. This prospective pilot study involved four patients with furunculosis who were vaccinated with autologous formalin-killed Staphylococcus aureus cells. Vaccines were individually prepared from the infecting S. aureus strain and repeatedly injected subcutaneously in increasing doses over several months. We characterized the virulence gene repertoire and spa genotype of the infecting and colonising S. aureus strains. Serum antibody responses to secreted and surface-bound bacterial antigens were determined by two-dimensional immunoblotting and flow-cytometry based assays (Luminex®). All patients reported clinical improvement. Molecular characterization showed that all strains isolated from one patient over time belonged to the same S. aureus clone. Already before treatment, there was robust antibody binding to a broad range of staphylococcal antigens. Autovaccination moderately boosted the IgG response to extracellular antigens in two patients, while the antibody response of the other two patients was not affected. Similarly, vaccination moderately enhanced the antibody response against some staphylococcal surface proteins, e.g. ClfA, ClfB, SdrD and SdrE. In summary, autovaccination only slightly boosted the pre-existing serum antibody response, predominantly to bacterial surface antigens

Właściwości antybakteryjne olejków eterycznych z rozmarynu lekarskiego, kminku zwyczajnego oraz kopru włoskiego.

Recently, interest in essential oils used in natural medicine, has been increasing. Essential oils are still being tested for their potential uses as an alternative remedies for the treatment of many infectious diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate antibacterial properties of commercial essential oils (rosemary, caraway and fennel) to reduce the number of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity of essential oils was investigated by agar dilution method. The result of experiments showed that essential oils contained in microbiological media significantly reduced the number of S. aureus and E. coli cells. The best antibacterial properties possessed caraway oil: 1 mg/g for S. aureus and 10 mg/g for E. coli, weaker rosemary (5 mg/g) and fennel (20 mg/g) oils. Results confirmed the inhibiting effect of commercial essential oils on S. aureus and E. coli and provide a scientific ground for future research.W ostatnich latach notuje się wzrost zainteresowania olejkami eterycznymi, które są stosowane w medycynie naturalnej. Ich potencjalne zastosowanie jako alternatywnych środków w leczeniu chorób infekcyjnych wciąż jest badane. Celem niniejszej pracy była ocena właściwości antybakteryjnych komercyjnych olejków eterycznych (rozmarynu lekarskiego, kminku zwyczajnego i kopru włoskiego) w stosunku do Staphylococcus aureus i Escherichia coli. Aktywność antybakteryjną olejków badano z wykorzystaniem metody rozcieńczeń w agarze. Wykazano, iż olejki eteryczne zawarte w podłożach mikrobiologicznych działają hamująco na wzrost S. aureus i E. coli. Najlepsze właściwości przeciwbakteryjne posiadał olejek eteryczny z kminku zwyczajnego w rozcieńczeniu 1 mg/g dla S. aureus i 10 mg/g dla E. coli. Nieco słabszy efekt uzyskano dla olejku rozmarynowego i olejku z kopru włoskiego: 5 mg/g (S. aureus) i 20 mg/g (E. coli). Wyniki potwierdziły hamujący wpływ komercyjnych olejków eterycznych na wzrost S. aureus i E. coli i stanowią podstawę do przeprowadzenia dalszych badań

Clonal Distribution of Superantigen Genes in Clinical Staphylococcus aureus Isolates▿ †

Staphylococcus aureus is both a successful human commensal and a major pathogen. The elucidation of the molecular determinants of virulence, in particular assessment of the contributions of the genetic background versus those of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), has proved difficult in this variable species. To address this, we simultaneously determined the genetic backgrounds (spa typing) and the distributions of all 19 known superantigens and the exfoliative toxins A and D (multiplex PCR) as markers for MGEs. Methicillin- sensitive S. aureus strains from Pomerania, 107 nasal and 88 blood culture isolates, were investigated. All superantigen-encoding MGEs were linked more or less tightly to the genetic background. Thus, each S. aureus clonal complex was characterized by a typical repertoire of superantigen and exfoliative toxin genes. However, within each S. aureus clonal complex and even within the same spa type, virulence gene profiles varied remarkably. Therefore, virulence genes of nasal and blood culture isolates were separately compared in each clonal complex. The results indicated a role in infection for the MGE harboring the exfoliative toxin D gene. In contrast, there was no association of superantigen genes with bloodstream invasion. In summary, we show here that the simultaneous assessment of virulence gene profiles and the genetic background increases the discriminatory power of genetic investigations into the mechanisms of S. aureus pathogenesis