SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “FECES, IMPACTED”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

PubMed2007

Partial characterization of bacteriocins produced by human Lactococcus lactis and Pediococccus acidilactici isolates.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to isolate bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from human intestine. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 111 LAB were isolated from human adult stool and screened for their bacteriocin production. Neutralized cell-free supernatants from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis MM19 and Pediococcus acidilactici MM33 showed antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobials in the supernatant from a culture of L. lactis inhibited Enterococcus faecium, various species of Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus aureus; while those in the supernatant from a culture of P. acidilactici inhibited Enterococcus spp., some lactobacilli and various serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes. The antimicrobial metabolites were heat-stable and were active over a pH range of 2-10. The antimicrobial activities of the supernatants of both bacteria were inhibited by many proteases but not by catalase. The plate overlay assay allowed an approximation of size between 3.5 and 6 kDa for both antimicrobial substances. CONCLUSIONS: As the antagonistic factor(s) produced by L. lactis MM19 and P. acidilactici MM33 were sensitive to proteolytic enzymes, it could be hypothesized that bacteriocins were involved in the inhibitory activities. Inhibition spectrum and biochemical analysis showed that these bacteria produced two distinct bacteriocins. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: We are the first to isolate bacteriocin-producing strains of Pediococcus and Lactococcus from human intestine. These strains might be useful for control of enteric pathogens.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2005

[Review and guidelines for treatment of diarrhea caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus].

In Chile Vibrio parahaemolyticus has been detected in 3 gastroenteritis outbreaks since 1998. The most recent outbreak occurred during the summer of 2005, affecting over 10,000 people of whom one died. Affected individuals presented with one or more of the following symptoms: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and/or fever. Fecal white blood cells were detected in only 6% of patients. The predominant serotype in the 3 outbreaks was the pandemic O3:K6 strain. Diagnosis was confirmed by isolation and identification of V. parahaemolyticus in stool cultures and/or by establishing an epidemiological link. V. parahaemolyticus isolates were 100% susceptible to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol, and universally resistant to ampicillin. Due to the public health impact of the 2005 outbreak, the Ministry of Health called for a National Task Force mandated to review epidemiological, clinical and microbiological features of the outbreak and to propose management guidelines.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Determination of faecal pollutants in Torrens and Patawalonga catchment waters in South Australia using faecal sterols.

This research investigated faecal pollution by sterol profiling in two Adelaide metropolitan catchments in winter 2000 and summer 2001. Water was sampled from five sites on the River Torrens and two sites on Patawalonga river catchment. The steroids detected were coprostanol, epicoprostanol, cholesterol, cholestanol, stigmasterol, betasitosterol, and stigmastanol. The concentrations range from 5 ng/L (of coprostanol) to 34 microg/L (of stigmasterol), with cholesterol detected more frequently at relatively high concentrations (approximately 2 microg/L). Sterol profiling suggested two sites on two occasions may have been impacted by human faecal contamination. Other steroid profiles suggested that sources of pollution consistently included dogs and birds. The steroid concentrations in the Torrens catchment were higher in winter, however, this was not observed in the Patawalonga catchment.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Impact of a viral respiratory epidemic on the practice of medicine and rehabilitation: severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new respiratory viral epidemic that originated in China but has affected many parts of the world, with devastating impact on economies and the practice of medicine and rehabilitation. A novel coronavirus has been implicated, with transmission through respiratory droplets. Rehabilitation was significantly affected by SARS, because strict infection control measures run counter to principles such as multidisciplinary interactions, patients encouraging and learning from each other, and close physical contact during therapy. Immunocompromised patients who may silently carry SARS are common in rehabilitation and include those with renal failure, diabetes, and cancer. Routine procedures such as management of feces and respiratory secretions (eg, airway suctioning, tracheotomy care) have been classified as high risk. Personal protection equipment presented not only a physical but also a psychologic barrier to therapeutic human contact. Visitor restriction to decrease chances of disease transmission are particularly difficult for long-staying rehabilitation patients. At the height of the epidemic, curtailment of patient movement stopped all transfers for rehabilitation, and physiatrists had to function as general internists. Our experiences strongly suggest that rehabilitation institutions should have emergency preparedness plans because such epidemics may recur, whether as a result of nature or of bioterrorism.

Communicable Diseases, Emerging↗

PubMed2005

Comparative immunomodulatory properties of a chitosan-MDP adjuvant combination following intranasal or intramuscular immunisation.

As the precise functions of adjuvants become clearer, opportunities are presented in their complementary use for the induction of tailored immune responses to subunit vaccines. Here we comparatively investigate the immunological outcome following intranasal or intramuscular immunisation with Helicobacter pylori urease admixed to a chitosan and muramyl di-peptide (MDP) combination. MDP appeared to limit the antigenicity of rUre by either administration route. Nasal administration of the combined adjuvant formulation resulted in an up-regulation of type I recall responses in splenocytes as opposed to adjuvantisation with chitosan alone. In contrast, intramuscular immunisation appeared to limit the responsiveness to the antigen when adjuvanted with chitosan and even more so when chitosan was combined with MDP, suggesting that the mechanism of adjuvantisation and adjuvant synergy differed depending on the immunisation route. Recognising the benefit of improved delivery of MDP intranasally due to the specific physiological effects of chitosan, we discuss the impact of the newly identified pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) role of MDP with respect to the adjuvanticity of proposed chemical variants of this peptide adjuvant.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

PubMed2002

Enumeration of faecal coliforms from recreational coastal sites: evaluation of techniques for the separation of bacteria from sediments.

AIMS: To identify the most efficient techniques for the separation of micro-organisms from coastal sediments and, using these techniques, to determine the concentration of faecal indicator organisms in recreational coastal water and sediment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sediment samples were taken from a range of recreational coastal sites and subjected to various physical techniques to separate micro-organisms from sediment particles. Techniques investigated included manual shaking, treatment by sonication bath for 6 and 10 min, respectively, and by sonication probe for 15 s and 1 min, respectively. The use of the sonication bath for 10 min was the most successful method for removing micro-organisms from sediment particles where sediments consisted mainly of sand. When sediments contained considerable proportions of silt and clay, however, manual shaking was most successful. Faecal coliforms were then enumerated by membrane filtration in both water and sediment from three recreational coastal sites, chosen to represent different physical sediment characteristics, over a 12-month period. Faecal coliform concentrations were generally greater in sediment compared with overlying water for all samples. This was most evident in sediment consisting of greater silt/clay and organic carbon content. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the importance of sediment characteristics in determining the most efficient method for the separation of micro-organisms from coastal sediments. Sediment characteristics were also found to influence the persistence of micro-organisms in coastal areas. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Recreational coastal sediments can act as a reservoir for faecal coliforms; therefore, sampling only overlying water may greatly underestimate the risk of exposure to potentially pathogenic micro-organisms in recreational waters.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

PubMed2003

Development of an immunomagnetic separation-polymerase chain reaction (IMS-PCR) assay specific for Enterocytozoon bieneusi in water samples.

AIMS: Microsporidia have become widely recognized as important human pathogens. Among Microsporidia, Enterocytozoon bieneusi is responsible for severe gastrointestinal disease. To date, no current therapy has been proven effective. Their mode of transmission and environmental occurrence are poorly documented because of the lack of detection methods that are both species-specific and sensitive. In this study, we developed a sensitive and specific molecular method to detect E. bieneusi spores in water samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: The molecular assay combined immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to detect E. bieneusi spores. A comparison was made of IMS magnetic beads coated with two different monoclonal antibodies, one specific for the Encephalitozoon genus that cross-reacts with E. bieneusi and the other specific only for the E. bieneusi species itself. CONCLUSIONS: Immunotech beads coated with the antibody specific for E. bieneusi were found to be the most effective combination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The highly specific IMS-PCR assay developed in this study provides a rapid and sensitive means of screening water samples for the presence of E. bieneusi spores.

Antibodies, Protozoan↗

PubMed1997

Geophagy among school children in western Kenya.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 285 school children aged 5-18 years in Nyanza Province, Western Kenya, to determine the prevalence of geophagy and the types and amounts of soil eaten. Stool samples were taken from a subsample of 53 (19%) and their silica content determined to compare the results with the reported geophagy. Geophagy was practised by 73% of the children. The prevalence decreased with age for both sexes up to age 15, then remained stable for girls between 15 and 18 years but continued to decrease for boys in that age range. Most children ate soil from the surface of termitaria; others preferred the edges of paths and gullies, material from the wall of huts, and a chalk-like, soft stone commonly found in the area. The soil was eaten dry and was occasionally ground, but not processed in other ways. All but 4 of the children practising geophagy reported to eat soil at least once daily. The median amount reported eaten was 28 g daily, ranging from 8 to 108 g. The reported amount of soil eaten daily was significantly correlated to the results of the stool silica determinations. Using the median of 1% silica of faecal wet weight as a cut-off point to distinguish geophageous children from non-geophageous, the examination of a single stool sample had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 80% to detect a geophageous child compared to the interview method. The cultural context of geophagy and its potential health impact in terms of infection and nutrition need to be further investigated, and it is suggested that more school and community-based studies on geophagy in different societies should be undertaken.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Rapid and specific identification of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in faeces by multiplex PCR.

AIMS: The object of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR system for rapid and specific identification of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in faeces. METHODS AND RESULTS: A multiplex PCR (mPCR) protocol was developed using a primer pair specific for genes that are involved in the biosynthesis of the O157 E. coli antigen, and primers that identify the sequences of Shiga toxin 1 and 2 (stx 1 and stx1) and the intimin protein (eaeA). The mPCR assay was used for amplification of STEC genes in bacteria directly (after enrichment) in faeces. The test was very sensitive and could detect between 9 and 1 bacterial cells per gram of faeces. The mPCR was used for the examination of 69 bovine faecal samples derived from healthy cattle. The results indicated that 62 x 3% of the samples were positive, generating at least one PCR amplicon of the expected size. CONCLUSIONS: The method can be applied for rapid and specific identification of STEC bacteria in faecal samples, and for differentiation of their main virulence marker genes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The ability to sensitively detect Shiga toxin-producing E. coli directly in faeces within a short time represents a considerable advancement over more time-consuming and less sensitive methods for identification and characterization of STEC bacteria.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Enumeration of Escherichia coli O157 in cattle faeces using most probable number technique and automated immunomagnetic separation.

AIMS: To determine the numbers of Escherichia coli O157 present in the faeces of naturally infected cattle. METHODS AND RESULTS: A combination of the most probable number (MPN) technique and automated immunomagnetic separation (AIMS) was used to enumerate E. coli O157 in cattle faeces from both pasture-fed and grain-fed animals. A total of 22 E. coli O157 positive faecal samples were enumerated for E. coli O157 (10 from pasture-fed and 12 from grain-fed animals). The numbers of E. coli O157 in cattle faeces varied from undetectable (<3 MPN g-1 of faeces) to 2.4 x 104 MPN g-1. There was no significant difference (P = 0.06) between the numbers of E. coli O157 in pasture-fed or grain-fed cattle faeces, although the geometric mean (antilog of the mean of log10 transformed MPN values) was higher in grain-fed (130 MPN g-1) than in pasture-fed (13 MPN g-1). CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of samples tested is small, the results indicate that E. coli O157 make up a small proportion of the total E. coli population present in cattle faeces. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Information on the numbers of E. coli O157 present in cattle will assist in developing more robust quantitative risk assessments and formulating intervention strategies.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2001

Ecological effects of linezolid versus amoxicillin/clavulanic acid on the normal intestinal microflora.

Twelve healthy subjects (6 females, 6 males; age range 18-40 y) participated in this trial. Linezolid was given as 600 mg tablets b.i.d. for 7 d and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid as 1000 mg tablets o.d. for 7 d. The washout period between the administration of the 2 antibacterial agents was 4 weeks. Faecal samples were collected prior to administration (Days -2 and -1), during administration (Days 4 and 8) and after administration (Days 14, 21 and 35) for microbiological analyses. The samples were diluted in pre-reduced media and inoculated aerobically and anaerobically on non-selective and selective media. Different colony types were identified to genus level by morphological, biochemical and molecular analyses. During the administration of linezolid, enterococci in the intestinal aerobic microflora were markedly suppressed while Klebsiella organisms increased in number. In the anaerobic microflora, the numbers of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, clostridia and Bacteroides decreased markedly while no impact on the other anaerobic bacteria was observed. The microflora was normalized in all volunteers after 35 d. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid administration caused increased numbers of enterococci and Escherichia coli in the aerobic intestinal microflora while numbers of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and clostridia decreased significantly. Clostridium difficile strains were recovered from 3 of the volunteers. At the last visit, the intestinal microflora of the volunteers had returned to normal levels. The administration of linezolid mainly had an impact on the gram-positive bacteria and linezolid thus had an ecological profile different from that of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid.

Acetamides↗

PubMed2003

Isolation and identification of thermophilic Campylobacter species in faecal samples from Swedish dogs.

To investigate the role of Swedish dogs as potential reservoirs of thermophilic Campylobacter species, faecal samples were analysed from 91 dogs in 2001. The majority of dogs (n = 84) were healthy family dogs. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 51 of the 91 dogs (56%). A significant difference in isolation rates was observed between younger and older dogs: 76% of the younger dogs (5-12 months) were positive, compared with 39% of dogs > or = 13 months (p < 0.01). Two different selective media, Preston and CAT, were used for isolation of Campylobacter species. 104 Campylobacter isolates were identified to species level using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis techniques. Campylobacter upsaliensis predominated and was isolated from 39 dogs, C. jejuni from 10, C. coli from 2, C. helveticus from 2 and C. lari from 1 dog. Four dogs had mixed flora with 2 different Campylobacter species. These data clearly show that younger dogs in particular frequently shed thermophilic Campylobacter spp, which could be of impact for public health. To establish the zoonotic potential of canine Campylobacter isolates, both human and canine isolates have to be further characterized and compared.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Isolation of Salmonella strains from reptile faeces and comparison of different culture media.

AIMS: To provide information on epidemiology and isolation of Salmonella strains from reptiles. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-one samples collected from reptiles of the zoo of Rome or belonging to private owners were analysed using a standard protocol for isolation of Salmonella from food. Salmonella strains were tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobics by a disc-agar diffusion method. Forty-six samples (50.5%) were positive for Salmonella. Of the 22 strains serotyped, 17 belonged to Salmonella enterica subsp. I, four to the subsp. IIIa and one strain resulted untypeable. Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth (RVB) allowed to recover more Salmonella strains when bacterial growth in buffered peptone water (BPW) was scarce, while selenite cystine broth (SCB) was more efficient, whereas growth in BPW was abundant. The maximum isolation score was obtained by plating onto xylose lysine desoxycholate agar (XLD). The strains exhibited resistance at high percentages to colistin sulphate (58.7%), sulphamethoxazole (55.5%), streptomycin (32.6%), tetracycline (19.6%), ampicillin (17.4%) and nalidixic acid (13.1%). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of Salmonella in reptiles was observed. For isolation, the choice of the enrichment broth depending on the degree of growth in BPW followed by plating onto XLD may be suggested. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This paper provides epidemiological data on the prevalence of Salmonella and laboratory protocols useful for isolation of Salmonella from faeces of reptiles.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Characterization of faecal enterococci from rabbits for the selection of probiotic strains.

AIMS: To characterize the facultative anaerobic intestinal microbiota of healthy rabbits, especially enterococci, for the selection of potential probiotic strains. METHODS AND RESULTS: Phenotypic and molecular methods were used to identify enterococcal isolates. Results obtained indicated that enterococcal microbiota widely varied among individuals both in size and in composition. Antibacterial and haemolytic activities, and resistance to acid and bile salts were determined. A small group of strains produced bacteriocins active against listeriae and indigenous clostridia and therefore they were selected as potential probiotics. One such strain, 8G, was assayed for colonization capacity. Results obtained suggested that the fate of the introduced strain depended on the composition of the enterococcal indigenous microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: Enterococcus faecalis and Ent. faecium are the predominant enterococcal species in the gut of rabbits. Other species of lactic acid bacteria were not recovered. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The enterococcal intestinal microbiota of healthy rabbits has been characterized in detail. Monitoring the fate of an introduced probiotic in vivo is required in order to evaluate potential probiotic strains.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Genotypic characterization of bacteria cultured from duck faeces.

AIMS: To characterize the bacterial composition of mallard duck faeces and determine if novel bacterial species are present that could be utilized as potential indicators of avian faecal contamination. METHODS AND RESULTS: Combined samples of fresh faeces from four ducks were serially diluted and plated onto six different media selected to allow the growth of a range of organisms at 42 degrees C under three atmospheric conditions: aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic. Forty-seven morphologically dissimilar isolates were purified and partial sequencing of the16S rRNA indicated at least 31 bacterial species. Twenty of these could be identified to the species level including pathogenic species of Bacillus, Campylobacter, Clostridium and Streptococcus. Other species identified included: Enterococcus, Escherichia, Megamonas, Cellulosimicrobium, Neisseria, Staphylococcus and Veillonella. Potentially novel species, which could represent bacteria specific to avian fauna included Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Macrococcus and Peptostreptococcus, while four isolates had <97% similarity to known bacterial species in the available databases. CONCLUSION: A survey of the natural microflora of the mallard duck and its hybrid with the grey duck identified both bacteria that are potentially human pathogenic and putative novel bacteria species as determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides further evidence that duck faeces is a potential human health hazard, and has identified bacteria potentially useful for distinguishing duck faeces from other faecal sources.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Evaluation of a PCR detection method for Escherichia coli O157:H7/H- bovine faecal samples.

AIMS: Combinations of PCR primer sets were evaluated to establish a multiplex PCR method to specifically detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 genes in bovine faecal samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: A multiplex PCR method combining three primer sets for the E. coli O157:H7 genes rfbE, uidA and E. coli H7 fliC was developed and tested for sensitivity and specificity with pure cultures of 27 E. coli serotype O157 strains, 88 non-O157 E. coli strains, predominantly bovine in origin and five bacterial strains other than E. coli. The PCR method was very specific in the detection of E. coli O157:H7 and O157:H- strains, and the detection limit in seeded bovine faecal samples was <10 CFU g(-1) faeces, following an 18-h enrichment at 37 degrees C, and could be performed using crude DNA extracts as template. CONCLUSIONS: A new multiplex PCR method was developed to detect E. coli O157:H7 and O157:H-, and was shown to be highly specific and sensitive for these strains both in pure culture and in crude DNA extracts prepared from inoculated bovine faecal samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This new multiplex PCR method is suitable for the rapid detection of E. coli O157:H7 and O157:H- genes in ruminant faecal samples.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Occurrence, virulence characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli O157 in slaughtered cattle and diarrhoeic calves in West Bengal, India.

AIMS: (i) To study the occurrence of Escherichia coli serotype O157 in cattle stool in West Bengal, India, and (ii) the virulence properties and antimicrobial resistance of the E. coli isolates. METHODS AND RESULTS: Following enrichment in modified EC broth and plating onto HiCrome MS.O157 agar, a total of 14 strains of E. coli serotype O157 was isolated from faecal samples from two (2.04%) slaughtered cattle and six (7.59%) diarrhoeic calves. By multiplex PCR, Shiga toxin genes were detected in all the isolates. The enterohaemolysin phenotype was found in all, but one strain. Among 14 strains, ten were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial agents tested. Multiple antibiotic resistance was frequent. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing and multiple antibiotic-resistant E. coli O157 among cattle population in this region of India is significant. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Considering routine human contacts with cattle, a large human population in this region may be at risk for exposure to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The effect of current grain feeding practices on hindgut starch fermentation and acidosis in the Australian racing Thoroughbred.

A survey of 72 thoroughbred trainers in several regions of NSW was conducted to better define current grain feeding practices, and the risks involved with grain feeding in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry. Results from the survey indicate that horses in the industry are currently being fed an average of 7.3 +/- 0.23 kg of grain concentrate per day, with oats, commercial pre-mixed diets and corn most commonly used. The feeding of extruded, micronised and steam flaked grains was uncommon. The results of grain and faecal sample analyses conducted during the survey indicate that incomplete starch digestion in the equine small intestine and subsequent hindgut starch fermentation and low hindgut pH are common. These observations quantify the adverse impact of current grain feeding practices on faecal measures of gut health and demonstrate that when selecting grains for use in the thoroughbred racehorse, greater emphasis should be placed on the starch digestibility characteristics of grains.

Amylases↗