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PubMed2006

Prevalence of vaccine-derived polioviruses in stools of immunodeficient children in South Africa.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) in stool specimens of immunodeficient patients such as HIV-positive children (including those with an AIDS indicator condition, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention classification) by applying various molecular techniques. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 164 stool samples from HIV-positive children and 23 stool samples from healthy immunocompetent children (the control group) were analysed during 2003 and 2004. By applying a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in combination with a nested PCR, a total of 54 enteroviruses were detected in the stool specimens of the immunodeficient children. The use of restriction enzymes and a Sabin specific RT-triplex PCR confirmed the presence of 13 polioviruses (PVs), such as seven Sabin PV type 1, four Sabin PV type 3 and two Sabin PV type 2 isolates. The 5'untranslated region and the VP1 capsid-encoding protein of the 13 PVs and the three PVs from the stools of the immunocompetent children were partially sequenced and their genetic relatedness was deduced from the constructed phylogenetic trees. The majority of the PVs isolated from the stools of the immunodeficient children (10 of 13 isolates) were classified as 'oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV)-like viruses', as these isolates had close sequence relationships (>99% in VP1 nucleotide sequences) to the original Sabin PV vaccine strains. Three PVs showed < or =99% VP1 sequence identity to the Sabin PV vaccine strains and were classified as 'suspected' immunodeficient VDPVs (iVDPVs). All of the OPV-like isolates and the 'suspected' iVDPVs carried mutations at specific positions in their partially sequenced regions, which have been associated with reversion of the attenuated Sabin PV vaccine strains to increased neurovirulence. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, this study adds further evidence to the observation that immunodeficient individuals may excrete OPV strains with potential neurovirulent phenotypes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Prolonged excretion of PVs by immunodeficient individuals is of major concern, because continued replication of PVs in the human gut could result in the reversion of these viruses to greater neurovirulence. When exposed to OPV, immunodeficient patients may become chronically infected, spreading potentially neurovirulent VDPVs for many months or years to close contacts and children who are no longer being vaccinated after termination of OPV vaccination in the near future.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2003

Application of a rapid method for identifying fecal pollution sources in a multi-use estuary.

We demonstrate the application of a new PCR assay to detect and differentiate human and ruminant sources of fecal pollution in natural water samples. We tested samples collected from Tillamook Bay, Oregon, which has a long history of fecal pollution levels that exceed acceptable standards. The most likely sources are from dairy operations and ineffective sewage treatment. Using a suite of three PCR primer pairs specific for human or ruminant bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA markers, we detected at least one marker in 17 of 22 samples. In general, host-specific fecal markers were detected in areas that are heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities. Nine out of 11 sites classified as either urban or near a sewage point source were positive for the human marker while only five of these same sites were positive for ruminant markers. Conversely, 12 out of 21 sites classified as rural or agricultural use were positive for ruminant markers, while only six of these sites were positive for human pollution. This suite of host-specific genetic markers holds promise for identifying non-point source fecal pollution in coastal waters.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2001

Wheat bran equivalents based on faecal bulking indices for dietary management of faecal bulk.

Wheat bran equivalents for faecal bulking (WBEfb) are defined as the gram quantity of wheat bran that would augment faecal bulk to the same extent as a given quantity of a specified food, and its development as a food datum for the dietary management of distal colonic bulk is discussed in this paper. The WBEfb content of a food is derived from the faecal bulking index (FBI), which is a standardised physiological measure of the relative faecal bulking efficacy of foods on an equal edible weight basis. The FBI is defined as the increment in hydrated faecal matter per gram of a food consumed as a percentage of the increment due to the same weight of reference food (1 mm hard red wheat bran; FBI = 100). The FBI values allow the contribution of hydrated solids to the distal colon to be related to that of any reference of known FBI such as wheat bran, the suitability of which as a reference material is discussed. By expressing the increment in bulk as WBEfb, the relative impact of any quantity of an individual food on faecal bulk may be determined, and the effect of foods in mixed diets approximated by summation. Examples are given of the dietary management of distal colonic bulk using WBEfb, with one cup of wheat bran containing 27.5 g of dietary fibre - about the mean recommended daily fibre intake for adults--used as theoretical adequate daily intake of potential faecal bulk. The FBI and WBEfb are proposed as examples of the types of evidence-based data sets that may complement food composition data in selecting foods for physiological function.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The use of ribotyping and antibiotic resistance patterns for identification of host sources of Escherichia coli strains.

AIMS: To compare antibiotic resistance and ribotyping patterns ability to identify triplicate isolates sent from a group of 40 Escherichia coli taken from seven host sources. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 120 isolates, 22 isolates were resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim and 98 isolates were susceptible. Antibiotic patterns identified 33 of the triplicates and three of the six groups had isolates from multiple hosts. Ribotyping divided the isolates into 27 ribotype groups with all triplicates grouped into the same ribotype group with one host per group. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic susceptibility pattern placed 98 of the isolates in a single group with 50% of the antibiotic susceptibility pattern groups containing multiple host species. Ribotyping groups were host specific with each host having one to seven ribotype groups. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Antibiotic susceptibility pattern groups have been used for environmental source identification and faecal pollution tracking, however these groups do not always distinguish between host species. Stability of the markers is a potential concern and this system can only be used if antibiotic resistance levels are high in the isolates studied. All isolates have a ribotype group which was stable and like other molecular methods has advantages over antibiotic susceptibility pattern groups which uses a phenotypic method.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The influence of melatonin on growth of E. coli O157:H7 in pure culture and exogenous melatonin on faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 in experimentally infected wethers.

AIMS: To determine if exogenous melatonin (MEL) influences growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in pure culture and if MEL affects faecal shedding patterns of E. coli O157:H7 or total leucocyte counts in sheep. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two strains of E. coli O157:H7 were cultured in the presence of varying concentrations of MEL. Maximal specific growth rates of E.coli O157:H7 strains were not affected by MEL addition in pure culture. Wethers (n = 16) received either 0 (CONT) or 25 mg MEL hd(-1) day(-1) for 21 days. Daily shedding patterns of E. coli O157:H7 were not different (P > 0.10) between groups with faecal populations of E. coli O157:H7 decreasing daily (P < 0.01) in both groups. However, shedding tended to differ between the control and treated group by the end of the experiment. Total WBC and differential leucocyte counts were not affected by treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin had no affect on specific growth rates in pure culture nor did the administration of exogenous MEL alter bacterial shedding patterns or immune response indicators in experimentally infected wethers exposed to a long photoperiod. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Although MEL did not affect shedding patterns or gastrointestinal populations of E. coli O157:H7, the tendency for MEL-treated sheep to shed less E. coli O157:H7 towards the end of the experiment warrants further research. Providing MEL for a longer period of time, or at greater concentrations, may elucidate a potential role that MEL plays in the seasonal shedding patterns of E. coli O157:H7 in livestock.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

A pharmacoscintigraphic evaluation of oral budesonide given as controlled-release (Entocort) capsules.

AIMS: To investigate the gastrointestinal pharmacokinetics of controlled-release (Entocort) and standard budesonide capsules. METHODS: Six Crohn's disease patients and eight healthy controls were given controlled-release capsules containing budesonide and an inert 111In label, following breakfast. In the patients, a standard capsule containing deuterium-labelled budesonide was given simultaneously. In the controls, on a separate occasion, the controlled-release capsules were given in the fasting state. Gastrointestinal transit was recorded by a gamma camera. Plasma budesonide and deuterium-labelled budesonide were used to estimate drug release, and urine cortisol was used to assess systemic effects. RESULTS: Budesonide delivery to the ileo-colonic region was significantly greater after the intake of the controlled-release capsules [69%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 54-84] than after the standard capsules (30%; 95% CI, 15-45) (P = 0.005). Fasting had little impact on uptake. The transit and pharmacokinetics of budesonide were similar in both subject groups, although systemic availability was higher in patients (21%; 95% CI, 13-33) than in controls (12%; 95% CI, 10-14) (P = 0.009). Urinary cortisol was, however, similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A major fraction of budesonide is released in the ileum and throughout the colon, the intended target for the controlled-release formulation. The prandial state has little effect on budesonide uptake.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1992

Diarrhea in hospitalized patients.

Clostridium difficle has been associated with diarrhea in hospitalized patients receiving antibiotic therapy and may be nosocomially acquired. Rehabilitation hospital inpatients may require frequent antibiotic intervention and are thus at risk, although few reports of epidemics at such centers have been published. This study describes the impact of C. difficle-related disease among rehabilitation hospital inpatients. A retrospective review was conducted of all inpatients evaluated for diarrhea in two freestanding rehabilitation hospitals over a 13-month period. Clostridium difficle was determined to be the etiologic agent of diarrhea in 36% of the 33 patients, and no other etiologies were identified. Four patients were transferred to acute care because of the severity of symptoms. A total of 120 altered or canceled therapy sessions were observed to occur during the rehabilitative hospital course among studied patients, of which 90% (108) occurred during periods when patients were documented to have been symptomatic for diarrhea. Diarrhea and C. difficile-related disease thus appear to exert an important and adverse impact on the hospital course of these patients, both in terms of medical complications and therapy attendance. Physicians should therefore possess a heightened index of suspicion for C. difficile infection when evaluating patients with diarrhea in this setting. Diagnostic evaluation of rehabilitation hospital inpatients with diarrhea should include C. difficile toxin assay. If the results of the toxin assay are positive, appropriate therapy, including initiation of oral vancomycin or metronidazole and avoidance of antimotility drugs, should be instituted promptly to minimize risk of potential sequelae.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Bacterial contamination associated with estuarine shoreline development.

AIMS: To examine the relationships among increasing estuarine shellfish closings due to bacterial contamination, adjacent shoreline land uses and environmental variables. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 1 year study of faecal coliform bacterial contamination of a small estuary in central NC, USA was done relative to adjacent land uses. The area has experienced rapid growth in residential shoreline development including the installation of adjacent, separate docking facilities for larger boats, each <11 slips (pseudomarina) that appear to be a single marina (individual facilities of >10 slips). Six near-shore sites were selected [old developed shore (OD), undeveloped shore (UD), two pseudomarinas (P1, P2), newly developed shore (ND) and a real marina (RM)]. Five locations were spaced along the shore near each site. Paired Thursday/Monday samples were collected biweekly (summer) and monthly (other seasons). Results indicate that OD had the highest bacteria counts followed by ND, RM and P1 & P2. Three sites (OD, ND and RM) failed to meet NC shellfishing waters standards at all locations. At the pseudomarina sites 4 of 10 locations failed to meet shellfish standards while two locations at UD failed to meet these standards. There were no significant differences between paired Thursday/Monday samples. At three sites (OD, UD and P2) bacteria counts were positively correlated with increased water level due to wind tides. CONCLUSIONS: Any type of estuarine shoreline development may result in closing of adjacent shellfishing waters. ND had bacterial counts second only to OD in spite of the retention of vegetated shoreline buffers and very new septic systems. As expected, the RM also failed to meet shellfish standards. Unexpectedly, only four of the 10 pseudomarina locations failed to meet the standards. Weekend boat use had no effect on bacterial counts. Surface runoff from rain and shoreline flooding from increased water levels increased bacterial counts, probably as a result of suspension of surface deposited faeces from wildlife and domestic animals. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Multiple docking facilities do not necessarily result in violations of shellfish water quality standards. However, the elevated bacterial counts observed along the newly developed shore suggest caution in approving the practice of allowing individual 'oyster gardening' off private piers if the oysters are intended for human consumption. The practice of automatic closure of shellfish waters around RMs was supported. Correlations of bacterial counts with time following significant rainfall suggests a sampling strategy to separate local sources of bacteria from more remote sources thus focusing limited remedial resources more effectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

[Selection of physiologic bacterial flora by chemotherapeutic agents].

A variety of antimicrobial agents has been shown to induce alterations in the bacterial homeostasis of the human microflora. Although the role of the normal flora is still poorly understood, there is evidence that alterations in the flora have a number of important clinical consequences. The normal flora acts as a natural defence against colonization or infection with pathogens. In addition, the altered flora may assume importance as a reservoir of potential pathogens. Thus, antibiotic-induced colonization predisposes patients to subsequent endogenous infections with these organisms which, in turn, have been rendered partially or totally resistant to formerly highly active agents. Broad spectrum antimicrobials with a high degree of biliary elimination show a marked impact on the faecal flora. Susceptible enteric bacteria are eliminated within 48 hours and are replaced by enterococci and Candida albicans. Recolonization occurs after discontinuation of therapy by multiresistant organisms like Klebsiella/Enterobacter and Pseudomonas. Oral antibiotics also lead to substantial alterations in the composition and resistance patterns of the faecal flora. In clinical medicine we should be aware of the substantial alterations of the human microflora which may accompany the use of antimicrobial agents.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1993

Impact of some commonly used Egyptian diets on plasma lipids profiles of rats.

Seven types of diets commonly consumed in Egypt were studied in hyperlipemic rats. Each of the seven diets were fed to a group of hyperlipemic rats. The diets contain white beans and whole wheat bread (Diet 1); cabbage and peas (2); spinach and carrots (3); whole wheat bread and bean sprouts (4); whole wheat bread, white beans and peas (5); white beans and carrots (6) and the last diet contains peas and carrots (7). The experiment continued for 5 weeks, at the end of which different plasma lipids and biological parameters were compared to hyperlipemic rats fed the control diet for 5 weeks. Results showed that plasma total cholesterol of rats of all groups showed significant decrease, except in rats fed diet 6 in which no significant change was noticed. Plasma total lipids of rats fed diet 5 decreased significantly. Plasma phospholipids of rats fed diets 3 and 7 increased significantly. Rats fed diet 3 showed decreased levels of plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Body weight gain of rats fed diets 1, 2 and 3 decreased significantly. Total food intake was noticed to decrease on feeding diets 1 and 6. Significant decrease was produced in food efficiency ratio of rats fed diets 1, 5 and 6. Feeding any type of the previous seven diets produced significant increase of feces weight.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Metabolism, disposition, and mutagenicity of 2,6-diaminotoluene, a mutagenic noncarcinogen.

2,6-Diaminotoluene (2,6-DAT) is a major industrial chemical; approximately 100 million pounds are used annually in the synthesis of 2,6-toluene diisocyanate. 2,6-DAT is mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 requiring metabolic activation, but has been previously shown to be a noncarcinogen in male and female F344 rats and male and female 86C3F1 mice dosed orally in 2-year bioassays. 2,6-DAT was rapidly and extensively absorbed following oral administration, indicating that its lack of carcinogenicity is not due to poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. 2,6-DAT was also rapidly excreted, with 85% of 2,6-DAT-associated radioactivity being recovered in the urine within 24 hr. Resolution of the urine by reverse phase HPLC demonstrated the presence of four metabolites, but none of the parent 2,6-DAT. Therefore, the lack of carcinogenicity of 2,6-DAT is not due to lack of biotransformation in vivo. Following separation by HPLC, the metabolites were analyzed by electron impact and fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy and by NMR spectroscopy. The metabolites were identified as a) 3-hydroxy-2,6-DAT, b) 4-hydroxy-2-acetylamino-6-aminotoluene, c) 2-acetylamino-6-aminotoluene, and d) 2,6-di(acetylamino)-toluene. Metabolites b and d were found to be mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and then only in the presence of an activation system. Results of this study indicate that 2,6-DAT, which is a mutagen in in vitro tests, is also metabolized by the rat to compounds which are proximate mutagens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Control of intestinal helminths in schoolchildren in Low-Napo, Ecuador: impact of a two-year chemotherapy program.

A school-based control program of intestinal helminths was undertaken among schoolchildren in the Low-Napo region, north-eastern Ecuador. Forty-eight percent of children were infected with one or more helminths at the first examination. The prevalence at the baseline was Ascaris 33.2% followed by hookworm 24.1% and Trichuris 6.5%. Sex was found to be a significant factor influencing the prevalence of hookworm and Trichuris. Prevalence was compared 9 months and 18 months after treatment. After 9 months, Ascaris and Trichuris prevalence had decreased but not hookworm. All of them increased after 18 months. The findings suggest that only a course of mebendazol had a minor effect on the control of helminth infections.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The impact of a transgene for ovine growth hormone on the performance of two breeds of sheep.

The effect of a transgene encoding ovine growth hormone and regulated by a metallothionein promoter was examined in progeny of 69 Merino ewes and 49 Poll Dorset ewes that were inseminated by rams heterozygous for the gene construct. The presence of the transgene had no effect on the progeny from one of the three rams used, as evinced by a normal concentration and secretion pattern of growth hormone and normal growth rate and fatness. In progeny from the other two rams that bore an actively transcribed and translated copy of the transgene, the mean concentration of growth hormone in the plasma was twice that of controls, but the pulsatility of secretion was lost. These animals grew faster (P < 0.001) and were leaner (P < 0.001), but had a greater parasite fecal egg count (P < 0.001). The impact of the transgene differed between breeds with greater wool growth rate (P < 0.01) and live weight increase (P = 0.06) in Merino progeny compared with Poll Dorset cross. At 18 mo of age, the depth of the eyemuscle was decreased (P < 0.001), particularly in female sheep (P < 0.01). The results indicate that the production effects of genetic manipulation may depend on the age, the breed, and the sex of the animal. Furthermore, the transgene may fail to be expressed in some progeny so that its activity cannot be detected, even though the sheep bear the DNA construct.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Domestic hygiene and diarrhoea - pinpointing the problem.

Improving domestic hygiene practices is potentially one of the most effective means of reducing the global burden of diarrhoeal diseases in children. However, encouraging behaviour change is a complex and uncertain business. If hygiene promotion is to succeed, it needs to identify and target only those few hygiene practices which are the major source of risk in any setting. Using biological reasoning, we hypothesize that any behaviours which prevent stools from getting into the domestic arena, the child's main habitat, are likely to have a greater impact on health than those practices which prevent pathogens in the environment from being ingested. Hence safe stool disposal, a primary barrier to transmission, may be more important than hand-washing before eating, which constitutes a secondary barrier, for example. We review the epidemiological evidence for the effect of primary and secondary barrier behaviours and suggest that it supports this conclusion. In the absence of local evidence to the contrary, hygiene promotion programmes should give priority to the safe disposal of faecal material and the adequate washing of hands after contact with adult and child stools.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Abdominal radiography in monitoring the resolution of sand accumulations from the large colon of horses treated medically.

This retrospective study consisted of 14 horses (age 6 weeks-12 years) with radiographically evident sand accumulations cranioventrally in the abdomen and clinical signs suggestive of sand enteropathy. The horses were treated medically and resolution of sand was monitored radiographically. Routine treatment consisted of psyllium mucilloid, combined with magnesium sulphate and/or mineral oilif needed. Initially, the number, size and shape of the sand accumulations showed large variation and the response to therapy was not predictable based on the initial appearance of the accumulation. In 2 foals, some of the sand was passed and the rest was mixed with other intestinal contents within 2-4 days. Even large accumulations disappeared in 2-4 days with psyllium alone or combined with mineral oil in 4 horses. In another 4 horses, the size of the accumulations decreased but varying amounts remained approximately at the same site, despite treatment for 1-4 weeks, and all these horses also had either gastric or large colon impaction. Three horses had a limited response to psyllium treatment, but the accumulation resolved with repeated doses of magnesium sulphate, with or without mineral oil. One horse did not respond to prolonged laxative treatment but the accumulation resolved on pasture. Clinical improvement was not necessarily related to the resolution of sand. Radiography of the cranioventral abdomen was found to be a useful means for monitoring the resolution of sand and confirming the effect of medical treatment in removing sand from the large colon in the horse.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Properties, use and health effects of depleted uranium (DU): a general overview.

Depleted uranium (DU), a waste product of uranium enrichment, has several civilian and military applications. It was used as armor-piercing ammunition in international military conflicts and was claimed to contribute to health problems, known as the Gulf War Syndrome and recently as the Balkan Syndrome. This led to renewed efforts to assess the environmental consequences and the health impact of the use of DU. The radiological and chemical properties of DU can be compared to those of natural uranium, which is ubiquitously present in soil at a typical concentration of 3 mg/kg. Natural uranium has the same chemotoxicity, but its radiotoxicity is 60% higher. Due to the low specific radioactivity and the dominance of alpha-radiation no acute risk is attributed to external exposure to DU. The major risk is DU dust, generated when DU ammunition hits hard targets. Depending on aerosol speciation, inhalation may lead to a protracted exposure of the lung and other organs. After deposition on the ground, resuspension can take place if the DU containing particle size is sufficiently small. However, transfer to drinking water or locally produced food has little potential to lead to significant exposures to DU. Since poor solubility of uranium compounds and lack of information on speciation precludes the use of radioecological models for exposure assessment, biomonitoring has to be used for assessing exposed persons. Urine, feces, hair and nails record recent exposures to DU. With the exception of crews of military vehicles having been hit by DU penetrators, no body burdens above the range of values for natural uranium have been found. Therefore, observable health effects are not expected and residual cancer risk estimates have to be based on theoretical considerations. They appear to be very minor for all post-conflict situations, i.e. a fraction of those expected from natural radiation.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1995

Faeces feeding by adult Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae): impact on reproduction.

Fresh beef liver, sugar, and five different types of faeces were evaluated as supportive diets for egg development in the blowfly Phormia regina. Females on a sugar diet were unable to develop follicles beyond stage 3, whereas liver proved to be the best diet for complete egg maturation. Some faecal diets were unable to support egg maturation when fed upon for a short period of time; however, longer periods of feeding produced complete egg maturation. The necessity to feed for longer periods of time in order to produce eggs on most of these diets was attributed to their low protein content. Males, in a shorter period of time than females, obtained enough protein from faeces to activate the neuroendocrine system involved in mating.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Influence of ciprofloxacin on the colonic microflora in young and elderly volunteers: no impact of the altered drug absorption.

The colonic microflora was studied before, on the fifth day of dosing, and 2 weeks after a 5-day oral course of ciprofloxacin 500 mg BID given to 7 young and 7 elderly, healthy volunteers. Considerable changes in the aerobic microflora were found, while the effects on the anaerobic bacteria were less pronounced. Despite larger absolute bioavailability of the first dose in the elderly (77 vs. 63%; p less than 0.05), the effect of ciprofloxacin on the microflora was similar in the two groups of volunteers. A higher number of clostridia were detected in faeces from elderly subjects before, during, and after the ciprofloxacin regimen.

Administration, Oral↗