木犀草素对粪肠球菌毒力因子作用机制的研究

目的探讨木犀草素对粪肠球菌生物被膜的抑制效果,并进一步研究木犀草素对粪肠球菌毒力因子转录表达水平的影响。方法建立粪肠球菌的体外生物被膜模型,5组实验组分别加入浓度为0.5、1、2、4和8mg/mL的木犀草素,同步培养24h后,通过MTT检测各组的抑菌率。利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察不同浓度的木犀草素作用24h后的抑菌效果。最后选取适宜的浓度(2、4、8mg/mL)的木犀草素与粪肠球菌共同培养24h后,通过RT-PCR观察各组粪肠球菌毒力因子gelE、esp、ebpA的转录表达水平。结果 MTT和CLSM结果显示:随着浓度的增加,木犀草素对粪肠球菌生物被膜的抑制效果越来越好(P0.05)。其中以8mg/mL组的抑菌效果最好;浓度为2、4、8mg/mL的木犀草素对其毒力因子gelE、esp、ebpA的mRNA的表达均有较好的抑制作用,并且随着药物浓度的增加木犀草素对其毒力因子的抑制效果也越来越好(P0.05)。当药物浓度为8mg/mL时,可完全抑制gelE、esp、ebpA的mRNA的转录表达。结论木犀草素对粪肠球菌生物被膜有抑制作用,与此同时还能不同程度的抑制其毒力因子gelE、esp、ebpA的转录表达水平。     

白芷对白色念珠菌毒力因子作用的初步研究

目的研究白芷乙醇提取物对白色念珠菌生物膜抑菌效果及对毒力因子CPH1、EFG1转录或表达的影响。方法体外建立白色念珠菌生物膜模型,MTT法计算白芷乙醇提取物对白色念珠菌生物膜的抑制率;激光共聚焦观察不同浓度白芷乙醇提取物对相同时间白色念珠菌生物膜的抑菌效果;RT-PCR技术检测在不同药物浓度作用下白色念珠菌毒力因子CPH1、EFG1表达水平的变化。结果白芷乙醇提取物对白色念珠菌生物膜的抑菌作用随其浓度的增大而增强。激光共聚焦观察显示白芷乙醇提取物使生物膜内活菌死菌比例下降。RT-PCR结果表明白芷乙醇提取物在药物浓度为50、25、12.5mg/mL时抑制白色念珠菌毒力因子CPH1、EFG1mRNA的表达,在浓度为50mg/mL时则完全抑制毒力因子EFG1mRNA的表达。结论白芷不仅对白色念珠菌生物膜具有明显的抑制作用,而且对白色念珠菌毒力因子CPH1、EFG1表达过程产生抑制作用。     

苏木对饥饿期粪肠球菌生物膜作用的体外研究

目的 验证中药苏木对饥饿期粪肠球菌生物膜的抑制作用.方法 建立饥饿期粪肠球菌生物膜体外模型,MTT法计算中药苏木对饥饿期粪肠球菌生物膜的抑菌率.并利用激光共聚焦显微镜(CLSM)观察药物对生物膜中粪肠球菌的影响.结果 中药苏木对饥饿期粪肠球菌生物膜的抑制作用随药物浓度增加而增加.CLSM观察见中药苏木可使饥饿期粪肠球菌生物膜内活菌比例明显下降.结论 中药苏木对饥饿期粪肠球菌生物膜具有一定抑制作用.     

茶多酚对白色念珠菌致病因子CDR1、CDR2、MDR1的研究

目的研究茶多酚对白色念珠菌生物膜抑菌效果及对某些致病因子转录或表达的影响。方法 96孔板建立白色念珠菌生物膜模型,MTT法计算茶多酚对白色念珠菌生物膜的抑制率;RT-PCR技术检测在不同药物浓度作用下白色念珠菌致病因子表达水平的变化。结果茶多酚对白色念珠菌生物膜的抑菌作用随其浓度的增大而增强。RT-PCR结果表明茶多酚抑制了致病因子CDR1、CDR2的表达,茶多酚浓度变化对MDR1的表达影响较小。结论茶多酚对白色念珠菌生物膜具有抑制作用,并在白色念珠菌毒力因子CDR1、CDR2的表达过程中起到显著抑制作用,对MDR1的无抑制作用。     

壳聚糖-纳米羟基磷灰石复合制剂对粪肠球菌抗菌作用的体外研究

目的观察壳聚糖一纳米羟基磷灰石（CS／nHA）复合制剂对粪肠球菌生物膜的体外抗菌作用,为研究该药物对根管内粪肠球菌生物膜抗菌的作用打下基础,探索激光共聚焦显微镜（CLSM）技术在研究生物膜领域中的优势。方法采用液体二倍稀释法,测定壳聚糖／纳米羟基磷灰石复合制剂对游离状态下粪肠球菌的最小抑菌浓度和最小杀菌浓度;将粪肠球菌在体外培养成生物膜后,利用CLSM观察研究该生物膜中细菌活性。结果CS／nHA制剂在0．467mg／mL时对游离状态下的粪肠球菌具有抑菌和杀菌作用,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义。使用CS／nHA制剂前后粪肠球菌生物膜活菌百分比显著下降,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论CS／nHA制剂对粪肠球菌有较强的抗菌作用,将其作为根管封闭剂中的抗菌成分具有一定的应用前景。     

BTK在粪肠球菌介导的炎症环境中的 破骨作用

目的在粪肠球菌脂磷壁酸(LTA)作用的炎症环境下,研究布鲁顿酪氨酸激酶(BTK)在破骨细胞中的作用,从而为根尖周炎的治疗提供实验依据。方法 PCR检测粪肠球菌LTA刺激破骨细胞后BTK基因水平的表达情况。以浓度300ng/mL的人重组蛋白BTK(recombinant human BTK,rhBTK)刺激破骨细胞,用CCK8法检测破骨细胞增殖和RT-PCR检测破骨细胞分化标志因子TRAP基因水平表达情况。结果破骨前体细胞5d诱导成功。PCR结果发现粪肠球菌LTA刺激后BTK和TRAP的mRNA表达量明显增高;免疫荧光可见LTA刺激后BTK在破骨细胞中的定位情况;300ng/mL rhBTK组可以促进破骨细胞增殖;PCR结果显示,加入rhBTK后,破骨细胞分化标志因子TRAP的mRNA水平升高。结论在粪肠球菌LTA作用的炎症环境下,BTK表达升高;增高BTK后,可以促进破骨细胞的增殖及分化。研究发现BTK参与了破骨细胞的炎症反应进程。     

龙血素A对白色假丝酵母菌毒力因子ALS3、SAP4作用的体外研究

目的研究龙血素A对白色假丝酵母菌生物膜的抑菌作用,并初步研究龙血素A是否通过影响或干扰白色假丝酵母菌毒力因子的转录和表达实现的。方法建立白色假丝酵母菌生物膜体外模型,MTT法计算龙血素A对白色假丝酵母菌生物膜的抑制率;激光共聚焦观察龙血素A对不同时间白色假丝酵母菌生物膜的抑菌效果;RT-PCR技术检测药物作用下白色假丝酵母菌毒力因子表达水平的变化。结果随着药物浓度的增加,龙血素A对白色假丝酵母菌生物膜的抑菌作用增强。激光共聚焦观察显示龙血素A使白色假丝酵母菌生物膜内活菌死菌比例下降。RT-PCR结果表明龙血素A抑制了毒力因ALS3、SAP4的表达。结论龙血素A对白色假丝酵母菌生物膜有抑制作用,并在毒力因子ALS3、SAP4的表达过程中起到明显的抑制作用。     

厚朴酚对变形链球菌生物膜致龋毒力因子作用的研究

目的 通过激光共聚焦显微镜观察厚朴酚对变形链球菌生物膜的抑菌效果,并初步了解厚朴酚对变形链球菌生物膜的产酸、耐酸、胞外多糖形成及生物膜形成能力等相关致龋毒力因子的转录表达的影响,为进一步研究厚朴酚防龋的药理作用机制奠定基础.方法 建立变形链球菌生物膜体外模型,激光共聚焦显微镜观察不同药物浓度作用后效果,并进行红绿荧光定量分析;根据GenBank基因库查询ffh、gtfD、pdp等基因序列并设计引物,进行RT-PCR.结果 CLSM观察厚朴酚作用变形链球菌生物膜后可使膜内活菌比例明显下降;RT-PCR结果表明毒力因子ffh、gtfD、pdp的表达水平受到抑制.结论 厚朴酚对变形链球菌生物膜的致龋毒力因子ffh、gtfD、pdp的转录表达有明显的抑制作用.     

盐酸小檗碱对变形链球菌生物膜及其致龋毒力因子作用的研究

目的研究盐酸小檗碱对变形链球菌生物膜的抑菌效果,并初步研究其抑菌作用是否为通过影响或干扰某些毒力因子的表达而实现的,为进一步研究盐酸小檗碱防龋的药理作用机制奠定基础。方法建立变形链球菌生物膜体外模型,MTT法评价盐酸小檗碱对变形链球菌生物膜的影响;然后用RT—PCR方法检测变形链球菌毒力因子cdsa、gbpD和ptsI受盐酸小檗碱作用后的表达水平的变化。结果盐酸小檗碱对变形链球菌生物膜的抑制作用随药物浓度增加而增加;RT—PCR结果表明毒力因子cdsa、gbpD和ptsI的表达水平受到抑制。结论盐酸小檗碱对变形链球菌生物膜起到了抑制作用,对其致龋毒力因子cdsa、gbpD和ptsI的转录表达有明显的抑制作用。     

水溶性蜂胶对感染根管内粪肠球菌的体外抑菌试验

目的 研究水溶性蜂胶对感染根管内常见菌粪肠球菌的体外抑菌活性.方法 采用液体稀释法测定水溶性蜂胶对粪肠球菌的最低杀菌浓度(Minimal bactericidal concentrations,MBC).结果 蜂胶对粪肠球菌的MBC为0.156%.结论 蜂胶对感染根管内粪肠球菌具有良好的抑菌活性,将其用于感染根管消毒具...     

Drug resistance of Enterococcus species isolated from the urogenital system

Despite low virulence of enterococci, they have become important nosocomial pathogens. This has been correlated with the increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins. Many strains of enterococci exhibit multiple drug resistance; the most important being high-level resistance (HLR) to penicillin (MIC > 100 mg/l) and gentamicin (MIC > 500 mg/l and 2000 mg/l) and/or streptomycin (MIC > 2000 mg/l). The investigation was performed on 92 strains, isolated from genito-urinary tract and recognised as Enterococcus sp. All strains were obtained from several microbiological laboratories of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Tczew. On biochemical reaction profiles species of enterococci were identified as: E. faecalis (72.8%), E. faecalis varians (9.8%), E. durans (7.6%) and E. faecium (9.8%). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs) of penicillin, ampicillin, azlocillin, imipenem, gentamicin, amicacin, ciprofioxacin and vancomycin were determined by the agar dilution method. None of these 92 enterococcal strains was vancomycin resistant. 22.2% of E. faecium and 7.5% of E. faecalis showed high-level resistance to penicillin. None of these strains were produced beta-lactamase. High-level resistance to streptomycin and gentamicin was detected. Both--high-level resistance to streptomycin and gentamicin--were found in 6% E. faecalis; 11.1% E. faecalis varians and 22.2% E. faecium.     

Molecular screening of Enterococcus virulence determinants and potential for genetic exchange between food and medical isolates

Enterococci are used as starter and probiotic cultures in foods, and they occur as natural food contaminants. The genus Enterococcus is of increased significance as a cause of nosocomial infections, and this trend is exacerbated by the development of antibiotic resistance. In this study, we investigated the incidence of known virulence determinants in starter, food, and medical strains of Enterococcus faecalis, E. faecium, and E. durans. PCR and gene probe strategies were used to screen enterococcal isolates from both food and medical sources. Different and distinct patterns of incidence of virulence determinants were found for the E. faecalis and E. faecium strains. Medical E. faecalis strains had more virulence determinants than did food strains, which, in turn, had more than did starter strains. All of the E. faecalis strains tested possessed multiple determinants (between 6 and 11). E. faecium strains were generally free of virulence determinants, with notable exceptions. Significantly, esp and gelE determinants were identified in E. faecium medical strains. These virulence determinants have not previously been identified in E. faecium strains and may result from regional differences or the evolution of pathogenic E. faecium. Phenotypic testing revealed the existence of apparently silent gelE and cyl genes. In E. faecalis, the trend in these silent genes mirrors that of the expressed determinants. The potential for starter strains to acquire virulence determinants by natural conjugation mechanisms was investigated. Transconjugation in which starter strains acquired additional virulence determinants from medical strains was demonstrated. In addition, multiple pheromone-encoding genes were identified in both food and starter strains, indicating their potential to acquire other sex pheromone plasmids. These results suggest that the use of Enterococcus spp. in foods requires careful safety evaluation.     

In vitro activity of sodium benzoate against clinically relevant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates

The antimicrobial effects of sodium benzoate against Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were investigated. The MIC(90) of sodium benzoate were 64 mg/L for E. faecalis and 32 mg/L for E. faecium, while the MBC(90) were 128 mg/L and 64 mg/L, respectively. Although further studies are required for clinical evidence, sodium benzoate seems to be effective against Enterococcus spp.     

The inhibitory activity of typified propolis against Enterococcus species

Propolis, a natural bee product widely used for its antimicrobial activity, was tested against isolates of Enterococcus from humans, pig-tailed macaques, isolates of refractory endodontic treatment cases, and isolates from Lactobacillus-containing food supplements. Typification of the propolis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by which prenylated compounds, cinnamic acid derivatives, and flavonoids were detected as the main constituents. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using the agar dilution method. All human and animal Enterococcus isolates demonstrated MIC values of 1600 microg/mL. Enterococcal species of human and animal origin were inhibited by propolis. Particularly, human isolates of E. faecium and E. faecalis of refractory endodontic treatment cases were susceptible to propolis of Brazilian origin.     

Characterization of glycopeptides, aminoglycosides and macrolide resistance among Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates from hospitals in Tehran

The prevalence of glycopeptides, aminoglycosides and erythromycin resistance among Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium was investigated. The susceptibility of 326 enterococcal hospital isolates to amikacin, kanamycin, netilmicin and tobramycin were determined using disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin, teicoplanin, gentamicin, streptomycin, and erythromycin were determined by microbroth dilution method. The genes encoding aminoglycoside modifying enzymes described as AMEs genes, erythromycin-resistant methylase (erm) and vancomycin-resistant were targeted by multiplex-PCR reaction. High level resistance (HLR) to gentamicin and streptomycin among enterococci isolates were 52% and 72% respectively. The most prevalent of AMEs genes were aac (6')-Ie aph (2") (63%) followed by aph (3')-IIIa (37%). The erythromycin resistance was 45% and 41% of isolates were positive for ermB gene. The ermA gene was found in 5% of isolates whereas the ermC gene was not detected in any isolates. The prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) was 12% consisting of E. faecalis (6%) and E. faecium (22%) and all of them were VanA Phenotype. The results demonstrated that AMEs, erm and van genes are common in enterococci isolated in Tehran. Furthermore our results show an increase in the rate of vancomycin resistance among enterococci isolates in Iran.     

Antibiotic resistance and virulence traits in clinical and environmental Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates

This study compared virulence and antibiotic resistance traits in clinical and environmental Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates. E. faecalis isolates harboured a broader spectrum of virulence determinants compared to E. faecium isolates. The virulence traits Cyl-A, Cyl-B, Cyl-M, gel-E, esp and acm were tested and environmental isolates predominantly harboured gel-E (80% of E. faecalis and 31.9% of E. faecium) whereas esp was more prevalent in clinical isolates (67.8% of E. faecalis and 70.4% of E. faecium). E. faecalis and E. faecium isolated from water had different antibiotic resistance patterns compared to those isolated from clinical samples. Linezolid resistance was not observed in any isolates tested and vancomycin resistance was observed only in clinical isolates. Resistance to other antibiotics (tetracycline, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin) was detected in both clinical and water isolates. Clinical isolates were more resistant to all the antibiotics tested compared to water isolates. Multi-drug resistance was more prevalent in clinical isolates (71.2% of E. faecalis and 70.3% of E. faecium) compared to water isolates (only 5.7% E. faecium). tet L and tet M genes were predominantly identified in tetracycline-resistant isolates. All water and clinical isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin and ampicillin contained mutations in the gyrA, parC and pbp5 genes. A significant correlation was found between the presence of virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance in all the isolates tested in this study (p<0.05). The presence of antibiotic resistant enterococci, together with associated virulence traits, in surface recreational water could be a public health risk.     

Identification and characterization of enterococci from bryndza cheese

AIMS: To identify enterococci isolated from sheep milk cheese--bryndza, and to compare differences in the composition of enterococcal microflora affected by the season, and to evaluate the potential presence of vancomycin resistance and virulence determinants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacterial strains were isolated during analysis of bryndza cheese and identified on the genus and species level by phenotypic methods and with commercial biochemical sets. The identification of the species, Enterococcus faecium, Ent. durans and Ent. faecalis, was confirmed by PCR using species-specific primers for ddl genes. PCR was also used for assessment of presence of vanA and vanB genes and virulence determinants gelE, agg and cytolysin genes namely: cylL(L), cylL(S), cylM, cylB and cylA. Among 308 Enterococcus sp. strains, 177 isolates were proved to be Ent. faecium, 59 to be Ent. durans and 41 to be Ent. faecalis. Vancomycin resistance genes vanA and vanB were not detected. Agar plate testing confirmed their absence. Gene gelE, however, was found in 20 Ent. faecalis isolates, but only 13 of them showed gelatinase-positive phenotype. Seven isolates had five cytolysin genes, but none of the isolates exhibited a positive haemolytic phenotype. Four isolates possessed the agg gene. The prevalence of Ent. faecium species was highest in samples from the winter season harvest. CONCLUSIONS: Ent. faecium is the dominant enterococcal species in bryndza cheese and the most prevalent in the winter season product. None of the Enterococcus sp. strains was proved to have vanA or vanB genes and the vancomycin resistance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To our knowledge, this is the first report of enterococcal microflora in bryndza cheese and its evaluation for the presence of vanA and vanB genes as well as virulence determinants.     

Population structure and safety aspects of Enterococcus strains isolated from artisanal dry fermented sausages produced in Argentina

Enterococci population from Argentinean artisanal dry fermented sausage was identified and their safety aspects were evaluated. Species-specific PCR was used to distinguish between Enterococcus faecium (56%) and Enterococcus faecalis (17%). Other isolates (27%) were identified as Enterococcus durans , Enterococcus casseliflavus and Enterococcus mundtii by using 16S RNA gene sequence. RAPD analyses showed different biotypes for Ent. faecium and Ent. faecalis species. Low incidence of antibiotic resistance and high virulence traits in Ent. casseliflavus and Ent. faecalis were found; the majority of the Ent. faecium strains were shown to be free of virulence factors. The absence of virulence/resistance traits and the anti-Listeria activity of Ent. faecium isolates may be exploited to enhance natural preservation thereby guaranteeing organoleptic/safety characteristics of artisanal fermented sausages.     

Distribution of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Enterococcus spp. and characterization of isolates from broiler chickens

Enterococci are now frequent causative agents of nosocomial infections. In this study, we analyzed the frequency and distribution of antibiotic resistance and virulence genotypes of Enterococcus isolates from broiler chickens. Fecal and cecal samples from nine commercial poultry farms were collected to quantify total enterococci. Sixty-nine presumptive enterococci were isolated and identified by API 20 Strep, and their susceptibilities to antibiotics were determined. Genotypes were assessed through the use of a novel DNA microarray carrying 70 taxonomic, 17 virulence, and 174 antibiotic resistance gene probes. Total enterococcal counts were different from farm to farm and between sample sources (P < 0.01). Fifty-one (74%) of the isolates were identified as E. faecium, whereas nine (13%), seven (10%), and two (3%) isolates were identified as E. hirae, E. faecalis, and E. gallinarum, respectively. Multiple-antibiotic resistance was evident in E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates. The most common multiple-antibiotic resistance phenotype was Bac Ery Tyl Lin Str Gen Tet Cip. Genes conferring resistance to aminoglycoside (aac, aacA-aphD, aadB, aphA, sat4), macrolide (ermA, ermB, ermAM, msrC), tetracycline (tetL, tetM, tetO), streptogramin (satG_vatE8), bacitracin (bcrR), and lincosamide (linB) antibiotics were detected in corresponding phenotypes. A range of 9 to 12 different virulence genes was found in E. faecalis, including ace, agg, agrB(Efs) (agrB gene of E. faecalis), cad1, the cAM373 and cCF10 genes, cob, cpd1, cylAB, efaA(Efs), and gelE. All seven E. faecalis isolates were found to carry the gelE gene and to hydrolize gelatin and bile salts. Results from this study showed the presence of enterococci of public and environmental health concerns in broiler chicken farms and demonstrated the utility of a microarray to quickly and reliably analyze resistance and virulence genotypes of Enterococcus spp.