Antilactoferrin activity of microorganisms

The detection rate of the antilactoferrin sign and the level of its manifestation in 165 strains of different microbial species, isolated from patients with inflammatory diseases and intestinal dysbacteriosis, were analyzed. The detection rate of antilactoferrin activity was 43 - 90% for Escherichia coli strains, 20 - 86% for Staphylococcus aureus, 60 - 100% for Klebsiella pneumoniae, 76 - 78% for Candida albicans, isolated from different biotopes of man. Most frequently and with high levels of manifestation this sign was registered in strains isolated from the reproductive tract of women. The detection rate of this sign and the level of its manifestation in bacteria of the vaginal and cervical microbiocenosis, isolated from patients, were higher in comparison with healthy persons. The inverse dependence between the level of the antilactoferrin activity of microflora and the content of lactoferrin during the inflammatory process in women was established.     

Detection rate and distribution pattern of HIV infected patients in the emergency room of a hospital

HIV positive patients needing urgent treatment have become reality in the clinical practice of the multiprofile hospital of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Aid. 243,030 patients and 55,163 donors were examined at the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and AIDS Diagnostics during the period of 1989-2001, and among the examinees 814 patients and 13 donors were found to be HIV-infected. The highest detection rate of HIV-infected patients was registered in the poisoning center, the somatic-psychiatric and endotoxicosis departments. After the period of a sharp rise in the number of HIV-positive patients (1997-2000) a decrease in their proportion among hospitalized patients was registered in 2001.     

10年肠道真菌培养结果分析

目的探讨浙江大学医学院第一附属医院住院患者肠道真菌分离状况与趋势变化。方法回顾分析2000年1月1日至2009年12月30日10年间在该院送检的住院患者粪便标本的真菌分离率、真菌种类和年度变迁变化特点。结果 10年间从送检全部疑似肠道真菌感染的2 344份粪便标本中共检到真菌1 456株,归属5属19种,每年的检出率在55.7%67.0%。分离菌株中以白色念珠菌（74.0%）占首位,其次是光滑念珠菌（11.4%）,再次是热带念珠菌（7.1%）,光滑念珠菌和热带念珠菌分离率分别从2000年的4.9%、6.6%上升到2009年的16.8%、10.6%,呈上升趋势。结论该院10年间肠道真菌的分离率较高,白色念珠菌的分离率一直位于首位,非白色念珠菌的分离率处于上升趋势。     

Epidemic process of pertussis in Moscow

Materials reflecting the dynamics of pertussis morbidity during the period of 1958 - 2003 under the conditions of prolonged mass immunization of the child population with adsorbed DPT vaccine are presented. The planned vaccination of children led to the decrease of pertussis morbidity during the first 10 years, but groundless abstentions from vaccination during the 1980s - 1990s contributed to a sharp rise in morbidity among children of younger age groups. During the recent four years a rise in pertussis morbidity was registered in 2000 (71.79 per 100,000 of the population), followed by the most significant for the last 20 years drop in morbidity in 2002--down to 9.89. But in 2003 the growth of morbidity was again registered (38.67). Recently periodic rises and drops in morbidity occurred simultaneously with the increased coverage of children of younger age groups with vaccination. In recent years changes in the age structure of patients were observed: the specific proportion of school children increased (in 2003 morbidity rates in children aged 6 - 10 years were 288.6 - 270.7), simultaneously high morbidity among children aged up to one year (274.9) was registered. The specific proportion of pertussis-affected children aged above 7 years reached 65%. From the late 1990s until present in 87.1% of cases strains of serotype 1.0.3 prevailed in the population of B. pertussis strains. But in recent years the circulation of strains 1.2.3, spread in the prevaccination period and having toxicity similar to that of strains of serotype 1.0.3, while exceeding them in virulence, in sufficiently high proportion (7.0% in 2002) was noted. This was indicative of the possibility of the unfavorable development of the epidemic process of pertussis infection.     

Use of antibiotic-resistant Bifidobacterium in treating ulcerative-necrotic enterocolitis in young children

Ulceronecrotic colitis in premature children is accompanied by the development of pronounced intestinal dysbacteriosis characterized by a sharp increase in the number of Escherichia, enterococci, staphylococci and the appearance of opportunistic enterobacteria (Klebsiella, Serratia, Citrobacter, Proteus) in large amounts. Clinical convalescence was observed in 2 weeks in children receiving antibiotic-resistant bifidobacteria with antibiotics and in 3-4 weeks in children receiving commercial bifidobacteria with antibiotics, while children treated only with antibiotics showed no signs of clinical convalescence during the whole course of treatment. After the course of treatment the most effective recovery of the intestinal microflora was observed in the group of patients who had received antibiotics in combination with antibiotic-resistant bifidobacteria. It was manifested by a decrease in the number of Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Serratia, staphylococci and enterococci simultaneously with an increase in the number of endogenous lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. In those children who had received commercial bifidobacteria in combination with antibiotics or had been treated only with antibiotics the process of the recovery of the intestinal microflora was considerably less pronounced than in the patients of the first group; a decrease in the number of Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus and Serratia occurred to a lesser extent, and at the same time an essential increase in the number of enterococci and staphylococci was observed. The level of endogenous lactobacilli and bifidobacteria was considerably reduced. Antibiotic-resistant bifidobacteria actively took in the intestine of the patients. On day 5 after the course of treatment was over their level was (4.3 +/- 0.4) X 10(4) cells/g feces.     

Trends in the postfortification prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly in the United States

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of NTDs in the US declined significantly after mandatory folic acid fortification; however, it is not known if the prevalence of NTDs has continued to decrease in recent years relative to the period immediately following the fortification mandate. METHODS: Population‐based data from 21 birth defects surveillance systems were used to examine trends in the birth prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly during 1999–2000, 2001–2002, and 2003–2004. Prevalence data were stratified by non‐Hispanic White, non‐Hispanic Black, and Hispanic race or ethnicity. Prevalence ratios were calculated by dividing the birth prevalences during the later time periods (2001–2002 and 2003–2004) by the birth prevalences during 1999–2000. RESULTS: During 1999–2004, 3,311 cases of spina bifida and 2,116 cases of anencephaly were reported. Hispanic infants had the highest prevalences of NTDs for all years. For all infants, the combined birth prevalences of spina bifida and anencephaly decreased 10% from the 1999–2000 period to the 2003–2004 period. The decline in spina bifida (3%) was not significant; however the decline in anencephaly (20%) was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: While the prevalences of spina bifida and anencephaly in the United States have declined since folic acid fortification in the food supply began, these data suggest that reductions in the prevalence of anencephaly continued during 2001–2004 and that racial and ethnic and other disparities remain. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Co-trimoxazole resistance in methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from clinical material in 2001-2003

The aim of this study was to determine resistance to co-trimoxazole among 476 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (MRSA) and 2137 strains of methicillin resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) isolation during three years (2001-2003). Their susceptibility testing were performed by the disc-diffusion techniques according to recomendation of NCCLS (National Committe for Clinical Laboratory Standards). Co-trimoxazole resistance was demonstrated more frequently among MRCNS (52,8%, 51,4%, 63,9% in 2001, 2002, 2003), than among MRSA (23,4%, 19,5%, 16,8% adequately).     

Prevention and control of HIV infection in the Osh region of the Kyrgyz Republic

A total of 178 cases of HIV infection were diagnosed in the Osh region of the Kyrgyz Republic for January 1, 2003, the intensity of the prevalence of HIV infection being 14.5 per 100,000 of the population with this figure for the whole republic being equal to 5.9. In the dynamics of the HIV infection epidemic two periods were detected. During the first 3 years (1998-2000) a few individual imported cases of HIV infection were registered in the region. During the last 2 years (2001-2002) 98.8% of all cases of HIV infection registered in the region, as well as the presence of an epidemic outbreak among injection drug users (IDU), were detected. The risk factors of getting HIV infection were the intravenous use of drugs and a low level of information among young people concerning the routes of transmission of this infection and means of protection from HIV/AIDS: the promotion of healthy life style among young people, the introduction of the programs of "harm reduction" among IDU and the rules of safe sex.     

Increase in the incidence of peritoneal collagen balls over a 10-year period

OBJECTIVE: To describe the detection of collagen balls in peritoneal washings over a 10-year period, revealing an unexpected and unexplained higher incidence than in the past. STUDY DESIGN: Reports of routinely processed, Papanicolaou-stained smears and cytospins and hematoxylineosin-stained cell blocks from peritoneal washes and ascitic fluids seen over an 8-year period (1995-2002) were reviewed, and the percentage of specimens in which collagen balls were noted was determined. To rule out a learning curve phenomenon, the first 100 consecutive peritoneal washings and ascitic specimens from years 1993-2001 plus 2002 were rescreened, and the percentage of specimens containing collagen balls was determined. RESULTS: The percentages of cases with collagen balls increased steadily beginning with 8 of 467 cases (3.2%) in 1995 to 185 of 650 (28.5%) in 2002, as reported in the case records. Rescreened cases also showed a similar increase, 4.0% in 1993 to 29% in 2002. No procedural modifications were made in specimen processing during this interval, nor are we aware of any procedural change in obtaining cytologic samples. CONCLUSION: An unexplained 7-fold increase in the percentage of peritoneal samples with collagen balls occurred over a 10-year period. This increase cannot be attributed to changes in specimen handling or to a learning curve phenomenon. This finding is of unknown significance and may warrant further investigation.     

医院内深部真菌感染分布及耐药性分析

目的探讨大连医科大学附属第一医院深部真菌感染的常见菌种,临床病区分布及其耐药性。方法对2008年1月1日至2008年12月31日749例住院患者深部真菌感染进行分析。结果常见菌种为白色假丝酵母菌,热带假丝酵母菌,近平滑假丝酵母菌,克柔假丝酵母菌,光滑球拟酵母菌。主要病区为ICU。从标本的来源看,痰标本中真菌检出率最高,占61.1%。两性霉素B抗菌作用最强,耐药率只有3.6%。结论医院内深部真菌感染分布广泛,非白色假丝酵母菌感染明显增多,耐药菌株增多,部分治疗需联合用药。     

Effect of a polyoxydonium immunoregulator on the biological properties of microorganisms

The effect of the synthetic immunomodulator polyoxydonium (PO) on some biological properties of pathogenic bacteria (Shigella flexneri, Salmonella enteritidis), opportunistic bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides fragilis, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Prevotella melaninogenica, Propionibacterium propionicum, Clostridium difficile) and fungi (Candida albicans), isolated during enteric infections, enteric dysbiosis, pyoinflammatory diseases, was evaluated in a number of in vitro experiments. The study revealed that the recommended therapeutic concentration of PO decreased antilysozyme activity (ALA) and the anticomplement activity in Klebsiella, Shigella, Propionibacterium, Clostridium, bacteroids, fungi of the genus Candida, but increased ALA in nonhemolytic Escherichia. Under the action of PO an increased sensitivity of the microorganisms under study to definite antibiotics of the lincosamide, fluoroquinolon, carbapenem and cephalosporin groups was noted. The data obtained in this study reveal one of the possible mechanisms of the corrective action of PO on the microbiocenosis of the intestine in dysbiosis, enteric infections and pyoinflammatory diseases.     

Survival of captive and free-ranging Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) following surgical liver biopsy

We measured intra- and postoperative mortality rates of captive and free-ranging Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) undergoing surgical liver biopsy sampling for determination of the induction of cytochrome P4501A, a biomarker of oil exposure. Liver biopsies were taken from and radio transmitters were implanted into 157 free-ranging Harlequin Ducks over three winters (55 in 2000, 55 in 2001, and 47 in 2002). No birds died during surgery, but seven (4.5%) died during recovery from anesthesia (three in 2001 and four in 2002). None of the deaths could be attributed directly to the liver biopsy. Four of the 150 (2.7%) birds that were released died in the 2 wk period after surgery. All post-release deaths occurred in 2001; no birds died after release in 2000 or 2002. No mortalities of 36 captive birds occurred during surgery or recovery or in the 2 wk period following surgery. Hemorrhage was a minor problem with one captive bird. Surgical liver biopsies appear to be a safe procedure, but anesthetic complications may occur with overwintering ducks.     

Clinical microbiology of neonatal candidiasis in Hungary

The occurrence of Candida spp. was investigated during a three-year period in two neonatal intensive care units, Budapest, Hungary. The species distribution among the 41 analysed cases was the following: C. albicans (30/41, 73%), C. parapsilosis (10/41, 24%) and C. glabrata (1/41, 3%). All of the isolates were susceptible to the tested drugs. There was a significant difference in the birth weight, the gestational age <30 weeks and the occurrence of caesarean section between the C. albicans and the C. parapsilosis groups of the cases. Respiratory tract colonization was the same (76-77%) in the extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and the very low birth weight (VLBW) groups. Comparing the ELBW, VLBW, and >1500 g birth weight groups, significant difference was found in the parenteral nutrition, the gestation weeks <36 or <30, the polymicrobial infection and the transfusion. The ratio of C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata was 9:7:1 in ELBW group; 6:3:0 in VLBW group and 15:1:0 in >1500 g group. The mortality rate for C. parapsilosis was higher than for C. albicans.     

Diphtheria morbidity in Russia today

The data on diphtheria morbidity and the occurrence of carrier state for its causative agent at the period of 2001-2002 were analyzed. The rates of morbidity and detected carrier state for these years were 0.63-0.55 and 0.65-0.64 respectively. Nevertheless, in spite of the relatively low morbidity rates the presence of the toxic forms of diphtheria (400 patients for two years) and lethal cases (with lethality rate reaching 5.4%) indicated that the epidemic situation in diphtheria remained tense. The most unfavorable situation was observed in the North-Western and Central regions of Russia. In urban areas morbidity rates were still 2- to 3-fold higher in than in rural ones, but the latter showed a higher percentage of severe cases (46.6% in 2001 and 39.7% in 2002) and lethal outcomes (13.6% and 19.2%). The latter was indicative of drawbacks in the immunoprophylaxis, diagnostics and treatment of diphtheria in rural areas. In the total structure of diphtheria patients adults prevailed: 75%. The highest morbidity rates were registered among children aged 3-6 years, among adults in the age groups of 18-19 years and 50-59 years. The epidemic process developed mainly among the immunized population, which was indicated by a high proportion of vaccinated persons among those affected by this infection (62.8-66.6%) and a mild course of the disease in the majority of them. The present epidemiological situation in diphtheria was determined by patients not vaccinated against this infection. The proportion of severe cases among nonvaccinated children was 42.4-51.6% and lethal outcomes, 12.9-15.1%. Among nonimmunized adults these figures were equal to 43.1% and 9.3% respectively. The highest percentage of children, not vaccinated during the first years of their life, was registered among those in the asocial families, refugees and homeless persons. Among adults these were persons above 50 years old, as well as jobless persons of working age, pensioners and invalids, who had limited possibilities of undergoing vaccination due to their social position. It was these social and age groups that should be regarded as risk groups with respect to the severity of the course of diphtheria and lethality. To stabilize diphtheria morbidity, the full complex of prophylactic and antiepidemic measures, and primarily the immunization of the population, should be systematically carried out.     

Seroepidemiological characterization of virus hepatitis in the Republic of Armenia

The survey of the population immunological structure with respect to parenteral hepatitis showed awide circulation of hepatitis B (HB) and hepatitis C (HC) viruses among the adult population of Armenia. During the 5 year period of observation the number of persons having antibodies to HC virus increased 2.7-fold. High occurrence of antibodies to HBsAg of HB virus among the healthy population in 2002 (12.0%) in comparison with 1997 (5.4%) reflected a decreased infection rate with HB virus as well. Antibodies to hepatitis A (HA) virus were isolated, on the average, in 64 % of persons. Simultaneously with a decrease in the proportion of HA cases an increased number of HC patients was registered. No circulation of hepatitis E virus was detected. A high percentage of hepatitis cases of mixed etiology was established, as well as an increased number of combined parenteral hepatitis cases was registered (57.1%).     

Managament of peanut bud necrosis disease in groundnut by botanical pesticides

In the management of PBND in groundnut neem seed extract (10%), we recorded significantly lower PBND incidence, AUDPC, apparent infection rate (20.41, 19.5% PBND; 956, 756 AUDPC; 0.0026, 0.002 apparent infection rate) followed by neem cake extract 10% spray (2747, 23.36% PBND; 1275, 1316 AUDPC; 0.0034, 0.0025 apparent rate of infection in 2000–2001 and 2001–2002, respectively). Weekly spray of monocrotophos reduced the PBND (26.77%) and recorded significantly higher pod yields (2547, 2465 kg/ha) and lower AUDPC (861, 1373), and apparent infection rate (0.0021, 0.0019 in 2000–2001 and 2001–2002, respectively) compared to other treatments.     

Taxonomic spectrum and antibiotic resistance of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from bile of patients with cholangitis]

The data on the taxonomic structure and antibiotic resistance of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from bile of patients with various clinical variants of cholangitis are presented. It was shown that bacteriocholia was registered in 53.3-90.9% of the patients during operations and in 88.9-100% of the patients during the postoperative period. Among bilicultures enterobacteria dominated (93.4% of the cases) with predominance of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. (the total about 70%). The enterobacteria isolates were frequently resistant to ampicillin and amoxycillin/clavulanate (92.6 and 70.4% of the strains respectively), gentamicin and amikacin (74.1 and 22.2%), cefazolin and cefotaxime (88.9 and 37.0%). The resistance to imipenem and ciprofloxacin (7.4%) was rare, that should be considered while prescribing drugs for empirical antimicrobial chemotherapy.     

Distribution and susceptibility of Candida species isolated in the Medical University of Debrecen

Data of Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species isolated during the 1997-2000 period in the Medical and Health Science Center of the University of Debrecen are analysed. The number of yeast isolates increased from 408 to 1213 per year during this period. Dominance of C. albicans has been persistent, but a slight increase of C. glabrata and C. krusei could be observed. Distribution of different Candida species isolated from 16 body sites indicates that C. albicans seems to be still the most aggressive Candida species. Investigation of 244 urinary Candida isolates (parallel with bacterial cultures) suggests that tha aetiological role of Candida species in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections can be hypothesized if colony forming unit (CFU) number of yeasts is higher than 10(4)/ml and bacteria are present in low CFU number or are absent. Antifungal susceptibility testing of C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. krusei against Flucytosine, Amphotericin-B, Miconazole, Ketoconazole and Fluconazole suggests that Amphotericin-B is still the most effective antifungal agent. Finally, the problems in judging the aetiological role of isolated Candida species in the pathogenesis of different types of diseases are critically discussed.     

Hatch-period-dependent early growth and survival of Pacific herring Clupea pallasii in Miyako Bay, Japan

Considerable interannual variation in the abundance of larval and juvenile Pacific herring Clupea pallasii was detected in Miyako Bay, on the Pacific coast of northern Japan; abundances were high in 2001 and 2003 and low in 2000 and 2002. Hatch dates and growth rates for larval and juvenile survivors were estimated through otolith analysis. Water temperature and food availability were monitored on the spawning and nursery grounds in the inner part of the bay. The number of spawning females caught in nets set around the spawning ground was recorded during each spawning season (January to May) in 2000–2003. No correlation was found between the number of spawning females and the abundance of larvae and juveniles on the spawning and nursery grounds. The hatch dates of surviving larvae and juveniles were concentrated at the end of the spawning season in 2001 and in the middle of the season in 2003. The larvae experienced relatively high prey concentrations during the first-feeding period in 2001 but low concentrations in 2003. Survival of larvae during the first-feeding period may be a function of prey concentration as well as water temperature. In 2003, low water temperature would reduce starvation mortality during the first-feeding period. In contrast, unfavourable feeding conditions with higher temperatures during the first-feeding period seemed to result in low larval survival in 2000 and 2002. The 2001 larvae grew faster than those in 2003 because of the late hatch dates and the higher ambient temperatures that resulted. Temperature might be a major factor controlling growth rates of C. pallasii larvae in Miyako Bay.     

某高校学生肠道菌群初步调查

目的 探讨在校大学生肠道菌群的分布,为预防肠道致病菌导致的感染提供科学依据。方法 取新鲜粪便标本,接种于肠道选择平板,筛选正常菌群、肠道致病菌和机会致病菌,以K-B法确定其药物敏感性。结果 大学生肠道菌群以克雷伯杆菌、费劳地枸椽酸杆菌、阴沟肠杆菌及白色念珠菌较多见,男性多见于女性,差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。经常校外就餐者肠道致病菌和条件致病菌检出率较高,与偶有校外就餐者相比,差异有显著性（P＜0.01）。结论 安徽理工大学医学院大学生肠道菌群以费劳地枸椽酸杆菌、阴沟肠杆菌、克雷伯杆菌及白色念珠菌较多见,并就餐方式密切相关。克雷伯杆菌耐药谱较广,应引起足够重视。