Microflora of the mucous membrane of human tonsils in the normal state and in pathology

A total of 50 healthy persons and 50 chronic tonsillitis patients were examined with the use of the bacteriological method. The microflora of tonsillar mucous membrane was represented by 8 genera of facultative anaerobic microorganisms. In the biocenosis of the tonsillar mucosa of the healthy subjects the occurrence of Streptococcus was 1.5-fold greater than in that of the patients; microorganisms of the genus Staphylococcus prevailed on the tonsillar mucosa of chronic tonsillitis patients 1.3-fold prevailed more often and Klebsiella and Neisseria prevailed 4-fold more often. Among the microorganisms isolated from the patients, cultures simultaneously having two or more pathogenicity markers occurred twice as often as among the representatives of the microbiocenosis obtained from the healthy subjects. The microflora of the tonsillar mucosa of the chronic tonsillitis patients was characterized by resistance to penicillins, macrolides and aminoglygosides, but was simultaneously sensitive to lincosamides and glycopeptides.     

Microflora of the upper respiratory tract in young children under normal conditions and in respiratory tract diseases. Microbial count of the upper respiratory tract in healthy children and in children with pneumonia

The results of the inoculation of material taken from the anterior section of the nasal cavity and from the pharyngeal mucosa of 50 healthy young children and 298 acute pneumonia patients were analyzed. 23 microbial species were isolated. In the samples taken from the anterior section of the nasal cavity, monocultures were detected in 86 samples and 54 variants of associations including 2-4 species, in 139 samples. In the samples taken from the pharynx, monocultures were detected in 59 samples and 180 variants of associations including 2-6 species, in 282 samples. Differences in the contamination of the nasal cavity and the pharynx in healthy children and in pneumonia patients were revealed. These differences were manifested in the structure of the microflora (monocultures, associations, their composition), the assortment of microbial species and their concentration. In young children with pneumonia the microflora of the upper respiratory tract was found to reflect the severity of acute pneumonia and the intensity of the pathological process in the lungs (uncomplicated, pyodestructive pneumonia, pyodestructive pneumonia with fatal termination, acute purulent pleurisy).     

Role of persisting opportunistic bacteria in the pathogenesis of the gastric and duodenum ulcer

Dynamic study of the bacterial microflora of 122 patients with gastric and duodenal ulcer was carried out. Microflora examination of the bioptic samples of mucosa, obtained from the ulcerous zone of the patients, revealed that an open ulcer is like an infected wound needing sanitation. In the focus of lesion microorganisms of 32 genera and species, including Helicobacter pylori, fungi of the genus Candida, representatives of the genera Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Bacteroides, etc., were detected. Opportunistic microorganisms were isolated in associations (up to 8 different cultures), possessing cytotoxic, hemolytic, antilysozyme, lecithinase, caseinolytic and RNAase activities. To inhibit the microflora, chitosan was used; 82-85% of the cultures of different bacteria under study proved to be sensitive to it. The inclusion of chitosan into the complex therapy suppressed the persistence of H. pylori, ensured the sanitation of mucosa affected by opportunistic bacteria and accelerated ulcers cicatrization.     

A study of predominant aerobic microflora of black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in northwestern Alberta

Swab specimens were obtained from nasal, rectal, and preputial or vaginal areas of 37 grizzly and 17 black bears, captured during May to June of 1981 to 1983, to determine the types and frequency of predominant aerobic microflora. Bacterial genera most frequently isolated from bears were Escherichia, Citrobacter, Hafnia, Proteus, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus species, comprising about 65% of the isolates. Erwinia, Xanthomonas, Agrobacterium, Rhizobium, and Gluconobacter/Acetobacter were also isolated but at lower frequencies (less than 5%). Comparison of bacterial generic composition using similarity quotient values showed no appreciable differences between grizzly and black bear flora. Also, no outstanding differences in bacterial generic composition were observed among grizzly bear samples; however, differences were noted among black bear samples. Fungal genera most commonly encountered included Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Sporobolomyces, and Candida. In general, the microflora of both bear types were marked by generic diversity and random distribution. The majority of microorganisms isolated from the plant samples in the study area were also found in bear samples. This observation and the presence of certain water and soil bacteria in samples from bears suggest that the predominant microflora of both grizzly and black bears were transient and probably influenced by their foraging habits and surrounding environments.     

Intestinal microflora in rats under the conditions of a chronic toxic lesion of the liver

Intestinal microflora in healthy rats and its changes under the conditions of experimental chronic toxic hepatitis were studied. The study revealed that in intact animals the microflora of the small intestine was represented by bacteria of the genera Escherichia, Enterobacter, Moraxella, Alcaligenes, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus. Bacteria of the genera Escherichia, Enterobacter, Moraxella, Alcaligenes, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Clostridium were isolated from the large intestine. No bacteria were found in the systemic blood, the contents of the portal vein, as well as in the liver parenchyma and the mesenterial lymph nodes. As the result of dysbiosis induced by the introduction of kanamycin and in chronic hepatitis caused by carbon tetrachloride the sharp decrease in the species composition of microbial communities (up to 2-3 species) in the small intestine and was observed along with penetration of bacteria into the blood stream, the mesenterial lymph nodes and the liver parenchyma. The tendency towards the restoration of the quantitative and qualitative microflora composition was noted following administration into experimental animals of bactisubtil and amixin--an inductor of interferonogenesis.     

The microflora of ulzerous zone mucosa in patients with duodenal ulcer

Bacteriological study of the biopsies taken from gastric and duodenal mucosa of 10 healthy volunteers and 74 patients with duodenal ulcer, was carried out. In the gastroduodenal zone of healthy subjects microorganisms of 6 genera (Streptococcus, Candida, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Helicobacter and Lactobacillus) were detected. H. pylori was isolated in 20% of cases only in biopsy specimens taken from the antral section of the stomach of healthy as monoculture or in combination with C. albicans. In patients with duodenal ulcer activation of opportunistic microflora was observed in the periulcerous zone. More often H. pylori occurred in associations with fungi of the genus Candida, streptococci, staphylococci, enterobacteria, Pseudomonas and other microorganisms (of more than 30 genera). Quantitatively the dominating microorganisms (3.8-5.7 lg CFU/g) were H. pylori, fungi of the genus Candida, bacteria of the genera Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Bacteroides, Gemella, Prevotella, Veillonella, Peptococcus, Bacillus, different species of opportunistic enterobacteria, as well as bacteria of the genera Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Corynebacterium, Neisseria, Pseudomonas, etc. Opportunistic bacteria detected in the ulcerous zone, as a rule, expressed hemolytic, lecithinase, RNAase, caseinolytic, catalase and urease activity. Sonicated filtrates of such cultures produced a cytotoxic effect on cells HEp-2. Ulcer is an infected wound that needs sanitation.     

High correlation between the bacterial species in denture plaque and pharyngeal microflora

Objectives : The morbidity and mortality of the dependent elderly that result from aspiration pneumonia are recognized as a major geriatric health problem. Most cases of bacterial pneumonia are initiated following colonization or superinfection of the pharynx by pathogenic bacteria, followed by aspiration of pharyngeal contents. A recent study revealed that bacteria, that commonly cause respiratory infection, colonized the dentures of dependent elderly. This suggests that denture plaque may function as a reservoir of potential respiratory pathogens to facilitate colonization on the pharynx. The purpose of this study was to determine the possible correlation between denture and pharyngeal microflora. Study Design : The denture and pharyngeal bacterial flora of 50 dependent elderly were examined, and the microorganisms identified by culturing. The agreement between the bacterial species in denture plaque and pharyngeal microflora was investigated using the Kappa method. Results : The microorganism species on the dentures and pharyngeal mucosa of the subjects had an agreement rate of 68.5%. The agreement rate for each of the bacterial species of the dentures and pharynx was also demonstrated to be high. Conclusions : Dentures should be considered an important reservoir of organisations which could colonise the pharynx, and the importance of controlling denture plaque for the prevention of aspiration pneumonia cannot be overemphasized.     

Vaginal microflora in girls of prepuberal age

The bacteriological study of vaginal microflora in 24 clinically healthy girls aged 7-8 years was carried out. Two criteria of normal vaginal biocenosis in girls of prepuberal age were proposed. The proportion of hemolytic bacteria in the vagina of a girl of prepuberal age could reach 100% of all microflora, provided the total bacterial count (TBC) exceed average values. A high proportion of hemolytic bacteria in the vaginal microflora of girls of prepuberal age in combination with a high level of TBC (even with TBC not exceeding the upper limit of its normal value) could probably by regarded as a border state. No fungi of the genus Candida should be isolated from vagina in girls of prepuberal age. Facultative anaerobic microflora was represented mainly by Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. saprophyticus. In 64.3 +/- 12.8% of cases bifidobacteria were detected in the girls vagina.     

Microflora of the nasal mucosa in allergic perennial and infectious rhinitis

The microbiological study of 69 patients with allergic annual rhinitis (AAR) and infectious rhinitis (IR) was carried out. In AAR the isolated representatives of 15 genera and 40 species were distributed in 2 to 7 component; in IR the isolated representatives of 16 genera and 25 species were grouped in 2 to 4-component associations. In AAR Staphylococcus aureus was found to belong to the main species and in IR, S. aureus and S. epidermidis, while the number of species regarded as occasional in AAR was 7 (S. auricularis, S. cohnii, S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. warneri, S. apitis, S. schleiferi). Differences in the distribution of Neisseria, nonfermenting Gram negative bacteria, Streptococcus in associations in cases of AAR and IR were established. In AAR Corynebacterium pseudodiphthericum and in IR C. pseudotuberculosis were the dominant species.     

The occurrence and comparative phenotypic characteristics of Staphylococcus spp. from healthy and diseased, household and shelter dogs, based on routine biochemical diagnostic methods

To determine the staphylococcal colonization pattern in healthy and diseased dogs, living in two particular environments, a number of microbiological samples were taken. Overall, twenty dogs, either healthy or with infected skin lesions, were examined. In each case bacterial swabs were collected from the nasal mucosa, ear, perineum, lumbo-sacralis triangle, and from the infection sites if such were present. A total number of 104 isolates representing different staphylococcal species were isolated and identified using routine biochemical methods applied in diagnostic laboratories. Among 17 isolated staphylococcal species, Staphylococcus intermedius was the most common species isolated from both healthy or diseased dogs living either in animal shelter or household environments. The pattern of Staphylococcus sp. colonization differs considerably for animals living in the two tested habitats. In particular, S. aureus MRSA and MSSA isolates were detected only in infected skin lesion samples from animals that dwelled in the animal shelter. As could be expected, S. intermedius was found to be a predominant causative agent in canine skin infections. In our study, we demonstrated that S. intermedius in its carrier-state, inhabits mainly the mucosal membrane of the nasal vestibule. It was also found in the samples taken from the skin, the lumbo-sacralis triangle and perineum, but was rarely isolated from the ears.     

Bacteriology of the oral cavity of BALB/c mice

To be used as a model in dental research, an animal must fulfil experimental needs and information on the composition and variation of its oral flora must be available. Only limited data are available on the indigenous oral bacterial flora of BALB/c mice. In this work, a total of 671 isolates from different sites (saliva, tongue, teeth, and mucosa) of the oral cavity of BALB/c mice were identified. Only 18 different species were isolated, which indicates the relative simplicity of the flora. The predominant species of the total cultivable flora were "Lactobacillus murinus" (38%), Staphylococcus aureus (37%), Streptococcus faecalis (8%), Staphylococcus sciuri (4%), and Escherichia coli (3%). The other species each represent less than 2% of the flora. "Lactobacillus murinus" is found in greater proportion on mucosa than in the other sites, Staph. aureus predominates in saliva, and Strep. faecalis was found in greater proportion in tooth samples. Statistical analyses, using the minimum percentage of similarity, indicate that there is some variation among the microflora of different mice but that this difference is smaller for mice from the same lot. These results set the basis for the study of the variations of the indigenous oral microflora of BALB/c mice under different conditions.     

Dysbioses of the oral cavity and intestines and immune reactivity in of adolescent bronchial asthma patients

Sixty bronchial asthma (BA) patients aged 15-18 years were examined between attacks. The composition of the oral cavity and intestine microflora as well as the total IgE level, peripheral blood eosinophils and lymphocytes expressing receptors CD3, CD4, CD8, CD22, CD11b, CD71, HLA-DR were detected. Colonization of the oral cavity by Staphylococcus aureus in 9%, by hemolytic streptococci in 10%, by fungi of the genus Candida in 25% and by enterococci in 7% of the patients was revealed. From the intestines S. aureus were isolated in 21%, hemolytic Escherichia coli in 18% and fungi of the genus Candida from 45% of the patients, while lactic acid bacteria were isolated only in 39% of the patients. The patients of this group were found to have eosinophilia (4.21 +/- 0.05%, p < 0.001) and a high concentration of IgE (330.2 +/- 29.31%, p < 0.01); in these patients the index CD4/CD8 was lower (< 0.05), the number of CD11b-, CD71- and HLA-DR positive lymphocytes was elevated. Thus, at periods between attacks the examined BA patients were found to have dysbiosis of mucous membranes, an elevated content of IgE, eosinophilia and lymphocyte activation indicative of the absence of immunological remission and required adequate diagnostic and therapeutic measures.     

Microflora of nasal mucosa in patients with maxillar sinusitis

Quantitative and qualitative composition of microflora of nasal mucosa as well as carriage of staphylococci was assessed in patients with chronic and acute forms of maxillary sinusitis. Changes in microflora of nasal mucosa and presence of pathogenic and persistence-associated characteristics of staphylococci in both forms of maxillary sinusitis were revealed. Increase of resistance staphylococci to antibiotics in patients with chronic form of maxillary sinusitis was shown.     

Microflora of the large intestine in patients with connective tissue dysplasia

The specific features of intestinal aerobic and anaerobic intestinal microflora in children with nondifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia were under study. A high rate of dysbiotic disturbances was noted in patients with connective tissue dysplasia in comparison with healthy persons. Profound quantitative and qualitative changes in the biocenosis of the intestine were detected in patients with the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract as well as that of the locomotor system. Changes in the species composition and the persistence properties of the intestinal microflora may serve as pathogenetic factors in the development of connective tissue dysplasia.     

Dose-dependent effect of penicillin on activity of metabolic enzymes in Staphylococcus epidermidis]

The study was concerned with investigation of the biochemical properties, antibiotic resistance and the effect of various doses of penicillin on the activity of metabolic enzymes in the bacterial cells of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from the pharynx mucosa of healthy subjects. The study revealed an increase in the aggressive properties of the representatives of the mouth normal microflora. It was also observed that the highest percentage of the staphylococcal isolates was resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. The effect of various concentrations of penicillin on the microbial metabolism was shown to be directed at different targets. Penicillin intensified the aerobic processes and lipid synthesis in the bacterial cells. The reactions of the processes of the amino acid metabolism proceeded in different directions. Some concentrations of penicillin inhibited such processes.     

Biliary microflora of patients with chronic pancreatitis

Data on the contamination of bile specimens (1997 and 2001, 205 specimens, 137 cultures), examined in the Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology of the Vladimirsky Regional Research Clinical Institute, as well as data on the microflora composition in 40 specimens of bile, obtained from patients with clinically diagnosed chronic pancreatitis at the stage of exacerbation, are presented. Out of 40 specimens of bile 54 cultures of microorganisms were isolated; of these, 33.3% were bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, Gram negative bacilli took the second place in occurrence (27.8%) and the third place belonged to bacteria of the genus Streptococcus (18.5%). The antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated microorganisms is characterized.     

The role of antibiotics in the prevention of cross infections in newborn infants and mothers during the puerperium]

Epidemiological efficiency of antibiotic prophylaxis of hospital infections (HIs) in maternity homes was analyzed by the materials on the clinical observation of 43995 newborns and their mothers within a period of 1986 to 1989 as well as by the data on the bacteriological examination of 6616 smears from the mucosa of the nose, pharynx, rectum and umbilical wounds of 1890 newborns carried out within the same period. It was shown that the prophylactic use of the antibiotics in the maternity homes led to changes in the microflora colonizing the newborns. The more massive was the use of the antibiotics in the departments of newborns and the postnatal departments, the more intensive was replacement of gram-positive microflora in the newborns by gram-negative organisms among which Klebsiella strains with high antibiotic resistance predominated. This involved an increase in the incidence of pneumonia and sepsis in the newborns and a higher death rate among the newborns due to HIs. In parallel there was observed an increase in the incidence of metro-endometritis in the puerperae++ and a simultaneous decrease in the number of the cases with lactational mastitis as a result of lower numbers of Staphylococcus aureus cultures isolated from various loci of the newborns. It was concluded that antibiotics were not the drugs to be used as prophylactic agents in control of HIs in maternity homes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Microflora of the posterior pharyngeal wall, larynx and postoperative wounds in patients after laryngectomy]

The study group were persons with risk factors of colonization by pathogenic strains and included smokers, patients suffering from paradontosis, and patients with visibly neglected oral cavity and teeth. We isolated and classified to the species or genera 488 microorganisms. Of posterior pharyngeal wall flora, 61% of were Gram-negative bacteria, represented predominantly by Haemophilus and anaerobic rods and aerobic cocci belonging to the Neisseria and Moraxella (Branhamella) genera. In the group of Gram-positive cocci (34% of the total number of microorganisms), oral streptococci, Stomatococcus mucilaginosus and Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated most frequently. The affected by neoplastic lesions larynx, was colonized by similar bacterial groups. However, the incidence of Gram-positive cocci was higher. The main etiologic factor of purulent post-operative wound inflammations were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MRSA), which had been absent among the bacteria isolated from patients on admission.     

Nosopharyngeal microflora in ambulatory treated children and adults with upper respiratory tract infections

Upper respiratory tract consists resident and transient bacterial microflora, which in appropriate condition can cause infection. Bacteriological study was performed among 201 patients with upper respiratory tract infections treated in ambulatory. From nasal and pharyngeal swabs Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococci group A, B, C, G were isolated. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of isolated strains was performed using CLSI criteria. All isolated strains of streptococci were susceptible to penicillin; some of them demonstrated resistance to macrolides and lincosamides. Few isolated strains of H. influenzae demonstrated resistance to penicillin and cotrimoxazole. Azitromycin resistant strains were not detected. All isolated strains of M. catarrhalis were beta-lactamase positive and demonstrated resistance to penicillin. Strains of methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were isolated most frequently from pharyngeal swabs (35.4%) and S. pneumoniae (33.3)--from nasal swabs.     

Staphylococci in the microbiocenosis of the skin of the hands]

The skin autoflora on the pad of a forefinger and the back and palm of a hand was studied in 40 healthy males aged 18-60 years by the modified washing and scraping method of P. Williamson and A. Kligman. 638 cultures of aerobic microorganisms, including coccal (55.3%) and bacilliform (44.7%) microbes, were isolated. In 6 persons (15%) coagulase-positive staphylococci were detected. Out of 10 coagulase negative species of this genus, S. epidermidis, S. saprophyticus and S. warneri occurred most frequently on the skin of hands. The highest density of bacterial populations (10.970 +/- +/- 1.845 cells/sq. cm) was registered on the back of hands, the surface of palms was found to have somewhat lower density (8.679 +/- 1.282 cells/sq. sm) and the skin of forefingers, the lowest density of bacterial populations (6.878 +/- +/- 1.137 cells/sq. sm). 17.5% of examined persons were found to be carriers with S. aureus isolated from their nasal mucosa. S. aureus isolated from the skin surface and the nasal cavity of different persons belonged to different phage variants, but S. aureus isolated from the nasal cavity and the skin of the same person belonged to one phage variant.