Synergistic combinations of antimicrobial peptides against biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on polystyrene and medical devices.

Objectives: Antimicrobial research is being focused to look for more effective therapeutics against antibiotic-resistant infections such as those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this regard, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) appear to be a promising solution. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential activity of temporin A, citropin 1.

spp. inhibit the growth of ATCC 29544 by altering its membrane integrity.

The effect of the cell-free culture supernatants (CFCSs) from different spp. on growth ability of ATCC 29544 was investigated by time-killing studies. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated using crude and 2.

Antimicrobial Activity of Different Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) Against Clinical Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Background: Antimicrobial research is being focused to look for more effective therapeutics against antibiotic-resistant infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this direction, antimicrobial peptides (AMP) appear as promising tool.

Objectives: This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of different AMPs (Citropin 1.

Experimental approach for a possible integrated protocol to determine sanitizer activity against both planktonic bacteria and related biofilms.

The persistence of pathogenic bacteria in industrial settings is linked to biofilm embedded bacteria resistance to antimicrobial and disinfectant methods effective against planktonic cells. We proposed an experimental approach to evaluate sanitizers effectiveness against both planktonic microorganisms and related biofilms as possible integration of the official EN 1276 procedure. Firstly, the efficacy of three chemicals sanitizers was tested on planktonic cells of Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 35150, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43387, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Candida albicans ATCC 14053 using the suspension test indicated by EN 1276 in both dirty and clear simulated conditions (0.

Development of a rapid PCR protocol to detect in clams.

is part of the natural microflora of estuarine and coastal marine waters and can be also present in seafood, especially shellfish and bivalve molluscs. In this study we compared the reference cultural method ISO 6887-3 with two molecular methods, multiplex PCR and real-time PCR, for the detection of two distinct genetic markers ( species-specific gene and virulence gene) of in bivalve mollusc. The analyses were performed on clams inoculated with ATCC 43996 at T0 and after a 3 and 6 h of pre-enrichment in alkaline saline peptone water.

Chitosans inhibit the growth and the adhesion of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli clinical isolates on urinary catheters.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of different chitosans (CS) against typical colonizing pathogens of the urinary tract and to assess their efficacy against bacterial adhesion and the subsequent biofilm formation on urinary catheters.

Methods: The antimicrobial activity of high and low molecular weight CS (50 and 150 kDa) at pH 5.0 and 6.

Live and heat-killed Lactobacillus spp. interfere with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus oralis during biofilm development on titanium surface.

Objectives: This research investigates the ability of live and heat-killed (HK) Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) to interfere with Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus oralis ATCC 9811 during biofilm formation.

Design: Eight Lactobacillus spp. and two oral colonizers, pathogenic Streptococcus mutans and resident Streptococcus oralis, were characterized for their aggregation abilities, cell surface properties and biofilm formation ability on titanium surface.

Characterization of biosurfactants produced by Lactobacillus spp. and their activity against oral streptococci biofilm.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can interfere with pathogens through different mechanisms; one is the production of biosurfactants, a group of surface-active molecules, which inhibit the growth of potential pathogens. In the present study, biosurfactants produced by Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, and Lactobacillus paracasei B21060 were dialyzed (1 and 6 kDa) and characterized in term of reduction of surface tension and emulsifying activity. Then, aliquots of the different dialyzed biosurfactants were added to Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus oralis ATCC 9811 in the culture medium during the formation of biofilm on titanium surface and the efficacy was determined by agar plate count, biomass analyses, and flow cytometry.

A dual-species microbial model for studying the dynamics between oral streptococci and periodontal pathogens during biofilm development on titanium surfaces by flow cytometry.

The association of the pioneer organisms Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 or Streptococcus oralis ATCC 9811 with secondary colonizers Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586 or Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 during biofilm development on titanium surfaces was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM) using specific polyclonal antibodies. ELISA and FCM were employed, revealing high antibody sensitivity and specificity. Biofilm formation of four dual-species combinations was analyzed by crystal violet staining, while the association between streptococci and periodontal pathogens was assessed using FCM.

Identification and functional traits of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Ciauscolo salami produced in Central Italy.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Ciauscolo salami produced in Marche Region of Central Italy, and LAB strains belonging to our laboratory collection were examined for their capability to survive at low pH and bile, to adhere to Caco-2 cells, and for antibiotic resistance. LAB from Ciauscolo were identified by ARDRA and RAPD-PCR. Our study showed that all LAB strains had good adaptation to gastric juice and moderate tolerance to bile.

In vitro activity of Carvacrol against titanium-adherent oral biofilms and planktonic cultures.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the effect of Carvacrol against oral pathogens and their preformed biofilms on titanium disc surface.

Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) were performed to evaluate Carvacrol antibacterial activity, while flow cytometry (FCM) was used to verify the Carvacrol effect on esterase activity and membrane permeability. Carvacrol was tested in vitro on single- and multi-species biofilms formed on titanium disc by Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 or Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586, in different combinations, comparing its effect to that of chlorhexidine.

Effects of landfill leachate treatment on hepatopancreas of Armadillidium vulgare (Crustacea, Isopoda).

The major environmental impact of landfills is emission of pollutants via the leachate and gas pathways. The hepatopancreas of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare (Isopoda, Crustacea, Latreille 1804) plays an important role in the bioaccumulation of contaminants, such as heavy metals. To evaluate the effects of landfill leachate treatment, 2 different approaches were applied: 1) the detection of accumulation of trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Sb, Zn, Pb, Ni, V) in hepatopancreatic cells, and 2) the evaluation of biological effect of contaminants on fresh hepatopancreatic cells by flow-cytometric analyses.

Antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 on the growth and adhesion/invasion characteristics of human Campylobacter jejuni.

The aim of this research was to determine the potential probiotic activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 against several human Campylobacter jejuni isolates. The ability to inhibit the pathogen's growth was evaluated by co-culture experiments as well as by antimicrobial assays with cell-free culture supernatant (CFCS), while interference with adhesion/invasion to intestinal Caco-2 cells was studied by exclusion, competition, and displacement tests. In the co-culture experiments L.

Increased levels of erythropoietin in nipple aspirate fluid and in ductal cells from breast cancer patients.

Background: Erythropoietin (Epo) is an important regulator of erythropoiesis, and controls proliferation and differentiation of both erythroid and non-erythroid tissues. Epo is actively synthesized by breast cells during lactation, and also plays a role in breast tissues promoting hypoxia-induced cancer initiation. Our aims are to perform an exploratory investigation on the Epo accumulation in breast secretions from healthy and cancer patients and its localization in breast cancer cells.