Influence of chronic azithromycin treatment on the composition of the oropharyngeal microbial community in patients with severe asthma.

Background: This study of the oropharyngeal microbiome complements the previously published AZIthromycin in Severe ASThma (AZISAST) clinical trial, where the use of azithromycin was assessed in subjects with exacerbation-prone severe asthma. Here, we determined the composition of the oropharyngeal microbial community by means of deep sequencing of the amplified 16S rRNA gene in oropharyngeal swabs from patients with exacerbation-prone severe asthma, at baseline and during and after 6 months treatment with azithromycin or placebo.

Results: A total of 1429 OTUs were observed, of which only 59 were represented by more than 0.

Edwardsiella tarda sepsis in a live-stranded sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).

Whale strandings remain poorly understood, although bacterial infections have been suggested to contribute. We isolated Edwardsiella tarda from the blood of a stranded sperm whale. The pathogen was identified with MALDI-TOF MS, confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantified in blood by qPCR.

Longitudinal qPCR study of the dynamics of L. crispatus, L. iners, A. vaginae, (sialidase positive) G. vaginalis, and P. bivia in the vagina.

Background: To obtain more detailed understanding of the causes of disturbance of the vaginal microflora (VMF), a longitudinal study was carried out for 17 women during two menstrual cycles.

Methods: Vaginal swabs were obtained daily from 17 non-pregnant, menarchal volunteers. For each woman, Gram stains were scored, the quantitative changes of 5 key vaginal species, i.

Application of the antibiotic batumin for accurate and rapid identification of staphylococcal small colony variants.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality. The S. aureus colonies in osteomyelitis, in patients with cystic fibrosis and patients with endoprosthesis rejection frequently have an atypical morphology, i.

Susceptibility testing of Atopobium vaginae for dequalinium chloride.

Background: Atopobium vaginae and Gardnerella vaginalis are major markers for bacterial vaginosis. We aimed to determine the MIC and MBC range of the broad-spectrum anti-infective and antiseptic dequalinium chloride for 28 strains, belonging to 4 species of the genus Atopobium, i.e.

Longitudinal study of the dynamics of vaginal microflora during two consecutive menstrual cycles.

Background: Although the vaginal microflora (VMF) has been well studied, information on the fluctuation of the different bacterial species throughout the menstrual cycle and the information on events preceding the presence of disturbed VMF is still very limited. Documenting the dynamics of the VMF during the menstrual cycle might provide better insights. In this study, we assessed the presence of different Lactobacillus species in relation to the BV associated species during the menstrual cycle, assessed the influence of the menstrual cycle on the different categories of vaginal microflora and assessed possible causes, such as menstruation and sexual intercourse, of VMF disturbance.

Comparison of culture with two different qPCR assays for detection of rectovaginal carriage of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci) in pregnant women.

Development of rapid and sensitive detection methods for group B streptococci (GBS) in pregnant women remains useful in order to adequately identify pregnant women at risk of transferring GBS to their neonate. This study compared the CDC recommended sampling and culture method with two qPCR methods for detecting GBS colonization. For a total of 100 pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of gestation, one rectovaginal ESwab each was collected.

Strong correspondence in bacterial loads between the vagina and rectum of pregnant women.

We sampled the vagina and rectum in 71 pregnant women and bacterial loads of Lactobacillus crispatus, L. jensenii, L. gasseri, L.

Gardnerella vaginalis comprises three distinct genotypes of which only two produce sialidase.

Objective: Sialidase and the presence of Gardnerella vaginalis have been proposed as biomarkers for bacterial vaginosis. Sialidase has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. We genotyped G vaginalis isolates, assessed the presence and diversity of sialidase-encoding genes, and determined the production of sialidase.

Comparison of culture and qPCR for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in not chronically infected cystic fibrosis patients.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the major respiratory pathogen causing severe lung infections among CF patients, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Once infection is established, early antibiotic treatment is able to postpone the transition to chronic lung infection. In order to optimize the early detection, we compared the sensitivity of microbiological culture and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the detection of P.

tDNA-PCR followed by automated fluorescent capillary electrophoresis for identification of bacterial species.

Transfer RNA intergenic spacer length polymorphism analysis (tDNA-PCR) is a simple and reproducible polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for identification of bacteria at the species or even subspecies level. The primers used in the PCR are based on conserved sequences located at the edges of the tRNA genes. Because the selected consensus primers are directed outwardly, the intergenic spacers are amplified rather than the genes themselves.

Identification and genotyping of bacteria from paired vaginal and rectal samples from pregnant women indicates similarity between vaginal and rectal microflora.

Background: The vaginal microflora is important for maintaining vaginal health and preventing infections of the reproductive tract. The rectum has been suggested as the major source for the colonisation of the vaginal econiche.

Methods: To establish whether the rectum can serve as a possible bacterial reservoir for colonisation of the vaginal econiche, we cultured vaginal and rectal specimens from pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of gestation, identified the isolates to the species level with tRNA intergenic length polymorphism analysis (tDNA-PCR) and genotyped the isolates for those subjects from which the same species was isolated simultaneously vaginally and rectally, by RAPD-analysis.

A pilot study evaluating the safety of vaginal administration of a multi-particulate pellet formulation.

Aim: Quantitative evaluation of the effect caused by vaginal administration of gelatin capsules loaded with starch pellets and lyophilized powder, respectively, on vaginal pH and microflora.

Method: Administration of gelatin capsules loaded with fast-disintegrating starch pellets (group P) or lyophilized lactose/skimmed milk (group L) was compared to no intervention (group C) in a 3-way randomized, double-blinded, parallel study with 18 volunteers. Follow-up visits were at day 6 (immediately after administration), day 14 (pill stop), day 22 (after withdrawal bleeding) and day 35 (midcycle).

In vivo evaluation of the vaginal distribution and retention of a multi-particulate pellet formulation.

Non-disintegrating microcrystalline cellulose pellets (MCC) and disintegrating starch-based pellets were evaluated as new vaginal drug delivery forms and compared with a powder formulation. Pellets and powder were packed in a HPMC or hard gelatine capsule and vaginally administered to five series of five healthy volunteers. Distribution and retention of the multi-particulate formulation was monitored by colposcopy and swabbing.