Association of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF- β1) with gingival hyperplasia in heart transplant patients undergoing cyclosporine-A treatment.

Background: Gingival hyperplasia is a common complication of immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A (CyA). However, the association of CyA with increased tissue concentrations of TGF- β(1), a potential causative factor of hyperplasia, remains unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of TGF- β(1) and IL-2 on the development and maintenance of gingival hyperplasia in patients treated with CyA after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).

Lactobacillus rhamnosus administration causes sepsis in a cardiosurgical patient--is the time right to revise probiotic safety guidelines?

A 24-year-old female patient developed sepsis resulting from preoperative administration of probiotics following an aortic valve replacement. Blood cultures revealed the causative agent to be the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which has recently been implicated as an emerging aetiology of infection in those taking probiotics. In the past few years, probiotic use in hospitals has increased greatly.

[Antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus bacteria strains against anaerobic gastrointestinal tract pathogens (Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium difficile)].

Antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus strains has been known for some time. This property is connected with production of many active substances by lactobacilli e.g.