Lactoferrin Adsorbed onto Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals Controlling - In Vivo - the Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Background: The resistance of Helicobacter pylori to the antibiotic therapy poses the problem to discover new therapeutic approaches. Recently it has been stated that antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties of lactoferrin are increased when this protein is surface-linked to biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanocrystals.

Objective: Based on these knowledge, the aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of lactoferrin delivered by biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with cell free supernatant from probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei as an alternative therapy against Helicobacter pylori infection.

Biological activity of lactoferrin-functionalized biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanocrystals.

The emergence of bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics is a general public health problem. Progress in developing new molecules with antimicrobial properties has been made. In this study, we evaluated the biological activity of a hybrid nanocomposite composed of synthetic biomimetic hydroxyapatite surface-functionalized by lactoferrin (LF-HA).

Heterozygosity at the A625C polymorphic site of the MyD88 gene is associated with Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle.

The study demonstrates that in cattle, animals heterozygous at the MyD88 A625C polymorphic marker have a 5-fold reduced risk for active pulmonary tuberculosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.19; P = 6 × 10(-12)). The reduced risk, however, does not extend to animals with latent pulmonary tuberculosis (OR = 0.

Design, structural and functional characterization of a Temporin-1b analog active against Gram-negative bacteria.

Background: Temporins are small antimicrobial peptides secreted by the Rana temporaria showing mainly activity against Gram-positive bacteria. However, different members of the temporin family, such as Temporin B, act in synergy also against Gram-negative bacteria. With the aim to develop a peptide with a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity we designed and analyzed a series of Temporin B analogs.

New perspectives for natural antimicrobial peptides: application as antinflammatory drugs in a murine model.

Background: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an ancient group of defense molecules. AMPs are widely distributed in nature (being present in mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, plants, and microorganisms). They display bactericidal as well as immunomodulatory properties.

The Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan protects mice against the pathogen and eradicates experimentally induced infection.

Staphylococcus aureus, in spite of antibiotics, is still a major human pathogen causing a wide range of infections. The present study describes the new vaccine A170PG, a peptidoglycan-based vaccine. In a mouse model of infection, A170PG protects mice against a lethal dose of S.

Bacteriophage-resistant Staphylococcus aureus mutant confers broad immunity against staphylococcal infection in mice.

In the presence of a bacteriophage (a bacteria-attacking virus) resistance is clearly beneficial to the bacteria. As expected in such conditions, resistant bacteria emerge rapidly. However, in the absence of the phage, resistant bacteria often display reduced fitness, compared to their sensitive counterparts.

Bacteriophage therapy of Salmonella enterica: a fresh appraisal of bacteriophage therapy.

Background: The most serious criticisms leveled at bacteriophage therapy are as follows: phages induce neutralizing antibodies, phages are active only when administered shortly after bacterial infection, and phage-resistant bacteria emerge rapidly in the course of therapy.

Methods: Phages lytic for several Salmonella enterica serovars were isolated by means of standard protocols from feces of patients with gastroenteritis. Growth of S.

Synergistic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of temporin A and modified temporin B in vivo.

Temporins are antimicrobial peptides secreted by the granular glands of the European red frog (Rana temporaria). They are 10-14 amino acid long polypeptides active prevalently against gram positive bacteria. This study shows that a synthetic temporin B analogue (TB-YK), acquires the capacity to act in synergism with temporin A and to exert antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity in vivo against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.