Studies on the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus mixture given orally on vaginal and rectal colonization and on parameters of vaginal health in women with intermediate vaginal flora.

Objectives: The vaginal microflora is composed of many bacterial species and plays a major role in maintaining the balance of this complex environment. This study was conducted in order to assess the degree and persistence of the colonization of vaginal epithelium by strains from an orally administered mixture of lactobacilli, containing Lactobacillus fermentum 57A, Lactobacillus plantarum 57B and Lactobacillus gasseri 57C. We also monitored its effects on parameters of vaginal health, especially total lactobacilli counts, vaginal pH and Nugent score.

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.

Renal neoplasms of childhood.

An abdominal mass in a child in the first year of life is usually of renal origin. The most common renal masses in the perinatal period are nonneoplastic and include hydronephrosis and multicystic dysplastic kidney. With the development of new therapeutic regimens and standardization of treatment protocols, the cure rate for the most common renal neoplasm, Wilms tumor, has risen to more than 90%.

Genetic characterization and diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates with macrolide resistance.

Macrolide resistance in 169 Streptococcus agalactiae [group B streptococcus (GBS)] isolates originating from pregnant carriers was investigated. Using multiplex PCR the presence of genes encoding erythromycin resistance and capsular polysaccharides, as well as surface proteins, was determined. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and PFGE were used to characterize specific clones among the isolates.