(1)H NMR spectroscopy of aqueous fecal extracts has been used to investigate differences in metabolic activity of gut microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 13), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (n = 10), and healthy controls (C) (n = 22). Up to four samples per individual were collected over 2 years giving a total of 124 samples. Multivariate discriminant analysis, based on NMR data from all three groups, was able to predict UC and C group membership with good sensitivity and specificity; classification of IBS samples was less successful and could not be used for diagnosis. Trends were detected toward increased taurine and cadaverine levels in UC with increased bile acid and decreased branched chain fatty acids in IBS relative to controls; changes in short chain fatty acids and amino acids were not significant. Previous PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis of the same fecal material had shown alterations of the gut microbiota when comparing UC and IBS groups with controls. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that DGGE profiles from the same individual were stable over time, but NMR spectra were more variable; canonical correlation analysis of NMR and DGGE data partly separated the three groups and revealed a correlation between the gut microbiota profile and metabolite composition.

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest a link between gut microbiota and the development of ulcerative colitis (UC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our aim was to investigate any quantitative differences in faecal bacterial compositions in UC and IBS patients compared to healthy controls, and to identify individual bacterial species that contribute to these differences.MethodsFaecal microbiota of 13 UC patients, 11 IBS patients and 22 healthy volunteers were analysed by PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) using universal and Bacteroides specific primers. The data obtained were normalized using in-house developed statistical method and interrogated by multivariate approaches. The differentiated bands were excised and identified by sequencing the V3 region of the 16S rRNA genes.ResultsBand profiles revealed that number of predominant faecal bacteria were significantly different between UC, IBS and control group (p < 10-4). By assessing the mean band numbers in UC (37 ± 5) and IBS (39 ± 6), compared to the controls (45 ± 3), a significant decrease in bacterial species is suggested (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between IBS and UC. Biodiversity of the bacterial species was significantly lower in UC (μ = 2.94, σ = 0.29) and IBS patients (μ = 2.90, σ = 0.38) than controls (μ = 3.25, σ = 0.16; p = 0.01). Moreover, similarity indices revealed greater biological variability of predominant bacteria in UC and IBS compared to the controls (median Dice coefficients 76.1% (IQR 70.9 - 83.1), 73.8% (IQR 67.0 - 77.5) and 82.9% (IQR 79.1 - 86.7) respectively). DNA sequencing of discriminating bands suggest that the presence of Bacteroides vulgatus, B. ovatus, B. uniformis, and Parabacteroides sp. in healthy volunteers distinguishes them from IBS and UC patients. DGGE profiles of Bacteroides species revealed a decrease of Bacteroides community in UC relative to IBS and controls.ConclusionMolecular profiling of faecal bacteria revealed abnormalities of intestinal microbiota in UC and IBS patients, while different patterns of Bacteroides species loss in particular, were associated with UC and IBS.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a major complication of hemodialysis. The risk of infection among hemodialysis patients is usually associated with the dialysis procedure itself, specifically the means of vascular access.OBJECTIVES: Estimate the rate of BSI and assess factors possibly associated with BSI.DESIGN: Analytical retrospective medical record review.SETTING: Hemodialysis unit in a tertiary care center.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult patients (18–60 years old) who had hemodialysis as first renal replacement therapy in the 20-month period from January 2014 to August 2016 were included in this study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were used in a multivariate logistic regression to assess factors that might be associated with BSI.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rate of BSI and associated factors among chronic hemodialysis outpatients.SAMPLE SIZE AND CHARACTERISTICS: 160 outpatients on hemodialysis, median (IQR) age 47.7 (37.0–56.0) years, males (60.6%).RESULTS: The rate of BSI was 0.4 per 100 patient-months. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that patients who had central venous catheters had the highest risk for BSI (odds ratio: 10.088; 95% CI= 2.595–39.215; P=.001) compared with arteriovenous fistulas. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated in 54.6% of cases, with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus the most frequent isolate (18.2%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacteriaceae (15.2%, each).CONCLUSIONS: The type of vascular access type is the main risk factor associated with BSI in hemodialysis patients. The arteriovenous fistula, which has a lower infection rate compared to the catheter, is the best available option for hemodialysis patients.LIMITATIONS: Retrospective, single center and relatively small sample size.CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

No abstract

No abstract

Human intestinal tract contained a diverse number of microbial communities which performed a significant role in human health. The presence of gut microbiota was affected mainly by diet. Camel milk is the source of nutrition and provides all the essential nutrients for growth. It has great significance in the treatment of liver, spleen, and anemic infections. Camel urine has also many medical advantages. In this study we examined the effect of camel milk and urine and a mixture of both (milk + urine) on the growth of Gut microbiota using an in vivo animal model. Fresh fecal samples were collected before and after administration of the tested materials. After that, the microbial analysis was conducted via culturing, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and metabolic analysis via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The result indicated that the numbers of bacterial groups were increased after the first dose. Coliform group have significant increase when given a mix of milk and urine compared to control group with P < 0.05. Bifidobacterium group have significant increase in their number in the Milk and Mix groups compared to control group with P < 0.05. The concentration of Short-chain fatty acids in fecal samples was increased in Milk and Mix groups compared to control group. In conclusion, drinking camal milk, urine or a mix of both increased the growth of Gut microbiota.

No abstract

Some medicinal plants are used traditionally in Saudi Arabia to treat many bacterial infections. Three plants, lemongrass (Oymbopogon citrates), lantana (Lantana camara), and wild olive leaves (Olea europaea) were collected, identified, extracted with either hot water or organic solvents (methanol, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) to investigate their antibacterial activities against E. coli. The methanol extracts of lemongrass, lantana and olive showed the highest activities against Esherichia coil while aqueous extract exhibited the lowest activities. Thus, the antibacterial activities of the methanolic extract of the three tested plants were determined using agar well diffusion method against some bacterial pathogens, isolated from urine samples. The highest antibacterial activity was recorded for themethanolic extract of lemongrass against all tested bacteria, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeuroginosa, P. mirabilis, E. faecalis and S. aureus. The tested bacteria differed with regard to their susceptibility to plant extracts. Lemongrass was the most active extract followed by lantana and wild olive extracts. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the methanolic extract of Lemongrass and some used antibiotics, Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol were determined usingfluorescein diacetate method. Synergistic effect of the methanolic extract of lemongrass with the previous antibiotics against the tested clinical bacterial isolates was determined and the Fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC) of different combination of the extract and the antibiotics were determined. FIC index (FICI) was calculated and it was ranged from 0.08 -0.98. The interaction between the tested plant extract and the tested antibiotics was either synergistic or additive effects and no antagonistic effect was recorded. In conclusion, methanolic extract of lemongrass singly or in combination with some antibiotics can be used to treat pathogenic bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.