Role of Th1 and Th2 in Bacterial Infections

Abstract The role of procalcitonin (PCT) plasma levels as a diagnostic tool for intensive care patients has been intensively investigated during the past years. In particular for recognition of bacterial infections, PCT levels have been shown to be superior to other clinical and biochemical markers. Furthermore, some very recent studies show that in patients with lower respiratory tract infections PCT guided antibiotic therapy reduces antibiotic use and thereby may also reduce duration of stay of patients in hospital and thus cut hospitalisation costs. However, various studies indicate that the value of PCT as a prognostic marker is limited because of false positive or negative values. Despite these limitations PCT plasma levels are currently measured in intensive care units. The present study summarises the possible clinical uses of this laboratory marker as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of critically ill patients.

Download Full-text

Biosurveillance of Selected Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in a Zoo

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10040428 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 428

Author(s):

Pavel Kvapil ◽

Joško Račnik ◽

Marjan Kastelic ◽

Jiřina Marková ◽

Jean-Benjamin Murat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Infections ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Field Mouse ◽

Wild Rodents ◽

Cygnus Olor ◽

Multiplex Pcr Assay ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Zoo Animals ◽

Mute Swans

Monitoring of infectious diseases is one of the most important pillars of preventive medicine in zoos. Screening for parasitic and bacterial infections is important to keep animals and equipment safe from pathogens that may pose a risk to animal and human health. Zoos usually contain many different animal species living in proximity with people and wild animals. As an epidemiological probe, 188 animals (122 mammals, 65 birds, and one reptile) from a zoo in Slovenia were examined for selected pathogens. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum were detected by ELISA in 38% (46/122) and 3% (4/122) of mammals, and in 0% (0/64) and 2% (1/57) of birds, respectively; the reptile (0/1) was negative. A statistically significant difference in T. gondii prevalence was found in Carnivora compared to Cetartiodactyla and primate antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected by IFAT in 44% (52/118) of mammals and 20% (11/56) of birds, respectively; the reptile (0/1) was negative. Herbivores had a higher chance of being infected with E. cuniculi compared to omnivores. Antibodies to Chlamydia abortus and Coxiella burnetii were not detected in any of the 74 tested zoo animals. The sera of 39 wild rodents found in the zoo were also examined; they were negative for all three parasites. The parasite T. gondii was detected by PCR in the tissue of two mute swans (Cygnus olor), three eastern house mice (Mus musculus), one yellow-necked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), and one striped field mouse (A. agrarius). Positive samples were genotyped by a single multiplex PCR assay using 15 microsatellite markers; one sample from a mute swan was characterized as type II. This micro-epidemiological study offers a better understanding of pathogens in zoo animals and an understanding of the role of zoos in biosurveillance.

Download Full-text

The Use of Micro- and Nanocarriers for Resveratrol Delivery into and across the Skin in Different Skin Diseases—A Literature Review

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13040451 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 451

Author(s):

Beata Szulc-Musioł ◽

Beata Sarecka-Hujar

Keyword(s):

Transdermal Delivery ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Skin Surface ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Skin Abnormalities ◽

Low Solubility ◽

Active Substances ◽

Poor Stability

In recent years, polyphenols have been extensively studied due to their antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown that anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavan-3-ols play an important role in the prevention of bacterial infections, as well as vascular or skin diseases. Particularly, resveratrol, as a multi-potent agent, may prevent or mitigate the effects of oxidative stress. As the largest organ of the human body, skin is an extremely desirable target for the possible delivery of active substances. The transdermal route of administration of active compounds shows many advantages, including avoidance of gastrointestinal irritation and the first-pass effect. Moreover, it is non-invasive and can be self-administered. However, this delivery is limited, mainly due to the need to overpassing the stratum corneum, the possible decomposition of the substances in contact with the skin surface or in the deeper layers thereof. In addition, using resveratrol for topical and transdermal delivery faces the problems of its low solubility and poor stability. To overcome this, novel systems of delivery are being developed for the effective transport of resveratrol across the skin. Carriers in the micro and nano size were demonstrated to be more efficient for safe and faster topical and transdermal delivery of active substances. The present review aimed to discuss the role of resveratrol in the treatment of skin abnormalities with a special emphasis on technologies enhancing transdermal delivery of resveratrol.

Download Full-text

Role of the Inflammasome, IL-1β, and IL-18 in Bacterial Infections

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/2011/212680 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 2037-2050 ◽

Cited By ~ 123

Author(s):

Manoranjan Sahoo ◽

Ivonne Ceballos-Olvera ◽

Laura del Barrio ◽

Fabio Re

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Infections ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Host Responses ◽

Inflammasome Activation ◽

Different Types ◽

Molecular Aspects ◽

Immune Pathway ◽

Innate Immune Pathway ◽

Receptor Family

The inflammasome is an important innate immune pathway that regulates at least two host responses protective against infections: (1) secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1βand IL-18 and (2) induction of pyroptosis, a form of cell death. Inflammasomes, of which different types have been identified, are multiprotein complexes containing pattern recognition receptors belonging to the Nod-like receptor family or the PYHIN family and the protease caspase-1. The molecular aspects involved in the activation of different inflammasomes by various pathogens are being rapidly elucidated, and their role during infections is being characterized. Production of IL-1βand IL-18 and induction of pyroptosis of the infected cell have been shown to be protective against many infectious agents. Here, we review the recent literature concerning inflammasome activation in the context of bacterial infections and identify important questions to be answered in the future.

Download Full-text