Cutaneous Barriers in Defense Against Microbial Invasion

Skin Barrier ◽  
2005 ◽  
pp. 383-398 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Invasion

A Rapid Amniotic Fluid Interleukin-6 Assessment for the Identification of Intra-Amniotic Inflammation in Women with Preterm Labor and Intact Membranes

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Teresa Cobo ◽  
Victoria Aldecoa ◽  
Magdalena Holeckova ◽  
Ctirad Andrys ◽  
Xavier Filella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Predictive Model ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Preterm Labor ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Microbial Invasion ◽  
Automated Method ◽  
Spontaneous Delivery

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> A multivariable predictive model has recently been developed with good accuracy to predict spontaneous preterm delivery within 7 days in women with preterm labor (PTL) and intact membranes. However, this model measures amniotic fluid (AF) interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations using the ELISA method, thereby limiting clinical implementation. The main objectives of this study were to validate the automated immunoassay as a quantitative method to measure AF IL-6 in women with PTL and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of AF IL-6 alone and as part of a multivariable predictive model to predict spontaneous delivery in 7 days with this automated method. <b><i>Study Design:</i></b> This is a retrospective observational study in women with PTL below 34 weeks who underwent amniocentesis to rule out microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity. Women with clinical signs of chorioamnionitis, cervical length measurement at admission &#x3e;5th centile, maternal age &#x3c;18 years, and no consent to perform amniocentesis for this indication were excluded. The local Institutional Review Boards approved the study (HCB/2019/0940). <b><i>Analysis of AF IL-6 Concentrations:</i></b> AF IL-6 concentrations were measured using an automated Cobas e602 electrochemiluminescence immunoanalyzer and Human IL-6 Quantikine ELISA kit. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the entire study group (<i>n</i> = 100), 38 women spontaneously delivered within 7 days after admission. Both laboratory methods showed good agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.937 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.908–0.957); <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Diagnostic performance of AF IL-6 to predict spontaneous delivery within 7 days when it was included in the multivariable predictive model showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.894 (95% CI 0.799–0.955), sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 74%, positive predictive value of 73%, negative predictive value of 97%, positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.7, and negative LR of 0.045. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> While both analytical methods were comparable for measuring AF IL-6 concentrations in women with PTL, the Cobas immunoanalyzer provided rapid diagnosis of intra-amniotic inflammation within minutes. The predictive model showed a good diagnostic performance to target women at high risk of spontaneous delivery within 7 days.

scholarly journals Homeostatic Functions of Tecrem, a CD46-Like Regulatory Protein of Complement Activation, on Epithelial Cells in Carp Fish

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 687
Author(s):  
Harsha Prakash ◽  
Shiori Motobe ◽  
Takahiro Nagasawa ◽  
Tomonori Somamoto ◽  
Miki Nakao
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Aqueous Environment ◽  
Microbial Invasion ◽  
Epithelial Cell Lines ◽  
Expression Behavior ◽  
The Common ◽  
Ginbuna Crucian Carp ◽  
Junction Proteins

Fish mucosal surface is a significant interface for pathogens to infect from an aqueous environment. In addition to mucosal innate and adaptive immune factors, epithelial cells are considered as a significant physical barrier against microbial invasion. Previously, we identified a mammalian CD46-like complement regulatory protein (Tecrem) in teleost and detected its expression on epithelial cells derived from fin, suggesting its physiological role on the fish surface. This study examines the homeostatic roles of Tecrem in maintaining the fish epithelium, by analyzing the expression behavior of Tecrem on the fin-derived epithelial cell lines (KF-1 from the common carp and CFS from ginbuna crucian carp) using monoclonal and polyclonal anti-Tecrem antibodies. Expression of KF-1 protein was associated with the adhesion of KF-1, and the adhesion was enhanced by anti-Tecrem treatments of the cells. Stimulation of the epithelial cells with anti-Tecrem enhanced wound healing, protein expression of tight-junction proteins, and cell density of the KF-1 and CFS monolayer culture. These results suggest that Tecrem on epithelial cells play a homeostatic role in maintaining intactness of the surface epithelial barrier, implying that modification of Tecrem expression may develop a novel tool to improve the first-line defense against pathogens in aquaculture.

scholarly journals Relationships among intramammary health, udder and teat characteristics, and productivity of extensively managed ewes

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M Knuth ◽  
Whitney C Stewart ◽  
Joshua B Taylor ◽  
Bledar Bisha ◽  
Carl J Yeoman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Maldi Tof Ms ◽  
Microbial Species ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
Microbial Invasion ◽  
Lactation Stage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Culture Positive ◽  
Tof Ms

Abstract Mastitis is an economically important disease and its subclinical state is difficult to diagnose, which makes mitigation more challenging. The objectives of this study were to screen clinically healthy ewes in order to 1) identify cultivable microbial species in milk, 2) evaluate somatic cell count (SCC) thresholds associated with intramammary infection, and 3) estimate relationships between udder and teat morphometric traits, SCC, and ewe productivity. Milk was collected from two flocks in early (&lt;5 d) and peak (30 to 45 d) lactation to quantify SCC (n = 530) and numerate cultivable microbial species by culture-based isolation followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS; n = 243) identification. Within flock and lactation stage, 11% to 74% (mean = 36%) of samples were culture positive. More than 50 unique identifications were classified by MALDI-TOF MS analysis, and Bacillus licheniformis (18% to 27%), Micrococcus flavus (25%), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (7% to 18%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (26%) were among the most common within flock and across lactation stage. Optimum SCC thresholds to identify culture-positive samples ranged from 175 × 103 to 1,675 × 103 cells/mL. Ewe productivity was assessed as total 120-d adjusted litter weight (LW120) and analyzed within flock with breed, parity, year, and the linear covariate of log10 SCC (LSCC) at early or peak lactation. Although dependent on lactation stage and year, each 1-unit increase in LSCC (e.g., an increase in SCC from 100 × 103 to 1,000 × 103 cells/mL) was predicted to decrease LW120 between 9.5 and 16.1 kg when significant. Udder and teat traits included udder circumference, teat length, teat placement, and degree of separation of the udder halves. Correlations between traits were generally low to moderate within and across lactation stage and most were not consistently predictive of ewe LSCC. Overall, the frequencies of bacteria-positive milk samples indicated that subclinical mastitis (SCM) is common in these flocks and can impact ewe productivity. Therefore, future research is warranted to investigate pathways and timing of microbial invasion, genomic regions associated with susceptibility, and husbandry to mitigate the impact of SCM in extensively managed ewes.

Subsurface Microbial Invasion Affects the Microbial Community of Coal Seams

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Bingjun Liu ◽  
Liang Yuan ◽  
Sheng Xue ◽  
Xiaozhou Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Coal Seams ◽  
Microbial Invasion

scholarly journals Designing New Antibacterial Wound Dressings: Development of a Dual Layer Cotton Material Coated with Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)_Chitosan Nanofibers Incorporating Agrimonia eupatoria L. Extract

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Cláudia Mouro ◽  
Colum P. Dunne ◽  
Isabel C. Gouveia
Keyword(s):  
Composite Material ◽  
Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Coating Layer ◽  
Wound Dressings ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Microbial Invasion ◽  
Layer Composite ◽  
Medicinal Plant Extracts

Wounds display particular vulnerability to microbial invasion and infections by pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, to reduce the risk of wound infections, researchers have expended considerable energy on developing advanced therapeutic dressings, such as electrospun membranes containing antimicrobial agents. Among the most used antimicrobial agents, medicinal plant extracts demonstrate considerable potential for clinical use, due primarily to their efficacy allied to relatively low incidence of adverse side-effects. In this context, the present work aimed to develop a unique dual-layer composite material with enhanced antibacterial activity derived from a coating layer of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Chitosan (CS) containing Agrimonia eupatoria L. (AG). This novel material has properties that facilitate it being electrospun above a conventional cotton gauze bandage pre-treated with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy free radical (TEMPO). The produced dual-layer composite material demonstrated features attractive in production of wound dressings, specifically, wettability, porosity, and swelling capacity. Moreover, antibacterial assays showed that AG-incorporated into PVA_CS’s coating layer could effectively inhibit Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) growth. Equally important, the cytotoxic profile of the dual-layer material in normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells demonstrated biocompatibility. In summary, these data provide initial confidence that the TEMPO-oxidized cotton/PVA_CS dressing material containing AG extract demonstrates adequate mechanical attributes for use as a wound dressing and represents a promising approach to prevention of bacterial wound contamination.

scholarly journals Modulation of Bovine Endometrial Cell Receptors and Signaling Pathways as a Nanotherapeutic Exploration against Dairy Cow Postpartum Endometritis

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1516
Author(s):  
Ayodele Olaolu Oladejo ◽  
Yajuan Li ◽  
Xiaohu Wu ◽  
Bereket Habte Imam ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathway ◽  
Endometrial Cell ◽  
Cell Receptors ◽  
Endometrial Cells ◽  
Microbial Invasion ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

In order to control and prevent bovine endometritis, there is a need to understand the molecular pathogenesis of the infectious disease. Bovine endometrium is usually invaded by a massive mobilization of microorganisms, especially bacteria, during postpartum dairy cows. Several reports have implicated the Gram-negative bacteria in the pathogenesis of bovine endometritis, with information dearth on the potentials of Gram-positive bacteria and their endotoxins. The invasive bacteria and their ligands pass through cellular receptors such as TLRs, NLRs, and biomolecular proteins of cells activate the specific receptors, which spontaneously stimulates cellular signaling pathways like MAPK, NF-kB and sequentially triggers upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The cascade of inflammatory induction involves a dual signaling pathway; the transcription factor NF-κB is released from its inhibitory molecule and can bind to various inflammatory genes promoter. The MAPK pathways are concomitantly activated, leading to specific phosphorylation of the NF-κB. The provision of detailed information on the molecular pathomechanism of bovine endometritis with the interaction between host endometrial cells and invasive bacteria in this review would widen the gap of exploring the potential of receptors and signal transduction pathways in nanotechnology-based drug delivery system. The nanotherapeutic discovery of endometrial cell receptors, signal transduction pathway, and cell biomolecules inhibitors could be developed for strategic inhibition of infectious signals at the various cell receptors and signal transduction levels, interfering on transcription factors activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines and genes expression, which may significantly protect endometrium against postpartum microbial invasion.

scholarly journals Lack of evidence for microbiota in the placental and fetal tissues of rhesus macaques

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin R. Theis ◽  
Roberto Romero ◽  
Andrew D. Winters ◽  
Alan H. Jobe ◽  
Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequencing ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Uterine Wall ◽  
Bacterial Burden ◽  
Multiple Modes ◽  
Fetal Tissues ◽  
Microbial Invasion ◽  
Cutibacterium Acnes

ABSTRACTThe prevailing paradigm in obstetrics has been the sterile womb hypothesis. However, some are asserting that the placenta, intra-amniotic environment, and fetus harbor microbial communities. The objective of this study was to determine if the fetal and placental tissues of rhesus macaques harbor viable bacterial communities. Fetal, placental, and uterine wall samples were obtained from cesarean deliveries without labor (∼130/166 days gestation). The presence of viable bacteria in the fetal intestine and placenta was investigated through culture. The bacterial burden and profile of the placenta, umbilical cord, and fetal brain, heart, liver, and colon were determined through quantitative real-time PCR and DNA sequencing. These data were compared with those of the uterine wall, as well as to negative and positive technical controls. Bacterial cultures of fetal and placental tissues yielded only a single colony of Cutibacterium acnes. This bacterium was detected at a low relative abundance (0.02%) in the 16S rRNA gene profile of the villous tree sample from which it was cultured, yet it was also identified in 12/29 background technical controls. The bacterial burden and profile of fetal and placental tissues did not exceed or differ from those of background technical controls. In contrast, the bacterial burden and profiles of positive controls exceeded and differed from those of background controls. Among the macaque samples, distinct microbial signals were limited to the uterine wall. Therefore, using multiple modes of microbiologic inquiry, there was not consistent evidence of viable bacterial communities in the fetal and placental tissues of rhesus macaques.IMPORTANCEMicrobial invasion of the amniotic cavity (i.e. intra-amniotic infection) has been causally linked to pregnancy complications, especially preterm birth. Therefore, if the placenta and the fetus are typically populated by low biomass yet viable microbial communities, current understanding of the role of microbes in reproduction and pregnancy outcomes will need to be fundamentally reconsidered. Could these communities be of benefit by competitively excluding potential pathogens or priming the fetal immune system for the microbial bombardment it will experience upon delivery? If so, what properties (e.g. microbial load, community membership) of these microbial communities preclude versus promote intra-amniotic infection? Given the ramifications of the in utero colonization hypothesis, critical evaluation is required. In this study, using multiple modes of microbiologic inquiry (i.e. culture, qPCR, DNA sequencing) and controlling for potential background DNA contamination, we did not find consistent evidence for microbial communities in the placenta and fetal tissues of rhesus macaques.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document