In-vitro antimicrobial activity of selected honeys on clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori

Background

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium incriminated in gastroduodenal ulcers, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma imposing a major burden on health care systems worldwide. Honeys have been shown to have in vitro activity against microaorganisms and suitable for use in ulcers, infected wounds and burns.

Objective

The study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial potential of honeys (Manuka−, Capillano®, Eco- and Mountain) at different concentrations (10%v/v, 20%v/v, 50%v/v and 75%v/v) against clinical isolates of H. pylori.

Methods

H. pylori was isolated from gastric biopsies of patients with gastroduodenal pathologies following standard microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates to different honey varieties was determined by the disk diffusion assay. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the most potent honey was determined by the agar dilution method. Data were analysed using the Fisher exact test and statistical significance considered at p<0.05.

Results

All the four honey varieties exhibited antibacterial activity. The strongest inhibitory activity (82.22%) was demonstrated by Mountain honey at 75%v/v, followed by Capillano® and Manuka− honeys (75.56%), and Eco-honey (73.36%) at the same concentration. However, no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was noted between the honeys at different concentrations. The MIC and MBC concentrations of Mountain honey were in the range 0.117 – 0.938ì/mL and 0.366 – 2.965ìg/mL respectively. The antimicrobial potential of these honeys at different concentrations were highly comparable to clarithromycin, the positive control.

Conclusion

These honeys may contain compounds with therapeutic potential against our local isolates of H. pylori.     

The prevalence of helicobacter pylori among dyspeptic patients in an earthquake-stricken area

OBJECTIVES:

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, urease-producing bacterium with multiple unipolar flagella. Humans are a major reservoir for H. pylori; however, there are no data on the prevalence of H. pylori among dyspeptic patients who have experienced natural disasters. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of H. pylori in dyspeptic patients who survived a recent natural disaster and to compare the data between the pre-disaster and post-disaster periods.

METHODS:

Between December 2011 and February 2012 (∼ one month following an earthquake), 209 dyspeptic patients who underwent gastroscopy were included in the study. For microorganism identification, gastric biopsy materials from the 209 disaster survivors with dyspeptic complaints were tested for urease activity in a medium containing urea and a pH indicator. The obtained results were compared with pre-disaster data from dyspeptic patients in the same city during the corresponding period of the previous year. Furthermore, the current H. pylori prevalence was evaluated among 139 dyspeptic patients between January 2014 and May 2014.

RESULTS:

We found a significantly higher prevalence of H. pylori in disaster survivors with dyspepsia compared with dyspeptic patients in the pre-disaster period (p<0.005). Interestingly, the current H. pylori prevalence was found to be significantly higher than the prevalence in both the disaster and pre-disaster periods (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that a recent earthquake could contribute to the development of H. pylori infection in subjects who live in the disaster-stricken area. These data also highlight the exceptionally high H. pylori prevalence in dyspeptic patients. Regional variations require further analyses.     

Helicobacter pylori Urease Activity is Influenced by Ferric Uptake Regulator

Purpose

The role of the Ferric Uptake Regulator (FUR) in the acid resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been thought to be independent of urease. However, we demonstrated in this study that Fur influences urease activity.

Materials and Methods

A fur knockout mutant of H. pylori was constructed by replacing the Fur gene with a kanamycin resistant marker gene. The wild-type H. pylori and fur mutant were compared for survival. The integrity of the inner membrane of the bacteria was evaluated by confocal microscopy using membrane-permeant and -impermeant fluorescent DNA probes. Urease activity of intact H. pylori was measured between pH 3 and 8. Real time PCR of both strains was performed for urease genes including ureI, ureE, ureF, ureG, and ureH.

Results

The fur deletion affected the survival of H. pylori at pH 4. The urease activity curve of the intact fur mutant showed the same shape as the wild-type but was 3-fold lower than the wild-type at a pH of less than 5. Real time PCR revealed that the expression of all genes was consistently down-regulated in the fur mutant.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that fur appears to be involved in acid resistant H. pylori urease activity.     

Risk factors for un-investigated dyspepsia among primary care patients in northern Nigeria

Background

Many risk factors have been speculated to be associated with uninvestigated dyspepsia amongst different population groups. Some of which have been subjected to epidemiological survey while others remain unevaluated.

Objective

We evaluated some of the documented risk factors amongst patient presenting with uninvestigated dyspepsia and compared with a matched group without dyspepsia in a primary care setting.

Methods

The study was a matched case controlled study. 103 consecutive patient aged between 18 and 50 years that presented with dyspepsia (cases) were enrolled. These were matched by age and sex with the same number of subjects without dyspepsia (controls). Data were collated using a structured questionnaireOdds ratios and p-values were used to determine the significance of documented categorical risk factors associated with dyspepsia using two by two tables. For risk factors that were continuous variables the means, standard deviations and p-values were used. Risk factors with their p-values <0.2 were entered into logistic regression to identify those independently associated with dyspepsia.

Result

H.pylori seropositivity was 22.3% and 13.6% among cases and controls respectively (p = 0.10). Pepper intake (p <0.0001) and tea intake (p = 0.0002) and greater years of education (p = 0.0065) were significantly associated with dyspepsia. H. pylori seropositivity was not related to the risk of developing dyspepsia.

Conclusion

Helicobacter pylori seropositivity was not found to be a significant contributor to risk of developing dyspepsia among the studied population contrary to general belief. Pepper intake, tea intake and greater years of education were found to significant contributors to dyspepsia.     

Correlation between the cystathionine-r-lyase (CES) and the severity of peptic ulcer disease

Background

The infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most important causes of gastric ulcer disease. The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production in H. pylori-induced gastric ulcer disease.

Aim

The expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) was determined, and correlated with the severity of gastric ulcer disease.

Methods

One hundred and eight patients were selected based on the determination of gastric ulcer and the infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), including 36 normal control, 36 patients with H. Pylori-negative gastric ulcer, and 36 patients with H. Pylori-positive gastric ulcer. RT-PCR determination was performed to determine the expression of CSE, NF-κB and IL-8.

Results

The expression of CSE, NF-κB and IL-8 was higher in the gastric ulcer group than control group (p<0.05). Compared with the H. pylori-negative gastric ulcer, the expression of CSE, NF-κB and IL-8 was higher than H. pylori-positive gastric ulcer group (p<0.05). For H. pylori-negative gastric ulcer group, the expression of CSE positively correlated with the expression of NF-κB (r=0.98, p<0.05) and IL-8 (r=0.95, p<0.05). For H. pylori-positive gastric ulcer group, the expression of CSE also positively correlated with the expression of NF-κB (r=0.99, p<0.05) and IL-8 (r=0.85, p<0.05).

Conclusion

The expression of CSE was positively correlated with the severity of gastric ulcer.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori isolates from Lower Silesia,Poland

Introduction

In recent years the failure of standard therapy for Helicobacter pylori infections has been observed, which results primarily from the increasing resistance of H. pylori strains to antibiotics. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance of H. pylori strains isolated from adult symptomatic patients with primary infection in the Lower Silesia Region in Poland.

Material and methods

One hundred and seventy-eight adults aged 19–89 years with dyspeptic symptoms suggesting gastroduodenal pathology were enrolled in the study. The study was performed in the years 2008–2011. Fifty H. pylori strains were isolated from gastric biopsy samples of examined patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility to 6 drugs (amoxicillin (AM), clarithromycin (CH), metronidazole (MZ), tetracycline (TC), levofloxacin (LEV), and rifabutin (RB)) was tested by the gradient-diffusion method (E-test method).

Results

The incidence of H. pylori infection among examined patients was 35%. From 50 isolated H. pylori strains, 24% showed resistance to CH, 42% to MZ and 8% to LEV alone. Multidrug resistance was detected in 26% of strains, whereas 20% of isolates were resistant to MZ and CH. Examined strains were fully susceptible to AM, TC and RB.

Conclusions

Resistance to clarithromycin strains isolated from adults of the Lower Silesia Region in Poland is high and is almost always associated with resistance to metronidazole (CH + MZ). It is necessary to continuously monitor H. pylori resistance to drugs used in therapy, especially to clarithromycin. Verification of the existing recommendations of eradication therapy is also needed.     

Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Oxidant Activities of Leaf Extracts of Combretum Vendae (Combretecacea) and the Isolation of an Anti-Bacterial Compound

Background

Combretum vendae A.E. van Wyk (Combretaceae) is used for the treatment of bacterial related infections and oxidative related diseases by indigenous people of South Africa. Dried leaves extracts of C. vendae were investigated for bioactivity against a variety of bacterial strains and their antioxidant potential evaluated.

Materials and methods

Constituents of leaf material were serially extracted using solvents of varying polarities, TLC chromatograms of the fractions were sprayed with 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) to determine the presence of antioxidant compounds. Bio-autography was used to determine the number of antibacterial compounds active against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Eschericha coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined using serial microplate dilution method. The chloroform fraction was subjected to bio-assay guided column chromatography to isolate the active compound.

Results

The mass extracted by different solvents was below 10% dry weight. MIC values for different extracts against different pathogens ranges from 0.08 to 0.64 mg/ml. The compound isolated was identified as acacetin having an R_f value of 0.28 following elution in the Ethanol: Methanol: Water [E: M: W (10: 1.35: 1 v/v). Acacetin had MIC values ranging from 0.16 to 0.35 mg/ml.

Conclusion

We report for the first time the isolation of acacetin as the main antibacterial compound from the leaves of Combretum vendae.     

Evaluation of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with common migraine headache

Introduction

Migraine can cause headache in different communities so that 12-15% are suffering worldwide. Recently the relationship between infectious diseases such as Helicobacter pylori infection and migraine headache has been the focus of many studies. The current study was designed to evaluate IgG and IgM antibodies to H. pylori in patients suffering from migraine headaches.

Material and methods

Patients who had diagnostic criteria for migraine were chosen as cases compared to some healthy individuals as the control group amongst which immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), age, job, gastro-intestinal (GI) disorders, history of migraine, special meals, medications, sleeping disorders, stress, environmental factors etc were analysed.

Results

The prevalence of disease was 38.6%. Household women had the highest prevalence (40%). Among them menstruation was related to high prevalence of migraine. 75.6% of patients had gastrointestinal disorders of which the gastric reflux was the most important sign (47.1%). The mean optical density (OD) value of IgG and IgM antibody to H. pylori was 60.08 ±7.7 and 32.1 ±8.7 for the case group, 21.82 ±6.2 and 17.6 ±9.4 for the control group, respectively.

Conclusions

There was a significant difference in mean OD value of both antibodies to H. pylori amongst the case and control groups. As a result, active H. pylori infection is strongly related to the outbreak and severity of migraine headaches, and H. pylori treatment reduces migraine headaches significantly. Hopefully, the definite treatment and eradication of this infection can cure or reduce the severity and course of migraine headaches significantly if not totally.     

The efficacy of the crude root bark extracts of Erythrina abyssinica on rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality with a global mortality rate at two million deaths per year while one third of the world''s population is infected with the TB bacillus.

Ojective

To determine the efficacy of the crude extracts of Erythrina abyssinica root bark on rifampicin-resistant TB.

Methods

Crude extracts of root bark of Erythrina abyssinica, were screened against three strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis including rifampicin-resistant TMC-331. Susceptibility tests used the disc diffusion method and were done on solid Middle brook 7H10, while the Minimum Inhibitory concentration (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBCs) were determined by the Microtitre plate method using Middle brook 7H9 broth.

Results

The total crude methanol extract showed activity against all the three strains of mycobacterium used, at 50mg/ml and diameters of zones of inhibition of up to 26 mm. Erythrina abyssinica total crude methanol extract showed the highest activity on the pan sensitive strain H37Rv (0.39±0.0 mg/ml) and the rifampicin resistant strain (TMC-331) (2.35±1.11 mg/ ml) and was also active on Mycobacterium avium (0.39±0.mg/ml. The values for isoniazid were 0.25µg/ml and 9.38µg/ml for H37Rv and TMC-331 respectively, while for rifampicin the MIC value was 0.25µg/ml for H37Rv but it was not active on TMC-331. Acute toxicity test gave an LD50 of 776.2mg/kg body weight while the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins and flavones.

Conclusion

The conclusion from the study was that Erythrina abbyssinica has antimycobacterial activity and reasonable safety that merits further research.     

Comparison of immunohistochemical and modified Giemsa stains for demonstration of Helicobacter pylori infection in an African population

Background

Modified Giemsa staining has been favoured by many researchers because it is easy to perform but, like many other stains, demonstration of the bacteria depends on its morphology. It has been arged in some research circles that some of the organisms in the gastric mucosa may not be true H.pylori. Immunohistochemical techniques have been developed and make use of anti H.pylori antibody, which reacts, with somatic antigens of the whole bacteria and have been found to correlate well with the presence of the bacteria.

Objective

To ascertain the efficacy of modified Giemsa stain in an African setting where H.Pylori seems quite prevalent.

Study Design

A laboratory-based study of two diagnostic tests in which modified Giema stain was compared with immunohistochemistry.

Methods

A total of 48 consecutive autopsy cases with no upper gastro intestinal diseases had their gastric mucosa stained for demonstration of H.pylori using both modified Giemsa and immunohisto chemical staining techniques.

Results

Twenty-seven cases of H.pylori were demonstrated by both techniques and 14 cases were not identified by the two staining methods. In 2 cases immunostain could not demonstrate the bacteria but they were identified with modified Giemsa stain while in 5 cases the bacteria were identified by immunostain but not with modified Giemsa stain. The sensitivity of modified Giemsa stain was 85% (CI 66.5–98.8) while the specificity was 89% (CI 60.4–97.8). The positive predictive value of modified Giemsa stain was 93% CI 75–98.8%) while the negative predictive value was 74% (CI 48.6–89.9). The kappa statistic comparing the 2 stains was 0.69 (p value 0.00001) giving a good agreement between the two tests.

Conclusion

With the above results the modified Giemsa stain, which is readily available in most African laboratories, is recommenced for diagnosis of H.pylori, a prevalent infection in Africa.Key words: H.pylori, modified Giemsa, immunohistochemical stains, CI - Confidence Interval     

The Antibacterial Activity of Traditionally Used Salvadora Persica L. (Miswak) and Commiphora Gileadensis (Palsam) in Saudi Arabia

Background

Nowadays there is a need to find naturally occurring substances from plants with antimicrobial activity as an alternative to available used antibiotics.

Materials and Methods

Salvadora persica (miswak) and Commiphora gileadensis were collected, dried and extracted with either methanol or warm water and the obtained extracts were assessed for their antibacterial activity against 5 different genera of bacteria using agar well diffusion method. The tested bacteria included some human pathogens.

Results

The obtained extracts exhibited considerable inhibitory effects against all the tested bacteria with various degrees of growth inhibition. It was shown that methanol extract was more effective compared to water extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the methanol extracts ranged from 50–100 °g/ml. No toxicity was found using Artimia salina as test organism and no antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma.

Conclusion

S. persica and C. gileadensis showed moderate to high inhibitory activity on pathogenic bacteria with no toxicity and can be used traditionally as alternative medicine     

The Relationship between Gastric Juice Nitrate/Nitrite Concentrations and Gastric Mucosal Surface pH

Purpose

To investigate gastric juice nitrate/nitrite concentration according to mucosal surface pH extent (area) of gastric corpus intimately contacting the gastric juice.

Materials and Methods

We included ninety-nine patients with dyspepsia. To evaluate gastric mucosal surface pH and its extent, gastric chromosocpy was performed by spraying phenol red dye on the corpus mucosa and estimating the extent of area with color changed. Nitrate/nitrite concentrations and pH of gastric juice were measured by ELISA and pH meter, respectively. Silver staining was done to histologically confirm the presence of Helicobacter pylori.

Results

Intragastric nitrate/nitrite concentrations in patients, showing phenol red staining mucosa were higher than those of unstaining mucosa (p=0.001): the more extensive in the area of phenol red staining area of corpus, the higher gastric juice pH found (r=0.692, p<0.001). Furthermore, the intragastric nitrate/nitrite concentrations correlated positively with gastric juice pH (r=0.481, p<0.001).

Conclusion

The changes of mucosal surface pH and its extent in gastric corpus might affect either pH or nitrate/nitrite level of gastric juice.     

Teicoplanin dosing strategy for treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in Korean patients with neutropenic fever

Purpose

The present study was conducted to determine and compare the target attainment rate (TAR) between microorganism-nonspecific (C_trough) and microorganism-specific (AUC₂₄/MIC) targets over two weeks of teicoplanin administration according to several dose regimens for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in Korean patients with neutropenic fever.

Materials and Methods

One thousand virtual concentrations were obtained for each dose using the population pharmacokinetic parameters of teicoplanin adopted from a published study. Simulation of 1,000 virtual MICs was performed using the MICs of 78 clinical isolates of S. aureus collected from a hospital in Korea. Thereafter, these simulated MICs were randomly allocated to 1,000 virtual patients in whom the TARs for AUC₂₄/MIC >125 [or 345] and C_trough >10 [or 20] mg/L were determined. The relationship of the maintenance dose with the steady-state TAR was predicted with respect to the AUC₂₄/MIC >125 [or 345] using logistic analysis.

Results

The standard dose regimen of teicoplanin showed TARs of about 70% [or 33%] and 70% [or 20%] at steady-state in cases with AUC₂₄/MIC >125 [or 345] and C_trough >10 [or 20] mg/L, respectively.

Conclusion

The current standard dose regimen was predicted to be insufficient to adequately treat S. aureus in Korean patients with neutropenic fever. To assure at least an 80% TAR in this population, dose adjustment of teicoplanin should be considered.     

The effect of helicobacter pylori eradication on macrophage migration inhibitory factor, c-reactive protein and fetuin-a levels

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication on blood levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), macrophage migration inhibitory factor and fetuin-A in patients with dyspepsia who are concurrently infected with H. pylori.

METHODS:

H.pylori infection was diagnosed based on the ¹⁴C urea breath test (UBT) and histology. Lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily, amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily were given to all infected patients for 14 days; ¹⁴C UBT was then re-measured. In 30 subjects, migration inhibitory factor, fetuin-A and hs-CRP levels were examined before and after the eradication of H. pylori infection and compared to levels in 30 healthy subjects who tested negative for H. pylori infection.

RESULTS:

Age and sex distribution were comparable between patients and controls. Migration inhibitory factor and hs-CRP levels were higher, and fetuin-A levels were lower, in H. pylori-infected patients (p<0.05). Following eradication of H. pylori, migration inhibitory factor and hs-CRP levels were significantly decreased, whereas fetuin-A levels were increased. However, eradication of the organism did not change lipid levels (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that H. pylori eradication reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as migration inhibitory factor and hs-CRP and also results in a significant increase in anti-inflammatory markers such as fetuin-A.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Methanolic Extracts of Sambucus Ebulus and Urtica Dioica Against Clinical Isolates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Background

Increase in the emergence of drug -resistant pathogens led to the development of natural antimicrobials. In this study the antimicrobial effect of methanolic extracts of Sambucus ebulus and Urtica dioica on 16 skin and wound infections isolates of methicillin resistant S. aureus have been studied.

Material and Methods

Solvent extraction procedure was done using soxhlet apparatus for extracting antimicrobial agents from freeze dried plants. Antibacterial activity was measured using agar well diffusion method.

Results

The MIC of Sambucus ebulus and Urtica dioica extracts against the standard strain of S. aureus ATCC 6538 were determined using the micro dilution method at 15 mg and 20 mg respectively. All the test bacteria were found sensitive to the Sambucus ebulus extract and only one isolate was resistant to Urtica dioica extract.

Conclusion

Extracts of Sambucus ebulus and Urtica dioica possess antibacterial potency against MRSA isolates and may be used as a natural antiseptics and antimicrobial agents in medicine.     

Extraction and Isolation of Alkaloids of Sophora Alopecuroides and Their Anti-Tumor Effects in H22 Tumor-Bearing Mice

Background

Alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides have good biological activity, and are widely used in clinical settings, which not only have pharmacological activities of anti-cancer, cancer suppression, as well as the inhibition, and killing of various microorganisms; but also possess extensive pharmacological effects on immune system, nervous system and cardiovascular system. The objective of this paper was to extract and isolate total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides (TASA), and to study their anti-tumor effects in H22 tumor-bearing mice.

Materials and Methods

TASA were extracted and isolated using thin-layer chromatography, and column chromatography; and the isolated compounds were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance. The inhibitory effects of TASA on tumor in H22-bearing mice were determined by MTT assay.

Results

Three compounds were isolated from Sophora alopecuroides L., which were matrine, oxymatrine and sophoridine, respectively. Meanwhile, mouse H22 sarcoma model was established and different doses of TASA apparently inhibited solid H22-tumor in mice; it inhibited the thymus, and spleen to some extent; the degree of inhibition was more obvious for the spleen.

Conclusion

TASA has an anti-tumor effect in H22 tumor-bearing mice.     

The Preliminary Assessment of Anti-Microbial Activity of HPLC Separated Components of Kirkia Wilmsii

Background

Most communities in developing countries rely on traditional medicines for the treatment of diseases. In South Africa, the Limpopo province, within the Lebowakgomo district, uses tuberous roots of Kirkia wilmsii, after infusion in water for the treatment of a wide range of diseases by Sotho communities.

Materials and Methods

The main objective of the study was to assess the anti-microbial activity of separated aqueous components of the Kirkia wilmsii tuberous roots. The clear aqueous extracts that were obtained after a 0.45 µm membrane filtration (Millipore Millex-HV Hydrophillic PVDF filter), were then injected into a preparative high performance liquid chromatography instrument in which pure components, as shown by peaks, were collected and evaluated for anti-microbial activity against a range of microorganisms.

Results

The eight separated components were obtained, out of which four components showed anti-microbial activity (AMA). The freeze dried components were re-dissolved in deionised water and then evaluated for AMA against Vibrio cholerae, Shigella dysenteriae, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Salmonella typhi Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Enterobacter aerogenes. Component one exhibited antimicrobial activity against Shigella dysenteriae, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), of 3.445 mg/ml. Component five was only active against Proteus mirabilis with a MIC of 0.08 mg/ml. Component 7, was active against Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with a MIC of 0.365 mg/ml against both Shigella dysenteriae and Staphylococcus aureus and 0.091 mg/ml against Escherichia coli. Component 8, was active against Shigella, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Salmonella, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli with a MIC of 155 mg/ml.

Conclusion

Only four out of eight aqueous extracts showed AMA against both gram negative and positive bacteria and showed no AMA against Candida albicans, Enterobacter aerogenes and Vibrio cholerae. Therefore the Kirkia wilmsii plant root may be used as a broad spectrum antibiotic.     

Lack of Association of the APOE ε4 Allele with the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Study Objectives:

Reports on the association of polymorphisms in the gene encoding apolipoprotein E (APOE)—a vital macromolecule in cholesterol metabolism—with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have provided conflicting results. Our objective was to meta-analytically synthesize the existing evidence for the association of the APOE ε4 allele with the risk of OSA.

Design:

Random effects meta-analysis and meta-regression

Setting:

Genetic epidemiological studies reporting the association of APOE ε4 allele with OSA susceptibility.

Patients or Participants:

Synthesis of APOE ε4 allele data from 6,508 subjects including 1,901 cases of OSA and 4,607 controls.

Interventions:

None

Measurements and Results:

Eight studies were included in the random effects meta-analysis; the summary effect size measured as odds ratio (OR) for association of the APOE ε4 allele with the risk of OSA was found to be 1.13 (95% confidence interval 0.86–1.47). There was a statistically significant heterogeneity (I² = 72%, P = 0.001) across study results that was not explained by the mean age, proportion of males, or the proportion possessing the APOE ε4 allele or when grouped based on the geographic location of the study.

Conclusions:

The hypothesis that the APOE ε4 allele may be causally associated with OSA cannot be supported on the basis of published literature.

Citation:

Thakre TP; Mamtani MR; Kulkarni H. Lack of association of the APOE ε4 allele with the risk of obstructive sleep apnea: meta-analysis and meta-regression. SLEEP 2009;32(11):1507-1511.     

Gastric Autoantigenic Proteins in Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Purpose

This study tried to identify novel gastric autoimmune antigens that might be involved in aggravating the atrophic gastritis among patients with Helicobacter pylori infection using two-dimensional immunoblotting analysis.

Materials and Methods

Proteins from gastric mucosal antrectomy specimens and AGS cells (gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines derived from a Caucasian patient who had received no prior therapy) were 2-dimensionally immunoblotted separately with a pool of 300 sera from H. pylroi-infected patients at Gyeongsang National University Hospital.

Results

Thirty-eight autoantigenic proteins including alcohol dehydrogenase [NADP+], alpha enolase, gastrokine-1, gastric triacylglycerol lipase, heat shock 70 kDa protein 1, and peroxiredoxin-2 were identified in the gastric mucosal tissue. Fourteen autoantigenic proteins including programmed cell death 6-interacting protein, serum albumin and T-complex protein 1 subunit gamma were identified in the AGS cells. Albumin, alpha-enolase, annexin A3, cytoplasmic actin 1, heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein and leukocyte elastase inhibitor were commonly observed autoantigenic proteins in both gastric mucosal tissue and AGS cells. Alpha-enolase, glutathione S-transferase P, heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein, heat shock 70 kDa protein 1, human mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthase (ATP) subunit beta, mitochondrial 60 kDa heat shock protein, peroxiredoxin-2, 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein precursor, tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 11 and Tryptophan-Aspartic acid (WD) repeat-containing protein 1 showed 60% or higher amino acid positivity.

Conclusion

These newly identified gastric autoimmune antigens might be useful in the control and prevention of gastroduodenal disorders, and might be valuable in breaking the vicious circle that exists in gastroduodenal disorders if their pathophysiological roles could be understood in the progress of chronic atrophic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric carcinogenesis.     

Baboons as potential reservoirs of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite infections at Yankari National Park,Nigeria

Background

Zoonoses pose a risk to public health.

Objective

To carry out the investigation of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of baboons, Papio anubis, frequenting the Wikki base Camp in Yankari National Park, Nigeria

Method

Formol-ether concentration technique was used to isolate parasite eggs and cysts from faecal samples.

Results

Parasites recovered were Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Strongyloides stercoralis, Fasciola sp, Schistosoma mansoni, Hymenolepis nana, and Trichostrongylus sp, and cysts of protozoan parasites Entomoeba histolytica, E. coli, and Iodamoeba butschii.

Conclusion

Most of the parasites identified are known to have high pathologic involvement in humans, implicating the baboons as potential source and reservoirs for human zoonotic parasitic infections although further molecular work would be necessary to ascertain if these gastrointestinal parasites are the same strains that infect humans