Aims: The genus Arthrobacter is a pleomorphic and heterogeneous Gram-positive bacteria mainly isolated from the soil, only two species of Arthrobacter have been reported worldwide as pathogens of veterinary importance. This paper aims to report the isolation and identification of the Arthrobacter gandavensis from cows with subclinical mastitis at a dairy farm in the savanna of Bogotá, Colombia. Methodology and results: A total of 209 milk and skin samples were taken from cows with and without subclinical mastitis, nasal swabs from workers and the environment. All samples were cultured in blood and MacConkey agar and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and mass spectrometry MALDI TOF-MS. From the isolates identified, 33 corresponded to Staphylococcus spp., nine to the Enterobacteriaceae family and seven from Arthrobacter spp. (only identified by MALDI-ToF MS). The A. gandavensis isolates were obtained from six different positive cows for the California mastitis test, all with a matching pattern corresponding to Arthrobacter gandavensis strain DSM N: 15046, isolated from milk from cows with subclinical mastitis in Belgium. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed 100% genetic similarity with sequences of A. gandavensis previously reported in the NCBI databases. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The identification by MALDI-ToF-MS and molecular, as shown in this report, is important to provide data that allow us to approach the actual ecology of the opportunistic pathogens of subclinical mastitis, especially in regions where the infection is endemic.
Arthrobacter ; Cattle--microbiology

Three new phenazine-type compounds, named phenazines SA-SC (1-3), together with four new natural products (4-7), were isolated from the fermentation broth of an earwig-associated Streptomyces sp. NA04227. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive analyses of NMR, high resolution mass spectroscopic data, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurement. Sequencing and analysis of the genome data allowed us to identify the gene cluster (spz) and propose a biosynthetic pathway for these phenazine-type compounds. Additionally, compounds 1-5 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and compound 3 showed antimicrobial activities against Micrococcus luteus.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Insecta ; microbiology ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Micrococcus luteus ; drug effects ; Molecular Structure ; Multigene Family ; Phenazines ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Streptomyces ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing skin disease that is associated with a disturbance of the epidermal barrier function. Changes in the human skin microbiome have been suggested as a risk factor for AD. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the species distribution of microflora on the skin and in the oral cavity of healthy volunteers and patients with AD. METHODS: Samples for culture were obtained from both lesional skin and the oral cavity in 211 patients with AD and from both the normal skin and oral cavity of 24 healthy controls. Species identification was performed with the VITEK 2 system (bioMerieux Inc., Hazelwood, MO, USA). RESULTS: The isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from the skin was statistically more frequent among patients with AD than among healthy controls, while the isolation of Staphylococcus hominis and Micrococcus luteus were statistically more frequent among healthy controls than among patients with AD (p<0.05). In the oral cavity, S. aureus and Candida albicans were found more frequently in patients with AD, but the difference did was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study provides an important insight into the species distribution of microorganisms on human skin and in the oral cavity. Further investigation is required to determine the role of specific microorganisms in the etiology and pathogenicity of AD.
Candida albicans ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Microbiota ; Micrococcus luteus ; Mouth ; Risk Factors ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus hominis ; Virulence

BACKGROUNDEarly embryonic developmental arrest is the most commonly understudied adverse outcome of pregnancy. The relevance of intrauterine infection to spontaneous embryonic death is rarely studied and remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intrauterine bacterial infection and early embryonic developmental arrest.

METHODSEmbryonic chorion tissue and uterine swabs for bacterial detection were obtained from 33 patients who underwent artificial abortion (control group) and from 45 patients who displayed early embryonic developmental arrest (trial group).

RESULTSIntrauterine bacterial infection was discovered in both groups. The infection rate was 24.44% (11/45) in the early embryonic developmental arrest group and 9.09% (3/33) in the artificial abortion group. Classification analysis revealed that the highest detection rate for Micrococcus luteus in the early embryonic developmental arrest group was 13.33% (6/45), and none was detected in the artificial abortion group. M. luteus infection was significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05 as shown by Fisher's exact test). In addition, no correlation was found between intrauterine bacterial infection and history of early embryonic developmental arrest.

CONCLUSIONSM. luteus infection is related to early embryonic developmental arrest and might be one of its causative factors.

Abortion, Induced ; statistics & numerical data ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; etiology ; microbiology ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Micrococcus luteus ; pathogenicity ; Pregnancy ; Uterus ; microbiology

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), as a novel class of biopolymer, are attracting more attention due to their diverse material properties and environment-independent biodegradability. Here we report the preparation of PHA exhibiting efficient antibacterial activity by embedding Nisin, a food additive generally recognized as safe, into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx), a type of PHA with high biocompatibility. We first prepared Nisin-containing PHBHHx films using solvent casting method. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis showed that a well-mixed integrated structure of the films with an even distribution of the Nisin particles in the PHBHHx matrices. Then the antimicrobial activity of PHBHHx/Nisin films against Micrococcus luteus was quantified on agar plate by measuring the size of inhibition zone. Cultivation in liquid media further confirmed the releasing of Nisin from the films and the long-time antibacterial activity. Results showed that the threshold of Nisin concentration for long-time and effective inhibition against bacteria growth is 25 μg/g. These results altogether establish a technological foundation for the application of PHA in biomedicine and food industry.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid ; chemistry ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; Caproates ; chemistry ; Micrococcus luteus ; drug effects ; Nisin ; chemistry ; Polyhydroxyalkanoates ; chemistry

Contamination with sanitary microorganisms from Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families in flower bee pollen from Bulgaria after one-year vacuum-packed cold storage has been found. Dried flower bee pollens intended for human consumption were with high incidence rate of contamination with Pantoea sp. (P. agglomerans and P. agglomerans bgp6) (100%), Citrobacter freundii (47%), Proteus mirabilis (31.6%), Serratia odorifera (15.8%) and Proteus vulgaris (5.3%). Bee pollens were also positive for the culture of microorganisms from Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families: Staphylococcus hominis subsp hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Arthrobacter globiformis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. It was concluded that, if consumed directly, the vacuum-packed cold stored dried bee pollen, harvested according hygienic requirements from bee hives in industrial pollution-free areas without intensive crop production, is not problem for healthy human.
Arthrobacter ; Bacillaceae ; Bacillus ; Bacillus subtilis ; Bees* ; Bulgaria ; Citrobacter freundii ; Crop Production ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Flowers* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Micrococcaceae ; Pantoea ; Pollen* ; Proteus mirabilis ; Proteus vulgaris ; Pseudomonadaceae ; Serratia ; Staphylococcaceae ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Staphylococcus hominis ; Urticaria ; Vacuum*

To investigate cytotoxic secondary metabolites of Micrococcus sp. R21, an actinomycete isolated from a deep-sea sediment (-6 310 m; 142 degrees 19. 9' E, 10 degrees 54. 6' N) of the Western Pacific Ocean, column chromatography was introduced over silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. As a result, eight compounds were obtained. By mainly detailed analysis of the NMR data, their structures were elucidated as cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-leu) (1), cyclo(L-Pro-L-Gly) (2), cyclo( L-Pro-L-Ala) (3), cyclo( D-Pro-L-Leu) (4), N-β-acetyltryptamine (5), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (6), and phenylacetic acid (7). Compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against RAW264. 7 cells with IC50 value of 9.1 μmol x L(-1).
Animals ; Biological Factors ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Micrococcus ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Phylogeny ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Seawater ; microbiology ; Secondary Metabolism

No abstract available.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Ceftriaxone/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Echocardiography ; Endocarditis, Bacterial/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Micrococcaceae/drug effects/*isolation & purification ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/metabolism ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Given the characteristic procedures involved in the endoscopy unit, the spread of pathogens is much more frequent in this unit than in other environments. However, there is a lack of data elucidating the existence of pathogens in the endoscopy unit. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of possible pathogens in the endoscopy unit. METHODS: We performed environmental culture using samples from the endoscopy rooms of 2 tertiary hospitals. We used sterile cotton-tipped swabs moistened with sterile saline to swab the surfaces of 197 samples. Then, we cultured the swab in blood agar plate. Samples from the colonoscopy room were placed in thioglycollate broth to detect the presence of anaerobes. After 2 weeks of culture period, we counted the colony numbers. RESULTS: The most commonly contaminated spots were the doctor's keyboard, nurse's cart, and nurse's mouse. The common organisms found were non-pathogenic bacterial microorganisms Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and Streptococcus spp.. No definite anaerobe organism was detected in the colonoscopy room. CONCLUSIONS: Although the organisms detected in the endoscopy unit were mainly non-pathogenic organisms, they might cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, the environment of the endoscopy room should be managed appropriately; moreover, individual hand hygiene is important for preventing possible hospital-acquired infections.
Agar ; Animals ; Colonoscopy ; Endoscopy* ; Hand Hygiene ; Immunocompromised Host ; Mice ; Micrococcus ; Opportunistic Infections ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus ; Tertiary Care Centers

Essential oils of the resins of Pinus brutia and Pinus pinea were evaluated for their biological potential. Essential oils were characterized using GC-MS and GC/FID. in vitro antimicrobial, phytotoxic, antioxidant, and insecticidal activities were carried out using the direct contact and the fumigant assays, respectively. The chemical profile of the essential oils of the resins of P. pinea and P. brutia included mainly α-pinene (21.39% and 25.40%), β-pinene (9.68% and 9.69%), and caryophyllene (9.12% and 4.81%). The essential oils of P. pinea and P. brutia exerted notable antimicrobial activities on Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis, insecticidal activities on Ephestia kuehniella eggs, phytotoxic activities on Lactuca sativa, Lepidium sativum, and Portulaca oleracea, as well as antioxidant potential. Indications of the biological activities of the essential oils suggest their use in the formulation of ecofriendly and biocompatible pharmaceuticals.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Bacillus subtilis ; drug effects ; Bicyclic Monoterpenes ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Insecta ; drug effects ; Insecticides ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Lepidium ; drug effects ; Lettuce ; drug effects ; Mediterranean Region ; Micrococcus luteus ; drug effects ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Pinus ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes ; Portulaca ; drug effects ; Resins, Plant ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Terpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology