The intestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem consisting of various microorganisms that expands human genetic repertoire and therefore affects human health and disease. The metabolic processes and signal transduction pathways of the host and intestinal microorganisms are intimately linked, and abnormal progression of each process leads to changes in the intestinal environment. Alterations in microbial communities lead to changes in functional structures based on the metabolites produced in the gut, and these environmental changes result in various bacterial infections and chronic enteric inflammatory diseases. Here, we illustrate how antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of antibiotic-associated diseases by driving intestinal environment changes that favor the proliferation and virulence of pathogens. Understanding the pathogenesis caused by antibiotics would be a crucial key to the treatment of antibiotic-associated diseases by mitigating changes in the intestinal environment and restoring it to its original state.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Bacteria/drug effects ; Bacteria/growth & development ; Dysbiosis/microbiology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects ; Humans ; Intestines/drug effects ; Intestines/microbiology ; Symbiosis/drug effects

Quorum sensing(QS) is one of the research hotspots in the fields of microbiology and medicine in recent years. Quorum sensing is a cell communication regulatory system, which is used by bacterial flora to pass on information of population density by sensing specific signaling molecules to the environment. The QS system of bacteria can impact biological functions, such as bacterial growth, proliferation, biofilm formation, virulence factor production, antibiotic synthesis, and ultimately adapt the bacteria to environmental changes. At present, more and more active ingredients can regulate quorum sensing have been found in traditional Chinese medicines(TCM). TCM and their active ingredients can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and finally achieve the purpose of treating diseases. It embodies multi-pathway and multi-target characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine. This article first introduces molecular types and regulation mechanisms of quorum sensing signals between bacteria. On this basis, the human health-related bacterial quorum sensing is summarized, and the regulatory effect of TCM on bacterial quorum sensing system is discussed. Finally, it is noted that the material basis and mechanisms of TCM in improving human health through bacterial quorum sensing system are still unclear. Future research hotspots will focus on quorum sensing active substances, quorum sensing key nodes and relevant targets. In a word, this article provides reference for the treatment of relevant diseases.
Bacteria/drug effects* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quorum Sensing

Organic solvents are usually toxic to microorganisms for destroying the physiological functions. Recently, some studies have revealed that some bacteria are capable of living in conditions with high concentration of solvents through tolerant and adaptive mechanisms. This discovery inspires the research on adaptation and alteration of industrial bacteria, especially for those producing solvents or degrading toxic organic compounds. For a deep understanding and a wide application of the tolerant mechanisms, we address here the recent discoveries on solvents toxicity to bacteria by the parameter logP, and tolerant mechanisms of solvent-tolerant-bacteria to solvents, such as changes in cell membrane including cis-trans isomerisation, the saturated-to-unsaturated fatty acids ratio and the phospholipids head-groups, changes in outer membrane and cell morphology, and other stress responses. Moreover, our experiences in screening novel solvent-tolerant-bacteria and methods in increasing solvent tolerance of industrial microbes are introduced to give a promising strategy for improving solvent production.
Adaptation, Physiological ; drug effects ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; drug effects ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; Organic Chemicals ; pharmacology ; Solvents ; pharmacology

To prepare the aromatic, natural and bacteriostatic foot wash with skin care and research the inhibition effect on the different bacteria and pathogenic fungus which cause dermatophytosis. It was prepared by using Sophoraflavescens and Dictamnus dasycarpus as materials with the addition of Aloe extract, essential oil, surfactant, etc. The antifungal and antibacterial activity was researched by the levitation liquid quantitative method. The foot wash smelled faintly scent. The use of this product can produce a rich foam. The inhibitory rate were all more than 90%. The preparation process of the foot wash was simple. It has obviously bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect.
Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Foot ; Fungi ; drug effects ; Humans ; Skin Care

The aim of this paper was to observe the effect of Realgar and arsenic trioxide on gut microbiota. The mice were divided into low-dose Realgar group(RL), medium-dose Realgar group(RM), high-dose Realgar group(RH), and arsenic trioxide group(ATO), in which ATO and RL groups had the same trivalent arsenic content. Realgar and arsenic trioxide toxicity models were established after intragastric administration for 1 week, and mice feces were collected 1 h after intragastric administration on day 8. The effects of Realgar on gut microbiota of mice were observed through bacterial 16 S rRNA gene sequences. The results showed that Lactobacillus was decreased in all groups, while Ruminococcus and Adlercreutzia were increased. The RL group and ATO group were consistent in the genera of Prevotella, Ruminococcus, and Adlercreutzia but different in the genera of Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. Therefore, the effects of Realgar and arsenic trioxide with the same amount of trivalent arsenic on gut microbiota were similar, but differences were still present. Protective bacteria such as Lactobacillus were reduced after Realgar administration, causing inflammation. At low doses, the number of anti-inflammatory bacteria, such as Ruminococcus, Adlercreutzia and Parabacteroides increased, which can offset the slight inflammation caused by the imbalance of bacterial flora. At high doses, the flora was disturbed and the number of Proteobacteria was increased, with aggravated intestinal inflammation, causing edema and other inflammatory reactions. Based on this, authors believe that the gastrointestinal reactions after clinical use of Realgar may be related to flora disorder. Realgar should be used at a small dose in combination with other drugs to reduce intestinal inflammation.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide/pharmacology* ; Arsenicals/pharmacology* ; Bacteria/drug effects* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Mice ; Sulfides/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological features of the pathogens responsible for prostatitis in the Changshu area, and offer some evidence for the clinical treatment of prostatitis.

METHODSThis study included 2 306 cases of prostatitis that were all clinically confirmed and subjected to pathogenic examinations in 3 hospitals of Changshu area from 2008 to 2012. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, mycoplasma urealyticum and chlamydia trachomatis were detected by nucleic acid amplification ABI 7500, the bacterial data analyzed by VITEK-2 Compact, the drug-resistance to antibacterial agents determined using the WHONET 5.6 software, and the enumeration data processed by chi-square test and curvilinear regression analysis using SPSS 19.0.

RESULTSThe main pathogens responsible for prostatitis were found to be Staphylococcus haemolyticus (30%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (12%), Enterococcus faecalis (9%), Escherichia coli (6%), Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus aureus (3%), Mycoplasma urealyticum (8%), chlamydia trachomatis (5%) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (6%). Statistically significant increases were observed in the detection rates of Escherichia coli (chi2 = 17.56, P<0.05), Mycoplasma urealyticum (chi2 = 8.73, P<0.05), Chlamydia trachomatis (chi2 = 8.73, P<0.05) and Enterococcus (chi2 = 8.22, P<0.05), but not in other pathogens. The resistance rates of Gram-positive bacteria to erythromycin and benzylpenicillin G were both above 45%, but with no significant difference between the two, those of Oxacillin (chi2 = 10.06, P<0.05) and Cefoxitin (chi2 = 9.89, P<0.05) were markedly increased, but those of quinolones, gentamycin and clindamycin remained low, except rifampicin (chi2 = 11.09, P<0.05). The resistance rates of Gram-negative bacteria to cefazolin and ampicillin were relatively high (mean 57.3%), and those to ceftriaxone (chi2 = 11.26, P<0.05) and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (chi2 =11.00, P< 0.05) significantly high; those to amikacin, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem remained at low levels with no significant changes. However, the resistance rates of mycoplasma urealyticum to ciprofloxacin (chi2 = 11.18, P<0.05) and azithromycin (chi2 = 9.89, P<0.05) were remarkably increased.

CONCLUSIONGram-positive bacteria are the major pathogens responsible for prostatitis, but Escherichia coli, enterococcus and sexually transmitted disease pathogens are found to be involved in recent years. Quinolones and aminoglycosides are generally accepted as the main agents for the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infection. However, rational medication for prostatitis should be based on the results of pathogen isolation and drug sensitivity tests in a specific area.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis ; epidemiology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution and drug sensitivity test of bacteria of patients on chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps. METHOD: The purulent discharges were collected from sinus of 175 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps during endoscopic sinus surgery. The results of germiculture and drug sensitivity test were analyzed. RESULT: From 175 specimens, 118 (67%) showed positive results in germiculture. Among them, 79 strains of gram positive bacteria and 39 strains of gram negative bacteria were detected. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were the most common pathogens in gram positive bacteria. The most common pathogens of gram negative bacteria were P. Aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae. The sensitive antibiotic on gram positive bacteria were amikacin, Daptomycin, Linezolid, vancomycin, teicoplanin, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, cefuroxime, respectively. The sensitive antibiotics on Gram negative bacteria were amikacin, Cefoperazone/sulbactam and imipenem, ceftazidime ceftazidime, aztreonam, levofloxacin, respectively. CONCLUSION Bacterial infection was common happened in the sinus cavity of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps. Gram positive bacteria were the main pathogenic bacteria and gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria have great differences in the sensitivity of antibiotics. For patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, the using of antibiotics should depend on the drug sensitivity test.
Bacterial Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Nasal Polyps ; microbiology ; Rhinitis ; microbiology ; Sinusitis ; microbiology

Bacteria ; drug effects ; Communicable Diseases, Emerging ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution and the changes of drug resistance of common pathogenic bacteria in children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) of Chengdu.

METHODSSputum specimens for bacterial cultures were collected from children with LRTL who had been admitted to the Chengdu Children's Hospital between 2001 and 2006. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed after bacteria had been identified. The results between 2001 and 2003 were compared with those between 2004 and 2006.

RESULTSHemophilus (24.3%) was the most common pathogenic bacteria for LRTI in children between 2001 and 2003, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (18.8%), Escherichia coli (18.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (10.0%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (6.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.4%) and other non-zymocyte (4.4%). Escherichia coli (23.7%) was the most common pathogenic bacteria in children with LRTL between 2004 and 2006, followed by Hemophilus (19.8%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (17.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (10.3%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (7.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.0%) and other non-zymocyte (3.2%). Compared with the years of 2001-2003, the rate of drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics between 2004 and 2006 increased: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 18.0% vs 8.8%, Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci 70.5% vs 18.1%, Extended-spetrum beta-lactamase stains 44.4% vs 22.6%, and beta-lactamase production stains of Hemophilus influenzae 40.2% vs 20.1%.

CONCLUSIONSThe distribution of common pathogenic bacteria of children with LRTL has changed and the rate of drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics is increasing in recent three years in Chengdu.

Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Humans ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; microbiology ; Time Factors

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the important component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, contributes to the integrity of the outer membrane, and protects the cell against bactericidal agents. LPS, also called endotoxin synonymously, is well known as a potent inducer of the innate immune system that often causes septic shock in the intensive cares. Chemically, the amphiphilic LPS is made up of three parts, i.e., hydrophobic lipid A, hydrophilic core oligosaccharide chain, and hydrophilic O-antigenic polysaccharide side chain. Specially, the lipid A is known to be responsible for a variety of biological effects during Gram-negative sepsis. LPS can elicit a strong response from innate immune system and result in local or systemic adverse reactions. LPS can trigger massive inflammatory responses and may result in immunopathology, for which the molecular basis is mediated by the signal path- way of LPS. In recent years, a tremendous progress has been made in determining the associated proteins and receptors in the LPS signaling that leads to the disease. This review gives a summary of recent progresses of research on LPS and LPS receptors.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; Drug Design ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; Lipopolysaccharides ; chemistry