OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protective effect of the probiotic bacterium Streptococcus salivarius K12 (K12) against Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) infection in mice. METHODS: Forty male BALB/c mice were randomized into normal control group, K12 treatment group, Mp infection group, and K12 pretreatment prior to Mp infection group. The probiotic K12 was administered daily by gavage for 14 days before Mp infection induced by intranasal instillation of Mp. Three days after Mp infection, the mice were euthanized for analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts and serum levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). RT-qPCR was performed to detect the P1 and community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome ( CARDS ) toxin of Mp in the lung tissues and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, chemokine 1 (CXCL1), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), mucin 5ac (MUC5ac), collagen 3a1 (Col3a1), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4; the protein expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 in the lung tissue were detected using Western blotting. Pathological changes in the lung tissue and airway remodeling were examined with HE staining and AB/PAS staining. RESULTS: Compared with the Mp-infected mice with PBS treatment, the infected mice with K12 treatment showed significantly lowered mRNA levels of P1 and CARDS in the lung tissue and reduced white blood cell counts in the BALF (P<0.05). In spite of the absence of significant differences in serum levels of inflammatory factors between the two groups, the mRNA expressions of TNF‑α, IL-6, CXCL1, MMP9, MUC5ac and COL3A1 and the mRNA and protein levels of TLR2 and TLR4 in the lung tissues were significantly lower in K12-treated mice, in which AB/PAS staining showed obviously decreased mucus secretion. CONCLUSIONS K12 pretreatment can effectively reduce pulmonary inflammatory responses, improve airway remodeling and alleviate lung injury in Mp-infected mice.
Animals ; Mice ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism* ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Male ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Lung/microbiology* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Streptococcus salivarius ; Probiotics/administration & dosage* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Mucin 5AC/metabolism* ; Chemokine CXCL1/metabolism* ; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/metabolism* ; Bacterial Toxins ; Bacterial Proteins

OBJECTIVETo study the alterations and relationship of surfactant protein (SP)-A, SP-D and KL-6 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP).

METHODSelf-control method was used for the study on SP-A, SP-D and KL-6 in serum, infected and non-infected BALFs in 32 MMP children with only one side of MPP.

RESULTThe contents of SP-A, SP-D and KL-6 in infected BALF were [mg/L;M (IQR) ]: 243 (90-468) , 187 (43-333) , 148 (47-426) ;104 (37-257) , 56 (25-131) , 35 (12-147) in non-infected BALF; 35 (25-69) , 33 (9-149) and 24 (15-62) in serum. The correlation coefficient of KL-6 between serum and infected BALF were -0.534 and -0.378 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were significant correlation between the alterations of SP-A, SP-D and KL-6 in serum and lung infection in children with CAP. KL-6 in serum may be more sensitive than SP-A and SP-D.

Adolescent ; Biomarkers ; blood ; metabolism ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; blood ; metabolism ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; blood ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A ; blood ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D ; blood ; metabolism ; Severity of Illness Index

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Toxins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Base Sequence ; Community-Acquired Infections ; microbiology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Humans ; Lung ; microbiology ; pathology ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; microbiology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the changes to surfactant proteins in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and their significance.

METHODSSelf-control method was used in the study. Forty-seven MPP children were divided into single lung infected (n=32) and bilateral lung infected groups (n=15) according to lung CT results. Surfactant proteins SP-A, B, C and D were measured using ELISA in the serum and BALF in the two groups. The correlations between SP-A, B, C and D content in the serum and BALF were evaluated by Spearman correlation analysis.

RESULTSSP-A, B, C and D content in BALF from the majorly infected or infected lung were significantly higher than from the opposite lung and serum (P<0.01). SP-A, B and C content in serum was significantly lower than in BALF from the non-infected lung in the single-side infected lung group (P<0.01 or 0.05), but there was no significant difference between serum SP-D content and BALF SP-D content from the non-infected lung. There were no significant differences in SP-A, B, C and D content in serum and BALF from the minorly infected lung in the bilateral lung infected group. Serum SP-D content was positively correlated with BALF SP-D content from the majorly infected lung in the bilateral lung infected group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSerum SP-D content may serve as a biomarker for evaluating the severity of pulmonary infection in children with community-acquired pneumonia.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; analysis ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the essential points for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in children with mycoplasma pneumonia.

METHODRetrospective analysis of the clinical and laboratory data of a pediatric case who developed pulmonary embolism after mycoplasma pneumonia was performed for the key points for diagnosis.

RESULTA-six-year old boy was admitted with chief complaint of fever and cough for half a month, combined with chest pain and mild labored breath. Vital signs were stable. Breathing movement of the left side weakened and there was left lower lobe percussion dullness. Breath sound was found weakened in the left lung, and a few fine crackles were audible. The results of laboratory tests were as follows: mycoplasma antibody (IgM) 1:128, cold agglutinin test 1:1024, blood D dimer 14.81 mg/L; anticardiolipin antibody was positive; plasma protein C activity was 60% (normal range 70% - 130%). Pulmonary artery computed tomographic angiography revealed a mass opaque shadow in left lower lobe, the branch of left lower bronchial artery was partially obstructed. Echocardiography showed tricuspid valve mild regurgitation, estimated pulmonary pressure was 5.1 kPa. Single-photon emission computed tomography indicated that radioactivity distribution was apparently sparse in the dorsal segment, anterior basal segment, outer basal segment and inferior lingular segment of the left lung. The preliminary diagnosis on admission was mycoplasma pneumonia with pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism. Intravenous erythromycin combined with meropenem were administered. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated with low molecular weight heparin and then oral warfarin tablets. Pleural effusion disappeared soon, D dimer descended to 0.38 mg/L, and pulmonary artery pressure declined. After 3-month follow-up, anti-cardiolipin antibody was negative, plasma protein C activity recovered, and lung lesions were absorbed.

CONCLUSIONWhen mycoplasma pneumonia is accompanied by chest pain or dyspnea and there are bloody pleural effusion, pulmonary hypertension, positive antiphospholipid antibody and elevated D dimer, pulmonary embolism should be considered. Diagnosis could be clarified by the result of pulmonary artery computed tomographic angiography.

Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ; blood ; Child ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; complications ; diagnosis ; Pulmonary Embolism ; complications ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

We report a case of acute severe hepatitis with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection and transient depression of multiple coagulation factors. A 5-year-old boy, previously healthy, was admitted with pneumonia. M. pneumoniae infection was confirmed by serology testing. Liver enzymes were elevated on admission without any past medical history. After treatment with azithromycin for 3 days, pneumonia improved, but the hepatitis was acutely aggravated. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) was prolonged and depression of multiple coagulation factors developed. Liver biopsy revealed features consistent with acute hepatitis. A week later, liver enzymes were nearly normalized spontaneously. Normalization of prolonged PTT and coagulation factors were also observed several months later. This may be the first case of transient depression of multiple coagulation factors associated with M. pneumoniae infection.
Acute Disease ; Blood Coagulation Factors/metabolism ; Child, Preschool ; Hepatitis A/blood/diagnosis/*etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae/pathogenicity ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/blood/*complications

Diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is important due to its variable clinical manifestations and absence of response to beta-lactams. Introduction of enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for serologic diagnosis of M. pneumoniae has made it possible to separate the analyses of specific IgG and IgM antibodies. We compared four different commercial EIAs, ImmunoWELL IgG, IgM (GenBio), Medac IgG, IgA, IgM (Medac), Platelia IgG, IgM (Sanofi Pasteur), and Ridascreen IgG, IgA, IgM (r-Biopharm) with indirect particle agglutination assay (PA), Serodia-MycoII (Fujirebio). We tested 91 specimens from 73 pediatric patients (2-17 yr) hospitalized at a tertiary-care hospital between December 2005 and January 2006. The measurements of IgM EIAs were correlated with PA titers (Spearman's correlation coefficient, from 0.89 to 0.92) with high concordance rates, ranging from 82.4% to 92.3%. However, some negative IgM-EIA results in PA-positive specimens indicated that serial samplings with convalescent sera would be necessary to confirm M. pneumoniae infection.
Adolescent ; Antibodies, Bacterial/chemistry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques/*methods ; Immunoglobulin G/*chemistry ; Immunoglobulin M/*chemistry ; Infant ; Male ; Microbiology ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae/chemistry/*immunology/metabolism ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/*diagnosis/*immunology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serologic Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Huchang Qingfei concentrated pellets on the expression of E-cadherin (E-cd) in the lung tissue from mice infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).

METHODA mice model of Mycoplasmal pneumonia (MPP) was developed by repeatedly intranasal infectious route. Transmission electronic microscope (TEM) and immunohistochemistry stain were performed to observe the pathological changes and expression of E-cd in lung tissues.

RESULTUnder TEM it was found that the cellular membrane was ruptured, mitochondria was denatured, crista was broken in the pulmonary cells of the model group; the all above parameters in Huchang medicated group were improved obviously. The immunohistochemistry test showed that strong positive brown stain of E-cd expression was found in the pulmonary epithelial cell membrane and bronchial periphery in the model group, however, in the medicated group, the E-cd expression level in the cellular membrane was decreased and the expression ratio was dropped significantly as compared with the model controls.

CONCLUSIONHuchang Qingfei concentrated pellets can inhibit the overexpression of E-cd in the lung tissue of mice with MP-infection, which may be helpful for prevention and treatment of pulmonary injury caused by MPP.

Animals ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; metabolism ; microbiology ; pathology ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo study the effects and mechanism of Huchang Qingfei pellets on immune function in rats infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae.

METHODA rat model of mycoplasmal pneumonia (MP) was developed in repeated intranasal infectious routes and then the humoral and cellular immunocompetences were detected by radioimmunoassay, immune-turbidimetry and flow cytometry.

RESULTThe levels of serum IgG,IgM and IL-2, IL-6 were enhinced obviously, the complement C3 and TNF-alpha were decreased and the ratio of CD4+ /CD8+ was improved significantly in the Huchang groups as compared with MP model group.

CONCLUSIONHuchang Qingfei pellets can reinforce immune function via preventing both cellular and humoral immunity from depression in the rats with MP.

Animals ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Complement C3 ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platycodon ; chemistry ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; blood ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism