How to identify active constituents of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and study their interactions are key problems in the development of TCMs. The inhibitory effect of six alkaloids from Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) on Shigella dysenteriae (S. dysenteria) growth had been investigated by microcalorimetry in this study. Main active constituents of RC were confirmed by comparing their contributions to the bacteriostatic effect, and the interactions among active constituents were further researched. According to the result, in 0.8 mg-mL-1 extract of RC, the contributions of six active alkaloids including berberine, coptisine, epiberberine, palmatine and the combination of jatrorrhizine and columbamine were 52.83%, 36.31%, 2.49%, 4.27% and 3.21%, respectively. Therefore, berberine and coptisine were the main active constituents of RC that inhibited the growth of S. dysenteria. The study of interactions among the six alkaloids indicated that, 1 there were some contstituents antagonizing the inhibitory effect of RC, 2 there was a synergy effect between berberine and coptisine, 3 there were additive effects between other four alkaloids and the main active constituents. These results may provide some useful references for the establishment of the quality standard for RC and the development of multi-component TCMs.
Alkaloids ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Synergism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Shigella dysenteriae ; drug effects ; growth & development

The study is aimed to investigate the effect of lamivudine on growth and metabolism of three intestinal characteristic bacteria (namely, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae). The growth condition of the three bacteria was quantitatively evaluated by microcalorimetry with four characteristic parameters of the thermal power-time curves, including the growth rate constant (k), thermal power (p), time to peak (t) and calorific value (Q). The results showed that the IC50 value of lamivudine on B. adolescentis was 200 microg x mL(-1), and the IC50 values of lamivudine on S. dysenteriae and E. coli were higher than 3 000 microg x mL(-1) and 6 000 microg x mL(1), respectively. Therefore, lamivudine made different inhibitory effects on the three bacteria, in which the B. adolescentis was most susceptible to lamivudine. This work showed that taking lamivudine chronically is likely to affect the balance of good flora in the intestinal tract, and might increase endotoxin release, leading to inflammation and disease progression in hepatopathy.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bifidobacterium ; growth & development ; Calorimetry ; Escherichia coli ; growth & development ; Lamivudine ; pharmacology ; Shigella dysenteriae ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the occurrence and drug resistance of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing strains of Shigella in pediatric patients, so as to provide information for clinical treatment.

METHODA total of 59 strains of Shigella were isolated from stool specimens of hospitalized children with shigellosis from January 2004 to December 2008. The broth dilution test recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) was performed to detect the ESBLs producers. Susceptibility test was carried out by agar dilution method. Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC700603 were used as quality control strains.

RESULTOf the 59 isolates, 21 (35.6%) strains were identified as ESBLs producers. All of the 21 strains were detected by cefotaxime and cefotaxime/clavulanic acid, only 5 (23.8%) were detected by ceftazidime and ceftazidime/clavulanic acid. Both ESBLs and non-ESBLs producers showed high resistance to penicillins. The resistance of ESBLs-producing strains to third and fourth-generation cephalosporins, aztreonam was significantly higher than that of non-ESBLs-producing strains, as well as sulphonamides and quinolones. The drugs sensitive to ESBLs producers were imipenem, meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone/sulbactam and cefoxitin, with resistance rate of 0.0%, 0.0%, 14.3%, 9.5%, 14.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of ESBLs-producing Shigella in pediatric patients is at a high level in this area, and the enzyme-producing strains are multidrug resistant. It is recommended that the detection of ESBLs in Shigella should be carried out by microbiological laboratories. Any of the above 5 antibiotics of low resistance should be used according to the patient's condition.

Child ; Feces ; microbiology ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Shigella ; Shigella dysenteriae ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; beta-Lactam Resistance

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is the most common cause of acute renal failure in children younger than 4 years and is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, and thrombocytopenia. HUS associated with diarrheal prodrome is usually caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 or by Shigella dysenteriae, which generally has a better outcome. However, atypical cases show a tendency to relapse with a poorer prognosis. HUS has been reported to be associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. The characteristics and the mechanisms underlying this condition are largely unknown. In this study, we describe the case of an 11-year-old boy in whom the diagnosis of ALL was preceded by the diagnosis of atypical HUS. Thus, patients with atypical HUS should be diagnosed for the possibility of developing ALL.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Child ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome ; Humans ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli ; Shigella dysenteriae ; Thrombocytopenia

The actions of four organic acids in Radix isatidis, a traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herb, on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae growth were investigated by microcalorimetry. The four organic acids were syringic acid, 2-amino-benzoic acid, salicylic acid and benzoic acid. The power-time curves of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae growth with and without organic acids were acquired, meanwhile the extent and duration of inhibitory effects on the metabolism were evaluated by growth rate constants (k1, k2), maximum heat-output[0] power (P(m)) and peak time (t(m)). The inhibitory activity varied with different drugs. The sequences of anti-microbial activity of the four organic acids on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae were all: syringic acid > 2-amino-benzoic acid > salicylic acid > benzoic acid. And benzoic acid promoted the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. This study provides a basis for the further study on Radix Isatidis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Benzoic Acid ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Calorimetry ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Salicylic Acid ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Shigella dysenteriae ; drug effects ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the epidemic characteristics of bacterial dysentery in Jinan municipality, and to provide scientific basis for effective strategy for bacterial dysentery control.

METHODSThe epidemiological characteristics of bacillary dysentery in Jinan from 1951 to 2005 were analyzed. A total of 485,333 cases in the span of 50 years were recorded, while the population-based case distribution was less than the total cases due to the data incompleteness during the Cultural Revolution.

RESULTSThe incidence of bacillary dysentery in Jinan has been decreasing by years with average incidence rate of 283.10/100,000. The significant differences were observed among the incidence rates of various ages(chi2 = 14.99, P < 0.05). There were four epidemic peaks, and all the incidence rates were about 1000/100,000. Age of onset mainly concentrated in the 0-4 years old, 20-years old and 30-years old. In terms of occupational distribution, workers accounted for 30.31%, the living-scattered children accounted for 22.71%, and the farmers accounted for 17.90%. The incidence focus was from July to September, which accounted for 71.57%. The peak of incidence emerged in August. The highest incidence in urban was 550.94/100,000.

CONCLUSIONThrough the efforts of several generations of health workers, the incidence of bacillary dysentery in Jinan has been basically brought under control. Further step should be taken for the control of bacterial dysentery in urban areas and the management of bacterial dysentery in rural areas. Moreover, the biological characteristics of F2a should be a focus for the future study.

China ; epidemiology ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Shigella dysenteriae ; Shigella flexneri ; Shigella sonnei

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 is a pathotype of diarrheagenic E. coli that produces one or more Shiga toxins, forms a characteristic histopathology described as attaching and effacing lesions, and possesses the large virulence plasmid pO157. The bacterium is recognized worldwide, especially in developed countries, as an emerging food-borne bacterial pathogen, which causes disease in humans and in some animals. Healthy cattle are the principal and natural reservoir of E. coli O157:H7, and most disease outbreaks are, therefore, due to consumption of fecally contaminated bovine foods or dairy products. In this review, we provide a general overview of E. coli O157:H7 infection, especially focusing on the bacterial characteristics rather than on the host responses during infection.
Animals ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/blood/epidemiology ; Developing Countries ; *Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli ; Escherichia coli Infections/blood/*epidemiology/veterinary ; *Escherichia coli O157/genetics/pathogenicity ; Feces/microbiology ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome/blood/epidemiology/veterinary ; Operon ; Shiga Toxins/analysis ; Shigella dysenteriae ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid (HXZQ) on enteric mucosal immune responses in mice with Bacillus dysenteriae and Salmonella typhimurium induced diarrhea (BSD).

METHODMice were randomly divided into four groups with 10 mice in each group: control group (control), BSD group, Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid treated BSD groups at high dosage and low dosage (HXZQ high, HXZQ low). HXZQ was administrated from the day of diarrhea induction at dosage of 5.21 g kg(-1) and 0.52 g kg (-1) respectively. Peyer's patch and periphery lymphocytes were prepared for flow cytometry, and level of TNF-alpha in periphery and enteric tissue homogenate were determined with ELISA. Student's t-test was used for statistics.

RESULTMice in BSD group started showing continuous diarrhea at the day of induction till the fourth day when the mice were sacrificed. Diarrhea in the mice of HXZQ high and low groups lasted for 36 and 54 h respectively. There were more CD4+ and CD8+ cells in periphery, less CD4+ cells in peyer's patch in BSD mice comparing to normal mice. In peyer's patch, there were more CD8+ cells in mice in HXZQ high and low groups and more CD4+ in mice in HXZQ high group. Higher level TNF-alpha in periphery and intestinal tissue homogenate in BSD group were observed. Mice in HXZQ high group showed the decreased level TNF-alpha in periphery and enteric tissue homogenate.

CONCLUSIONThe immune regulation on peyer's patch CD4+ and CD8+ cells and suppression on TNF-alpha level in enteric homogenate might partially explain the effect of HXZQ on improvement of BSD.

Animals ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Colon ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diarrhea ; immunology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; immunology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Immunity, Mucosal ; drug effects ; Intestinal Mucosa ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peyer's Patches ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Salmonella Infections ; immunology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Salmonella typhimurium ; immunology ; Shigella dysenteriae ; immunology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: In May 2004, an outbreak of a diarrheal disease occurred among tourists returning from Mt. Geumgang in North Korea; Shigella dysenteriaetype 8 was isolated from 12 of the 36 patients who were suffering from diarrhea. We investigated the genetic relatedness of the isolates. METHODS: The isolates were identified by VITEK system an serotyped by a slide agglutination test. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method and genetic relatedness was examined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: All 12 isolates were identified as Shigella spp., and agglutinated by S. dysenteriae type 8 antisera. All of these isolates showed the same antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and were resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. PFGE patterns were classified into 2 types, sdx1 and sdx2, and the relatedness between these two types was 80.5%. Eleven isolates belonged to sdx1. CONCLUSION: The antibiotic susceptibility pattern and genetic relatedness of the isolates strongly suggest that they were from the same origin. Because this is the first report of S. dysenteriae type 8 isolation in Korea, and all of these cases were related to foreign travel, the surveillance system and the ability of the clinical laboratory should be strengthened to prevent the entry and spread of rare and hitherto not reported infectious agents into Korea.
Agglutination Tests ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Diarrhea ; Diffusion ; Dysentery, Bacillary* ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Korea* ; Shigella dysenteriae* ; Shigella* ; Streptomycin ; Tetracycline

This study was performed to investigate the antimicrobial effect of the Pulsatilla koreana extracts against food-borne pathogens. First, the Pulsatilla koreana was extracted with methanol at room temperatures, and fractionation of the methanol extracts from Pulsatilla koreana was carried out by using petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, and methanol respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the Pulsatilla koreana extracts was determined using a paper disc method against food-borne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. The ethyl acetate extracts of Pulsatilla koreana showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis and Shigella dysenteriae. The Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae were inhibited by petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Pulsatilla koreana as well as ethyl acetate extracts of Pulsatilla koreana. The synergistic effect has been found in combined extracts of Pulsatilla koreana and Portulaca oleracea as compared to each extracts alone. Finally, the growth inhibition curve was determined using ethyl acetate extracts of Pulsatilla koreana against Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. The ethyl acetate extract of Pulsatilla koreana showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus at the concentration of 2,000 ppm. The 2,000 ppm of ethyl acetate extract from Pulsatilla koreana retarded the growth of S. aureus more than 12 hours and Shigella dysenteriae up to 9 hours.
Bacteria ; Chloroform ; Ether ; Methanol ; Petroleum ; Portulaca ; Pulsatilla* ; Salmonella enteritidis ; Shigella dysenteriae ; Staphylococcus aureus