How to Prevent Anaerobe-Associated Infections?

Anaerobic microorganisms are important constituents of both human and animal intestinal microbiota. Infections caused by anaerobic bacteria are increasingly being recognized as major problem in clinical medicine. The commensal anaerobic bacterial flora of the colon may undergo changes during diarrhea, owing to colonization of the intestine by pathogens and to rapid intestinal transit. The major role of endogenous cationic antimicrobial peptides in preventing the onset of infection has been emphasized recently. Such peptides have been found platelets and are designated PMP. In a recent study, a group from Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis of Russia made an attempt to in vitro detection of SIPMP phenotypes of faecal anaerobic isolates from patients with diarrhea.

A research article published on Sept. 21 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The research team led by Dr. Iuri B. Ivanov from the Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis of Russia studied SIPMP phenotypes of fecal anaerobic isolates from patients with diarrhea.

The article focuses on inhibition of PMP by extracellular bacterial products of fecal anaerobic microorganisms isolated from stool of children with diarrhea. Among anaerobic isolates 80 percent of B. longum strains, 85.7 percent of A. israelii strains, 50 percent of E. lentum strains and 92.86 percent of B. fragilis strains were SIPMP-positive. The isolated anaerobic organisms demonstrated SIPMP production at a mean level of 13.8 percent ± 0.7 percent, 14.7 percent ± 1.8 percent, 3.9 percent ± 0.9 percent (P < 0.05) and 26.8 percent ± 7.5 percent (P < 0.05) for bifidobacteria, A. israelii, E. lentum and B. fragilis, respectively.

Data from the present study may have significant implications in understanding the pathogenesis of microecological disorders in the intestines, as well as for future improvement in the prevention and therapy of anaerobe-associated infections.

In this manuscript, the authors reported the detection of secretory inhibitor of platelet microbicidal protein (SIPMP) phenotypes of fecal anaerobic isolates from patients with diarrhea. The study was well performed and interesting.

Reference: Ivanov IB, Gritsenko VA. Distribution of secretory inhibitor of platelet microbicidal protein among anaerobic bacteria isolated from stool of children with diarrhea. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(35): 5428-5431