Mosquito midgut plays a crucial role in its vector susceptibility and pathogen interaction. Identification of the sustainable microflora of the midgut environment can therefore help in evaluating its contribution in mosquito-pathogen interaction and in turn vector competence. To understand the bacterial diversity in the midgut of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, we conducted a screening study of the g...

The microbiota of the human large intestine influences health and well-being. Whereas it has long been accepted that gut bacteria play a role in host pathogenesis, current opinion is that certain microflora components can have beneficial effects on gastroenteritis resistance, blood lipids, antitumor properties, lactose tolerance, and gastrointestinal immunity. It is postulated that in the infan...

Intestinal bacteria are required for development of gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), which mediate a variety of host immune functions, such as mucosal immunity and oral tolerance. In rabbits, the intestinal microflora are also required for developing the preimmune Ab repertoire by promoting somatic diversification of Ig genes in B cells that have migrated to GALT. We studied the mechanis...

BACKGROUND/AIMS We investigated gut flora characteristics in patients with functional constipation (FC) and influences of short-term treatment with VSL#3 probiotic on flora and symptom improvement. METHODS Thirty patients fulfilling Rome III criteria for FC and 30 controls were enrolled. Fecal samples were obtained before and after VSL#3 intake (one sachet twice daily for 2 weeks) and flora w...

introduction: nosocomial infections affect nearly 10% of hospitalized patients. the majority of nosocomial infections are transmitted by contact, primarily by hands of health care workers. the micro-organisms on the hand can be divided into transient, resident and infectious flora. transient flora is the main cause of nosocomial infection which acquired primarily by contact and loosely attached...

We have developed experimental murine Campylobacter infection models which demonstrate efficient establishment and reproducible, high-level colonization. Following oral inoculation, wild-type C3H mice with normal enteric flora were colonized inconsistently and inefficiently by C. jejuni strain 81-176. However, C3H mice with a limited gut flora (LF) were efficiently colonized at high levels (10(...

Interactions between intestinal bacteria and the host play an important role in physiological regulation of gut function and in development of various diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) exhibits a variety of biological actions in the gut including regulation of regional blood flow, gut motility, water and electrolyte transport and immunity. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the mucosal...