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Epitaux J, Sekarski N, Bressieux-Degueldre S. Kawasaki disease before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a single-center comparative study in Switzerland. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:637. [PMID: 39379864 PMCID: PMC11460099 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-05115-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kawasaki disease is a rare systemic inflammatory syndrome that mainly affects children under five years of age and is the first cause of pediatric acquired cardiovascular disease. The pathogenesis is complex and a viral trigger is suspected, as well as genetic susceptibility. Multiple studies around the world have shown a decrease in the incidence of Kawasaki disease and have hypothesized that the different sanitary measures enforced in each country during the pandemic period could be responsible to a certain extent. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the disease's incidence, defining characteristics, coronary artery outcomes and management in a tertiary center in Switzerland. METHODS This study is a retrospective analysis of children who have been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease that compares clinical, laboratory, SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and echocardiographic data as well as treatments before (January 1st 2017 to February 24th 2020) and during (February 25th 2020 to December 31st 2022) the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. Statistical significance of differences in the compared parameters was assessed. RESULTS Of the 90 patients included, 31 belonged to the first group and 59 belonged to the second group. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in incidence during the pandemic period (5.91/100,000 children) of 88% compared to the pre-pandemic period (3.14/100,000 children). A lesser seasonal variation was observed during the pandemic. 30% of the patients in the pandemic group had an exposure to SARS-CoV-2. There was no other notable difference in demographic factors, clinical presentation, coronary outcome or administered treatment. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prolonged European study comparing Kawasaki disease before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a significant increase in incidence in Kawasaki disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, studies done in Japan, South Korea and the USA have shown a decrease in incidence. Differences in methodologies, genetics, ethnicities, environments, microbiome-altering behaviors, sanitary measures and SARS-CoV-2 spread are factors that should be considered. Further studies analyzing the differences between countries with increased incidence of Kawasaki disease could help better understand the relevance of such factors and provide more insight into the etiologies of this particular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Epitaux
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Sekarski
- Department of woman-mother-child, Unit of Pediatric Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Bressieux-Degueldre
- Department of woman-mother-child, Unit of Pediatric Cardiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 21, Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland.
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Lin N, Chi H, Guo Q, Liu Z, Ni L. Notch Signaling Inhibition Alleviates Allergies Caused by Antarctic Krill Tropomyosin through Improving Th1/Th2 Imbalance and Modulating Gut Microbiota. Foods 2024; 13:1144. [PMID: 38672818 PMCID: PMC11048830 DOI: 10.3390/foods13081144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antarctic krill tropomyosin (AkTM) has been shown in mice to cause IgE-mediated food allergy. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of Notch signaling in AkTM-sensitized mice, as well as to determine the changes in gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the allergic mice. An AkTM-induced food allergy mouse model was built and N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) was used as an γ-secretase inhibitor to inhibit the activation of Notch signaling. Food allergy indices, some key transcription factors, histologic alterations in the small intestine, and changes in gut microbiota composition were examined. The results showed that DAPT inhibited Notch signaling, which reduced AkTM-specific IgE, suppressed mast cell degranulation, decreased IL-4 but increased IFN-γ production, and alleviated allergic symptoms. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting analyses revealed that expressions of Hes-1, Gata3, and IL-4 were down-regulated after DAPT treatment, accompanied by increases in T-bet and IFN-γ, indicating that Notch signaling was active in AkTM-sensitized mice and blocking it could reverse the Th1/Th2 imbalance. Expressions of key transcription factors revealed that Notch signaling could promote Th2 cell differentiation in sensitized mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that AkTM could alter the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in mice, leading to increases in inflammation-inducing bacteria such as Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella. Correlation analysis indicated that reduced SCFA concentrations in AkTM-allergic mice may be related to decreases in certain SCFA-producing bacteria, such as Clostridia_UCG-014. The changes in gut microbiota and SCFAs could be partially restored by DAPT treatment. Our findings showed that inhibiting Notch signaling could alleviate AkTM-induced food allergy by correcting Th1/Th2 imbalance and modulating the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Lin
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (N.L.); (Q.G.); (L.N.)
| | - Hai Chi
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (N.L.); (Q.G.); (L.N.)
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Quanyou Guo
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (N.L.); (Q.G.); (L.N.)
| | - Zhidong Liu
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (N.L.); (Q.G.); (L.N.)
| | - Ling Ni
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (N.L.); (Q.G.); (L.N.)
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Rui W, Zhong S, Li X, Tang X, Wang L, Yang J. Evaluating the Role of Postbiotics in the Modulation of Human Oral Microbiota: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-024-10238-y. [PMID: 38502383 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10238-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
There is a lack of clinical data to support the effectiveness and safety of postbiotics in the modulation of human oral microbiota and oral health care. Here, volunteers were recruited and randomly assigned to two cohorts: a placebo group (n = 15) and a postbiotic group (n = 16). The placebo group used toothpaste that did not contain postbiotics, while the postbiotic group used toothpaste with postbiotics (3 × 1010 CFU inactivated Lactobacillus salivarius LS97, L. paracasei LC86, and L. acidophilus LA85). Saliva samples were collected at different time points and the immunoglobulin A (IgA) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels were determined, while the salivary microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The results showed that salivary IgA levels and acetic and propionic acid levels were notably higher in the postbiotic group (P < 0.05), accompanied by an increase in the level of alpha diversity of the salivary microbiota, and these indexes remained high 1 month after discontinuing the use of toothpaste with or without postbiotics. A notable decrease in the relative abundance of the unclassified_Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella, Escherichia, etc. in the postbiotic group was accompanied by a notable increase in Ruminofilibacter and Lactobacillus. However, both groups did not cause significant changes in the overall structure of the host salivary microbiota. In conclusion, postbiotics dramatically and consistently improved oral immunity levels and SCFA content in the host. In addition, postbiotics were able to increase the level of microbial alpha diversity and down-regulate the abundance of some harmful microbes without significantly altering the structure of the host salivary microbiota. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ( www.chictr.org.cn ) under the registration number ChiCTR2300074088.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Rui
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Saiwei Zhong
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoqian Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuna Tang
- Department of Endodontology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Lijun Wang
- Department of Endodontology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jingpeng Yang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
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Li J, Wang X, Wang Q, Hu Y, Wang S, Xu J, Ye J. Galectin from Trichinella spiralis alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the intestinal microbiota. Vet Res 2024; 55:3. [PMID: 38172977 PMCID: PMC10763409 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01262-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
According to numerous reports, Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) and its antigens can reduce intestinal inflammation by modulating regulatory immunological responses in the host to maintain immune homeostasis. Galectin has been identified as a protein that is produced by T. spiralis, and its characterization revealed this protein has possible immune regulatory activity. However, whether recombinant T. spiralis galectin (rTs-gal) can cure dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis remains unknown. Here, the ability of rTs-gal to ameliorate experimental colitis in mice with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as the potential underlying mechanism were investigated. The disease activity index (DAI), colon shortening, inflammatory cell infiltration, and histological damage were used as indicators to monitor clinical symptoms of colitis. The results revealed that the administration of rTs-gal ameliorated these symptoms. According to Western blotting and ELISA results, rTs-gal may suppress the excessive inflammatory response-mediated induction of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB expression in the colon. Mice with colitis exhibit disruptions in the gut flora, including an increase in gram-negative bacteria, which in turn can result in increased lipopolysaccharide (LPS) production. However, injection of rTs-gal may inhibit changes in the gut microbiota, for example, by reducing the prevalence of Helicobacter and Bacteroides, which produce LPS. The findings of the present study revealed that rTs-gal may inhibit signalling pathways that involve enteric bacteria-derived LPS, TLR4, and NF-κB in mice with DSS-induced colitis and attenuate DSS-induced colitis in animals by modulating the gut microbiota. These findings shed additional light on the immunological processes underlying the beneficial effects of helminth-derived proteins in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqing Li
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Putian University, Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
- School of Pharmacy, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Xiangjiang Wang
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Putian University, Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Qiuhui Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Putian University, Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
- School of Pharmacy, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Yishen Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Putian University, Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
- School of Pharmacy, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Shouan Wang
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Putian University, Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China
| | - Jia Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China.
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Putian University, Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China.
| | - Jianbin Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, Fujian, China.
- School of Basic Medicine Science, Putian University, Key Laboratory of Translational Tumor Medicine in Fujian Province, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Putian University, Putian, 351100, Fujian, China.
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