Intestinal, segmented, filamentous bacteria in a wide range of vertebrate species

Segmented, filamentous bacteria (SFBs) form a group of bacteria with similar morphology and are identified on the basis of their morphology only. The relationships of these organisms are unclear as the application of formal taxonomic criteria is impossible currently due to the lack of an in vitro technique to culture SFBs. The intestine of laboratory animals such as mice, rats, chickens, dogs, cats and pigs is known to harbour SFBs. To see whether this extends to other animal species, intestines from 18 vertebrate species, including man, were examined. SFBs were detected with light microscopy in the cat, dog, rhesus monkey, crab-eating macaque, domestic fowl, South African claw-footed toad, carp, man, laboratory mouse and rat, wood mouse, jackdaw and magpie. These results suggest that non-pathogenic SFBs are ubiquitous in the animal kingdom. Among apparently identical animals, there was considerable variation in the degree of SFB colonization. It is suggested that SFB colonization could serve as a criterion of standardization of laboratory animals.

Apathogenic, intestinal, segmented, filamentous bacteria stimulate the mucosal immune system of mice

Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFBs) are apathogenic autochthonous bacteria in the murine small intestine that preferentially attach to Peyer's patch epithelium. SFBs have never been cultured in vitro. We have studied the effects of SFBs on the immune system of the host. Mice monoassociated with SFBs were compared with germ-free mice and with mice without SFBs but with a specific-pathogen-free (SPF) gut flora. SFBs versus no microbial flora raised the number of lymphoid cells in the lamina propria of the ileal and cecal mucosa, raised the number of immunoglobulin A (IgA)-secreting cells in the intestinal mucosa, produced elevated IgA titers in serum and intestinal secretions, and enhanced the concanavalin A-induced proliferative responses of mesenteric lymph node cells. The SPF flora had effects similar to but less pronounced than those mediated by SFBs. The results indicate that SFBs stimulate the mucosal immune system to a greater extent than do other autochthonous gut bacteria.

Different degree of ileal colonization by segmented, filamentous bacteria in two strains of mice

Segmented, filamentous bacteria (SFBs) are autochthonous, apathogenic inhabitants of the ileum of various animal species. Outbred Swiss (Cpb:SE) mice have significantly higher degrees of SFB colonization than do inbred BALB/c mice. The present studies were carried out to identify determinants of this strain difference. In a cross-fostering experiment it was shown that SFB colonization of the pups is determined by the strain of the pups themselves rather than by the strain of the nursing dam. Thus, maternal effects may not be involved in SFB colonization. In a cross-infecting experiment using germ-free and SFB-positive animals of the two mouse strains, it was found that ileal SFB colonization is determined by host characteristics rather than by origin of the SFBs. Thus, SFBs that are specific for a given mouse strain may not exist in the two strains of mice. It is concluded that the mouse strain difference in SFB colonization is determined by host characteristics, which probably have a genetic basis.

Intestinal, segmented, filamentous bacteria

Segmented, filamentous bacteria (SFBs) are autochthonous, apathogenic bacteria, occurring in the ileum of mice and rats. Although the application of formal taxonomic criteria is impossible due to the lack of an in vitro technique to culture SFBs, microbes with a similar morphology, found in the intestine of a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate host species, are considered to be related. SFBs are firmly attached to the epithelial cells of the distal ileal mucosa, their preferential ecological niche being the epithelium covering the Peyer's patches. Electron microscopic studies have demonstrated a considerable morphological diversity of SFBs, which may relate to different stages of a life cycle. Determinants of SFB colonization in vivo are host species, genotypical and phenotypical characteristics of the host, diet composition, environmental stress and antimicrobial drugs. SFBs can survive in vitro incubation, but do not multiply. On the basis of their apathogenic character and intimate relationship with the host, it is suggested that SFBs contribute to development and/or maintenance of host resistance to enteropathogens.

Intestinal absorption of drugs. The influence of mixed micelles on on the disappearance kinetics of drugs from the small intestine of the rat

The solubilization of the hydrophilic drugs paracetamol and theophylline, and the lipophilic drugs dantrolene, griseofulvin and ketoconazole has been determined in mixed micellar aqueous dispersions composed of 10 mM taurocholate + 5 mM oleic acid. The solubilization of dantrolene and paracetamol has also been determined in aqueous (mixed) micellar dispersions of 1 g L-1 lysophosphatidyl-choline (LPC), or taurocholate/LPC. The influence of these (mixed) micelles on the absorption of the model drugs from solution was studied in the rat chronically isolated internal loop. Absorption kinetics of the drugs were evaluated on the basis of the disappearance rate of the drug dissolved in the perfusion medium in this loop. Absorption experiments with taurocholate/oleic acid in the perfusate resulted in a reduction of the disappearance rate for the lipophilic drugs and the hydrophilic drug theophylline. This could partly be ascribed to the decreased fraction of drug free in solution as a result of its micellar solubilization for dantrolene, griseofulvin and ketoconazole, but the decrease in the disappearance rate of theophylline was unexpected. Taurocholate/oleic acid, LPC and taurocholate/LPC micelles had no effect on the disappearance of paracetamol. The disappearance rate of dantrolene in the presence of LPC alone was not altered, in spite of the decreased fraction of the drug free in solution owing to its micellar solubilization. In contrast, taurocholate/LPC micelles caused a reduction in the rate of disappearance of dantrolene, as expected according to the phase-separation model. In-vitro, taurocholate and taurocholate/LPC reduced the molecular cohesion of porcine intestinal mucus, whereas LPC alone did not exhibit an effect on the gel structure of mucus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intestinal absorption of drugs. III. The influence of taurocholate on the disappearance kinetics of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs from the small intestine of the rat

The influence of sodium taurocholate (TC) on the intestinal absorption of drugs was studied in vivo in a chronically isolated internal loop in the rat. The hydrophilic drugs paracetamol (PA) and theophylline (TP) and the lipophilic drugs griseofulvin (GF) and ketoconazole (KE) were used as model drugs. The drug concentrations were kept below the saturation concentration. Absorption kinetics of the drugs were evaluated on the basis of disappearance rates of the drug from luminal solutions in the intestinal loop. Concentrations of TC above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) did not affect the absorption rate of the hydrophilic drugs PA and TP; the barrier function of the intestinal wall for PA and TP was not altered in the presence of taurocholate. The addition of concentrations of TC above the CMC in the perfusion solution resulted in a reduction of the absorption rate of GF and KE. The reduction in the absorption kinetics of GF in the presence of TC correlated well with the reduction of the drug-free fraction in solution due to micellar solubilization. For KE this relation was less clear. It was not possible to determine, on the basis of the phase-separation model, to what extent the fraction of the drug incorporated in TC micelles contributes to the overall diffusion of GF and KE across the preepithelial diffusion barrier. It was concluded that TC exhibits only a minor, if not negligible, effect on the barrier function of the aqueous diffusion barrier adjacent to the intestinal wall.

Intestinal absorption of drugs. I: The influence of taurocholate on the absorption of dantrolene in the small intestine of the rat

The influence of sodium taurocholate (1) on the intestinal absorption of the lipophilic drug dantrolene (2) was studied in vivo in a chronically isolated internal loop in the rat. Concentrations of 2 were kept below the saturation concentration in saline. Absorption kinetics of 2 were evaluated on the basis of steady-state blood levels, which develop during single-pass perfusions, and on the basis of the rate of disappearance of the drug from the perfusate during recirculating perfusions. Compound 1 at a concentration of 10 mM in the perfusate induced a twofold reduction of the absorption rate compared with the same concentration of 2 in saline. Pretreatment of the absorptive surface with a 10 mM solution of 1 had no detectable effect on the absorption rate of 2 in saline. After perfusions with 10 mM solutions of 1, the perfusate concentration of proteins, phosphorus, and hexoses in the effluent was increased. The reduction of the absorption rate can be ascribed mainly to a reduction of the thermodynamically active concentration of 2 as calculated from the phase-separation model. In addition, 10 mM 1 seems to temporarily increase the barrier function of the mucous layer.

Evaluation of a chronically isolated internal loop in the rat for the study of drug absorption kinetics

A model is described to study absorption kinetics of drugs in the unanesthetized rat. The surgical technique consists of a long-term isolation of an intestinal segment inside the animal. This isolated loop is used in perfusion experiments. In this model the effects of anesthesia and surgical trauma on absorption kinetics are absent. In addition, this model allows for cross-over experimental schemes. Absorption kinetics are evaluated on the basis of steady-state blood levels (Css) of the perfused drug, since the animal can be used in experiments over a long time period. Steady-state blood levels can be used as a measure of the absorption if the compound under investigation shows linear elimination kinetics. Dantrolene sodium was used as a model compound to evaluate this technique. The elimination of dantrolene sodium followed linear kinetics after different intravenous doses in the same rat. The half-life of elimination (t1/2 beta) of dantrolene sodium was approximately 45 min. Perfusions of two different concentrations of dantrolene sodium in the same rat showed that an increase of the perfusate concentration results in a proportional increase in the Css. A prerequisite for performing cross-over experiments is that the absorption characteristics of the isolated segment are constant during the experimental period. This model showed a constant absorption of dantrolene sodium on consecutive days, over a two-week period, in the same rat.

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Campylobacter jejuni antibodies, and comparison with a complement fixation test (CFT)

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of total anti-Campylobacter immunoglobulins in human sera. In this assay disintegrated Campylobacter bacteria were used as the antigen. Absorption tests including other possibly enteropathogenic bacterial species showed that the ELISA system displayed a high immunological specificity for Campylobacter. Using this ELISA it was found that in about 80% of Campylobacter patients these Campylobacter antibodies are produced to almost maximal levels within 8 days after onset of disease, and that they may persist for at least 4 months. Indeed, Campylobacter antibodies were demonstrated at low levels in a large number of control sera. However, accepting an antibody titre of 1:640 as indicative of Campylobacter infection, the statistical sensitivity of the ELISA system was 77% and the specificity 95%. In an epidemiological survey a high association was demonstrated between the severity of Campylobacter-related symptoms and antibody titre values. Assessment of Campylobacter antibody titres by means of this ELISA and by a complement fixation test in 92 sera from index patients and contacts with and without symptoms showed a high association of results.

[Cochlosomosis, a problem in raising waxbills kept in aviaries (author's transl)]

A flagellate, (Cochlosoma sp.) in the intestines of waxbills caused disease and death, particularly in the younger birds. Disturbance of the intestines was the characteristic clinical symptom. Treatment with Emtryl (Specia, 40% dimetridazole), 250 mg. per litre of drinking water for three days, was effective.

Yersinia enterocolitica infections in non-human primates

Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from ten non-human primates in the Netherlands. The following species were represented: Potto, Senegalgalago, wooly monkey, black spider monkey, common marmoset, cottonhead tamarin, pigtailed macaque and lesser whitenosed guenon.

[Disease and causes of death in birds (authors transl)]

In 1975, post-mortem studies were done on 745 birds. The findings are tabulated. The most important problems are evaluated. The most striking finding is the very large proportion (46.0 per cent) of birds which died from infectious disease caused either by bacteria, viruses, protozoa or parasites. Hygiene is stressed as a valuable preventive measure.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in birds

245 Avian strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were isolated over a period of 18 years (1958-1975. Toucans appear to be highly susceptible to pseudotuberculosis. The number of isolates was highest in the colder months (December-March). Serotype 1 was isolated most frequently. There were no essential differences among the five serotypes in sensitivity to chemotherapeutics.

Pneumocystis carinii infections in zoo animals

Pneumocystis carinii was found to be present in the lungs of twenty-three zoo animals in the Netherlands. The following species were represented: red kangaroo, common tree shrew, Senegal-Galago, Demidoff's-Galago, brown howler monkey, woolly monkey, long-haired spider monkey, white-eared marmoset, chimpanzee, three-toed sloth, palm squirrel, red panda, fennec fox, tree hyrax and large-toothed hyrax.