AIM To test the hypothesis that sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may be caused by toxins of commonly occurring bacteria in infants lacking developed immunity. METHODS Nasopharyngeal microbial isolates from 22 pairs of SIDS cases and healthy infants matched for age (by month), sex, and sampling time (by month) were compared for lethal toxigenicity. Crude toxin preparations were made from is...

The intestinal microflora is a positive health asset that crucially influences the normal structural and functional development of the mucosal immune system. Mucosal immune responses to resident intestinal microflora require precise control and an immunosensory capacity for distinguishing commensal from pathogenic bacteria. In genetically susceptible individuals, some components of the flora ca...

The alimentary tract at birth is either sterile or contains only a few micro-organisms (Wilson and Miles, 1955). Within a few days of birth a profuse flora is established in the mouth and large intestine. However, the small intestine remains relatively free from micro-organisms throughout life (Cregan and Hayward, 1953; Anderson and Langford, 1958a). Thus in health it seems that some antibacter...

BACKGROUND Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial syndrome characterized by a change in vaginal flora away from predominantly Lactobacillus species. The cause of BV is unknown, but the condition has been implicated in diverse medical outcomes. The bacterium Atopobium vaginae has been recognized only recently. It is not readily identified by commercial diagnostic kits. Its clinical signific...

Garter snakes that are used for scientific laboratory studies or kept as exotic pets often become ill and die early in captivity. They may also act as reservoirs of potential human pathogens or transmit infection to man. A total of 126 strains of aerobic and facultative bacteria, most potential human and snake pathogens, were isolated from 82 garter snake oropharyngeal cultures. Coagulase-negat...

In a recent publication, we reported the identification and characterization of two distinct phenotypes in SpragueDawley rats obtained from the Charles River Raleigh facility (Robosky et al., 2005). The phenotypes were designated as HIP (high hippuric acid level in urine) and CA (high chlorogenic acid metabolites level in urine). The endogenous urinary metabolic profile of each phenotype was di...

The alimentary tract at birth is either sterile or contains only a few micro-organisms (Wilson and Miles, 1955). Within a few days of birth a profuse flora is established in the mouth and large intestine. However, the small intestine remains relatively free from micro-organisms throughout life (Cregan and Hayward, 1953; Anderson and Langford, 1958a). Thus in health it seems that some antibacter...

BACKGROUND Poor obstetrical outcomes are associated with imbalances in the vaginal flora. The present study evaluated the role of vaginal Lactobacillus species in women with intermediate vaginal flora with regard to obstetrical outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively analysed data from all women with singleton pregnancies who had undergone routine screening for asymptomatic vaginal infections at...

streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis is one of the pyogenic group c and g streptococcus, which may be found in the normal gastrointestinal and genitourinary flora of a healthy human. many cases have been reported in literature; however, reports of septic arthritis due to this agent without predisposing factors are extremely rare. diagnosis of this agent is possible in advanced labo...