The presence of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase activity, using 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as a substrate, has been established in the cytosolic fraction of the toxigenic (aflatoxin producing) and nontoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus. Significant differences in the GSH S-transferase activity were observed between the toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains. A positive correlation has...

Background Acute Streptococcus pyogenes infections may present under various forms, such as pharyngitis, scarlet fever, pneumonia, meningitis, cellulitis or impetigo. Toxigenic infections can result in necrotizing fasciitis, myositis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Following acute infections caused by S pyogenes, patients are also at risk for developing immune-mediated post-streptococca...

Several toxigenic trichothecene-producing and nonproducing Fusarium species are involved in Fusarium head blight, which reduces both crop yield and quality in cereals. Climate change has altered crop production in many countries, and this in turn influences the pathogen populations. E.g. in northern areas a risk will be new toxigenic Fusarium species spreading to the north due to higher tempera...

Aims: To determine the anti-cytotoxic effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) against extracellular and intracellular Clostridium difficile toxins. Study Design: Co-culture system. Place and Duration of Study: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, Wisco...

INTRODUCTION We investigated the changing trend of various toxigenic Clostridium difficile isolates at a 3 500-bed hospital in Taiwan. Genetic relatedness and antimicrobial susceptibility of toxigenic C. difficile isolates were also examined. METHODS A total of 110 non-repeat toxigenic C. difficile isolates from different patients were collected between 2002 and 2007. Characterization of the ...

While soil application of a competitive non-toxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains is successful in reducing aflatoxin contamination in certain crops, direct application to aerial reproductive structures could be more effective for maize. A sprayable, clay-based water-dispersible granule formulation was developed to deliver non-toxigenic A. flavus strain K49 directly to maize ears. The efficacy o...

Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. It is usually a consequence of antibiotic treatment, But sporadic cases can occur. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of the nosocomial Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) associated diarrhea in Tehran University of Medical Sciences hospitals and study of antibacterial susceptibility of isolates. In this study ...

The relevance of free radical generation and oxidative stress with regard to aflatoxin production was examined by comparing the oxygen requirement and antioxidant status of a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus parasiticus with that of a nontoxigenic strain at early (trophophase) and late logarithmic (idiophase) growth phases. In comparison to the nontoxigenic strain, wherein the oxygen requirement...