MacKinnon Lauritzen (basketspring47)

Streptococci from the mitis group (represented mainly by Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii) form robust biofilms with Candida albicans in different experimental models. These microorganisms have been found in polymicrobial biofilms forming on titanium biomaterial surfaces in humans with peri-implant disease. The purpose of this work was to study mutualistic interactions in biofilms forming on titanium and their effect on the adjacent mucosa, using a relevant infection model. Single and mixed biofilms of C. albicans and each Streptococcus species were grown on titanium disks. Bacterial and fungal biovolume and biomass were quantified in these biofilms. Organotypic mucosal constructs were exposed to preformed titanium surface biofilms to test their effect on secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and cell damage. C. albicans promoted bacterial biofilms of all mitis Streptococcus species on titanium surfaces. This relationship was mutualistic since all of multi-species biofilms with organotypic mucosal surfaces led to the release of growth-suppressing mediators of Candida, which may represent a homeostatic defense mechanism of the oral mucosa against fungal overgrowth. Thus, our findings provide novel insights into biofilms on biomaterials that may play an important role in the pathogenesis of mucosal infections around titanium implants. LGK974 Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.Pathogenic bacteria in wastewater are generally considered to be efficiently removed in biological wastewater treatment plants. This understanding is almost solely based on culture-based control measures, and here we show, by applying culture independent methods, that the removal of species in the genus Arcobacter was lower than for many other abundant genera in the influent wastewater. Arcobacter was one of the most abundant genera in influent wastewater to 14 municipal wastewater treatment plants and was also abundant in the "clean" effluent from all plants, reaching up to 30% of all bacteria as analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Metagenomic analyses, culturing, genome sequencing of Arcobacter isolates, and visualization by FISH confirmed the presence of the human pathogenic A. cryaerophilus and A. butzleri in both influent and effluent. The main reason for the high relative abundance in the effluent was probably that Arcobacter, compared to other abundant genera in the influent, did not flocculnt quality encompassing most pathogens should be considered. Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.BACKGROUND Early diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia reduces patient morbidity and mortality associated with coronary heart disease. Despite guidelines recommending screening of all pediatric patients aged 9 to 11 years, universal screening rates are reportedly low. Evaluating current screening practices provides key insights to inform and improve screening rates in the future. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to assess universal cholesterol screening rates for a large cohort of pediatric patients within one healthcare system and at the individual provider and clinic levels. METHODS A retrospective review of more than 50,000 electronic health records of children aged 9 to 11 years seen at 46 primary care clinics in a large Midwestern healthcare system between 2011 and 2016 was completed. Descriptive statistics of cholesterol screening status, lipid test results, and patient demographics were used for comparisons of factors influencing screening rates. RESULTS Between 2011 and 2016, 4.0% of eligible pediatric patients were screened in the healthcare system. A majority of clinics and providers screened 4.0% or fewer of eligible patients. Six of the 333 providers (1.8%) screened >10% of eligible patients and completed a majority of the screening at the three higher screening clinics. CONCLUSION Rates of universal cholesterol screening