A mastite é o processo inflamatório da glândula mamária que constitui uma doença comum no setor pecuário leiteiro, evidenciado principalmente durante o período de lactação de vacas leiteiras e, cujos principais agentes etiológicos são o Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp. e espécies de coliformes. Os protocolos de combate à mastite preconizam o uso de antibióticos, o que pode trazer riscos à saúde dos animais e humana. Dependendo do agente patogênico, esta estratégia é considerada frequentemente ineficiente e de alto custo, o que leva pesquisadores a buscarem alternativas à antibioticoterapia, testando princípios ativos homeopáticos, fitoterápicos e micro-organismos probióticos, que apresentam potencial como alternativa promissora para a terapia quimioterápica. As formulações contendo bactérias probióticas podem representar uma alternativa de baixo custo para o combate à mastite, com a vantagem de não estimular a resistência entre os patógenos. Desta forma, este estudo baseou-se na avaliação in vitro do potencial antimicrobiano de cepas de Lactobacillus frente a agentes patógenos causadores de mastite, bem como na avaliação in vivo da inocuidade de formulações contendo probióticos em vacas em lactação. Para tanto, 6 cepas de Lactobacillus, na forma isolada e na forma de pool foram avaliadas quanto à capacidade inibitória sobre Streptococcus agalactiae (cepas 1 e 2) por diferentes técnicas de difusão em ágar e co-cultura em meio líquido. A inibição pela técnica de co-cultura foi avaliada mediante determinação de células viáveis das cepas patogênicas por reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa em tempo real (RT-qPCR). De acordo com os resultados observados no estudo de inibição in vitro, foram preparadas formulações probióticas utilizando dois veículos diferentes, sendo uma emulsão (Formulação A) e outra utilizando um veículo de um medicamento comercial (Formulação B) adicionadas de células de Lactobacillus na forma isolada e na forma de pool. Estas formulações foram avaliadas quanto à inocuidade em 17 vacas separadas em grupos sob regime de 1 ordenha/dia (A e B1) e 2 ordenhas/dia (B2), mediante a aplicação das formulações A e B contendo 109 ou 106 células/dose. Ao longo do cada tratamento, foram avaliados parâmetros fisiológicos como temperatura do úbere, presença de hiperemia, inchaço e manifestação de dor, contagem de células somáticas (CCS), California Mastitis Test (CMT), bem como condutividade elétrica e aspecto do leite e avaliação microbiológica. O estudo de inibição em co-cultura mostrou que as cepas de Lactobacillus avaliadas inibiram o crescimento das cepas patogênicas, em níveis superiores a 75% após 72 horas de ensaio. Após 24 horas, os maiores níveis de inibição sobre S. agalactiae cepa 1 foram exercidos pelas cepas L. acidophilus ATCC 4356, L. fermentum ATCC 9338, com índices de inibição de 99,79% e 99,91%, respectivamente. Nas mesmas condições a inibição de S. agalactiae cepa 2 por L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 e L. delbrueckii UFV H2B20 foi de 86,7% e 79,5%, respectivamente. Estes resultados indicam o potencial de inibição das cepas de Lactobacillus estudadas sobre S. agalactiae causadora de mastite. Estudos de inocuidade demonstraram que as formulações probióticas (A e B) induziram reação inflamatória no úbere dos animais, confirmado pelo aumento significativo da condutividade elétrica do leite (CEL), CCS (p < 0,05), bem como do escore de CMT. As formulações testadas no presente estudo não se mostraram adequadas ao emprego terapêutico na cura da mastite, uma vez que no teste de inocuidade provocaram processos inflamatórios nas glândulas mamárias dos animais testados. / Bovine mastitis is a common disease in dairy farms, usually observed during lactation period in dairy cattle, whose main etiological agents are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp. and coliform species. Current protocols of mastitis therapy include the use of antibiotics, which may represent serious risks for both animal and human health. Depending on the pathogen specie, this strategy is often considered ineffective and highly expensive, what stimulates scientists to search for alternative treatments, including homeopathic or phytotherapic drugs or probiotic microorganisms, which may be a good alternative to chemotherapeutic drugs. Formulations containing probiotic bacteria may represent a low-cost alternative for mastitis treatment. The present study aimed to assess in vitro ability of Lactobacillus strains to inhibit mastitis pathogens growth, as well as in vivo assessment of the safety of formulations containing probiotics in cows with predisposition or affected by mastitis. Thus, six Lactobacillus strains were evaluated on their inhibitory ability over Streptococcus agalactiae (strains 1 and 2) by techniques of agar diffusion and co-culture in liquid medium. The effectiveness of the co-culture was evaluated by enumerating viable pathogen cells through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). According to the results of in vitro study, two formulations were prepared based on a probiotic emulsion (formula A) and a commercial matrix (formula B) containing Lactobacillus cells (isolated or pool). Safety tests for the formulations were performed in 17 cows, which were separated into two groups under 1 milking/day (A and B1) and another group submitted to 2 milkings/day (B2), through the application of preparation A or preparation B containing 109 or 106 cells/dose. In each treatment, every cow was assessed on physiological parameters including temperature, presence of hyperemia, swelling and pain, somatic cell count (SCC), electrical conductivity and aspect of milk (color and clots/lumps formation) and microbiological evaluation. The results of the inhibition studies in co-culture showed that all Lactobacillus strains inhibited the growth of pathogenic strains, in at least 75% after 72 h of test. The highest levels of inhibition of S. agalactiae strain 1 were performed by strains L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 and L. fermentum ATCC 9338, at level of 99.79% and 96.70% after 24h, respectively. For the same period, the inhibition of S. agalactiae strain 2 by L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 and L delbrueckii UFV H2B20 was 86.7 % and 79.5%, respectively. These results showed the potential of Lactobacillus strains studied concerning to the inhibition of mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae. Safety studies showed that both formulations evaluated induced inflammatory response in the udder of the animals, what was confirmed by significant raise on electric conductivity and SCC (p < 0,05) and CMT scores on milk. All formulations were considered inappropriate to be used in mastitis therapeutics, once they failed at safety tests, inducing mastitis on tested animals.

Dental caries is the most common bacterial disease of humans and occurs when oral bacteria produce acids, following their fermentation of dietary carbohydrates. This acid can then cause a localised demineralisation of the tooth surface. A group of seven species of bacteria, collectively known as the mutans streptococci, have been predominantly implicated in the onset of dental caries. In particular, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus have been shown to be the main aetiological agents of this disease in humans. Most attempts to control the microbial component of caries target these bacteria. The past 50 years has provided considerable information about the pathogenesis of dental caries, the likely route and time of transmission of cariogenic bacteria to susceptible hosts and possible ways of either treating or controlling the onset of this disease. In regards to the latter, many techniques (such as the use of tooth brushes, mouth washes, dental floss and tooth paste) for the control of plaque build-up exist and the examples listed are generally part of a daily routine. However, these techniques need to be applied regularly, and as such only highly-motivated individuals generally experience improved oral health. Therefore, the search for more effective less labour-intensive approaches continues. One area of research is into the potential application of small ribosomally-synthesised antimicrobial peptides, known as bacteriocins. Bacteriocins generally inhibit closely-related species that occupy the same ecological niche. Their relatively-specific targeting, plus the fact that many are remarkably heat and chemically-stable molecules, makes them excellent candidates for possible anti-caries applications. Numerous bacteriocins produced by the lactic acid bacteria have now been identified. Most can be broadly categorised into one of four main classes, of which Class I, the lantibiotics and Class II, the small (<10 kDa) non-modified peptides, contain the most examples. Many screens for anti-mutans streptococcal (MS) bacteriocins have been carried out and it appears that the best source of anti-MS bacteriocins are the mutans streptococci themselves. Research in this laboratory has identified examples of anti-mutans streptococcal bacteriocins produced by both mutans streptococci and non-mutans streptococci. The present study investigated the anti-MS inhibitors produced by two streptococcal strains, S. mutans N and Streptococcus sanguis K11. During the course of this study a third strain, S. mutans UA159, was also studied for its bacteriocinogenic properties. Although S. sanguis K11 produces anti-mutans streptococcal inhibitory activity, this appears only effective against Streptococcus rattus. In addition however, the inhibitory activity of this strain is also directed against all tested strains of Streptococcus agalactiae and ca. 50% of Streptococcus pyogenes. In the present study a 5069 Da novel inhibitory agent (sanguicin K11) was characterised and shown responsible for this unusual inhibitory spectrum. Through reverse genetics the sanK11 locus was identified and shown to encode a Class II type bacteriocin, the first shown to be produced by S. sanguis. Following screens of additional S. sanguis, sanK11 was shown to be present only in strains producing the same type of inhibitory pattern (P-type) as strain K11. The cysteine residues at positions 7 and 38 of the sanguicin K11 propeptide were shown to form a disulphide bridge essential for sanguicin K11 inhibitory activity. S. mutans N and eight other S. mutans strains have been found to have what appears to be the same inhibitory spectrum, which includes members of the mutans streptococci and several other oral streptococcal species. One strain (UA140) of the eight has previously been shown to produce the lantibiotic mutacin I and the non-lantibiotic mutacin IV. S. mutans N was known to produce the non-lantibiotic mutacin N. The current study set out to investigate how two strains, apparently producing completely different bacteriocins could have the same inhibitory spectrum. Reverse genetics identified the mutacin N structural gene (mutN) and mutagenesis studies showed that this bacteriocin was responsible only for the inhibitory activity against mutans streptococci. Further sequencing around the mutN locus identified a second bacteriocin-like locus (mutO) adjacent to mutN. mutO was also identified to have anti-mutans streptococcal inhibitory activity and because of the close proximity of mutO and mutN and given the homology they share with other known two-peptide bacteriocins it seemed probable that mutacins O and N are components of a new member of this special class of bacteriocins (Class IIb, the two peptide bacteriocins) in which the optimal inhibitory activity is dependent on the co-operative activity of the two peptides. Further investigations of strain N examined the expression of mutacins O and N. During a search for a suitable heterologous non-mutacinogenic S. mutans strain to act as an expression host, the genome reference strain, S. mutans UA159 was given consideration. However, contrary to previous reports, this strain was found to exhibit bacteriocin-like inhibitory activity. During a follow-up investigation, strain UA159 was found to inhibit 84 strains representing 11 different species of bacteria, but no inhibition of mutans streptococci was detected. The locus (nlmAB) encoding the two-peptide bacteriocin mutacin IV was identified within the UA159 genome. Using genetic dissection of nlmA and nlmB, the contribution of each peptide was examined and it was found that only the NlmA* propeptide appears to be active, raising doubts as to whether mutacin IV is a bona fide two-peptide bacteriocin. Deletion of the entire nlmAB locus created a mutant strain that exhibited a loss of inhibitory activity against the same 64 strains as was found for the nlmA mutant. A BLASTP search for the consensus leader sequence that precedes the propeptide of Class II bacteriocins, identified ORFs encoding 9 more putative bacteriocin-like peptides. Further genetic dissection identified the SMU.1914c locus as being responsible for the inhibitory activity against a further 15 strains not already sensitive to mutacin IV. SMU.1914c was renamed mutacin V. However, it appears that another as yet unidentified mutacin(s) is also produced by strain UA159 given that three indicator strains still remained sensitive to a double mutant [UA[Delta](1914/NlmAB)] in which both the mutacin IV and putative mutacin V loci were inactivated. Export of Class II bacteriocins has been found to occur by either a SEC-dependent system or via a dedicated peptide ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter. Three potential ABC transporter ORFs were identified in S. mutans UA159. Two (comA and cslA) had the characteristic accessory factor ORF (comB and cslB respectively) located adjacent to the main ABC transporter ORF, while the third ORF763 appeared to lack this. Mutagenesis of each of these five ORFS was carried out and confirmed cslAB to be the ABC transporter involved in the export of the competence stimulating factor, while the function of ORF763 could not be established in this study. Mutagenesis of either comA or comB resulted in a complete cessation of bacteriocin production by the respective mutant strains. Historically, comA and comB is the nomenclature used for loci encoding the exporter of the competence inducing factors in streptococci. In light of this new information, comA and comB were renamed nlmT and nlmE respectively, to account for the newly defined role of this ABC transporter. The present study investigated four bacteriocins two of which (sanguicin K11 and mutacin ON) appear to have some potential for application to anti-caries control, and the others (mutacins IV and V) being shown to be produced by the genome reference strain (UA159). All three mutacins were shown to be exported from their respective producer cells by the NlmTE ABC transporter, while sanguicin K11 is predicted to be exported by a peptide ABC transporter located adjacent to sanK11. Bacteriocins may yet provide a novel alternative for the treatment and control of dental caries. In their favour is that fact that they have relatively narrow defined inhibitory spectra and thus are unlikely to produce widespread changes to plaque ecosystems. Potential uses include as topical agents where bacteriocin preparations could be incorporated into dentrifices such as toothpastes or mouthwashes. Alternatively, streptococci producing anti-mutans streptococcal bacteriocins could be implanted into the oral cavity in strain replacement therapy strategies. There are pros and cons to each technique and the most effective anti-caries control appears more likely to result from "cocktail therapy" where bacteriocins are combined with a number of other anti-mutans streptococcal agents to achieve long-lasting protection against mutans streptococcus proliferation.

With regard to infectious diseases, the most economical, direct, and efficient way to prevent them is timely inoculation and a comprehensive policy of vaccination. Such steps not only reduce the overall mortality rate, but also lessen a patient¡¦s susceptibility to serious complications once infected, and therefore their length of hospital stay. It is the foundation of disease prevention in all countries, and should be the primary focus of every public health department. This survey is based on a health belief model and a self-constructed questionnaire. Its sample base are parents whose children have visited one of two local hospitals, each of which is in a different administrative region. A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed. Recoveries were 270, of which 237 were useable. The effective response rate, therefore, is 67.7%. The useable recoveries were analyzed by SPSS, 17th edition, and verified and assumed by mean, standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis and Logistic regression analysis. The most influential factors on parents¡¦ decision whether or not to accept streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination (SPV) were as follows: 1.The greater the understanding of SPV and its policy, the greater the number of vaccinations 2.The perceived importance of good health 3. Age variability 4. The interrelationship between the perception and the policy of vaccination, the benefits of - and barriers to ¡V action, and the virulence and severity of the disease The results of this research suggest the public perception of SPV is the most important factor governing its efficacy. It is recommended, therefore, that public health departments campaign for SPV in a variety of different ways,( e.g. in newspapers and magazines, on TV, at pediatric clinics, at health centers, etc.) in order to establish a free and open flow of information to the public at large. It is in the hope of reducing the current mortality rate, length and cost of hospital stay and the serious complications arising from infection, that we offer the following data as reference for future planning.

Streptococcus agalactiae infection is one of the major disease problems affecting farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) worldwide. Tilapia are highly susceptible to this disease which results in mortality of up to 70% over a period of around 7 days and significant economic losses for farmers. Affected tilapia commonly present with an irregular behaviour associated with meningoencephalitis and septicaemia. Currently, factors affecting the virulence and transmission of S. agalactiae in fish including tilapia are poorly understood. Reports from natural outbreaks of S. agalactiae infection on tilapia farms have suggested larvae and juvenile or fish smaller than 20 g are not susceptible. In addition, there is variability in individual response to experimental inflammatory challenge associated with coping styles (bold, shy) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The central hypotheses of this thesis were that weight, age and coping style might affect the development and progression of this bacterial disease. This study investigated these three factors with experimental S. agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia. A range of bacterial isolates recovered from farmed tilapia, presenting with clinical sign of streptococcosis during natural disease outbreaks were identified and characterised as S. agalactiae by standard conventional methods, biochemical characteristic tests, Lancefield serogrouping and species-specific PCR assay. These isolates were Gram-positive cocci, either β- or non-haemolytic (γ), non-motile, oxidase negative and all of serogroup B. In addition, they were able to grow on Edwards medium (modified) agar as blue colonies and growth was observed in broth from 22 to 37 oC and with 0.5-5% NaCl. The biochemical profiles showed some differences in reactions while all the PCR samples showed similarities to the S. agalactiae type strain. These data confirmed that these strains were identified as group B S. agalactiae. A challenge model for S. agalactiae in Nile tilapia was developed and the LD50 estimated prior to performing subsequent experimental challenge studies. Two exposure routes, immersion and intraperitoneal injection (i.p.), were tested with various concentrations of S. agalactiae. Only i.p. injection produced significant mortalities (9 × 108 CFU/ml = 48% mortality, 9 × 107 = 48% and 8 × 106 = 26%). Streptococcus agalactiae was recovered and identified from all the dead and moribund fish during these experiments, where affected fish showed similar clinical signs and pathology to those reported from natural S. agalactiae infections. The study results showed that an experimental i.p. challenge model for S. agalactiae infection had successfully infected healthy Nile tilapia. In the immersion challenges, only 1 fish died despite testing a range of bacterial concentrations, exposure times, stocking density, water system and bacterial preparations. The experimental studies were conducted to investigate the association between weight or age of fish and susceptibility to S. agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia. This was performed under experimental conditions including control groups and a single population of 8 months old fish from one set of parents divided into 7 weight categories. These fish received a single i.p. injection of 6 × 107 CFU/ml of S. agalactiae. Controls and fish of 4 or 8 months old with a mean weight of 5 g received an i.p. injection of 7 × 107 CFU/ml of S. agalactiae. Clinical signs, lesions and histopathological changes in the affected fish were consistent with those reported in natural infection. Streptococcus agalactiae was recovered and identified from all moribund or dead fish. The mortality in the study of different weights varied from 0 to 33% between the groups but the association with weight was weak (R2 = 0.02). In the study of different ages the 4 months old fish group had a total mortality of 24%, and the 8 months old fish group a total mortality of 4%. This study produced no evidence for an association between the weight and susceptibility to S. agalactiae infection but suggested an association between the age or growth rate of fish and this disease. Different coping styles and susceptibility to S. agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia was examined. Fish were screened and scored depending on their risk-taking behavioural responses to a range of different environmental conditions. Individual differences in behavioural responses were evident but only consistent across behavioural trials for some individuals. A selection of fish with consistent responses across trials was exposed to the 6 × 107 CFU/ml of S. agalactiae by i.p. injection. Fewer bold than shy fish died suggesting that the bold fish might be less susceptible to the infection than shy fish. In conclusion, this study characterised a number of S. agalactiae isolates and developed an experimental bacterial challenge model. Subsequent experiments suggested that age (or growth rate) and coping style in fish but not the fish weight may affect susceptibility to S. agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 190 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Göteborgs Universitet, 1982. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes the author's published papers. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University School of Dentistry, 1998. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Göteborgs Universitet, 1982. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes the author's published papers. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 1988. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.