Diagnosing Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis by detecting antibodies against S. aureus capsular polysaccharide types 5 and 8

Article Abstract:

Endocarditis, or inflammation of the lining membrane of the heart, is found among some patients whose blood is infected with the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and it is in these cases that the highest mortality from Staphylococcus aureus infection is seen. It has been difficult, however, to devise a blood test to distinguish those patients with endocarditis from those who simply have Staphylococcus aureus infection in their blood. It is known that capsular polysaccharides (CPs), which are a complex chain of sugars that form a protective layer over each bacterial cell, are present in S. aureus and that there are two major types: type 5 and type 8 CPs. Antibodies to these polysaccharide types have been discovered in the blood and are easily measured. Patients with endocarditis more often have measurable antibodies to CPs than those with uncomplicated Staphylococcus infection. In a study of the value of using the measured antibody levels to CP types 5 and 8 as an indication of the presence of endocarditis in patients infected with S. aureus, blood was collected from 33 infected patients and uninfected controls. Of the infected patients, 23 tested positive for antibodies to CP type 8, and five tested positive for antibodies to CP type 5. These results were significantly correlated with other diagnostic information confirming a diagnosis of endocarditis. It is therefore proposed that a blood test for antibodies to CPs types 8 and 5 is the first known to correctly diagnose patients with endocarditis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Diagnosis, Causes of, Staphylococcus aureus, Microbial polysaccharides, Staphylococcal infections, Antibodies, Endocarditis

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Antibacterial activity of crotalid venoms against oral snake flora and other clinical bacteria

Article Abstract:

Snakebites often cause puncture wounds, swelling due to toxic substances, and destruction of the tissue. Although various types of bacteria have been isolated from the mouths of snakes, snakebites are rarely complicated by bacterial infection. The bactericidal activity of venoms, or ability of snake poisons to kill bacteria, has not been studied. Snake venoms may kill bacteria directly, and thereby prevent bacterial infection of the snakebite wound. The antibacterial activities of crotalid, or rattlesnake, venoms were assessed. Snake venoms were tested against six aerobic and eight anaerobic bacterial species and three bacterial species normally found in the mouths of rattlesnakes. (Aerobic bacteria require oxygen, but anaerobic bacteria do not.) Rattlesnake venom had antibacterial activity against staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Proteus, and Morganella species, but not against anaerobic bacteria. The bactericidal effects of rattlesnake venoms was diminished after prolonged exposure to gram-negative aerobic bacteria. These findings show that rattlesnake venoms have bactericidal effects against aerobic, gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial species, and that these antibacterial effects may help to prevent infectious complications of snakebites. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Evaluation, Prevention, Complications and side effects, Antibacterial agents, Bacterial infections, Bites and stings, Bites (Injuries), Stings (Injuries), Poisonous snakes, Venom, Venoms, Snake venoms

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