Two New Identification Methods for Encephalitozoon cuniculi on Tissue Section

[ Objective] The paper aimed to search new identification methods of Encephalitozoon cuniculi on tissue sections. [ Method] Using improved Gram staining method and methyl green pyronin staining method, the pathological sections of sick rabbits were stained and identified. [ Result] The pathological changes in brain tissue could be clearly observed on sections, but parasites were not examined in pathological brain tissues stained by common staining method. When the pathological section was stained by improved Gram staining method, the pathological changes in brain tissue were not ouly stained very clearly, but blue parasites were also found in brain tissues. The parasites in epithelioid cells were stained into purple ones by methyl green pyronin staining method. [ Conclusion] The im- proved Gram staining method and methyl green pyronin staining method performed good staining effects of E. cuniculi in pathological sections, which were conducive to rapid diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis in rabbit.

Antibiotics-based fluorescent probes for selective labeling of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in living microbiotas

Gram-staining distinguishes bacteria into two major groups,Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria,and has become an essential technique in microbiology.However,Gram-staining is not compatible with living cells and thus limits its applications.Here,we report the development of a polymyxin B-based fluorescent probe that enables selective labeling of Gram-negative in the living microbiota samples.We first synthesized the polymyxin B-Cy3 conjugate and confirmed its specificity for labeling Gram-negative bacteria.In combination with a previously developed Gram-positive-specific fluorescent probe,we demonstrate two-color imaging of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in various kinds living microbiotas,including mouse gut,human oral,soil,and crude oil microbiotas,with high selectivity and coverage.Finally,a pilot use of the probes in staining bacteria on heat-fixed sputum smear was also demonstrated,showing its potentials in clinical microbiology.Our method provides a versatile tool for distinguishing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in both basic research and clinical settings.

Impact of satellite blood culture on early diagnosis of sepsis

Background:The aim of this study was to assess whether satellite blood culture(SBC)can improve turnaround times,antibiotic switching,and patient prognosis,relative to laboratory blood culture(LBC).Methods:Patients with sepsis treated in the intensive care units(ICUs)of Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from February 5,2018 to January 19,2019 who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to the study and divided into the SBC group and LBC group according to different blood culture methods.Patient demographics,blood culture,antibiotic adjustment,and prognosis data were collected and compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 204 blood culture sets from 52 ICU patients,including 100 from the medical microbiology LBC group and 104 from the SBC group,were analyzed in this study.There was no significant difference in the positive rates between the two groups.Time from specimen collection to incubation was significantly shorter in the SBC group than that in the LBC group(1.65 h vs.3.51 h,z=−4.09,P<0.001).The median time from specimen collection to notification of blood culture positivity was 24.83 h in the SBC group and 27.83 h in the LBC group.Median times from adjustment of antibiotics according to the first report were 26.05 h and 51.71 h in the SBC and LBC groups,respectively,while those according to the final report were 97.17 h and 111.45 h,respectively.Median ICU lengths of stay were 15.00 days and 17.00 days in the SBC and LBC groups,respectively,and median ICU lengths of stay were 18.00 days and 23.50 days,respectively.Mean hospitalization costs were 157.99 and 186.73 thousand yuan in the SBC and LBC groups,respectively.Conclusion:SBC can significantly reduce blood culture turnaround times;however,there were no significant differences between the two blood culture methods in initial reporting of positive cultures,time to adjustment of antibiotic therapy,or medical costs,despite a trend toward improvement.