粪便pH和涂片检查肠道菌群失调的研究及意义

目的 探讨粪便pH和涂片检查细菌球／杆在菌群失调诊断中的价值。方法 对腹泻3d以上或疾病中并发腹泻的194例患者为研究对象。采集新鲜粪便（10rain内），观察其性状、颜色、测pH、粪便常规，涂片革兰染色查细菌总数、形态特点、革兰球菌／杆菌及细菌培养。另选同期住院的非腹泻患者、职工家属和到保健科定期体检的小儿80例作为正常对照。结果 经培养确诊为菌群失调的有118例，其中男76例，女42例，年龄最小45天，最大5岁。粪便pH失调组分布在6～8，≥7者占78．8％，对照组分布在5～6．5，多集中在≤5．5，占85％，相比差异有显著性（u=12．02，P〈0．01）。涂片查球菌／杆菌失调组为3／7～8／2，球菌〉140％者106例（89．8％），对照组为3／7～1／9，球菌≥40％者无1例，两者比较差异有显著性（u=11．19，P〈0．01）。两种快速诊断法的灵敏度分别为94．9％和100％，特异度均为95％，诊断界值pH为6．5，球／杆为3／7。结论 粪便pH和涂片检查肠道菌群失调方法简便、快捷、经济实用，能在15min内作出诊断，尤对急重症患者可赢得治疗时机，值得推广。

Two bacterial infection models in tree shrew for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial agents

Animal models are essential for the development of new anti-infectious drugs.Although some bacterial infection models have been established in rodents,small primate models are rare.Here,we report on two bacterial infection models established in tree shrew（Tupaia belangeri chinensis）.A burnt skin infection model was induced by dropping 5×106 CFU of Staphylococcus aureus on the surface of a wound after a third degree burn.This dose of S.aureus caused persistent infection for 7 days and obvious inflammatory response was observed 4 days after inoculation.A Dacron graft infection model,2×106 CFU of Pseudomonas aeruginosa also caused persistent infection for 6 days,with large amounts of pus observed 3 days after inoculation.These models were used to evaluate the efficacy of levofloxacin（LEV） and cefoperazone（CPZ）,which reduced the viable bacteria in skin to 4log10 and 5log10 CFU/100 mg tissue,respectively.The number of bacteria in graft was significantly reduced by 4log10 CFU/mL treatment compared to the untreated group（P0.05）.These results suggest that two bacterial infection models were successfully established in tree shrew using P.aeruginosa and S.aureus.In addition,tree shrew was susceptible to P.aeruginosa and S.aureus,thus making it an ideal bacterial infection animal model for the evaluation of new antimicrobials.

Inhibitory Effects of Bacillus subtilis on Staphylococcus aureus

[Objective] To produce drug resistance, seek non-toxic environmental so as to change the current biological drugs that did not excessive use of antibiotics. [Methods] A strain of Bacillus was purified and isolated from fresh and healthy in- testines of grass carps. Biochemical identification was carried out by conventional bacterial biochemical test method. Two pairs of primers were designed, 16S rRNA detection and sequencing analysis were carried out. Drug sensitive test was carried out by agar diffusion method. In vitro inhibition test on Staphylococcus aureus was carried out by Oxford cup method. [Results] The isolated bacterium had basically the same biochemical characters as Bacillus subtilis; and the homology reached 100%. Thus, the isolated bacterium was identified to be Bacillus subtilis. It was insensitive to amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin G and so on, but sensitive to amikacin, cefalexin, ciprofloxacin and cefradine. The inhibitory effects of Bacillus subtilis on Staphylococ- cus aureus were significant. The minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） was 2.8×10^8×2^-5/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration （MBC） was 2.8×10^8×2^-2/ml. [Conclusions] The isolated Bacillus subtilis could be used to prevent and control diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and reduce the abuse of antibiotics.

Construction of an oral recombinant DNA vaccine from H pylori neutrophil activating protein and its immunogenicity

AIM： To construct a live attenuated Salmonella typhimurium （S. typhimurium） strain harboring the H pylori neutrophil activating protein （HP-NAP） gene as an oral recombinant DNA vaccine, and to evaluate its immunogenicity. METHODS： By genetic engineering methods, the genomic DNA of Hpylori was extracted as a template. The total length of the HP-NAP gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and cloned into pBT vector for sequencing and BLAST analysis, then subcloned into a eukaryotic expression vector pIRES followed by PCR identification and restriction enzyme digestion. The identified recombinant plasmid pIRES-NAP was transfected into COS-7 cells for target fusion protein expression, and its antigenicity was detected by Western blotting. Then the recombinant plasmid was transformed into a live attenuated S. typhimurium strain SL7207 as an oral vaccine strain, and its immunogenicity was evaluated with animal experiments. RESULTS： A 435 bp product was cloned using high homology with HP-NAP gene in GenBank （more than 98%）. With identification by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion, a recomoinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pIRES-NAP containing the HP-NAP gene of H pylori was successfully constructed. The expressed target protein had a specific reaction with Hpyloril whole cell antibody and showed a single strip result detected by Western blotting. Oral immunization of mice with recombinant DNA vaccine strain SL7207 （pIRES-NAP） also induced a specific immune response. CONCLUSION： The successful construction of HP-NAP oral DNA vaccine with good immunogenicity may help to further investigate its immunoprotection effects and develop vaccine against Hpylori infection.

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Artemisia herba-alba and Mentha pulegium Essential Oils

The chemical composition of essential oils obtained from Artemisia herba-alba and Mentha pulegium were determined. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry （GC/MS）. Their antibacterial activity was studied in vitro against three standard strains： E. coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and five clinical strains： Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas pyocyanique, Enterococcus faecium, and E. coli. Nineteen constituents were identified in A. herba-alba essential oil representing 99.57% of the total composition The major component was α-thujone （59.07%）. The bacterial strains were inhibited at concentrations ranging from 1.25 μL/mL to 5μL/mL and killed at concentrations ranging from 1.25 μL/mL to 10 μL/mL. M. pulegium resulted in the identification of eighteen constituents representing 99.48% of the total composition. The main component was pulegone （78.07%）. The minimal inhibitory （MIC） and bactericidal （MBC） concentrations were ranging from 1.25 μL/mL to 2.5 μL/mL.

Effects of Combinations of Two of Three Different Probiotics on Pond Water Quality

In order to provide reference for probiotics application in aquaculture, Bacillus subtilis （A）, Streptococcus faecalis （B） and photosynthetic bacteria （C） were prepared according to the ratios of 9：1, 4：1, 1：1, 1：4 and 1：9 with 10^5 cfu/ml as the unit of concentration into 15 mixed microecological preparations, and their effects on COD, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen and sulfide in pond water were investigated. The results showed that the mixed preparation of B. subtilis and photosynthetic bacteria at a ratio of 1：4 had the best effect in treating COD （P〈0.05）, the mixed preparation of B. subtilis and S. faecalis at a ratio of 4：1 showed the best effect in treating ammonia nitrogen （P〈0.05）, the mixed preparation of S. faecalis and photosynthetic bacteria at a ratio of 4：1 showed the best effect in treating nitrite nitrogen （P〈0.05）, and the mixed preparation of Streptococcus faecalis and photosynthetic bacteria at a ratio of 9：1 had the best effect of reducing sulfide （P〈0.05）.

Comparison of bacterial quantities in left and right colon biopsies and faeces

AIM:To compare quantities of predominant and pathogenic bacteria in mucosal and faecal samples.METHODS:Twenty patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy with endoscopically and histologically normal mucosa were recruited to the study,14 subjects of which also supplied faecal(F) samples between 15 d to 105 d post colonoscopy.Mucosal biopsies were taken from each subject from the midportion of the ascending colon(right side samples,RM) and the sigmoid(left side samples,LM).Predominant intestinal and mucosal bacteria including clostridial 16S rRNA gene clusters Ⅳ and ⅩⅣab,Bacteroidetes,Enterobacteriaceae,Bifidobacterium spp.,Akkermansia muciniphila(A.muciniphila),Veillonella spp.,Collinsella spp.,Faecalibacterium prausnitzii(F.prausnitzii) and putative pathogens such asEscherichia coli(E.coli),Clostridium difficile(C.difficile),Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) and Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus) were analysed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).Host DNA was quantified from the mucosal samples with human glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene targeting qPCR.Paired t tests and the Pearson correlation were applied for statistical analysis.RESULTS:The most prominent bacterial groups were clostridial groups Ⅳ and ⅩⅣa+b andBacteroidetes and bacterial species F.prausnitzii in both sample types.H.pylori and S.aureus were not detected and C.difficile was detected in only one mucosal sample and three faecal samples.E.coli was detected in less than half of the mucosal samples at both sites,but was present in all faecal samples.All detected bacteria,except Enterobacteriaceae,were present at higher levels in the faeces than in the mucosa,but the different locations in the colon presented comparable quantities(RM,LM and F followed byP 1 for RMvs F,P 2 for LMvs F andP 3 for RM vs LM:4.17 ± 0.60 log 10 /g,4.16 ± 0.56 log 10 /g,5.88 ± 1.92 log 10 /g,P 1 = 0.011,P 2 = 0.0069,P 3 = 0.9778 forA.muciniphila;6.25 ± 1.3 log 10 /g,6.09 ± 0.81 log 10 /g,8.84 ± 1.38 log 10 /g,P 1 < 0.0001,P 2 = 0.0002,P 3 = 0.6893 forBacteroidetes;5.27 ± 1.68 log 10 /g,5.38 ± 2.06 log 10 /g,8.20 ± 1.14 log 10 /g,P 1 < 0.0001,P 2 ≤ 0.0001,P 3 = 0.7535 forBifidobacterium spp.;6.44 ± 1.15 log 10 /g,6.07 ±1.45 log 10 /g,9.74 ±1.13 log 10 /g,P 1 < 0.0001,P 2 ≤ 0.0001,P 3 = 0.637 forClostridium cluster Ⅳ;6.65 ± 1.23 log 10 /g,6.57 ± 1.52 log 10 /g,9.13 ± 0.96 log 10 /g,P 1 < 0.0001,P 2 ≤ 0.0001,P 3 = 0.9317 forClostridium cluster ⅩⅣa;4.57 ± 1.44 log10/g,4.63 ± 1.34 log10/g,7.05 ± 2.48 log 10 /g,P 1 = 0.012,P 2 = 0.0357,P 3 = 0.7973 for Collinsella spp.;7.66 ± 1.50 log 10 /g,7.60 ± 1.05 log 10 /g,10.02 ± 2.02 log 10 /g,P 1 ≤ 0.0001,P 2 = 0.0013,P 3 = 0.9919 forF.prausnitzsii;6.17 ± 1.3 log 10 /g,5.85 ± 0.93 log 10 /g,7.25 ± 1.01 log 10 /g,P 1 = 0.0243,P 2 = 0.0319,P 3 = 0.6982 for Veillonella spp.;4.68 ± 1.21 log 10 /g,4.71 ± 0.83 log 10 /g,5.70 ± 2.00 log 10 /g,P 1 = 0.1927,P 2 = 0.0605,P 3 = 0.6476 forEnterobacteriaceae).TheBifidobacterium spp.counts correlated significantly between mucosal sites and mucosal and faecal samples(Pearson correlation coefficients 0.62,P = 0.040 and 0.81,P = 0.005 between the right mucosal sample and faeces and the left mucosal sample and faeces,respectively).CONCLUSION:Non-invasive faecal samples do not reflect bacterial counts on the mucosa at the individual level,except for bifidobacteria often analysed in probiotic intervention studies.

Antimicrobial Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions： Synergistic Effect of Nisin and Carvacrol against Bacillus subtilis

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mode of action of two antimicrobial compounds, nisin, which is hydrophilic, and the lipophilic compound carvacrol. For that purpose, both antimicrobials were loaded into Oil-in-/Water nanoemulsions, and their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis was investigated. The experimental results indicated that the O/W nanoemulsions loaded with both, nisin and carvacrol, having Sauter mean diameter （d3,2） of around 120 nm, were considerably stable under the conditions investigated （up to 1 week storage at room temperature）. The interfacial tension between nisin aqueous solutions and soybean oil could be reduced up to 12 mN/m, as compared to that of pure water and soybean oil （21 mN/m）, so that demonstrating the potential of nisin to be used as emulsifier. The results obtained for O/W nanoemulsions loaded with both antimicrobial compounds indicated a reduction of nearly two log cycles （around 100 times） on B. subtilis population upon incubation for 24 h, compared to the blank （10 mM phosphate buffer）.

Prevention of Gut Mucosa Inflammation by Two Co-cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum-Bifidobacterium Iongum and Streptococcus thermophilus-Bifidobacterium Iongum

The effect of two fermented milks （FMI, FM2） with lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacteria on the intestine mucosa was studied. BALB/c mice were divided in groups of non-sensitized or sensitized by oral route to cow＇s milk or colonized by FM1 [10^7 cfu/mL ofBifidobacterium longum （Bfl） and 10^8 cfu/mL of Streptococcus thermophillus （Stl）] and sensitized by oral route to cow＇s milk or colonized by FM2 [10^7 cfu/mL of Bfl and 10^7 cfu/mL ofLactobacillusplantarum （LbO）] and sensitized to cow＇s milk. Blood was sampled and the amount of anti-β-Lactoglobulin （β-Lg） IgG was measured. Mice were sacrificed, fragments of their intestines were isolated to inspect the structural changes of intestinal mucosa. A significant anti-β-Lg response was elicited by oral sensitization in positive control compared to other groups. Inspection of villi structural changes reveal signs of inflammation in challenged group compared with FM1 and FM2 groups, which conserved long villi characteristic of negative controls. The colonization of intestines by BfI-StI and BfI-LbO, and the evaluation of the residual antigenicity of β-Lg in mice sensitized to bovine milk by oral route followed by histological studies, revealed that FM1 and FM2 play protective role and reduce the histological lesions typical of bovine milk allergy.

The Antagonistic Activity of the Lactic Acid Bacteria （Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus bulgaricus） against Helicobacter pylori Responsible for the Gastroduodenals Diseases

The lactic acid bacteria are used in fermentation and the bio conservation of food, because it produces organic acids and other antibacterial substances as the bacteriocin to inhibit certain pathogenic stocks. In order to demonstrate the inhibitory effect of these bacteria, we studied the antagonistic capacity of the two leavens of yoghourt （Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus） and Bifidobacterium bifidum with respect to Helicobacterpylori by the method of diffusion by discs. Their interactions led to the emergence of large zones of inhibition. Bifidobacterium bifidum led the greatest halo with a diameter of 0.8 cm by contribution to Lactobacillus bulgaricus （0.5 cm） and Streptococcus thermophilus （0.3 cm）. The additional tests were required to know the exact nature of the inhibitors. The results showed that the antibacterial peptides （bacteriocins） have a narrow spectrum of activity against the species pathogen compared to that caused by acidity.

Microbiota of Fossil Animals Preserved in Yakut Permafrost

Microbiological investigation of the fossil animals preserved in permafrost represents obvious interest for science. Lack of data in this sphere gives even greater importance to any findings giving us opportunity to learn more about remote past of microorganisms. In this respect, preserved remains of fossil are considered as unique biological materials for scientific investigations. Bacillus bacteria strains isolated from the paleomicrobiota of mammoth fauna are not only have high durability （20-30 thousand of years） in permafrost, but are still able to produce biologically active substances. Strains of bacteria of the genus Bacillus, isolated from the tissues of the representatives of the mammoth fauna have strong antagonistic properties to hemolytic streptococci--Streptococcus equi, pathogenic for animals--Salmonella abortus equi, also toxigenic micromycetes genera Aspergillus, Alternuria, Penicillum and fungal pathogens of plant diseases--Botrytis cimeria and Fuzarium oxysporium. The strains of bacteria of the genus Bacillus are not pathogenic to plants and animals, but initially resistant to wide range of antibiotics. Dominance strains of Bacillus bacteria, producing strong bacteriocins in the soft tissues of fossil animals, contributing to their long cryo bio conservation. In addition, bacterial strains of Bacillus subtilis, isolated from paleo microbiota have strong oxidizing properties. Microbiota of fossils preserved in permafrost of Yakutia is of particular interest for microbiology and modem biotechnology.

The Survey of Microbiological Contamination of Pitcher Cheese in West Azarbayjan Province, Iran

Milk acts as a suitable peripheral culture for growth and propagation of different kinds of micro organisms. During the process of producing cheese, some micro organisms such as Escherichia coli, Coliform, Staphylococcus, Mold and Yeast may cause its contamination. In respect to the fact that pitcher cheese is produced in traditional way in different regions in West Azarbayjan, the aim of this research is examining the rate of contamination of pitcher cheese in West Azarbayjan. About 42 samples of pitcher cheese were gathered under strill condition from different parts of West Azarbayjan. In order to study microbes contamination, the samples were examined by standard microbiologic ways in laboratory from the 42 samples of pitcher cheese, four samples were contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positive, 16 samples were contaminated by E. Coli, 21 samples by Coliform, 17 samples by mold and yeast. The producing and delivering should be controlled because of the rate of contamination in pitcher cheese and this kind of cheese should be produced in half industrial way by controlling and making special facilities for pitcher cheese producers.

Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Mangrove （Rhyzopora mucronata） and Its Antibacterial Activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Disc diffusion method was used to investigate the antibacterial activity of methanol extract of five endophytic fungi isolated from mangrove （Rhizopora mucronata） on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 9144 and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Fungi were isolated from leaf, stem and root of R. mucronata. Potato dextrose agar and potato dextrose broth were used for fungi purification and fermentation. Fungal metabolites were extracted with methanol （1 ： 1 v/v） for 24 h before vacuum evaporated to yield the crude extracts. Antimicrobial activity test was done according to the Kirby-Bauer test. The inhibition zone around each disc was considered to measure antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi. Only three endophytic fungi showed inhibition activity on S. aureus ATCC 9144 and two endophytic fungi showed inhibition on E. coil ATCC 8739. The results suggested that the extracts have a high potential for enteric diseases treatment caused by foodbome pathogen.

Aerobic Spore-Forming Bacteria in the Ultra High Temperature Milk Produced in the North West of Algeria

The occurrence of the spore-forming bacteria in different segments of production lines of Ultra High Temperature （UHT） milk of a commercial plant and its transfer to the final product was studied. The samples were collected from different segments of production lines from reception to packaging sections, over a period of 75 days at a rate of one sampling a week, from plants in North West of Algeria. The total colony count of aerobic spore-forming bacteria was done using Plate Count Agar （PCA） method. The results showed that there was more than 1 ×10^3 CFU/mL at the level of 50%, 25%, 37.5%, 62.5% and 37.5% of the analyzed samples of milk powder, pasteurized milk, UHT milk （before storage）, UHT milk stored at 55℃ for 7 days and UHT milk stored at 30℃ for 14 days, respectively. The mean total colony count of aerobic spore-forming bacteria was considerably lower in the UHT milk than in the other samples, while the higher proportion of aerobic spore-forming bacteria was noticed to be 32.58% and 30.90% in the UHT milk stored at 55℃ and 30℃, respectively. The results obtained by the classic biochemical identification （Bacillus API 20E）, interpreted by software of calculation for microbial identification reflected the presence of especially Bacillus sphaericus. The other species found were： Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus stearothermophilus. The study reveals that the proportion of aerobic spore-forming bacteria in the final product depends on temperature and storage periods.

Pathogen of root surface caries in the elderly

Abstract:Objective To study the pathogen of root surface caries in the elderly. Methods Plaque samples from the experimental group and the control group were collected. After culturing in selective and non-selective media, the different bacteria were isolated. The counts and the positive rates of total bacteria, porphyromonas group, pervotella group, streptococcus mutants group, actinomyces group and lactobacillus group were compared.Results The counts of total bacteria, streptococcus mutants, actinomyces and lactobacillus of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group. The positive rates of actinomyces and lactobacillus of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Conclusion Actinomyces and lactobacillus are the main related pathogens of root surface caries in the elderly.

Identification of Streptococcus species and Haemophilus influenzae by direct sequencing of PCR products from 16S-23SrDNA intergenic spacer regions

Objective To set up a rapid and simple method for identificating bacteria by 16S 23SrDNA intergenic spacer regions (ISRs) Methods Polymorphic products of PCR from ISRs were selected on agarose gel and sequenced directly using purified fragments by excising the gel without cloning Nucleotide sequences were compared with GenBank databases and analyzed by DNAMAN program Results There was only a single product in streptococcus genus after PCR amplification of 16S 23SrDNA ISRs Five streptococcal species were obtained from 7 strains of streptococcus Two major amplicons were consistently generated for 8 strains of Haemophilus influenzae (H influenzae) The sequence data showed that they all belonged to H influenzae type b on GenBank databases Conclusion PCR and direct sequencing of 16S 23SrDNA ISRs were very successful methods for bacterial species identification

Moxibustion at Front-Mu Point of Abdomen for Intestinal Dysbacteriosis in Rats

Objective：To study the moxibustion at Guanyuan（CV 4）and Tianshu（ST 25）on intestinal dvsbacteriosis in rats.Methods：Fifty Wistar rats,clearing grade,were randomly divided into 5 groups,a normal group,a model group,a medical group,and a Guanyuan（CV 4）group and a Tianshu（ST 25）group,with 10 rats in each group.The rats were treated with Lincomycin Hydrochloride via intragastric administration for developing models.The model rats were treated with medicine and moxibustion respectively.0.1 g fresh rat feces in each group were cultured on the selective culture medium of bifidobacterium species（BS）,lactobacillus（LBS）,enterobactefiaceae（EB）and enterococcus（EC）.The growth and quantity of the bacterial colony were tested by biochemical identification tubes and turbidimetry.Results：Moxibustion at Guanyuan（CV 4）increased BS and LBS while moxibustion at Tianshu（ST 25）improved EB and EC.Conclusion：Moxibustion at Front-Mu points Of different body parts selectively regulated advantaged probiotics for treating intestinal dysbactenosis.

Effect of Sophora flavescens alkaloid on aerobic vaginitis in gel form for local treatment

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Sophora flavescens alkaloid(SFA) in gel form on aerobic vaginitis(AV) and the possible mechanism underlying the effects.METHODS: AV rat models were prepared by intravaginal inoculation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. SFA gel and placebo gel were intravaginally administered. In vivo antibacterial effects,vaginal microenvironment, vaginal smears, pathological tissues of vaginas, and retention of gel in the vaginal cavity were investigated.RESULTS: SFA gel had much higher antibacterial effect than placebo gel. SFA gel protected the vaginal mucosa from erosion of bacteria. At the same time,they inhibited the inflammatory responses, exhibiting little leukocytes and parabasal cells. Furthermore, the number of vaginal Lactobacilli remarkably increased following administration of SFA gel.However, the vaginal p H did not recover to thehealthy acidic levels after treatment due to the buffering effect of gel. The gel of a fluorescent agent,Cyanine 7, showed very long retention time in the vaginal cavity, up to more than 24 h, much longer than the solutions.CONCLUSION: The SFA gel is a promising medicine for local treatment of AV with the advantages of anti-bacteria, protection of vaginal mucosa, increase of Lactobacilli, and long retention time in the vaginal cavity.

Anti-infectious efficacy of essential oil from Caoguo(Fructus Tsaoko)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-infectious efficacy of essential oil extracted from Caoguo(Fructus Tsaoko).METHODS: Minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) against clinical isolates of three extracts andthe essential oil from Caoguo(Fructus Tsaoko) were determined by the agar dilution method. The anti-infectious efficacy of the essential oil was evaluated using a mouse peritonitis model which was infected with Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli. The chemical components of the essential oil were identified.RESULTS: The results showed that the essential oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity in vitro, with MICs ranging from 22.49 to 1438.91 μg/m L. The results of in vivo anti-infectious efficacy showed that the Caoguo(Fructus Tsaoko) essential oil can protect the mice from Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli infection. The compositions of the essential oil and relative component percentages were examined. A total of 32 compounds, were identified. The major compounds of essential oil were 1,8-cineole(25.92%) and geraniol(13.69%).CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Caoguo(Fructus Tsaoko) essential oil has broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. It warrants further investigation as an antibacterial agent targeting some bacterium with multi-drug resistance.

Microcalorimetry studies of the antimicrobial actions of Aconitum alkaloids

The metabolic activity of organisms can be measured by recording the heat output using microcalorimetry. In this paper, the total alkaloids in the traditional Chinese medicine Radix Aconiti Lateralis were extracted and applied to Eschenchia coil and Staphylococcus aureus. The effect of alkaloids on bacteda growth was studied by microcalorimetry. The power-time curves were plotted with a thermal activity monitor （TAM） air isothermal microcalorimeter and pa- rameters such as growth rate constant （p）, peak-time （Trn）, inhibitory ratio （I）, and enhancement ratio （E） were cal- culated. The relationships between the concentration of Aconitum alkaloids and p of E. coil or S. aureus were discussed. The results showed that Aconitum alkaloids had little effect on E. coil and had a potentially inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus.