Fresh from the press

Interesting research in medical microbiology published in medical journals recently:

Lanter B. Why from stress you might get heart attack. Mbio, June 2014
- You have heard about this. People who get a real heart attack due the stress.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed the present of bacteria in atherosclerotic plaques, for example P. aeruginosa.
- P. aeruginosa biofilm dispersed when it comes in contact with iron.
- Stress hormones such as noradrenaline stimulates the release of iron from transferrine according to in vitro studies.


Meadow J. Bacterial communities on classroom surfaces vary with human contact. Microbiome, March 2014
- Microbial communities from an university classroom was studied.
- Most common Sphingomonas sp.
- Chair: Lactobacillus and bacteria from human gut and vagina
- Desk: Streptococcus sp. and oral flora.
- Floor: non human source and skin flora.
- Wall: Sphingomonas, least in contact with human.
- Thus: mama was right, don't put your food on the chair.


Riedel, S. The Value of Postmortem Microbiology Cultures. JCM, January, 2014
- aims of performing postmortem culture
1. to determine the infection that might be missed antemortem.
2. to confirm the antemortem diagnosis.
- possible problem:
1. contamination
2. bacteria might move to blood due to slower blood circulation just before death.
3. bacteria move between compartments after death.
- conclusions:
1. the value of postmortem microbiology investigation is limited, the vosts might be high.
2. should be perform within 24 to 48 hours.
3. should be performed as sterile as possible.


Hooton, and colleagues: Voided Midstream Urine Culture and Acute Cystitis in Premenopausal Women, NEJM, November, 2013
- The study that asses the role of mid stream urine (MSU)
- Women, 15 to 49 years old with symptoms of cystitis provide MSU, then catheter urine was collected.
- E. coli in MSU is predictive for the presence of bacteriuria, but Gram positive microorganims (Enterococci, Group B Streptococci) do not.