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The aim of the study was to draw attention to the risk posed by anaerobic bacteria of the Bacteroides fragilis (BAFR) group, isolated particularly from abdominal lesions, and to assess the possible role of these species in colorectal cancer. A correlation has previously been suggested between the detection of the bacteria of the genus Bacteroides in patients on a meat-based diet and intestinal and, in particular, colorectal cancer. Given that the species of the BAFR group are major producers of endotoxins, measurements and statistical analysis of endotoxin production were used to compare the Bacteroides strains isolated from clinical specimens of patients with colon cancer, rectal cancer, and other abdominal lesions.Endotoxin production was detected in bacterial strains of the BAFR group (B. fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. distasonis, and B. vulgatus) isolated from clinical specimens of patients with rectal cancer, colon cancer, and intestinal cancer and was compared with that in strains from samples of patients with inflammatory conditions (anal abscess, appendicitis, skin abscess, etc.) under anaerobic and microaerophilic (with 5% of oxygen) culture conditions. The production of endotoxins was detected quantitatively using the Pyrosate LAL assay kit (Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate Test, BIOGENIX, CR) in four species of the BAFR group after anaerobic and microaerophilic culture. Five strains of each isolated Bacteroides species from each type of specimens were tested (in total 140 BAFR strains). The amount of endotoxin was given in endotoxin units per ml (EU/ml).Endotoxin production by bacteria under microaerophilic culture conditions was several times higher in comparison with strictly anaerobic culture.The difference was statistically significant (F1.269 = 160, p0.0001). As regards the effect of oxygen on endotoxin production, the amount of endotoxins produced under microaerophilic culture conditions (average 889.1 EU/ml) was 2.5 times as high as that observed under anaerobic culture conditions (358.2 EU/ml), regardless of the bacteroides species and diagnosis. These results suggest that the amount of free oxygen in the environment affects the amount of endotoxin generated by the Bacteroides strains.The results show that endotoxin production by the Bacteroides strains under microaerophilic culture conditions is several times as high as that under strictly anaerobic culture conditions.

Members of the Bacteroides fragilis group are the most frequently isolated anaerobic bacteria causing a wide range of severe anaerobic infections. In spite of the high frequency of their occurrence, their presence in clinical specimens is underestimated or even disregarded. The article warns of the severity of these anaerobic pathogens, particularly if detected in clinical samples from the abdominal area. It was hypothesized that there is a correlation between the presence of the bacteria in patients preferring high-meat diet and cancers of the small intestine and especially the colon and rectum [10]. Endotoxins of the bacteria contribute to weakening the patient's immune system damaged by cancer and play a significant role in the progression of small intestine and colon cancer.Endotoxin production was determined in 140 strains of the Bacteroides fragilis group (B. fragilis, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. distasonis, B. vulgatus) isolated from patients with 7 cancerous and non-cancerous diseases (5 strains of each type of Bacteroides spp. for each diagnosis), using the Pyrosate LAL (limulus amoebocyte lysate) assay.A statistically significant difference in the production of endotoxins isolated from strains of the Bacteroides fragilis group was found between cancerous and non-cancerous diseases.All four bacterial species produced significantly more endotoxins in cancer than in non-cancerous diseases, with the lowest production in skin abscess (F2,134 = 170, p0.0001). Statistically significant differences in the production of endotoxins were also found between the individual members of the Bacteroides fragilis group. B. fragilis and B. vulgatus produced significantly more of (twice as much) endotoxin than B. distasonis and B. thetaiotaomicron (post hoc t-tests, p0.00001).

Infections accompanying pancreatitis, particularly pancreatic necroses, represent a serious complication associated with worsening of the disease prognosis. The aim of our study was to explore whether this complication could be prevented by administering a probiotic.The probiotic was administered to 7 patients and placebo to 15. The study was discontinued early following the release of the Propatria study results.There was no death in our patient sample and there was no difference between the two groups in microbial colonisation or the length of hospitalization. However, a reduction in endotoxin levels on day 7 and 10 of the hospitalization was observed in the probiotic-treated group.Based on the current knowledge, administration of probiotics in this indication is contraindicated. Nonetheless, reduction in endotoxin levels suggests a positive effect of probiotics on bacterial translocation, the importance of which should be evaluated in the future.

The purpose of the study was to verify effects of Escherichia coli Nissle (Mutaflor) on intestinal colonisation, endotoxin levels, hepatic encephalopathy and liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis. The study involved 39 patients (22 taking Mutaflor and 17 taking placebo). Even though the number combination test showed extended reaction time in patients with described minimal hepatic encephalopathy the drop was not significant in the trend evaluation. However, the treated group displayed significant improvement of intestinal colonisation (p0.001) and a trend towards significant reduction of endotoxin levels on day 42 (p = 0.07) and improvement of liver function assessed with the Child-Pugh classification on days 42 and 84 (p = 0.06). Probiotic preparations can therefore represent a significant contribution to this group therapy.

The authors assume a new type of interaction of the aqueous X-ray contrast substance type adipiodone (Ultrabil 50% Spofa) with immunomodulators of Corynebacterium parvum (CP) and the endotoxin of Shigella dysenteriae (LPS). The fatal type of interaction developed regularly as a result of the concurrent i.v. administration of the X-ray contrast substance adipiodone with the endotoxin of Shigella dys. (LPS) to laboratory animals (mice) which had five days previously a single dose of Corynebacterium parvum (CP). The effect of the interaction was evaluated using LD50 of adipiodone (Ultrabil Spofa) which in interaction with the immunomodulators of CP and LPS was identical as the dose used in diagnostic practice. The authors considered the possible development of "oxygen stress" as a consequence interacting processes and complement activation.

In the presented investigation in 20 endotoxaemic patients 70 haemodialyses were performed. It was revealed that the prehaemodialyzation LAL positivity in 50 haemodialyses (71%) declined, while no differences were observed in the effectiveness of cuprophan and AN 69 membranes. Research in vitro revealed that LAL positivity of blood which contains endotoxins and is subjected for 300 minutes to haemofiltration remains unaltered; in ultrafiltrates LAL is permanently negative. This is due to a mechanism of endotoxin fragmentation as a result of interaction of blood and membrane. Moreover, the LAL positivity of blood containing lipid A declines gradually when subjected to 80 minutes haemofiltration; the dialyzation permeability for lipid A is then proved by the fact that LAL positivity appears in the ultrafiltrate. From the submitted results ensues that reduction of LAL positivity by haemodialysis occurs as a result of elimination of filtrable endotoxin fragments (lipid A) which are released in the body.