bruxellensis viable cells More recently, also a new killer toxin

bruxellensis viable cells. More recently, also a new killer toxin from Pichia membranifaciens (PMKT2) was proposed for the biocontrol of yeasts and filamentous fungi of agronomical interest (Santos et al., 2009). This mycocin exerts its killer activity against D. bruxellensis, and is stable under wine pH and temperature ranges, indicating its potential application. The aim of the

present study was to purify the killer toxin Kwkt Selleck INK 128 produced by K. wickerhamii to study its efficacy in the control of inoculated D. bruxellensis strains in wine must during alcoholic fermentation. We also determined the capability of Kwkt to control the production of 4-ethyl phenols by D. bruxellensis under winemaking conditions. The yeast strains used belonged to the Industrial Yeast Collection of the University of Perugia (DBVPG), and included: the DBVPG 6077 K. wickerhamii killer strain; selleckchem the sensitive DBVPG 6500 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain; and the DBVPG 6706 strain of D. bruxellensis, used as the Kwkt-sensitive strain. A nonsensitive commercial

S. cerevisiae yeast (EC1118; Lallemand Inc.), previously tested (well-test assay, WL) against the killer toxin, was used during the microfermentations. The yeast strains were subcultured at 6-month intervals on malt agar, and maintained at 6 °C. The media used included: malt agar (Difco, Voigt Global Distribution Inc., Lawrence, KS); WL nutrient agar (Oxoid, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK); YPD [1% Bacto yeast extract, 1% Bacto

peptone, 2% (w/v) glucose]; and a semi-synthetic medium (SSM) prepared using YNB (Difco), with 0.05% ammonium sulphate, 0.5% yeast extract and 2% glucose. All of the media were buffered at pH 4.4 with 100 mM citrate/phosphate buffer, and agar (Difco) was added when needed (1.8%). Microfermentation trials were carried out using a natural pasteurized grape must that had the following Teicoplanin characteristics: pH 3.4; initial sugar content, 21%; total SO2, 20.48 mg L−1 (free SO2, 5.12 mg L−1; combined SO2, 15.36 mg L−1); total assimilable nitrogen content, 176.1 mg L−1. For toxin production, K. wickerhamii (DBVPG 6077) was grown in 10 L SSM under gentle agitation at 25 °C. After 48 h, the cultures were centrifuged (5000 g for 10 min at 4 °C) and the supernatant was filter-sterilized through 0.45-μm pore-size membrane filters (Millipore, Billerica, MA) using a vacuum pump. This filter-sterilized supernatant was concentrated with an Ultrafiltration Cross-Flow apparatus (10 kDa cut-off membrane; Schrei Shell & Schuell GmbH, Germany) to a final volume of 15 mL, which was then dialyzed against 10 mM citrate/phosphate buffer, pH 4.4, using dialysis membrane (12–14 kDa; Medicell). Following dialysis, the sample (158-mg protein in 15 mL) was applied to a pre-equilibrated (10 mM citrate/phosphate buffer, pH 4.4) DEAE-Sepharose Fast-Flow IEX column (70 mL bed volume; 1.4 mL min−1 flow rate; Amersham Biosciences).

We describe a similar genetic screen to prove that this is the ta

We describe a similar genetic screen to prove that this is the target for MalI-dependent autoregulation of the malI promoter. The

starting materials for this work were the EcoRI–HindIII malX100 and malI100 fragments described by Lloyd et al. (2008). These fragments were inserted into the polylinker of the low copy number lac expression vector plasmid, pRW50, encoding resistance to tetracycline (Lodge et al., 1992). Recombinant pRW50 derivatives were propagated Fulvestrant chemical structure in the Δlac E. coli K-12 strain, M182, or its Δcrp derivative, as in Hollands et al. (2007). Inserts in pRW50 were manipulated after PCR using the flanking primers D10520 (5′-CCCTGCGGTGCCCCTCAAG-3′) and D10527 (5′-GCAGGTCGTTGAACTGAGCCTGAAATTCAGG-3′) described in Lloyd et al. (2008). The shorter malX400 fragment was generated from malX100 by PCR using primer D10527 together with D62262 (5′-GACGAATTCCGTTGCGTAATGTG-3′). Likewise, the shorter malI375 fragment Stem Cell Compound Library was generated from malI100 by PCR using primer D10527 together with D65378 (5′-GGAATTCCAAATTTTAGTGAGGCATAAATCAC-3′).

DNA sequences are numbered with the respective transcription start sites labelled as +1 and upstream and downstream sequences are assigned negative and positive coordinates, respectively. Plasmid pACYC184 was used as a vector for cloning of the malI gene, together with the control empty derivative pACYC-ΔHN (Mitchell et al., 2007). The malI gene, together with its promoter and flanking sequences, was amplified by PCR using genomic DNA from E. coli K-12 strain MG1655 as a template and primers D63433

(5′-CGATAAGCTTCAAAACGTTTTATCAAATTTTAGTG-3′) and D63434 (5′-TGGTGCATGCGCAGATAAAGAGAGGATTATTTCGC-3′). The product was restricted with HindIII and SphI and cloned into plasmid pACYC184 to generate plasmid L-gulonolactone oxidase pACYC-malI, which encodes malI and resistance to chloramphenicol. Error-prone PCR, using the flanking D10520 and D10527 primers and Taq DNA polymerase, was used to generate libraries of random mutations in the malX400 or malI375 promoter fragments, with the respective fragments cloned in pRW50 as the starting templates, using the conditions described by Barne et al. (1997). For each promoter, the products of four PCR reactions were restricted with EcoRI and HindIII, purified separately, and cloned into pRW50. After transformation into E. coli strain M182 carrying pACYC-malI, colonies carrying recombinants were screened on MacConkey lactose indicator plates containing 35 μg mL−1 tetracycline and 25 μg mL−1 chloramphenicol. Lac+ candidates were selected and purified, and for each candidate, the entire EcoRI–HindIII insert was sequenced. Mutations are denoted by their location with respect to the corresponding transcript start and the substituted base on the coding nontemplate strand.

The evidence for the efficacy of intravenous zidovudine in the cA

The evidence for the efficacy of intravenous zidovudine in the cART era is generally poor. However, data from the French cohort support this practice for women on cART with a VL > 1000 HIV RNA copies/mL. One could extrapolate that it may be of potential benefit in women presenting untreated in labour with an unknown current Vorinostat order viral load although this is not supported by the New York State data. Therefore in this setting, the Writing Group recommends the immediate administration of oral agents (see Section

5: Use of antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy) with intravenous zidovudine as an option. Intravenous zidovudine is not recommended for women taking cART who have an undetectable viral load at the time of labour or Caesarean section. Oral cART should be taken at the normal dosing interval. (See Table 1 for quick reference guides to infant antiretroviral regimens and Selleckchem Akt inhibitor infant dosing.) Zidovudine (ZDV, AZT) Oral Term (> 34 weeks): Intravenous Term: 1.5 mg/kg four times a day Prem: 1.5 mg/kg twice daily Combo (+ lamivudine) Mono Mono Mono Mono Mono Mono Moodley 2001 [356] Boucher 1993 [284] Capparelli 2003 [298] Boucher 1993 [284] Frasca 2009 [357] Anaemia, neutropenia – more common with

combination therapy in mother and infant. In French study of zidovudine + lamivudine a small proportion of infants required either blood transfusions or early stop of therapy. Transient lactic acidaemia has been observed in HIV-uninfected infants exposed ADP ribosylation factor to cART in utero and/or zidovudine neonatally [368] Lamivudine (3TC) Combo (all with ZDV) Combo (+ nelfinavir) Mandelbrot 2001 [283] Moodley 2003 [280] Durand-Gasselin 2008 [358]

Hirt 2011 [160] Mirochnick 2011 [285] Abacavir (ABC) Didanosine (ddI) Emtricitabine (FTC) Mothers received two tablets of TDF/FTC at onset of labour and then one tablet daily for 7 days postpartum. This dose resulted in high FTC levels in neonates. Can cause neutropenia, anaemia Tenofovir (TDF) 13 mg/kg as a single dose within 12 hours of life. On the first day of life, neonates received a single dose of NVP syrup (2 mg/kg), within the 12 h after birth a single dose of TDF oral solution (13 mg/kg) and a single dose of FTC oral solution (2 mg/kg), and for 7 days ZDV syrup (4 mg/kg every 12 h). Single dose administered to neonate after the mothers had received two tablets of TDF/FTC at delivery. Associated with renal dysfunction: monitor renal function in neonates. Nevirapine (NVP, NEV) Daily dosing regimen: 2 mg/kg once a day for 1st week then 4 mg/kg once a day for 2nd week then stop. Use 4 mg/kg once a day for 2 weeks if mother has received more than 3 days nevirapine.

Thus, immunological memory following

primary pertussis va

Thus, immunological memory following

primary pertussis vaccination appears to be suboptimal and immune reconstitution conferred by HAART incomplete. Those started on HAART after infancy are unlikely to have immunological memory to primary pertussis immunization, so to achieve protective and durable antibody responses reimmunization with three doses of age-appropriate vaccine preparations selleckchem is advised at least up to the age of 6 years, and perhaps extending to 10 years. Adolescents and young adults in whom pertussis immunity has waned are a particular source of infection for highly susceptible newborns and young infants, especially their own offspring and younger siblings. A reinforcing dose of pertussis-containing vaccine in adolescence is included in some European schedules and should strongly be encouraged; where it is not routine but the appropriate low-dose acellular pertussis vaccine is available, HIV-positive adolescents should be offered it once they have immune-reconstituted on HAART. When HIV-positive children are exposed to clinical or proven pertussis, post-exposure antibiotic prophylaxis is warranted even if they have been vaccinated.

Whole-cell pertussis vaccines are still used in some resource-poor settings; as with acellular vaccines they generate suboptimal responses in HIV-infected children [10]. Switching to the acellular BKM120 preparations for boosting or revaccination when they become resident in RVX-208 Europe is appropriate and safe. Conjugate vaccines stimulate T cell-dependent immune responses, conferring primary protection to infants and strengthening the anamnestic response at re-exposure. Meningococcal C (MenC) conjugate vaccines have been extremely successful in reducing the incidence of disease through a combination of direct and indirect

(herd immunity) protection, as have conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccines. The UK nationwide campaign of immunization with monovalent MenC conjugate vaccines introduced in 1999, initially targeting all children aged 2 months to 17 years, proved highly effective in protecting children from invasive disease and conferred considerable indirect benefit to older people through herd immunity, although the short-lived efficacy of the three-dose early-infancy schedule revealed the need for booster dosing at 12 months of age [40]. Very few studies have evaluated the effectiveness, immunogenicity or durability of MenC conjugate vaccines in HIV-positive children on HAART. A two-dose MenC immunization schedule administered to 21 Swiss children on HAART (19 months to 16 years old; mean age 9.6 years) indicated good safety but lower immunogenicity profiles than in healthy children [41]. Durability data are awaited.

In each task, double pulses were delivered with ISIs ranging from

In each task, double pulses were delivered with ISIs ranging from 30% of the corresponding silent period (SP; ~ 45 ms) to 220% of the SP (~ 330 ms). In both tasks, we found that LICI was followed by LCD (namely a period of increased cortical excitability lasting until ~ 200% of the SP). The time-dependent modulation of LICI and LCD differed in the two tasks; LICI was shorter (i.e. disinhibition occurred earlier) and LCD was more intense during precision grip than during index abduction. Long-interval intracortical inhibition disappeared well before the end of

the SP in the precision grip task, suggesting that the mechanisms underlying these two inhibitory phenomena are HCS assay distinct. Our data suggest that disinhibition might reflect adaptation of neural circuit excitability to the functional requirements of the motor task. “
“Neuroanatomical studies using transneuronal virus tracers in macaque monkeys recently demonstrated that substantial interactions exist between basal ganglia and the cerebellum. To what extent these interactions are present in the human brain remains unclear; however, these connections are thought to provide an important framework for understanding cerebellar contributions to the manifestation of basal ganglia disorders, especially with respect to tremor genesis in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Here, we tested the feasibility of assessing these

connections in vivo and non-invasively in the human brain with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and tractography. After developing a standardized protocol for manual GSK126 mw segmentation of basal ganglia and cerebellar structures, masks for diffusion tractography were defined based on structural magnetic resonance images. We tested intra- and inter-observer stability and carried out tractography for dentato-pallidal and subthalamo-cerebellar projections. After robustly achieving connection probabilities per tract, the connectivity values selleck and connectional fingerprints were calculated in a group of healthy volunteers. Probabilistic diffusion tractography was applicable to probe the inter-connection

of the cerebellum and basal ganglia. Our data confirmed that dentato-thalamo-striato-pallidal and subthalamo-cerebellar connections also exist in the human brain at a level similar to those that were recently suggested by transneuronal tracing studies in non-human primates. Standardized segmentation protocols made these findings reproducible with high stability. We have demonstrated that diffusion tractography in humans in vivo is capable of revealing the structural bases of cerebellar networks with the basal ganglia. These findings support the role of the cerebellum as a satellite system of established cortico-basal ganglia networks in humans. “
“Alzheimer’s disease, with its two most prominent pathological factors amyloid beta and tau protein, can be described as a disease of the synapse.


“The aim of this study was to characterize the status of v


“The aim of this study was to characterize the status of vitamin D in patients with active and recently diagnosed Behcet’s disease (BD) and the relationship between vitamin D levels and BD activity. In this cross sectional study 48 patients with BD and 47 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. BD was diagnosed by the International Criteria for BD. Behcet’s patients were this website new cases who were not on any treatment. BD activity was measured by

the Iranian Behcet’s Disease Dynamic Activity Measure (IBDDAM) and Behcet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). 25(OH)D measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method as an indicator of vitamin D status. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D level in the BD group was lower than the control group. Insufficiency and deficiency of 25(OH)D in the BD group was more common than the control group. No correlation was observed between the total IBDDAM,

ophthalmic IBDDAM, and BDCAF with 25(OH)D levels. No correlation was found between the major symptoms of BD and 25(OH)D value. Our study suggests that deficiency of 25(OH)D may be a trigger factor for BD. “
“To describe the clinical features and course of a cohort of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) at a tertiary referral pediatric centre in Australia and examine changes in diagnostic and therapeutic approach over time. Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with JDM at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, between 1989 and 2010. Fifty-seven AG-14699 patients were identified. The female : male ratio was 2 : 1 and median age at diagnosis was 7.1 years (2.2–15.3). At diagnosis, 95% had weakness, all had typical rash and 68% had nailfold capillary changes. Calcinosis was not present in any patients at diagnosis and

occurred in 18% over time. Creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and aldolase levels were abnormal in 65%, 92%, 88%, 58% and 100%, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was abnormal Vildagliptin in 97% of patients, electomyograph (EMG) in 83% and muscle biopsy in all four patients in whom it was performed. MRI was used in 86% (24/28) of patients diagnosed after 2000. Muscle biopsy was used in four and EMG in no patients over the same period. Treatment used throughout the disease course included oral steroids (93%), high-dose pulse intravenous steroids (82%), methotrexate (63%), intravenous immunoglobulin (32%) and cyclosporin (18%). The disease was monophasic in 46.7% (21/45), polyphasic in 17.7% (8/45) and chronic in 35.5% (16/45). Australian patients with JDM have similar characteristics to previously described cohorts. In practice, MRI has replaced the invasive diagnostic tests included in the Bohan and Peter criteria for the diagnosis of JDM. The early use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs has become the most common treatment approach.

21 Recommendations   5 We recommend patients with HIV infection

2.1 Recommendations   5. We recommend patients with HIV infection should be screened at diagnosis for immunity against hepatitis A (1A).   6. We recommend patients with HIV infection should be screened at diagnosis for hepatitis B using HBsAg and anti-HBc (1B) and for HBV immunity using anti-HBs.   7. We recommend individuals Enzalutamide solubility dmso who are HBsAg

negative or have no evidence of protective vaccine-induced immunity should have an annual HBsAg test or more frequent testing if there are known and ongoing risk factors for HBV acquisition (1B).   8. We suggest patients with isolated anti-HBc (negative HBsAg and anti-HBs) and unexplained elevated transaminases should have HBV DNA performed to exclude the presence of occult HBV infection (2C).   9. We suggest testing patients for HBV DNA when transaminases are persistently raised and all other tests

(including HBsAg, HCV RNA and anti-HEV) are negative to exclude occult HBV infection (2C).  10. We recommend HDV antibody (with HDV RNA if positive) should be performed on all HBsAg-positive individuals (1B).  11. We recommend patients have an HCV antibody test Metformin when first tested HIV antibody positive and at least annually if they do not fall into one of the risk groups that require increased frequency of testing (1C) (see Section 8).  12. We recommend patients with HIV infection who have elevated transaminases of unknown cause have an HCV-PCR test (1A).  13. We recommend all patients who are anti-HCV positive are tested for HCV-PCR and, if positive, genotype (1B).  14. We suggest that IL28B genotyping need not be performed routinely when considering anti-HCV therapy in HCV/HIV infection (2C).  15. We recommend individuals who achieved SVR following treatment or who have spontaneously cleared HCV infection should be offered annual HCV-PCR and more frequent testing should they have an unexplained rise in transaminase levels (1C) (see Section 8).  16. We recommend HEV is excluded in patients

with HIV infection and elevated liver transaminases and/or liver cirrhosis when other common causes of elevated transaminases have been excluded (1D). 4.2.2 Good practice points Counselling on behaviour modification  17. We recommend all patients should be counselled about using condoms for penetrative sex.  18. We recommend information Rutecarpine should be given on factors associated with HCV transmission to patients at HIV diagnosis and on an ongoing basis dependent on risk.  19. We recommend risk reduction advice and education be given to patients diagnosed with HBV and HCV, and should incorporate information about potential risk factors for transmission. For HCV, this should include mucosally traumatic sexual practices (e.g., fisting, use of sex toys), group sex activities, recreational including intravenous drug use, and condomless anal intercourse, as well as advice to those sharing injecting drug equipment. 4.2.

In this population, we estimated the fraction of time the patient

In this population, we estimated the fraction of time the patients had a VL above 1000 copies/mL although the previous VL had been undetectable. The study was a prospective nationwide cohort study. Denmark had a population of 5.5 million as of 31 December 2007, with an estimated HIV prevalence of approximately 0.07% in the adult population [6,7]. Patients with HIV infection are treated in one of the country’s eight specialized

medical centres, where they are seen on an out-patient basis at intended intervals of learn more 12 weeks. Antiretroviral treatment is provided free of charge to all HIV-infected residents of Denmark. The national criteria for initiating HAART have previously been described [8]. The Danish HIV Cohort study (DHCS), described in detail elsewhere, is

a population-based prospective nationwide cohort study of all HIV-infected individuals 16 years or older at diagnosis and who have been treated at Danish HIV centres after 1 January 1995 [8]. Patients are consecutively enrolled, and multiple registrations are avoided through the use of a unique 10-digit civil registration number assigned to all individuals in Denmark at birth or upon immigration. Data are updated yearly and include demographics, date of HIV infection, AIDS-defining events, date and cause of death and antiretroviral treatment. CD4 cell counts and HIV RNA measurements were extracted electronically from laboratory data files. All VL analyses used in the study period were designed to measure VL<50 copies/mL. The cohort database also includes data on partnership and sexual behaviour Osimertinib research buy for some of the patients. As of 31 December 2007, the cohort included 4792 Danish residents. From the DHCS we included all HIV-1-positive patients who were on HAART, had a minimum of two VL tests and had at least one episode with VL <51 copies/mL for more than six consecutive months between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2008.

The study model was based on the following Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase assumptions. 1 Patients with a VL≤1000 copies/mL are at low (negligible) risk of sexually transmitting HIV. We calculated the observation time from 6 months after the first VL<51 copies/mL to the date of: (1) the latest VL test <51 copies/mL before 1 January 2008; (2) the first VL>50 copies/mL; (3) the last VL test before antiretroviral treatment was stopped; (4) if there was an interval of more than 7 months between VL tests, the last VL test before this interval. Hence, patients with a VL test >50 and ≤1000 copies/mL were censored without contributing time at risk of transmitting HIV. Time at risk of transmitting HIV was calculated as 50% of the time from a previous VL<51 copies/mL to a following VL>1000 copies/mL. The outcome was the time at risk of transmitting HIV divided by the observation time. Poisson’s crude 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

In this population, we estimated the fraction of time the patient

In this population, we estimated the fraction of time the patients had a VL above 1000 copies/mL although the previous VL had been undetectable. The study was a prospective nationwide cohort study. Denmark had a population of 5.5 million as of 31 December 2007, with an estimated HIV prevalence of approximately 0.07% in the adult population [6,7]. Patients with HIV infection are treated in one of the country’s eight specialized

medical centres, where they are seen on an out-patient basis at intended intervals of Ceritinib solubility dmso 12 weeks. Antiretroviral treatment is provided free of charge to all HIV-infected residents of Denmark. The national criteria for initiating HAART have previously been described [8]. The Danish HIV Cohort study (DHCS), described in detail elsewhere, is

a population-based prospective nationwide cohort study of all HIV-infected individuals 16 years or older at diagnosis and who have been treated at Danish HIV centres after 1 January 1995 [8]. Patients are consecutively enrolled, and multiple registrations are avoided through the use of a unique 10-digit civil registration number assigned to all individuals in Denmark at birth or upon immigration. Data are updated yearly and include demographics, date of HIV infection, AIDS-defining events, date and cause of death and antiretroviral treatment. CD4 cell counts and HIV RNA measurements were extracted electronically from laboratory data files. All VL analyses used in the study period were designed to measure VL<50 copies/mL. The cohort database also includes data on partnership and sexual behaviour selleck products for some of the patients. As of 31 December 2007, the cohort included 4792 Danish residents. From the DHCS we included all HIV-1-positive patients who were on HAART, had a minimum of two VL tests and had at least one episode with VL <51 copies/mL for more than six consecutive months between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2008.

The study model was based on the following Thalidomide assumptions. 1 Patients with a VL≤1000 copies/mL are at low (negligible) risk of sexually transmitting HIV. We calculated the observation time from 6 months after the first VL<51 copies/mL to the date of: (1) the latest VL test <51 copies/mL before 1 January 2008; (2) the first VL>50 copies/mL; (3) the last VL test before antiretroviral treatment was stopped; (4) if there was an interval of more than 7 months between VL tests, the last VL test before this interval. Hence, patients with a VL test >50 and ≤1000 copies/mL were censored without contributing time at risk of transmitting HIV. Time at risk of transmitting HIV was calculated as 50% of the time from a previous VL<51 copies/mL to a following VL>1000 copies/mL. The outcome was the time at risk of transmitting HIV divided by the observation time. Poisson’s crude 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.


“The objective was to examine whether a common polymorphis


“The objective was to examine whether a common polymorphism in the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) might be a potential biomarker for behavioral variation within the autism spectrum disorder clinical phenotype. Children (N = 66) were evaluated with a validated mother- and

teacher-completed DSM-IV-referenced rating scale. Partial eta-squared (ηp2) was used to gauge the magnitude of group differences: 0.01−0.06 = small, MS275 0.06−0.14 = moderate and > 0.14 = large. Children who were 7-repeat allele carriers had more severe oppositional defiant disorder behaviors according to mothers’ (ηp2 = 0.10) and teachers’ (ηp2 = 0.06) ratings than noncarriers, but the latter was marginally significant (P = 0.07). Children who were 7-repeat allele carriers also obtained more severe maternal ratings of tics (ηp2 = 0.07) and obsessions–compulsions (ηp2 = 0.08).

Findings for maternal ratings of separation anxiety were marginally significant (P = 0.08, ηp2 = 0.05). Analyses of combined DRD4 and dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) genotypes approached significance (P = 0.05) for teachers’ ratings of oppositional behavior and mothers’ ratings of tics. DRD4 allelic variation may be a prognostic biomarker for challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder, but these exploratory findings remain tentative pending replication with larger independent samples. “
“Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous organisms found in soil, water, and biofilms.

selleck screening library Engineered surface topography has been proposed as a method to reduce microbial biofilm formation. The Sharklet® micropattern silicone surface has been shown to reduce biofilm formation of pyogenic bacteria. We hypothesized that this micropattern surface will also reduce colonization much by Mycobacterium abscessus, a human pathogen. Smooth and micropattern silicone samples were incubated with 1 × 106 M. abscessus mL−1 for 2 and 4 days. After processing to optimize recovery of adhered mycobacteria, there was a 75% and 50% reduction in the number of viable M. abscessus recovered from the micropattern surfaces compared to the smooth surfaces at 2 and 4 days after inoculation, respectively. Ziehl–Neelsen staining after measures to remove the adherent microorganisms revealed fewer residual M. abscessus on the micropattern samples as compared to smooth samples, validating the quantitative culture results. Microscopic observation of 2, 4, and 8 day M. abscessus cultures on micropattern samples showed that the organisms preferentially colonized within the channels between the rectangular features. In summary, a micropattern surface reduces the colonization of a pathogenic NTM. It remains to be seen whether this micropattern can reduce infections in humans.