Is It Possible to Treat Infections with Probiotics?

The danger of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is nothing new. A decade following the discovery of penicillin in 1928, reports of E. coli strains resistant to the first antibiotic have been published. Today, antibiotic resistance has given rise to "superbugs" - bacteria resistant to most or all existing antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus is one of them. One potential way to fight these dangerous bacteria is through probiotic supplements. Early evidence confirms that a specific type of probiotic can treat and prevent staph infections. 

 

A 2023 study published in the medical journal Lancet Microbe tested the effectiveness of this approach on humans in a Phase 2-clinical trial. Read more about this research paper below.

S. aureus infections – both widespread and dangerous

Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is the culprit behind MRSA, a worrisome bacterial infection. Usually, S. aureus leads to skin infections, but when the skin barrier is broken or the immune system is weakened, the bacterium can enter the bloodstream and lead to potentially fatal infections affecting the bones, lungs, and blood. 

 

A little-known fact is that S. aureus often lives in humans' noses, skin, and guts without harm. Around a third of the world's population has an established colony of S. aureus in their body. 

 

When a person is at high risk of developing a serious MRSA infection, such as when hospitalized, researchers have attempted to eradicate S. aureus from the skin and nose using topical antiseptics and antibiotics. However, such attempts to reduce the risk of dangerous infections have been largely unsuccessful. This is particularly because the gut has a much larger colony of S. aureus, and the bacteria quickly reestablish themselves on the nose and skin too. 

 

 Using oral antibiotics is dangerous because the lengthy therapy required would harm beneficial gut bacteria – explained the lead author of the study in question, Michael Otto, Ph.D., a National Institute of Health (NIH) senior investigator at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

How probiotics can fight S. aureus

In the study, the researchers chose a different tactic for targeting S. aureus in the gut. Instead of wiping out all bacteria – both good and bad – they used a probiotic called Bacillus subtilis. This specific beneficial bacterium was mindfully chosen based on the team’s previous findings that people with Bacillus in their stool never had S. aureus too. Dr. Otto discovered that compounds called "fengycins" produced by Bacillus prevented S. aureus’ sensing system, which precluded it from multiplying.

One criticism you often encounter in probiotic research is that it’s unknown whether probiotics stay viable once they reach the gut. Bacillus subtilis survives in the gut when introduced orally. Importantly, Bacillus spores don’t harm the gut microbiome; the probiotic targets S. aureus without touching other gut bacteria. “The probiotic we use does not ‘kill’ S. aureus, but it specifically and strongly diminishes its capacity to colonize,” Dr. Otto explained in a news article for NIH. “We think we can target the ‘bad’ S. aureus while leaving the composition of the microbiota intact.” 

 

The results of the study

The experiment was conducted in Thailand in conjunction with the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya and Prince of Songkla University. The study recruited 115 healthy adults who were permanent carriers of S. aureus, meaning their nasal and stool samples contained the bacterium. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: 55 participants took one capsule of Bacillus every day for 30 days, whereas the remaining 60 people took placebo capsules. 

 

After the month of treatment, the researchers evaluated the presence of S. aureus in the nose and gut again. As expected, there were no changes in the control group. However, participants who took the probiotic had a 96.8% reduction in S. aureus in stool and 65.4% in the nose. Crucially, the researchers also didn’t find any signs that the probiotic harmed the gut microbiome. Naturally, these impressive results show a massive drop in S. aureus after just four weeks of treatment.

 

What does this mean for everyday consumers?

Potentially, this means S. aureus infections could be prevented and treated with this specific probiotic. For consumers, however, there’s no use in taking Bacillus supplements. That’s because Dr. Otto and his colleagues are yet to establish whether or not probiotics continue to be effective and safe when taken for a longer time. The authors also note that a single month of treatment is probably not enough. Nor do they know whether Bacillus supplements available in stores are effective, given that food supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

 

The next step for Dr. Otto and his team is conducting a larger and longer trial using Bacillus probiotic supplements available on the market. In a statement to Verywell Health, Otto shared some preliminary findings, stating that “not all strains on the market produce the molecules that are key to the desired effect on S. aureus.” Still, the research is quite exciting, as it may find a solution to the antibiotic resistance crisis – even if only for one specific pathogen.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.  

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Coping with the loss of my dear husband

 Friends, sorry that I didn't put any post for the last 10 days. My dear husband left for his heavenly abode on his birthday, 6th August, so, now it is his death day too.

He was suffering with some minor ailments first after doing the last rites for his eldest brother, last June. Then his problems just kept on increasing each month. He had undergone first unstable angina, when 2 stents were put in 2003, in 2012, after we shifted down south to a gated community within 2 months had heart attack, underwent double-bypass surgery. I took him alone to the hospital after his attack, as children are settled abroad. Then in 2015, he had unstable angina, on his birthday, rushed him to the hospital, as he had continuous attacks, and his potassium and creatine being high, the doctors asked me after a couple of hours to give in writing that I was willing to undertake the risk of him going through angiography. It was found that another major artery was blocked, but with his condition they couldn't put the stent as his kidneys were partially functioning.

Life went on with some minor problem on and off till last June. I never knew that doing the last rites for his brother ( as his brother's son didn't want to come to do the rites), that my husband would suffer so much. Many elders here said that if the person for whom one does the rites is full of negativity, one does suffer. My husband, a true Leo, had the heart of a lion, always helping anyone who asked for help, he never knew to say NO. He was a perfectionist, his staff who didn't know much English when they joined said, he taught them everything ( this they told my son, when they came from distant places to give their  condolences in person now).

In January, hubby was passing blood with his stools. I was worried, being a cancer survivor myself, took him to see the gastroenterologist, to rule out colon cancer. He underwent colonoscopy. I think that time, he got mild COVID, though we both had our booster dose. In February, he was coughing with phlegm, took him for his cardiac appointment, but his condition had worsened by then, that the cardio couldn't test him, as he was very breathless. Rushed him to ER, asked the Dr. there, why aren't you giving him the injection that the cardio had prescribed, the Dr. said that his BP was just 100/40, at that point they can't give him anything till his condition stabilised. Once he was slightly stable he was taken for CT scan, then they told me he has pneumonia, with his heart condition, he was shifted to ICU, where he had a mild heart attack, which was told to me next morning when I went to visit him. At this point of time too, I was alone. Then PCR test was positive, he was shifted to COVID ward, but told him to shift to an isolation room, as some in the ward had worse condition. In 5 days, he was discharged.

In December, his right big toe had got stuck in the mat, where there was a hole, he pulled his leg, the nail had come out, being a diabetic, he had no pain, didn't realise that he was bleeding from his toe for almost 10 minutes, as he was talking to one friend after another. Then as he went t wear his footwear, the gardeners sitting there  asked him what happened to his leg, then when he looked down saw the blood. In the mean time, like Sherlock Holmes, a man from the kitchen traced his blood trail and came to him, took him by hand to the nurse, who dressed him. Next morning, the bed sheet had lots of blood stains, daughter( a Dr.) said to take him to a bigger clinic as his nail has come out and needs to be pulled out. The physician pulled out his nail without any anesthesia, as he said he has no feelings at all in his leg ! Being a heart patient, he is on blood thinner, so he kept bleeding for a long time, the physician had to give blood clotting injection, then bandaged on top of the bandage again, sent him home with some medication.

At first, I was taking him to the clinic for dressing, then the physician said you can do the dressing. By beginning January kept telling the physician that I'm not happy with the colour of the skin just behind where the toe should be. He said nothing wrong. Anyway his next problems in Jan. & Feb. made me forget about that, as I was busy with his new problems, also I had to be admitted as antibiotics didn't work, my fever was going high, needed hospitalisation by end Feb.

By mid- March, found the skin on top of his right foot was getting pink, first thought must be due to some insect bite, but when the top of the foot started turning pink, took him to the physician, he said skin infection, how it could happen, he said in many ways, by even scratching oneself. He was given antibiotics. By the end of March saw the infection spreading to his leg. Took him to the vascular surgeon in a big hospital as he had comorbidities. The surgeon said because of his heart and kidney condition best to admit him as he can monitored while he was treated with antibiotics through IV and orally. He said for 4-5 days admission. But the days stretched beyond a fortnight, as the infection had spread below his foot and the point came where the surgeon said that he may need amputation of his toe or even part of his foot. Hubby kept asking me what will I do? I said that I'll still take care of him but feel sad that he neglected his health ( as he loved sweets, would never stop eating it, needed pickles, salty snack  and at times added extra salt, all which were bad for his health). I kept praying to Shirdi Sai Baba and Lord Ganesha to save his foot. God answered my prayers, foot was saved, but a deep cut from below the toe about 5" was made to remove all the infection.

His foot was on vacuum bandage, and every 5 days had to go to the hospital to change the bandage. by mid May, I had to rush him to the hospital as he was running high fever, he was so incoherent, that I was getting scared by the blank look he had. Then our daughter ( a Dr. in US), said to check his oxygen level, it had dropped to 85. I then remembered what I was telling those who had COVID to keep sniffing camphor and ajwain/ carom seeds, which I tied in a little kerchief told him to keep sniffing till we reached the hospital,  his oxygen levels increased to 93-94, or else he'ld have been on ventilator. After the initial routine treatment in ER, he was taken to ICU, next evening, he had CT scan- the report was normal, he was sent to the room. But within 2 hours, he was breathless, complained of chest pain, called the nurse, she came with the Dr. to take ECG, but hubby couldn't lie down as he was very breathless and sweating profusely ( normally, diabetics don't sweat when they have heart attack, nor did he, earlier). Hubby was rushed to ICU, where around midnight, I was  asked to come to the ICU as he had multiple heart attacks and was critical. 

I was so scared as to what the Dr. was going to say as almost for a minute, he just kept looking at me, as I was alone, then he asked is anyone with me, I said NO. Then he asked how many kids I've and where are they. I told him both aren't in India. Then again silence, I felt like eternity as to what was the news next. He said your husband is very critical due to multiple heart attacks, he needed my consent for intubation if necessary. I just signed the form, came to the room, cried to my heart's content. Then called our kids, told our son to come soon catching the 1st available flight from UK. Our son-in-law had come that morning, as I called him as I was scared by the blank look of my husband. As son-in-law hadn't slept the whole night as he had to be at the airport by 4.30, sent him home that evening, after hubby was sent to the room. After midnight called him to come immediately to the hospital.

God gave an extension of life from mid May till August 6th, with twice admission once in June as he was again breathless and in July to stitch his wound. On 31st July, I had taken him to his surgeon to see if he can remove his stitches. While dressing the wound, the surgeon asked him when is he due for cardiac checkup ? This he told me the next day. The surgeon told me to change the dressing on Thursday and meet him on Monday morning. On Wednesday got blood tests done for his thyroid, which the cardio wanted and renal function test which the nephrologist wanted. On Thursday-4th when I took him to the hospital, he was getting slightly breathless while walking few steps, once he sat down in few seconds he was normal. The cardio told him get admitted, he said that he is tired of being admitted for the last so many months, to prescribe some tablet. He was asked to take a tablet on 4th & 5th at 2 pm, get blood tests done on Sunday, meet the cardio on Monday morning, then his surgeon to remove the stitches. 

As hubby was getting breathless walking to the restroom, I didn't allow him to go unless he wanted to do potty, as I had urinal to do only on the bed. He was feeling bad and kept saying I feel guilty to wake you up practically even 90 minutes at night, as I sleep soundly. Told him that neither is he a burden to me nor do I lose my sleep, as I was caring for him whole day, giving him bath and so on, I said at night I go back to sleep at once. On Friday night, around 2.30, after passing urine, he said that he could feel his heart pumping blood. In May, after his multiple heart attacks, the cardio told me that only 35-40% of his heart is functioning. I realised that his heart is slowly failing. That morning by 5.45 I saw him get up, I said why don't you sleep, as he was constipated the previous day, I had given him laxative, so he wanted to do potty,I held his hand and took him ( as his hemoglobin was 8, with bandage on his foot, weak heart and kidneys, he was unstable) to the potty, helped him sit down. Once he finished, helped him get up, asked him to brush his teeth, he said that he doesn't have the strength, he'll just gargle. I said fine. Held his hand, got him to the living room, made him sit on the sofa/ couch, and kept his thyroxin / eltroxin tablet minimum dose was prescribed as his thyroid function was poor. He was breathless, showed by action that he'll take it. I wished him happy birthday, dialed our daughter's number spoke to her and gave him the phone and went to the restroom, brushed and came back. He told the daughter, your mom is taking too long to brush. He was scared as his heart was failing and due to his phobia can't be alone. I rushed back, gave him coffee, asked him shall I take you to the hospital, he nodded, called for the taxi by 8, as I had to get things ready, clothes, his and my medicines, his files and so on. Then while I was getting things ready, he said call the ambulance. I said, I'll quickly shower in 5 minutes, then call, as I've not packed things, though I got things ready. Called the ambulance, it was here in 20 minutes, as we stay 16 km away from the hospital. Taking 3 steps, he sat on the stretcher, was breathless, showed by hand wait and wanted oxygen, they said it is in the ambulance and wheeled him quickly into it, kept oxygen mask and the nurse kept the leads for ECG, by that time, after locking the house, climbed on the ambulance, he had breathed his last, the ECG line was straight. The nurse did CPR, to revive him, gave him an injection, asked for the nearest hospital, 3 km away. But his heart was dead by then. To be honest, seeing him suffer for the last 1 year, I'ld not take it any longer, as he felt bad thinking that he is making me work. though any amount of assurance didn't help, as being a thyroid cancer patient with COPD and so on, was breathless myself. Even if he had survived, the quality of life would have been bad, glad that God gave him relief from his suffering.

Today is the 10th day, still I can feel him around watching me, calling out to me at times. Yes, I miss him, as 49 years of my life I have spent with him under his love and care. I'll miss him, but sadly life has to go on. My son wants to take me for a change, but after that coming back to emptiness will be worse, it will be better to continue here as my friends are there, I intend to start teaching the needy students to keep my mind busy and continue with my crochet, as I feel happy making amigurumi, for which I didn't any time for the last so many months, got to finish the bunny and finish the loop and stitch the button for the tiny bear with overall.

My friends, I know it is a big blow to miss your dear spouse of 49 years. But for the sake of my children and grandchildren have to live as long as I'm destined to. People say that I'm brave as I've never asked for help for any of our friends to rush him to the hospital each time, managed it all myself. Now, with his blessings and love, shall continue to live the way he liked me to do so.

I wish to encourage others through this that we've to face destiny, be bold, don't buckle under any pressure. Keep your mind busy doing things that you love doing, what makes you happy. Learn to live for yourself not the way the society wants you to live. Your life, be happy doing what you love doing, that's what I'm going to do. Let others talk, don't bother, as we've no control over their tongues, be happy that you can control your life. Be happy, keep smiling. Think of the present, as future is very unpredictable.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

10 Natural Home Remedies For Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a serious and rather common skin infection of subcutaneous tissues and deep skin layers. This condition is often caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, yet other bacterial infections can also result in cellulitis. These bacteria cause the infected skin region to become warm, red, swollen, and painful, causing a good deal of discomfort. Luckily, there are many different cures for this infection, most of which are perfectly safe and natural. Below, you'll find 10 of the best natural remedies for cellulitis, so read on and start your treatment today!  

 

1. Vitamins  

Vitamins provide a wealth of benefits for many types of illnesses, and cellulitis is no exception. Vitamin A provides the body with anti-infective effects, so it could certainly aid in treating this disease. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, while aiding in the healing of wounds and skin rashes. Vitamin E, on the other hand, could help reduce the development of the infectious tissue, helping to keep it firmly under control.

2. Pineapple

Pineapple contains an enzyme known as bromelain, which has been found to help cure cellulitis quickly and effectively. Try and find creative ways to add pineapple to your daily meals to help both cure cellulitis, as well as to prevent it from resurfacing. 

 

3. Echinacea (Coneflower) 

Echinacea helps cure cellulitis, while strengthening your immune system at the same time. Additionally, it's packed with flavonoids that provide anti-allergic, antimicrobial, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. To use echinacea, you can either consume it internally, or apply it to the affected area in the form of a cream or gel. Make sure you consult a doctor before using echinacea to make sure you take the correct dose. 

 

4. Rosemary and Fennel Oil 

The combination of fennel and rosemary oil is a useful and effective skin lubricant, and its application reduces the risk of further infection or future recurrence of cellulitis. Apply 2 to 5 drops of the oil directly onto the affected skin region, until the infection is completely cured. 

 

5. Yogurt

Yogurt works wonders for cellulitis because it acts directly on the infected skin region by reducing and discarding infectious agents and trigger factors. Eat one or two cups of yogurt a day to increase the amount of healthy bacteria inside your body. 

 

6. Manuka Honey 

Manuka honey is very rich in phytochemicals, which are great at managing staph infections, such as cellulitis. An added bonus is that manuka honey can also speed up wound healing. To cure cellulitis, spread a few drops of the honey onto the affected area, leave it there for a few hours, and then wash it off. You can do this 2 or 3 times a day until you get better results.  

 

7. Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the best home remedies for dealing with cellulitis. It contains strong antibiotic and antiseptic properties that can treat (as well as prevent) this infection. In addition, it contains curcumin, which provides wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits. First of all, you need to add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk, before boiling it. Then, all you need to do is to add a little bit of honey. Drink this mixture once or twice a day until the infection is cleared. 

 

8. Tea Tree Oil 

Tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties that are very effective at healing cellulitis. To treat an infection, you first need to moisten some cotton swabs with water. Next, add 1 or 2 drops of essential tea tree oil onto each swab. Finally, dab the swabs onto the affected areas, and leave the oil on for a couple of hours before washing it off. 

 

9. Garlic

Garlic contains the active compound allicin, which is often used as a natural antibiotic for treating skin infections. Apart from eating 3 or 4 crushed garlic cloves a day, there's also another simple way to use garlic to treat cellulitis: Apply some crushed garlic to the infected area, and allow 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Be warned though, this method isn't suitable for people with sensitive skin. 

 

10. Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid, which can help your body fight bacteria. What's more, it also helps to soothe irritated skin. To help treat cellulitis, all you need to do is to apply some coconut oil onto the affected area. Then, just leave it on there for a couple of hours, before rinsing it off. Reapply several times a day until your infection is cured.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement