Escherich and Escherichia

(R)Evolution in Allergic Rhinitis Add-On Therapy: From Probiotics to Postbiotics and Parabiotics

Starting from the “Hygiene Hypothesis” to the “Microflora hypothesis” we provided an overview of the symbiotic and dynamic equilibrium between microbiota and the immune system, focusing on the role of dysbiosis in atopic march, particularly on allergic rhinitis. The advent of deep sequencing technologies and metabolomics allowed us to better characterize the microbiota diversity between individuals and body sites. Each body site, with its own specific environmental niches, shapes the microbiota conditioning colonization and its metabolic functionalities. The analysis of the metabolic pathways provides a mechanistic explanation of the remote mode of communication with systems, organs, and microflora of other body sites, including the ecosystem of the upper respiratory tract. This axis may have a role in the development of respiratory allergic disease. Notably, the microbiota is significant in the development and maintenance of barrier function; influences hematopoiesis and innate immunity; and shows its critical roles in Th1, Th2, and Treg production, which are necessary to maintain immunological balance and promote tolerance, taking part in every single step of the inflammatory cascade. These are microbial biotherapy foundations, starting from probiotics up to postbiotics and parabiotics, in a still-ongoing process. When considering the various determinants that can shape microbiota, there are several factors to consider: genetic factors, environment, mode of delivery, exposure to antibiotics, and other allergy-unrelated diseases. These factors hinder the engraftment of probiotic strains but may be upgradable with postbiotic and parabiotic administration directly on molecular targets. Supplementation with postbiotics and parabiotics could represent a very exciting perspective of treatment, bypassing probiotic limitations. At present, this avenue remains theoretical and to be explored, but it will certainly be a fascinating path to follow.

Control Measurements of Escherichia coli Biofilm: A Review

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common pathogen that causes diarrhea in humans and animals. In particular, E. coli can easily form biofilm on the surface of living or non-living carriers, which can lead to the cross-contamination of food. This review mainly summarizes the formation process of E. coli biofilm, the prevalence of biofilm in the food industry, and inhibition methods of E. coli biofilm, including chemical and physical methods, and inhibition by bioactive extracts from plants and animals. This review aims to provide a basis for the prevention and control of E. coli biofilm in the food industry.

Theodor Escherich: The First Pediatric Infectious Diseases Physician?

The career of Theodor Escherich (1857-1911) qualifies him as the first pediatric infectious diseases physician. His landmark bacteriologic studies identified the common colon bacillus (now known as Escherichia coli), and he was very committed to pediatrics, serving as chairman of several prominent departments of pediatrics, including the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vienna and St. Anna's Children's Hospital in Vienna, Austria, arguably Europe's most prestigious pediatric position.