Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy blood donors in Tehran Regional Educational Blood Transfusion Centre

The Diagnostic Potential of the Human Blood Microbiome: Are We Dreaming or Awake?

Human blood has historically been considered a sterile environment. Recently, a thriving microbiome dominated by Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes phyla was detected in healthy blood. The localization of these microbes is restricted to some blood cell populations, particularly the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and erythrocytes. It was hypothesized that the blood microbiome originates from the skin-oral-gut axis. In addition, many studies have evaluated the potential of blood microbiome dysbiosis as a prognostic marker in cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis, severe liver fibrosis, severe acute pancreatitis, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney diseases. The present review aims to summarize current findings and most recent evidence in the field.

An experimental model for induction of lung cancer in rats by Chlamydia pneumoniae

OBJECTIVE

To assess induction effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) on lung cancer in rats.

METHODS

A lung cancer animal model was developed through repeated intratracheal injection of Cpn (TW-183) into the lungs of rats, with or without exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (Bp). Cpn antibodies (Cpn-IgA, -IgG, and -IgM) in serum were measured by microimmunofluorescence. Cpn-DNA or Cpn-Ag of rat lung cancer was detected through polymerase chain reaction or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The prevalence of Cpn infection was 72.9% (35/48) in the Cpn group and 76.7% (33/43) in the Cpn plus benzo(a)pyrene (Bp) group, with incidences of lung carcinomas in the two groups of 14.6% (7/48) and 44.2% (19/43), respectively (P-values 0.001 and <0.001 compared with normal controls).

CONCLUSIONS

A rat model of lung carcinoma induced by Cpn infection was successfully established in the laboratory for future studies on the treatment, prevention, and mechanisms of the disease.